43 Days Expanses of East Europe - featuring Russia's Glittering Golden Ring Tour Package
Duration: 43 Days / 42 Nights
Priced From: $12,041 (All pricing reflects per-person Land Only expenses)
Dates: June
This astonishing 43-day adventure through a total of eight countries is a remarkable showcase of some of the most memorable and exciting destinations in Eastern Europe. There's no destination more appropriate to set the tone of this once-in-a-lifetime trip than Warsaw, capital city of Poland. An outstanding example of a near-total reconstruction effort of a span of history covering the 13th to the 20th centuries, Warsaw has managed to painstakingly return itself to its former glory as it was before the decimation suffered in the Great Patriotic War (Second World War) and exists today as a highly rewarding tour destination. We spend time in no fewer than a dozen cities and towns, each of which offers innumerable cultural and historic attractions and, after almost two weeks, we leave for the Baltic States with valuable insights as to Polish culture, the lifestyles of its people, the country's fascinating past and its promising future. For the next week or so, we immerse ourselves in the Baltic Sea countries of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland, relaxing amid rolling green hills, being entranced by forest-fringed lakes, and visiting bustling urban centres to experience these unique cultures that are now thriving after hundreds of years of conquest wars, German colonization and demographic Russification. Heading eastwards, we travel by rail to the architecturally breathtaking city of St Petersburg in Russia. 'The Venice of the North,' as it is often called, truly is one of Europe's greatest cities and we devote a number of days to explore fully its many marvels, like the unforgettable Peter and Paul Fortress and the incredible Hermitage Museum. As the country's cultural capital, the glittering city offers far more than just grand palaces, beautiful churches and historic sites of interest; it is here that travellers can get a real feel for the Russian peoples and their ways of life. Making our way through ancient towns and cities, some dating from as early as 4000BC, we gaze at magnificent domed cathedrals, visit plentiful museums and appreciate the unique, inimitable Russian architectural style in the Golden Ring. Six days and six cities later, we reach Russia's capital city, Moscow, where we check out the some of the country's most famous landmarks, like the Kremlin and Red Square, and we take a couple of days to appreciate fully this remarkable city. Ukraine is our final destination on tour and for a full nine days, we take in UNESCO Heritage Sites, Renaissance monasteries, palatial homes, underground catacombs and enjoy lakeside vacation spots that are among the most popular in the country.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Warsaw
Arrival in Warsaw. After WWII, a reconstruction campaign by its citizens resulted in today's meticulous restoration of Warsaw's Old Town with its churches, palaces and market-place. It is an outstanding example of a near-total reconstruction of a span of history covering the 13th to the 20th century. Overnight in Warsaw. Dinner if required.
Day 2 Warsaw - Kazimierz Dolny - Lublin
We depart this morning for Kazimierz Dolny, a pearl of Polish Renaissance architecture and a picturesque historic town on the Vistula River. The town features countless wonderfully preserved mediaeval sites: a beautiful Market Square, several old churches, granaries, and the ruins of a castle overlooking the town. It is also a favourite place with artists and writers who find inspiration in this picturesque setting. Our journey continues to Lublin. On arrival we will visit the Old Town with its impressive Krakow Gate dating back to 14th century; Town Hall, the Dominican Church founded in the 14th century, presently in the renaissance style. An especially interesting place is the Cathedral with its acoustic sacristy. One of the most important monuments of Lublin is the priceless Byzantine-Russian frescoes in the Church of Holy Trinity situated within the castle fortification walls. The castle was built in the 13th century but it was rebuilt many times; the last reconstruction took place in the 19th century when it was converted into prison. Overnight in Lublin. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 3 Lublin - Zamosc: City Tour
We continue to Zamosc, the fortress-city. Zamosc is one of Europe's best preserved Renaissance town centres and is classified by UNESCO as "an outstanding historical monument". On arrival we will tour the town, founded in the 16th century by the chancellor Jan Zamoysky on the trade route linking western and northern Europe with the Black Sea. Modelled on Italian theories of the 'ideal city' and built by the architect Bernando Morando, a native of Padua, Zamosc is a perfect example of a late-16th-century Renaissance town. It has retained its original layout and fortifications and a large number of buildings that combine Italian and central European architectural traditions. Balance of the day at leisure in this charming city. Overnight in Zamosc. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 4 Zamosc - Lancut - Krakow
Today we travel by road to Lancut where we visit Lancut Castle. Erected in the seventeenth century, the Lancut Castle has been re-designed a number of times. The buildings and the park now have the late nineteenth and early twentieth century appearance, whereas the interiors represent a variety of styles, from Baroque to eclectic to Art Nouveau. The interiors were opened to the public in the inter-war period, and since 1944 the Castle has been Poland's largest residential museum. We continue to Krakow, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It was originally the home of the Polish royalty (between 1038 and 1596), before the capital was moved to Warsaw. The cobblestoned streets, majestic churches (almost 100!), and old world charm make Krakow an unforgetable destination. Overnight in/near Krakow.* Breakfast and dinner. * NOTE: Krakow, and most of Poland, is enjoying a touristic renaissance and is currently experiencing a shortage of hotel accommodation in some locales. Accordingly, we cannot promise that our Krakow hotel will be central.
Day 5 Krakow: Walking Tour
Krakow is very compact, and the whole central region with its cobblestone streets is full of well-preserved architecture, Gothic churches and splendid museums. On our sightseeing tour we visit Wawall Hill with the Royal Castle, Market Square, and the 16th century Renaissance Cloth Hall. We continue onward to Jagiellonian University and St Mary's Church with the Wit Stwosz altar. This was designed in 1489 by Wit Stwosz of Nuremburg and is the finest sculptural work in Poland. We also explore Old Market Square. Your afternoon is free to further explore this beautiful city. Overnight in Krakow. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 6 Krakow: Wieliczka Salt Mines
Today we travel to the Wieliczka Salt Mines. On our 5km (3 mile) journey below the earth's surface we will see the salt-formed caves and grottoes, a subterranean lake and a chapel with statues carved from salt. The mines' 11 levels of galleries stretch 300km (186 miles), and some 20,000,000 tonnes (22,000,000 tons) of rock salt were extracted over 700 years. According to local legend, the deposits were discovered in the 13th century by a Hungarian princess named Kinga, whose lost ring was found in a block of salt extracted here. We return to Krakow the balance of the day at leisure. Overnight in Krakow. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 7 Krakow - Auschwitz & Birkenau - Czestochowa - Warsaw
This morning's programme is important for understanding the complex and compelling nature of the region's history. We visit the Oswiecim (Auschwitz) and Brzezinka (Birkenau) Nazi concentration camps preserved as memorials to the 1.5 million people of 28 nationalities who perished here, the overwhelming majority of whom were Jewish. We then stop at Czestochowa, the "spiritual home" of Poland where pilgrims from every corner of the country come to Jasna Gora (Luminous Mountain) Monastery to worship the image of the Black Madonna, Poland's most important icon. Legend says that the icon was painted by St Luke the Evangelist on a piece of cypress wood from the table used by Mary in Nazareth. The icon was brought from Jerusalem and installed in the monastery around 1384. We continue to Warsaw. Overnight in Warsaw. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 8 Warsaw: City Tour & Wilanow Palace
Warsaw has shrugged off its dour Eastern Bloc image, and is finally showing its true colours. The vibrant heart of the largest country in "New Europe", Warsaw is now poised to make is presence felt as a business and cultural hub. We begin our sightseeing today with a drive along the Royal Route and a brief orientation drive around the city before beginning our walking tour of the Old Town, a UNESCO protected site. We visit the Historical Museum and then have some free time in the vicinity for shopping and lunch. We then proceed to Wilanow Palace, the former residence of King Jan III Sobieski and today housing a superb art collection. We proceed to Lazienki Park for a walk through the park to visit the Palace on the Water. We visit the Castle Square Uprising Monument and then drive over to the Praga area for a view of the river. Overnight in Warsaw. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 9 Warsaw - Zelazowa Wola - Torun
Today we travel northward to Torun via Zelazowa Wola and the house of composer, Frederic Chopin, where we break for lunch. We continue to the picturesque medieval town of Torun. Torun escaped World War II with little damage and many of its buildings remain untouched since the Middle Ages. A highlight of our tour today will be the Nicolaus Copernicus Museum, Copernius House. The museum collects materials about the life and work of Copernicus: a library, old prints and books from the time of Copernicus, various editions of his work, "Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres," and models of the astronomical instruments he used. Overnight in Torun. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 10 Torun - Malbork - Gdansk
Today we travel from Torun to Malbork. On arrival we will visit Malbork Castle (a UNESCO site), the largest castle in Poland and one of the oldest in Europe. This is a splendid example of a classic medieval fortress with multiple defensive walls, a labyrinth of rooms and chambers with great architectural details and decorations. We will have free time for lunch and exploration followed by a transfer to Gdansk where we will have a tour on arrival. Gdansk is absolutely charming, and the architecture with its tall, narrow buildings, peaked roofs and decorative facades combine perfectly with the cobblestone streets. The famous Gdansk Shipyards are visible from most parts of the city. We visit the marvellous Old Town and its main street--Dlugi Targ (Long Market). Overnight in Gdansk. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 11 Gdansk: Kaszuby Region
Today we explore the Polish folklore of the Kaszuby Region. Kashubia, the northern part of Poland, is characterized by the beauty of its landscapes and its numerous architectural monuments. The heart of Kashubia is the Carthusian district (Kartuzy), known as the "Kashubian Switzerland" and one of the most beautiful parts of Poland. Owing to the preponderance of hills, hillocks, forests and numerous lakes, Kashubia has come to be known as "the land of a thousand lakes". The Kashubian Regional Museum in Kartuzy will introduce you to some of the intricacies of Kashubian domestic, cultural and religious traditions. Kashubians are a very ancient ethnic group of Slavonic Balts. They resisted polonisation for centuries but regard themselves as Poles. After the partitions of Poland, despite systematic Germanisation, the Kashubians maintained close ties with Poland. They did not lose their identity, historical heritage or original culture. We stop in Wdzydze Kiszewskie to visit the oldest ethnographical open-air museum in Poland, picturesquely located within the Wdzydze Landscape Park. The museum includes buildings collected from the central and southern Kashubia region. Overnight in Gdansk. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 12 Gdansk - Olsztyn - Warsaw
This morning we travel back south to Warsaw via Olsztyn, a city located in the heart of one of Poland's favorite vacation areas. We'll pause here to see the room in which Copernicus lived during a visit to the Museum of Warmia and Mazuria, housed in the old Gothic castle. We'll also visit the Gothic St. James Cathedral before continuing our journey. We arrive in Warsaw later in the afternoon. Overnight in Warsaw. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 13 Warsaw, Poland - Vilnius, Lithuania
Today we fly from Warsaw to Vilnius and transfer to our hotel. "Narrow cobblestone streets and an orgy of Baroque: almost like a Jesuit city somewhere in the middle of Latin America," wrote the author Czeslaw Milosz of pre-war Vilnius. Soviet-era satellite suburbs aside, it's a description which still rings true today. Despite being the capital of the medieval Lithuanian state, Vilnius was occupied by Poland between the wars and was inhabited mainly by Poles and Jews who played such a prominent role in the city's life that it was known as the "Northern Jerusalem". Vilnius is still a cosmopolitan place--around twenty percent of its population is Polish and another twenty percent is Russian--though with just 543,000 inhabitants it has an almost village-like atmosphere, making it an easy place to get to know. Overnight in Vilnius. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 14 Vilnius & Trakai
Sweden, Poland, France and Russia have ruled Vilnius in the past, and this morning we will see the influence that past rule had on this beautiful city. The Old Town, the historical centre of Vilnius, is one of the largest in Europe, and the most valuable historic and cultural sites are concentrated here. The buildings in the old town--there are nearly 1,500--were built over several centuries, creating a splendid blend of many different architectural styles. Our walking tour will take us to the Cathedral Square in the heart of the city. All streets radiate out from this square, and the dominating cathedral rises majestically in the centre. Inside the cathedral we will see the famous chapel of Saint Kazimieras, considered to be an architectural jewel. Rising in the distance behind Cathedral Square is the Gedimino Tower, once part of the 14th century defense system. We will also see the baroque style Peter and Paul Church, originally built in the 14th century. The Gates of Dawn on the eastern side of the old town were once one of the original nine gates into the city, the original Gothic defensive wall was once over 2 km (1.5 miles) long. From this remaining gate we will walk down through the streets of the old town. Nearby is the Jewish quarter with its lanes fashioned with cobblestones and hidden courtyards. After lunch we travel to Trakai, a former capital of Lithuania. The town, situated on the shores of several lakes, has two prominent castles. The castles were built to fend off German knights in the 14th century. Trakai is famous for its population of Kara-Kalpak people. Brought to Trakai from the Crimean Peninsula by the Grand Duke Vytautas in the late 14th century, the Kara-Kalpak still hold their Jewish religious services in the yellow Kinessa, built in 1812. Our tour here includes a visit to the Trakai Historical Museum, housed within the main rooms of Trakai's island castle. We return to Vilnius. Overnight in Vilnius. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 15 Vilnius - Kaunas - Siauliai, Lithuania - Riga, Latvia
We travel by road today to Riga via Kaunas with a stop there to see the Castle and Old Town, at the confluence of the two largest Lithuanian rivers, the Nemunas and the Neris, where the town was founded. We see the Town Hall Square, with the 15th-16th century merchants' houses and the 17th century's white, the baroque Town Hall dominating its center; the nearby majestic Kaunas Cathedral and the Gothic Vytautas Church built in 1400 on the riverbank. Kaunas is the most authentically Lithuanian city, as the percentage of native Lithuanians who live in Kaunas is greater than in any other Lithuanian city. After our visit here we continue north to Riga past rolling green hills. En route we stop at the Hill of Crosses, located just north of the small industrial city of Siauliai. Siauliai is the Lithuanian national pilgrimage center, and a city of famous cultural traditions and legends. Standing upon a small hill are thousands of crosses that represent Christian devotion and a memorial to Lithuanian national identity. This site represents a compelling resistance memorial to the German and Soviet occupation. Today newlyweds often come here after their wedding ceremony to ask for God's blessing. After our stop we will proceed to the border and continue on to Riga. Overnight in Riga. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 16 Riga: City Tour
Riga, founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a true kaleidoscope of various architectural styles. We will start our day with a panorama drive taking in the most famous sights of Riga. Our route along the embankment of the River Daugava provides us with wonderful panoramic views of the city. We will follows through to the center of the town to the Jugendstil district, Alberta Street -- a real open-air architectural museum, and one of the best collections of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe. We will then drive through the modern part of the city, observing the university building, National Opera, Academy of Arts and central train station. We will then leave our bus at the entrance to the Old Town. Our walking tour of the Old Town will include Riga Castle, Dome Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, Swedish Gates, "Three Brothers", Large and Small Guild Houses and the Freedom Monument. During your free time, we recommend a visit to the Museum of the Occupation, dedicated to information about Latvia and its people under two occupying totalitarian regimes from 1940 to 1991 (entrance to donation). Overnight in Riga. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 17 Riga: Rundale Palace & Ethnographic Open Air Museum
This morning we travel about 90 minutes to a region known as Bauska where we visit Rundale Palace, an architectural pearl created by architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, designer of the Winter Palace in St Petersburg. Construction of the palace was completed only in 1768 and now it is a magnificent sample of baroque style with elements of classicism, with crystal chandeliers, rich stucco moulding, silk wallpaper, collection of paintings, and frescoes by Italian artists. This is the place where leaders of the state, wishing to receive high guests with really regal honours, hosted the royal couple from Denmark when they visited in Latvia. After lunch we will drive to the Ethnographic Open Air Museum. The museum is an island of Latvian folk art, where the ancient way of life is carefully recreated and preserved for posterity. More than ninety authentic houses, farmsteads, windmills, wooden churches, fishermen's villages and other historic structures have been brought here from different regions of Latvia and represent the life of craftspeople, peasants and fishermen from centuries past. Overnight in Riga. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 18 Riga, Latvia - Parnu - Tallinn, Estonia
This morning we depart Riga for Tallinn, visiting Parnu en route. There was a trading settlement in Parnu before the German crusaders arrived, but recorded history of the city dates back to the 13th century. From the middle of the 19th century, Parnu developed as a resort town with its good beaches and relatively good weather. During the Soviet era, Parnu's guesthouses, inns and hotels were converted to sanatoria. We will do a walking tour of parts of the Old Town including the town's oldest building, the Red Tower. We continue to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Historically, the city has been attacked, sacked, razed and pillaged on numerous occasions. Although extensively bombed by Soviet air forces during the latter stages of World War II, much of the medieval Old Town still retains its charm. The Tallinn Old Town became a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1997. Overnight in Tallinn. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 19 Tallinn: City Tour
Today we have a guided WALKING tour of this important Baltic Sea harbour city. We begin with a visit to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, built in the nineteenth century. The cathedral dominates the Lossi Plats, and is an imposing testament to the Russian imperialist influence. We also visit the Dominican Monastery, which played an important role in bringing Christianity to Estonia. We have the opportunity to visit the Toompea Castle site, a thirteenth century castle where the current parliament of Estonia holds its sessions. In the immediate area we will also visit the Toomkirik Lutheran cathedral, founded in 1233, with its impressive carved tombs inside. This afternoon you will have some free time to stroll through the picturesque Old Town with its jumble of medieval buildings, turrets and walls. Overnight in Tallinn. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 20 Tallinn, Estonia - Helsinki, Finland
This morning we take a fast ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki (HAVE YOUR PASSPORTS HANDY!) and embark upon a tour of this sophisticated capital. Affectionately known as the 'Daughter of the Baltic', Helsinki is sited at the arrowhead of a peninsula, surrounded by an archipelago of 315 islands, perfectly placed between its two great trading cousins, Stockholm and Moscow. In a European perspective, Helsinki is relatively young (450 years), yet it is Finland's sixth-oldest town. The Swedes, who extended their empire into Finland in 1155, founded the city of 'Helsingfors' (the name still used by the Swedes) in 1550 when King Gustav Vasa needed a site for a strategic, competitively placed trading port. It languished as a coastal backwater until Imperialist Russia invaded in 1809. Today we will enjoy a comprehensive walking tour taking in the most important and interesting parts of Helsinki, such as the historical centre and the diplomatic quarters, the Presidential Palace, City Hall, the Parliament building, Finlandia Hall and the Opera House. We stop at Senate Square, and, if possible, Temppeliaukio Church. During the afternoon you can explore the busy market place or the many souvenir shops close to the harbour. Overnight in Helsinki. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 21 Helsinki, Finland - St Petersburg, Russia
We depart Helsinki at 7:27 am on Finnish train 'Sibelius' to St Petersburg, arrival at 13:33 pm. St Petersburg is a relatively new city, founded in 1703. When it was nine years old it became the capital of Russia and retained this status till 1918. Even now it is referred to as the "Northern capital" of Russia. Over almost 300 years of its history St Petersburg accumulated all the grandeur of the Russian Imperial Court and became one of the largest centers of culture, science and industry. Created by Peter the Great as a sea port on the Baltic it was essentially "a window to the West" for Russia, combining the best of the West and the East. Overnight in St Petersburg. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 22 St Petersburg: The Hermitage & Peter and Paul Fortress
Today we explore one of the world's leading museums, The Hermitage. With over 400 exhibition halls, it is virtually impossible to list all of the treasures. While walking through the many galleries, look out for Madonna by Raphael, Judith by Giorgione, Titian's Saint-Sebastian, and many, many paintings by Rembrandt. Inside this beautiful Winter Palace are some of the finest collections of French impressionist works. In addition, there is a fine collection of ancient and classical works from ancient Egypt, Syria, and Mesopotamia. One could easily spend several days wandering the halls inside the building; for the purposes of our formal guided tour today, we concentrate on the hightlights and provide an orientation to those wishing to explore further on their own during some designated free time. Later this afternoon we will reconvene for a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress and St Isaac's Cathedral. At the fortress we will see how the fort played an important role in the development of St Petersburg. Inside the stone walls we will visit the Cathedral of Peter and Paul, the final resting place of the Romanovs. At St Isaac's Cathedral we will notice the interior reliefs of exceptional beauty. We will also hear of the many legends that make this church famous throughout Russia. As we travel around from point to point today you will also have a general orientation / panoramic tour of this compact city. Overnight in St Petersburg. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 23 St Petersburg: Russian Museum & Catherine Palace
Today we will spend the morning touring the Russian Museum. The museum opened in 1898 by Alexander III in the beautiful Mikhailovsky Palace--well worth inspecting before you take a look at the collection inside. Works of Russian art abound with over 370,000 pieces in the collection. There are prized paintings, sculptures, iconographic art and several masterpieces. It truly is an encyclopaedia of Russian life, character and soul. This afternoon we travel to Pushkin to see the sumptuous Catherine Palace, created in the eighteenth century by Catherine the Great, the second wife of Peter III. Designed by Rastrelli, this palace is a truly stunning example of classical baroque architecture and interior design. The true glory of the palace is the Amber Room, made of several tons of the golden tree resin--the lightest gem in the world. The room was first installed in the Winter Palace, but in 1755 Empress Elizabeth ordered Francesco Rastrelli to move it to the Catherine Palace. The individual amber panels were carried from St Petersburg to Tsarskoe Selo by 76 guardsmen in six days. They were not large enough to complete the new 100 m decor, so mosaic and mirror insets were added and the upper part of the walls was painted to imitate amber. Overnight in St Petersburg. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 24 St Petersburg: Peterhof Palace - Overnight train to Yaroslavl
This morning we travel to Catherine's Chinese Palace in nearby Lomonosov.* Left virtually undamaged by war, this little-visited gem is a stunning example of the rare Rococo style of architecture, with its original inlaid floors and walls, and superb collection of Ming Dynasty porcelain still intact. We will also visit Peterhof Palace, a remarkable example of 18th and 19th century country estates. Built by Peter I in 1717, the palace was to be "better than the French king's at Versailles." An intricate system of water fountains surrounds the palace in the immaculate gardens. We will have a chance to walk through the palace, as well as take a leisurely stroll through the gardens. We return to the city by hydrofoil (weather/season permitting). The balance of your day is free to explore St Petersburg on your own, or make an last-minute souvenir purchases. Later we board our overnight train to Yaroslavl. This train is very comfortable and most passengers find the experience very enjoyable (single compartments NOT available; single supplements reflect sharing for this one night). * PLEASE NOTE: The palace at Lomonosov will be closed indefinitely for restoration from 16 Sep 2007. Accordingly, should it be closed during your chosen departure, we will substitute a visit to Pavlovsk Palace, one of the most splendid residences of the Russian imperial family and part of the World Heritage Site of Saint Petersburg and related groups of monuments. Overnight train. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 25 Yaroslavl: City Tour
This morning we arrive in Yaroslavl and embark on a tour of this ancient regional capital. Yaroslavl is older than Moscow. Established about 1010 by Prince Yaroslav the Wise at the bank of Volga River. In the 17th century, Yaroslavl was the biggest trade and industrial town of Russia. During this time many new buildings were built there, such that the town now has its own peculiar school of architectural styles and construction. Indeed the successful merchants in the town tried to out-do each other in their contributions to the city's architecture, encouraged by the city's architectural school. The Yaroslavl churches of the 17th century differ by dimension, multiple domes, and picturesque asymmetry created by side-chapels, vestibules and porches. The churches are strongly decorated by tiles and figured carving. On the whole, this is the style called "the Russian style", unique and inimitable. AN Benua, a prominent art historian, called this style "the true Russian style of disappearing magnificent Russian culture". The inner walls of Yaroslavl churches display multiple wall-paintings, very picturesque, symmetrical with a cheerful and bright combination of clean, and open shades: blue, red and golden. There are other interesting monuments related to the 17th century, such as the architectural ensemble in Korovniki, the Church of Nikola Mokry, the Palace of Metropolitan and the Church of Saviour. The former Saviour Ressurection Convent (Cathedral and walls built in the 16th century) is located in place where River Kotorosl flows into the Volga. These days the walls of ancient convent preserve the collection of icons, embroidery, church plates and ancient church books. We visit the Art Museum located on Volga embankment. The museum collection includes icons, including the icon of Saviour dated by the 12th century, the pictorial image of Yaroslavl the Wise, the Tolgskaya icon of the Virgin, the finest collection of icons of the 17th century, which all belong to the Yaroslavl school of icon painting. The display shows provincial portraits and Russian paintings of the 18-19th centuries. Overnight in Yaroslavl. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 26 Yaroslavl - Rostov the Great - Kostroma
This morning we travel to Rostov*, one of the oldest cities on our route, situated by the beautiful Lake Nero. The history of this place begins four thousand years BC when the first tribes stayed next to the lake. Until the 11th century the territory of Rostov was inhabited by the Finn-Ugors, or 'Meryans' people. Slowly they assimilated with the Slavs, who came from the south. On arrival we will have a tour of the enormous cathedral of the XVI century and its "metropoly," considered to be the ancient city center, so called "Rostov Kremlin". Its towers impress by their white-stone architecture. We also visit the "Rostov Finift" Museum for which the town is famous. After lunch and some free time in Rostov*, we reverse our route to Kostroma. * On some departures, depending on scheduling, we may travel to Rostov and later to Kostroma by rail. Our baggage will be in storage for the day. Overnight in Kostroma. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 27 Kostroma - Suzdal
This morning we have a tour including the highlights of Kostroma, established in the 12th century. During the time of Polish-Lithuanian intervention in the beginning of the 18th century, Kostroma played a prominent role in the formation of people's volunteer corps led by Minin and Pozharsky. Another representative of Kostroma, peasant Ivan Susanin took enemies to thick woods and deadly swamps where they all met their deaths. The Central district of Kostroma comprises the buildings and structures built in a classic architectural style during the period between 1770 -1830. It's a fine example of unique, monolithic urban architectural complex. Kostroma is famous for its wonderful architectural monuments: Ipatyevsky Convent (16th-17th century), and the Church of Resurrection on Debra River (1652); Ipatyevsky Convent, located where the Kostroma River flows into the Volga. The St Trinity Cathedral of Convent is a powerful, monumental structure beautifully ornamented and decorated with the wall paintings of Sila Slavin and Guriy Nikitin, who display fantastic artistic flair, expressing the widest range of human emotions the anxious expectation of talking with God. We visit the museum on the territory of the convent with an interesting collection of icons of the 16th-19th centuries, needlework, books, church plates and some exhibits representing the art of provincial painting of the 18th-19th centuries. This afternoon we continue our journey (by private bus) to the next city on the Golden Ring, Suzdal (191 km / 4 h). Overnight Suzdal. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 28 Suzdal: City Tour
Today we have a full day of sightseeing in Suzdal. In full "Suzdal Principality," in Russian "Suzdalskoye Knyazhestvo," this medieval principality occupied the area between the Oka River and the Upper Volga in northeastern Russia. During the 12th to 14th centuries, Suzdal was under the rule of a branch of the Rurik dynasty. As one of the successor regions to Kiev, the principality achieved great political and economic importance, first becoming prominent during the reign of Andrey Bogolyubsky, who conquered Kiev (1169) and transferred the title of "grand prince" from that ancient capital first to Suzdal, then to Vladimir, his new capital on the Klyazma River. He and his brother and successor, Vsevolod III, organized a strong monarchical political system and, as rulers of the Grand Principality of Vladimir, became the most powerful of the Russian princes. They encouraged their subordinate princes to develop the principality and to build churches, palaces, and new cities. We make an excursion to The Kremlin, including the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of God (built 1222-1225), which dominates the Kremlin grounds with its five huge domes; the Archbishop's Palace, which contains the local Museum with exhibits of icons, decorative religious arts and the history of architecture in this area of Russia. On the Kremlin territory are the remnants of Suzdal's first stone church, built in the 12th century. Also located in the Kremlin are the main belfry and the snow-white Archiepiscopal Palace. Suzdal's beauty is not limited just to its Kremlin grounds. The center of the town is decorated with various churches standing side by side one another. These churches vary in size, and have domes and belfries of different shapes and designs, which all add the architectural charm of this small town. Overnight in Suzdal. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 29 Suzdal - Vladimir
Today we travel by road from Suzdal to Vladimir (38 km / 1 h, 10 m). Vladimir was founded by Prince Vladimir Monomakh in 1108. In 1157 Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky moved the capital of Vladimir-Suzdal Principality to Vladimir because of the sacred icon of Our Lady from Constantinople having been moved there. In 1299 the town also became the residence of the Russian Metropolitan. By the middle of the 14th century Vladimir had lost its political importance and Moscow had become the main political centre of the Russian state. The ancient monuments dated by the 12th century remain in town and its suburbs. We will visit the great Cathedral of Dormition, built 1158-1160 by the order of Andrei Bogolyubsky. The interior of the cathedral displays the ornaments and wall paintings that go back to the 12th-13th centuries, and wall-paintings of the 15th century. The Church of St Demetrius stands close to the cathedral. The church was built in 1194-1197 by the order of Prince Vsevolod Big Nest, who was baptized as Demetrius. The facades of the church are ornamented by fine white-stone carving. We see The Golden Gates (1158-1164), located close to the town centre. There is also a white-stoned Arc of Triumph with half-encompassed ceiling and the Church over the gates. Finally we visit the Church of Intercession on Nerly, built in 1165 by the order of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky. The moderate tracery ornament contributes to the quiet beauty of the church. Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky was one of those who admired the cult of Our Lady and introduced it actively in Russia. Overnight in Vladimir. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 30 Vladimir - Sergeiv Posad (Zagorsk) - Moscow
Today we travel by road from Vladimir to Moscow via Sergeiv Posad. Sergeiv Posad ("Zagorsk" in Soviet times) developed from a settlement around the Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra, one of Russia's most famous monasteries (founded 1340). The Trinity Sergiev Monastery was one of the largest monasteries founded in Russia in the 14-15th centuries. In 1774, the monastery was given the title Lavra, the monastery of the highest rank, and played an important role in the history of the formation of the centralized Russian state and in the development of the Russian culture. Due to its wealth, the monastery could afford to invite the best architects and icon-painters for the construction and decoration of the buildings. The monastery bought, and was given as gifts, many first class art objects and crafts. The best of these now form the collection of the museum, which is on the grounds of the monastery. The architectural ensemble of the Trinity Sergiev Monastery was accomplished by the end of the 18th century. The oldest structure of the monastery is the Trinity Cathedral built in 1422 to 1423 and painted by the Russian icon painters Andrei Rublev and Daniel Chorny. The Assumption Cathedral (l558-1585), which resembles the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, is the center of the ensemble of the monastery. We will visit the monastery, which has currently become a place of pilgrimage of the Russian Orthodox Church, including the museum, where one may find the icons of Andrei Rublev and other famous masters of the 15th-18th centuries. After our visit to Sergeiv Posad we will continue to Moscow. Overnight in Moscow. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 31 Moscow: Kremlin & Red Square
Our sightseeing today will include a tour of the Moscow Metro system, in which each station is designed and decorated in a different style, with chandeliers, mosaics, and paintings. Amazingly the underground trains are nearly silent. Some of these stations are so deep that they were used as air raid shelters during WWII. We will also have a walking tour of the Kremlin--the famous triangular-walled citadel of the Soviet Government dating from the end of the 15th century with its many cathedrals and their iconostases, the bell tower of Ivan the Great; and the Czar Bell, which weighing 200 tons, is the largest in the world. Upon leaving the Kremlin, be sure to touch the Kremlin Wall--an omen foretelling your return to this hospitable city. We also include a visit to the Kremlin Armory. In the afternoon we will tour famous Red Square, once the centre of Soviet life. Around the square is the History Museum, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Lenin Mausoleum, which was built in 1929. In the 16th century, Ivan the Terrible ordered the construction of one of Moscow's most famous landmarks--Saint Basil's Cathedral. Originally called Pokrovsky Sobor (the Cathedral of the Veil), each of the nine cupolas cover a chapel named after the saint on whose feast-day the Russian armies won their battles. Overnight in Moscow. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 32 Moscow: Tretiakov Gallery
Today's sightseeing in Moscow takes us to Manej Square, the Bolshoi Theatre, Tverskaya Avenue, Novodevichij convent (outside), the buildings of Moscow University, and panoramic view of the whole Moscow from Poklonnaya Hill, with its Victory Monument. This afternoon we visit a unique treasure house of Russian painting, graphs and sculptures--the Tretiakov Gallery. It has 62 exhibition halls representing the works of the XII century artists, sculptors and icon painters. There you'll see works of Brulov, Savrasov, Vasiliev, Kuindgi, Nesterov, Rublyov, and Ushakov. Overnight in Moscow. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 33 Moscow, Russia - Kyiv, Ukraine
Today we fly from Moscow to Kyiv ("Kiev" in Russian), the capital of Ukraine. Overnight in Kyiv. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 34 Kyiv: City Tour
Today we have a busy day touring Kyiv, including the cathedral of Hagia Sophia, the oldest cathedral in Ukraine. Founded in the early 11th century, and largely rebuilt during the 17th and 18th centuries, it is now a museum with beautiful Christian frescoes. St Sophia Cathedral is inscribed on the UNESCO list of the most important monuments of the world's cultural heritage. We also see the Golden Gate, St Andrew's Church, designed by Rastrelli, the famous architect who built the world famous Winter Palace in St.Petersburg; St Michael's Monastery, monuments to Yaroslav the Wise, Princess Olga, monument to Prince Vladimir, who converted Rus' to Christianity. We also visit the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Monastery where we will be able to see the famous caves, one of the most sacred places of Orthodox Christianity; unique museums of precious historical items, and collections of ancient books and icons. This afternoon we head to the suburbs of Kyiv to the sobering memorial at Babi Yar. Kyiv had a Jewish population of 175,000 on the eve of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. The Nazi forces captured the city in mid-September; within less than a fortnight, on the 29th and 30th, nearly 34,000 Jews of the ghetto were brought to a suburban ravine known as Babi Yar, near the Jewish Cemetary, where men, women, and children were executed over two days. In subsequent months, most of the remaining population was exterminated. Overnight in Kyiv. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 35 Kyiv - Lviv
Today we fly from Kyiv to Lviv, the "capital" of Western Ukraine and one of the country's most impressive cities. The Ukrainian Catholic Church, forced underground by Stalin in 1946, re-emerged here with Glasnost in the late 1980s to play a significant role in a new Ukrainian independence movement. Balance of the day at leisure. Overnight in Lviv. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 36 Lviv: City Tour
Lviv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a rich and impressive history. Numerous historical events are concerned with the city. The walls of old Lviv buildings still keep the spirit of past centuries; cozy streets and fascinating monuments make it a unique attraction among the Ukrainian and Eastern European cities. Lviv's architectural landscape joins the monuments of numerous styles and different epochs. From the gothic 14th century Latin Cathedral, to the baroque of St. George (Sviatoho Yura) Cathedral. Renaissance-style Bernardine Monastery and Chapel of Boimes coexist with the strict simplicity of Armenian Church. We have a city tour including the following major sites: the High Castle or Prince Hill, where the fortress used to be, with the panorama lot; the Church of St. Nicholas (13th century); the Church of Assumption and the Kornyakt Belfry (16th century); the Church of St.Parasceve (17th century) and its unique 70-icon iconostasis; the Cathedral of Dominicans (18th century); the Old Pharmacy; Market Square (over 40 14th-18th century buildings; St.George's Cathedral (18th century); St.John's Cathedral (14th century); the "Vienna-like" Prospekt Svobody (Liberty Avenue); the magnificent Opera House (exterior). You may wish to take in an optional performance at the Lviv Opera if schedules permit. Overnight in Lviv. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 37 Lviv: "Golden Horseshoe" Tour
Today we have a trip to the "Golden Horseshoe of Lviv," visiting Olesky and Pidhirts castles, as well as Zolochivsky Castle, site of one of the three Chinese palaces remaining in Europe. Olesky Castle (13-18th century) was built on hill by one of the sons of the Galician-Volynian prince, Yuriy Lvivych. The castle was described as a mighty fortress in documents dating to 1327. During the 15th and 18th centuries the Tatars made frequent attacks on the castle. In the 16th century it was rebuilt in the Italian Renaissance style. Today a museum and art gallery are located in the castle. Pidhirtsy Castle (1635-40). The castle complex includes: a palace surrounded by a system of ditches and walls, a Roman Catholic Church, a Baroque gate, and a park with various buildings from the 17th-18th century. Zolochiv Castle is a former residence of a Polish count, surrounded by defensive ramparts. The Chinese Palace stands nearby. Balance of the day at leisure. This evening you might consider an optional visit to the Lviv Opera (if available; your Tour Leader can help plan this excursion). Overnight in Lviv. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 38 Lviv - Simferopol - Yalta
Today we transfer to the airport for our flight to Simferopol (possibly via Kyiv). We continue by road to Yalta. Yalta is a seaside resort on the Crimean Peninsula, long a favoured spot for Russian and Ukrainian elite who constructed palatial homes here. We visit the magnificent Alexander Nevsky Cathedral with its intricate Byzantine adornment. Overnight in Yalta. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 39 Yalta & Sevastopol
We visit the magnificent Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, with its intricate Byzantine adornment, and Anton Chekhov's house and museum commemorating this esteemed writer. Our coastal drive brings us to Livadia Palace, summer home of Tsar Nicholas II, built in 1911 in elegant renaissance style. Livadia later hosted the 1945 Yalta Conference when Churchill, Stalin, and Roosevelt met at the end of WWII to carve Europe into spheres of influence. We transfer to Sevastopol where we will visit the site of the Crimean War (1864-1865) and the scene of the famous "Charge of the Light Brigade". We also have an Excursion to the ancient Greek town of Khersones, before transferring back to Yalta. Overnight in Yalta. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 40 Yalta - Odesa
Today we drive to Odesa ("Odessa" in Russian) and transfer to our hotel. From the ancient times the area was inhabited by Scythians, Sarmats, Greeks, and Slavs. In the times of Kyiv Rus it was a part of this huge Slavic state. In the 13th century it was annexed to the Tartar-Mongol Empire, "The Golden Horde". At the beginning of the 15th century it was annexed to Lithuania, and in some 50 years, to Turkey. In 1791 the territory became a part of the Russian Empire. Overnight in Odesa. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 41 Odesa: Catacombs & Belgorod
This morning we will make an excursion to the Odesa Catacombs, which create an underground labyrinth stretching the expanse of the city. Our tour begins at a Cossack military settlement just outside the city and involves a 500 metre underground walk with a stop at a World War II command post and local museum with a recreation of the resistance headquarters. Later we travel to Belgorod-Dniestrovsky and visit the impressive fortress on the banks of the Dnister River. First settled by the Greeks, then the Romans, the site was subsequently controlled by Cossacks, Tartars, Russians and Romanians. The 13th century fortress, founded by Stefan II of Moldavia on a strategic spur of land overlooking the Dnister estuary, is among Ukraine's largest. Its walls stretch nearly 2 km (1.25 miles) and its moat, once filled by an artificial tributary of the river. Overnight in Odesa. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 42 Odesa: City Tour
Today we have a city tour, including many architectural sites of 19th-20th centuries, many of them designed by world famous architects and engineers. Most notable are the Opera House (resembling the Vienna Opera and the Dresden Court Theater) built in 1884-87; the Marine (Potyomkin) Stairway (1837-41)--one of the largest stairways in the world; and the heart of Odessa and immortalized in Sergei Eisenstein's 1925 film, Battleship Potemkin; Deribasivska [Deribasovskaya] Street with plenty of shops and pubs. We will visit the five-domed Uspensky Cathedral, visit Shevchenko Park with views of the Black Sea, and the Fine Arts Gallery (formally Count Pototsky's Palace), now housing Russian and Ukrainian paintings dating back to the 15th century. Overnight in Odesa. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 43 Departure
Departure from Odesa. Breakfast. Scaslyvoji podorozhi!!
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6/09
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