6 days / 5 nights from £1,235 pp
Explore the ancient history of the Russian towns on the Golden Ring Tour. This collection of small towns to the Northeast of Moscow played a significant role in the formation of the Russian Orthodox Church and preserved the memory of the most important and significant events in Russian history. The towns have been called "open air museums" and feature unique monuments of Russian architecture of the 12th–18th centuries, including kremlins, monasteries, cathedrals, and churches. These towns are among the most picturesque in Russia and prominently feature Russia's famous onion domes.
The package price is £1,235 per person, based on availability and two people sharing a twin or double room. Single supplement £230.
2010 Departures: Every day
Package includes:
- Direct flights from London to Moscow with British Airways (we can arrange flights from other UK airports upon request.)
- Airport transfers
- 2 nights accommodation at Hotel Vladimir or similar
- 1 night accommodation at Hotel Yubileinaya or similar
- Breakfasts
- Private transfers throughout the tour (without guide) Sightseeing and entrances as specified in the itinerary with an English speaking guide and local car with driver
- Train tickets Moscow to Vladimir & Yaroslavl to Moscow (seat reservation, standard class)
"Note - Due to flight arrivals from London to Moscow, the train connection is very late. Passengers can transfer directly to Vladimir by car (3 1/2 hours) for an additional £110.
Golden Ring Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Moscow and where you will be met by yor driver and transferred to Kursky train station in Moscow, boarding your train to Vladimir. Train # 110 departs at 22:40 hours and will arrive into Vladimir at 01:08. On arrival in the historic town of Vladimir you will be transferred to your hotel by car (no guide). Check in to the Hotel Vladimir or similar for two nights. Alternatively you can take a private transfer by car from the airport to Vladimir. Journey time is approximately 3 1/2 hours and extra cost is £110 pp.
Day 2 A1 10am you will be collected from your hotel by your guide for a city tour of Vladimir, one of the most ancient of Russian cities founded in 990 by Kyiv Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovich.
The tour will include a visit to Dmitrievsky Cathedral and either the Museum of Crystal
or the Museum of Lacquer miniatures. (NB. On Tuesdays, the tour will include two cathedrals or the Golden Gates instead of one of the Museums).
After the city tour of Vladimir, continue to the town of Bogolyubovo, located 8 kms to the north of Vladimir. The town was built on the order of Andrei Bogolyubsky on the spot where he is said to have seen a miraculous vision of the Virgin Mary. The visit will include a tour of the territory of the Bogolyubsky Monastery, founded in 1155, as well as a visit to one of the churches within the grounds of the Monastery (if open). Return to the hotel Vladimir.
Day 3 This morning you will be collected at 9am to depart on a tour of Suzdal , which is situated 35 Km North of Vladimir. Suzdal is "architecturally protected" and as your guide takes you on the city tour, you will feel you have slipped back in time. Your tour includes visits to the Kremlin grounds, the Cross vaulted chamber, the Cathedral of the nativity or the Spaso-Trasfiguration Cathedral, the Museum of Wooden Architecture (summer) or the Gold Room (winter) and the Pokrovsky Monastery. At approximately 15.00 hours, transfer by car (no guide) to Yaroslavl – a journey time of approximately 4 ½ hours. On arrival, check in to the Hotel Yubileynaya (or similar) for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 At 10am you will be collected from your hotel for a panoramic city tour of ancient Yaroslavl,
founded on the banks of the Volga River, in 1010 by Prince Yaroslav the Wise. Despite years of conflict, Yaroslavl retains its romantic image, beautiful complexes of churches and monasteries, noble mansions and parks, the richest collections of icons and decorative folk art. Return to the hotel at 12.30 You will be collected from the hotel by car (no guide) for the transfer to the railway station.
Depart on train # 827 @ 16:35, arriving in Moscow at 20:13. Overnight at hotel in Moscow.
Day 5 After breakfast at the hotel take a city tour of Moscow. You will visit some of the most famous landmarks, such as Red Square, the Kremlin, Bolshoi Theatre, Cathedral of Christ our Saviour, the White House and more. Afternoon free to visit sites such as the Armoury Museum, the Kremlin Cathedrals and the famous Moscow underground stations. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6 Breakfast at hotel. Free time for shopping or sightseeing. Transfer to airport for departure flight.