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Learn about the history of Russia: Start with the first Russian capital, Kiev; go to the present capital, Moscow; and finish with imperial splendor of St. Petersburg Your fully escorted tour includes: Two meals per day 7 nights deluxe-class hotel accommodation in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kiev Comprehensive sightseeing (listed below) Services of English-speaking guides in Moscow and St. Petersburg Ground transportation by first-class motor coach First-class overnight sleeper train between Kiev - Moscow and Moscow - St. Petersburg
DAY 1. ARRIVE IN KIEV. Arrival in Kiev. Our guide will meet you and transfer you to the hotel. Dinner and welcome to Ukraine, mother of the first Slavic state, scene of the Orange Revolution, home to a prosperous, modern society and beautiful, stylish people. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 2. KIEV. Breakfast buffet at the hotel. After breakfast a full-day city tour. Includes 'Vladimir's Old Town' - the place were Prince Vladimir the Baptist founded his Kremlin and built the first Christian church in Kievan Rus State. See the panorama ground (a marvelous view of the Lower Old Town called Podol) and Dnipr River (third-longest in Europe). Visit to outside of St. Andrew's Church (designed by famous architect Rastrelli) and St. Michael's Cathedral, built in 1070-88. See the Golden Gate of Kiev, University Building, Opera House, Kreshchatik Street (main Kiev boulevard), Arch of Friendship Monument to the founders of the city of Kiev and St. Vladimir's Cathedral. Also an inside visit to St. Sophia Cathedral - Kiev's oldest surviving church, built in 1037 by Prince Yaroslav the Wise to glorify Christianity, with 13 majestic domes, ancient frescoes and mosaics. Walk along Andreyevskyi Descent - Kiev's Montmartre. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, walk along Andreyevskyi Descent and visit the Chernobyl Museum. Dinner free. Overnight at the hotel
DAY 3. KIEV, OVERNIGHT TRAIN TO MOSCOW. Breakfast buffet at the hotel. We will continue city sightseeing with a visit to the Cave Monastery (Lavra) - the Orthodox Mecca, a place of pilgrimage for Orthodox Christians, a functioning monastery founded in 1051. It contains miles of maze-like underground tunnels (catacombs) with numerous churches and ancient mummies in sarcophagi. Excursion to the museum of Ukrainian Museum of Historical Treasures (Scythian gold), located in the Pecherskaya Lavra, which has one the richest collections of golden items in the former Soviet Union countries. Exhibits include the famous treasures dating back to the fourth century before Christ. We will also visit the Applied Art Museum. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, a visit to the National Art Museum. Early dinner at local restaurant. Overnight train from Kiev to Moscow (first class).
DAY 4. MOSCOW. Arrival in Moscow. After breakfast, embark on a sightseeing tour of the city, including Red Square, which was originally known more prosaically as the tog or marketplace. The present name dates from the 17th century, meaning 'beautiful.' Red Square is famous for its markets, fairs and religious festivals, as well as a famous place of execution. Here, rebels met their deaths beside the raised circular dais called the 'Lobnoe Mesto,' from which state decrees were also read out. Independent lunch in the city downtown. See the former headquarters of the KGB, Moscow University and the Russian 'White House.' Take an afternoon tour of the Kremlin including a visit to the Armory Chamber and three main Cathedrals. Dinner and overnight in Moscow.
DAY 5. MOSCOW. After breakfast, visit of the Tretyakov Gallery. Founded in 1856 by Pavel Tretyakov to show the work of Russian artists. Today, after much expansion, the gallery houses and celebrates over 57,000 pieces of the most important ancient and contemporary Russian art in the world. After the museum, ride the amazing Moscow Metro, where every station is an individual monument to Soviet art and design. Dinner and overnight in Moscow. Evening transfer to the train station for your overnight trip to St. Petersburg (first class).
DAY 6. MOSCOW, OVERNIGHT TRAIN TO ST. PETERSBURG. After breakfast, meet awaiting motor coach and drive to Sergiev Posad. Located 44 miles northeast of Moscow , you will visit the Trinity Monastery of St. Sergiy, Russia's foremost chief monastery. After a visit to Trinity Church , oldest building in the monastery (1422 - 1423), you will visit the museum of icons. Dinner at the local restaurant. Evening transfer to the train station for your overnight trip to St. Petersburg (first class).
DAY 7. ST. PETERSBURG. Morning arrival in St. Petersburg. Transfer to your hotel with a city tour. En route, you will enjoy the sights of this gorgeous city - Tsar Peter the Great'sWindow to the West. Only 300 years old, the city was built by Tsar Peter to capture and rival the beauties of Paris and Venice. You'll love the extravagant baroque architecture of the city center, Nevsky Prospect, Palace Square and Smolny Convent. This afternoon, enjoy the many wonders of the elegant Winter Palace, which now houses the Hermitage Museum, one of the largest art and cultural museums in the world. This vast collection (about 65,000 items) includes some of history's most important art. Dinner and overnight in St. Petersburg.
DAY 8. ST. PETERSBURG. After breakfast, travel outside St. Petersburg to the lovely city of Pushkin - formerly Tsarskoe Selo, the Tsar's Village. Tour Catherine Palace, the beautiful Baroque-style building that was built by Empress Elizabeth and named for her mother, Catherine the First. The architect was Rastrelli, who also designed the Winter Palace, and the Hermitage Pavilion. Like many other royal residences, the palace sustained heavy damage during World War II, although most of it has been restored to its former glory. Continuation of sightseeing tour including views of the Peter and Paul Cathedral designed by the famous architect Rastrelli. It stands on the grounds of Peter and Paul Fortress in the oldest section of the city and contains the tombs of Russian rulers from Peter the Great through Alexander III. Dinner. Overnight in St. Petersburg.
DAY 9. ST. PETERSBURG. After breakfast, continue your tour with a visit to St. Isaac's Cathedral (under construction from 1818 to 1858), largest in the city. With its tall gilt dome, is one of the landmarks of the city. The rest of the day is available for independent sightseeing, shopping and last-minute photo opportunities. Dinner. Overnight in St. Petersburg.
DAY 10. ST. PETERSBURG/USA. After breakfast, transfer to St. Petersburg International Airport after your unforgettable journey through this fascinating land. |
| Call (800) 999-1216 for more information or to book today! Mention code 5678073 | | Imperial River Cruises | | Land Tour
Click for more information on this ship. |
| | | | Learn about the history of Russia: Start with the first Russian capital, Kiev; go to the present capital, Moscow; and finish with imperial splendor of St. Petersburg
* these departures are low season special, save $500 per person
Price for the package: $4,160 (land only), single supplement: $1099.
All rates are per person based on double occupancy. Airfare available by request from selected cities. Please call for details. |
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