Private tours in Russia – Golden Ring of Russia
Once upon a time, about a thousand years ago, lived the Ukrainian Prince, Yuri the Long Arm. During the span of some 150 years, Yuri and his descendants founded a necklace of small towns in Russia. Moscow was one of his towns too. Today Sergiev Posad, Pereslavl Zalessky, Rostov Veliky, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Plios, Suzdal and Vladimir towns are called the Golden Ring of Russia, each about 70km from the other (a day’s horse ride), forming a loop around Moscow.
We invite you on a private journey on this 750km route. The majority of these places are inaccessible by public transport.
Four days journey will allow you to visit at least seven ancient cities, each one about 1,000 years old. History looks into your face there. Local museums are absolutely charming. See the diorama of Khengiz khan attack of Vladimir. Pay a tribute to the grave of Alexander Nevsky. There will be a lot churches, old babushkas, simple food, old trucks and cars on the roads. The will be Russia unadorned, but authentic, definitely reviving and not unhappy. Drive more than 700 km, stay three nights at private hotels, eat local food, meet the locals.
Golden Ring cities will offer you a lot of icons, Russian chants, white washed walls and golden domes of Orthodox churches. In all troubled 300 years of Tatar’s yoke , the nomads never touched the Russian Gods and their churches. Thus, Russian churches are the only survived architecture of the medieval times.
Every village will meet the traveler with the bell towers and monasteries. Depending on your interests, we can help you meet the local priests, have a lunch in the refectory, have a church bell concert. Your wish is our command.
Suggested itinerary
VLADIMIR – BOGOLYUBOVO – SUZDAL – KOSTROMA – YAROSLAVL – ROSTOV THE GREAT – PERESLAVL ZALESSKY – SERGIEV POSAD
5 Days – 4 Nights
The Golden Ring unites a group of ancient Russian cities North-East of Moscow. The cities are arranged in a circular pattern around the capital forming a ring. These small towns including Sergiev Posad (the center of Russian Orthodoxy), Rostov, Vladimir, Suzdal, Pereslavl Zalessky, Kostroma, Ivanovo were built between the XI and XVII centuries. The Golden Ring area provides an excellent opportunity to view typical old Russian cities that are still surrounded by ancient Kremlins, churches, and monasteries. Today these towns are often called “Museums under open sky”, where unique monuments of Russian architecture are kept and compiled. These towns depict the dramatic events and fabulous people that fill Russian history.
Program
Day 1
Departure from Moscow to Vladimir by deluxe bus.
Arrival to Vladimir.
Vladimir City Tour – Visit to the 12th century monuments: Uspensky and Dmitrievsky Cathedrals and Golden Gate, Museum of crystal and varnished miniature.
Lunch at the local restaurant.
Excursion to Bogolubovo – Svyato-Bogolyubovsky Monastery and Pokrova-na-Nerli Church.
Return to Vladimir.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.
Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to Suzdal
You will stay at the best private hotel of the area, where the owner, as a big patriot, does a lot to promote Russian culture and traditions. Would you like to jog in the “lapti”? Or fish a sturgeon? Or have a beer bath or hay steam Russian SPA session? Bike? Hike? Welcome to Suzdal!
Suzdal City Tour – Wooden art museum, Kremlin and Spaso-Efimievsky monastery with bells’ concert.
Departure to Kostroma .
Dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.
Day 3
Breakfast at the hotel.
Kostroma City Tour – visit to the Ipatiev Monastery, the Romanovs’ Palace, and Trade Galleries.
Departure to Yaroslavl
Yaroslavl City Tour. Visit to the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery and the Church of the Ilya-Prophet.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.
Day 4
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to Rostov the Great
Rostov City Tour. Visit to the Kremlin and “Rostov Finift” Museum.
Departure to Pereslavl – Zalessky
Lunch at the local restaurant.
Pereslavl – Zalessky City Tour – downtown and Saviour-Transfiguration Cathedral.
Departure to Sergiev Posad
Accommodation at the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.
Day 5
Breakfast at the hotel.
Sergiev Posad City Tour including visit to the famous St.Trinity monastery.
Return to Moscow by private car.
This is a suggested sample itinerary customized for each client. Prices on request. Three days minimum are required if you would like to visit all the towns. Two days are enough to see Vladimir and Suzdal.