Golden Ring Russia Tour

Today is for a city tour of St. Petersburg. After breakfast, we will take you to some famous squares to get close to the history of this 300-year-old city. The first stop is the Palace Square, which witnessed the October Revolution. Then we will proceed to the Senate Square, where you will see the 18th-century sculpture - the Bronze Horseman sitting on a 1500-tonne stone moved by humans. St. Isaac's Square is the last stop of our square visits. Here you will enjoy the splendid facades of Mariinsky Palace and Saint Isaac's Cathedral and meet with a large monument to Nicholas I. After taking some photos, we will then take you to visit the most beautiful metro station. Take the metro to Peter and Paul Fortress. Built in the 18th century, this defensive fortress is as old as this city and had been through the vicissitude together with it. Besides the historical significance, its gorgeous decorations, such as the over 40 exquisitely-craved sculptures, are also worth-seeing. Lastly, we will explore St. Isaac's Cathedral, largest cathedral of North Russia. The magnificent inner designs, including the rich 19th-century mosaics, paintings and statues, and the gilded façade, which uses over 200 pounds of gold, will offer you an amazing experience. After these visits, we will drive back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Courtyard St. Petersburg Vasilievsky or similar (4 stars)

After a leisure morning, we will proceed to the next city - Moscow by the bullet train. You will be escorted to board on your bullet train Sapsan and settle in the second class seat. After 4 hours’ train trip, you will arrive in Moscow and our local guide will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel and check-in.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Series or similar (4 stars)

In the morning, we will set off to Kitai-Gorod quarter by air-conditioned vehicle. Halfway we will pass by the well-known Red Square, the Bolshoi Theatre, and Tverskaya Street. Upon arrival, your eyes will be cached by a Chinese-style gate and many ancient Russian architectures. Afterwards, we will continue to a UNESCO World Heritage site - the 16th-century Novodevichy Convent, an ancient cloister with the most beautiful baroque structures and paintings among others in the city. We will see its appearance from a discount and take some photos. Next, we will head to the Victory Park, where you will learn about the Soviet Union's effort on fighting against the Fascism by the vivid sculptures, huge monuments and tanks. After this, we will take you to the highest point of Moscow - Sparrow Hill to have a panoramic view of this beauteous city. Then follows a visit to the Moscow Kremlin, a grandiose complex once lived by the tsars and now the emblem of Russia. Here you will get close to the traditional culture and art by visiting the prominent buildings, such as Cathedral of the Dormition, Spasskaya Tower, Kremlin Armoury and so on. At the end of the day, we will visit the prettiest metro station in Russia and take a metro there to reach the Arbat Street. A ramble here allows you to visit many nice shops selling delicate artworks made by traditional techniques and trendy goods. Finishing the visit, we will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Series or similar (4 stars)

Today we will proceed to Vladimir by train. In the morning, we will take you to the train station on time. When you arrive in Vladimir, one of the most ancient and peaceful cities, you will meet with your local driver and begin the guided sightseeing. We will first visit two 12th-century cathedrals - the Assumption Cathedral, the oldest church in Russia and an iconic architecture of Vladimir, and the Cathedral of Saint Demetrius Golden featuring a white facade with dainty carvings. Next, we will stop by the 800-year-old Golden Gates, an emblematic military structure of that period. Then we will set off to Bogolyubovo for the visits to the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl, an Orthodox church representing the medieval Russia and Bogolyubovo Convent dating back to the 13th century. Afterwards, we will drive to your hotel in Suzdal.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Pushkarskaya Sloboda (4 stars)

After breakfast, our guided visit will start at a UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Suzdal Kremlin, an ancient complex once used as Suzdal's administrative center hundreds of years ago. The famous Cathedral of the Nativity is also situated here. Next, we will head to the Museum of Wooden Architecture, an interesting open-air museum exhibiting the traditional wooden architectures of Russia. Walking past the old-style wooden residence, windmill and churches, you will feel like visiting a Russia town from centuries ago. Then follows a guided tour of the Spaso-Ephimovskiy monastery, where you will appreciate the 17th-century paintings from world-famous artists, accompanied by the melodious bell concert. When the visit is over, we will transfer you to the train station for going back to Moscow, where you will be picked up and be escorted to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Series or similar (4 stars)

Time to part ways today. According to the departure time of your flight, we will escort you to the airport and see you off there. Wish you a nice journey home!

Meals: Breakfast