| Ancient Russia | |
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Detailed program: |
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| 1st day | |
| 21.00
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Departure from Moscow (Leningradsky Railway station) to Pskov
which is situated in 700 km to the north-west of Moscow. Just after departure Welcome dinner will be served in train’s restaurants. Overnight on board. |
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| 2nd day | |
| 9.00
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Arrival in Pskov. Breakfast
on board the train. During the day you will see Pskov’s Kremlin, the Administration Chambers, the Trinity Cathedral, white-stones city’s churches, the museum of History and Arts and the Spaso-Mirozhsky Monastery - one of the oldest monasteries in Russia. Despite the Monastery was submerged by spring floods many times, the ancient frescoes on its walls are well preserved. Lunch in city. In the evening departure to Novgorod. Dinner on board the train. Overnight on board. |
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| 3rd day | |
| After
midnight the train arrives in Novgorod. First records of Novgorod are dated the middle of IX-th century. Novgorod was the capital of the most powerful principality and determined economical and political life of huge region from Baltic to Kiev. Placed on the way from Varangians to Greeks it was the largest trade center in ancient Russ. Picturesquely located on the banks of the Volkhov river, the city is a collection of ancient architecture, with 39 cathedrals and churches. Within the walls of the Kremlin, St. Sophia’s Cathedral (mid-11th century) is the oldest stone structure of Russia. Novgorod Citadel, Youriev Cloister and St. Sophia’s Cathedral are the monuments of Russian culture known throughout the world. You will also visit the open-air museum “Vitoslavitsy” to see the best examples of Russian wooden architecture. Lunch in “Detinets” restaurant in the heart of Kremlin. Dinner and overnight on board. Departure to Yaroslavl. |
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| 4th day | |
| 9.00
- Yaroslavl / Kostroma The first half of this day we spend in Yaroslavl, beautifully situated at the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl rivers. Founded in 1010 by Prince Yaroslavl the Wise, Yaroslavl is often called the “Russian Florence”. At the busting main square is the Church of St. Elijah, with striking frescoes and paintings. You will also visit the Transfiguration Monastery, with fine icon collections. 12.00 - Return to the train and departure to Kostroma. Lunch on board the train. 15.00 - Arrival in Kostroma, which lies on the banks of the Volga river. Kostroma was closed to foreigners until recently. The city center was built in the 18th century and remains intact. You will visit the splendid Ipatievsky Monastery, which was founded in the first part of XIV century. The Monastery has played a key role in Russian history when Mikhail Romanov left here to Moscow to be crowned. The Romanov’s dynasty ruled Russia more than 300 years till 1917. In the nearby situated Archbishop’s house there is very affecting exhibition with original photographs and personal objects that provides an intimate glimpse at the Nicolas II and his family fates. The five-tier iconostasis and frescoes of the gold-domed Trinity Cathedral are splendid and unforgettable. At the end of day you will enjoy a river cruise with Russian folk band concert. Return to the train for dinner. Departure to Vladimir. The last overnight on board the train. |
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| 5th day | |
| 4.00 -
The
train arrives in Bogolubovo - a picturesque suburb of Vladimir. Before breakfast you will have a chance to have a walk tour to the magnificent memorial - the Church of the Protecting Veil on Nerl river - one of symbols of the Orthodox Russia. Breakfast on board. After breakfast you go by bus to Suzdal, founded in 1024. Many of Suzdal’s monuments were never destroyed by invaders, and are preserved intact today. You will visit Kremlin, surrounded by ancient ramparts, the Nativity Cathedral, the open-air Architectural Museum - a collection of Russian village buildings of the last century. You will hear the music of the bells of the Monastery of our Saviour. Return to Vladimir after lunch in “Traktir”, Russian style restaurant. Rich in history and culture, Vladimir presided over an extended domain in the 12th century before falling to the Mongols. Its white stone structures are world-famed; the greatest of these is the Assumption Cathedral, begun in 1158 and added to almost continuously ever since. For hundreds of years, Vladimir’s and Moscow’s princes were crowned here. Its many ancient frescoes, which includes works of Andrey Rublev and Daniel Cherny - the best Russian painters, are magnificent. You will continue to the St.Dimitry Cathedral, whose facade, covered with more than a thousand fanciful bas-reliefs showing birds, flowers, animals and mythological scenes makes it one of the crowning achievements of Old Russian architecture. 18.00 - Boarding the train and departure to Moscow. Gala-dinner with welcome drink. 22.00 - Arrival in Moscow on Kursky Railway station. Back
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