WEEKEND IN MOSCOW

GENERAL INFORMATION

We invite you to visit one of the unique cities in the world – Moscow, the capital of Russia, the largest city in the country and Europe, and one of the largest cities in the world. Moscow refers to the global cities having a great influence on the world due to its high economic level and population. It is the main transport hub of Russia, its political, economic, cultural, and scientific center.

Founded more than 800 years ago Moscow presents both the Russia of yesterday and the Russia of today.

Moscow, being the capital of the largest country on the planet, is supposed to be something impressive and it really is. This city always makes an impression on its visitors with centuries-old Red Square, the Kremlin and Bolshoy theatre. And now also boasts the largest sports arena, the tallest building and the largest residential complex in Europe, the largest museums, the largest Orthodox Church dome in the world. You will be surely impressed by wonderful panoramic views and sights that you will visit during this tour.

PRICE

UPON REQUEST

Price is guaranteed from 2 guests and includes all local taxes, entrance fees to the museums mentioned in the program, transfers from/to the airport, transportation as per the program, licensed guide services for transfers and sightseeing program.

ACCOMODATION

The rates are based on accommodation at double / twin rooms at Izmailovo Vega Hotel 4*. Other hotels are available upon request.

GUIDE

Licensed English-speaking guide services throughout the program and transfers are included. Other languages are available for an additional payment upon request.

MEALS

Breakfast at the hotel.

TRANSPORTATION

Private car transportation for 2 persons; VIANO / VITO minivan for 3-5 persons; SPRINTER MERCEDES VAN – for 10-15 persons and deluxe buses for groups from 15 up to 30-35 persons.

ACTIVITIES:

• Orientation City tour with inside visit of Christ of Savior Cathedral and Izmailovo Market
• Park Zaryadiye
• Visit to Kremlin Grounds
• Walk along Arbat Street and metro ride

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOUR

ITINERARY

DAY 1

Arrival to Moscow, meet & greet at the airport by your guide.

On the way to the hotel you will have a panoramic tour around Moscow.

Enjoy the City tour by vehicle featuring the most attractive sites of Moscow such as Red Square, Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral Lenin's Mausoleum, Bolshoy theatre, Boulevard Ring, Novodevichy Convent, Patriarch Ponds, Peter the Great Statue, Garden Ring, the marvelous building of Moscow University and Sparrow Hills – the highest point of Moscow with fascinating view to the city.

Continue by the stop at the Church of Christ the Savior that is located in the very heart of Moscow, nearby "Kropotkinskaya" metro station. It was originally built in 1881 but then it was ruined by the order of Stalin. The first explosions rocked the Church at noon on December 5, 1931. The memorial to military glory and the most important church in Russia was brutally vandalized and destroyed. Its reconstruction took place 10 years ago and was sponsored by Moscow Government and citizens. Today it is the main Orthodox Church in Russia.

We will finish our tour at IZMAILOVO COMPLEX.

Vernissage in Izmailovo is considered to be the world's largest exhibition-fair where one can find a variety of items of decorative and applied art, fine art and of folk handicrafts as well. This complex exists for more than 10 years and is situated in a picturesque and historically unique area of Moscow – IZMAILOVO.

There you'll have an unique opportunity to see Old Style Russia. Even more – it is an ideal place to find a memorable gifts and presents such as handicraft and applied art gifts.

Evening free

DAY 2

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning visit to Kremlin Grounds.

The Moscow Kremlin is the chief architectural ensemble of the city. Along the South wall of the Kremlin, overlooking the Moscow River, you will find the Grand Kremlin Palace. Within the Kremlin there is a Cathedral Square, the so-called "City of God". Six buildings, including 3 three enormous cathedrals edge the square. Most of them, the work of Italian architects during the late 15th and early 16th Century. Entry includes the visit to the Kremlin Territory and three cathedrals.

The Kremlin is the historical center of the city, the heart of Moscow. The Kremlin is located on a hill, protected on one side by the Moscow-river, and on the other by its tributary, the Neglinnaya, which since the year 1819 has flowed through the underground tunnel near the Alexandrovski Gardens.

In the Kremlin you will see the Tsar Bell and the Tsar Cannon and visit the Annunciation (Blagoveschensky) or Arkhangel (Arkhangelsky) and Assumption (Voznesensky) Cathedrals, the Bell-Tower of Ivan the Great and the Church of the Twelve Apostles all wonderful monuments of Russian church architecture with unique richly decorated interiors.

Recommended optional
Excursion to the Armory Chamber

Time for Lunch (the guide will recommend the guests the restaurant in accordance with their requirements and expectations).

In the afternoon the day continues with Old Arbat Street walk and Metro tour.

The Arbat street is located between Arbatskie Vorota Square and Smolenskaya Square is one of the most famous streets in Moscow. The Arbat Street is also one of the symbols of old Moscow, which was celebrated in poems, novels, songs and movies. Nowadays the Arbat is the name of the pedestrian street, but actually the Arbat is the whole district of Moscow that marked its 500th birthday in 1993. A lot of shops and many-storied tenement-houses were constructed.

Moscow's Famous Metro survives in all its constructional glory, walled in marble and decorated with chandeliers. Most of its stations have been designated as architectural landmarks. Old stations were built according to Stalin's plan of communist propaganda. Planners pretended to prove the superiority of communism by fantastic amazing design and decorations of marble, bronze statues and mosaics. Some stations look like real underground palaces.

Recommended optional
Cosmonauts Museum
Tretyakov Gallery (the old building)

Recommended evening activity
Dinner Cruise on the Radisson Yacht

DAY 3

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free day to explore Moscow. As an option we recommend you a full day tour to Sergiev Posad.

The Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a world famous spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox Church and a popular site of pilgrimage and tourism. Being situated in the town of Sergiev Posad about 70 km to the north-east from Moscow, it is the most important functioning Russian monastery and a residence of the Patriarch.

The architectural Ensemble of the Trinity Sergius Lavra in Sergiev Posad is a fine example of an Orthodox monastery, with military features that are typical from 15th to the 18th century, the period during which it was developed. The main church of the Lavra, the Cathedral of the Assumption (echoing the Kremlin Cathedral of the same name), contains the tomb of Boris Godunov. Among the treasures of the Lavra is the famous icon, The Trinity, by Andrei Rublev.

The Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, "the pearl" of the Russian church architecture, was founded in the first half of the 14th century (1337) by the monk Sergius of Radonezh, a great abbot of Russia and one of the most venerated orthodox saints.

Over the centuries a unique ensemble of more than 50 buildings and constructions of different dates were established. The whole complex was erected according to the architectural concept of the main church, the Trinity Cathedral (1422), where the relics of St. Sergius may be seen.

Recommended evening activity
Visit to Moscow Circus

DAY 4 / DEPARTURE DAY

Breakfast at the hotel.

Check-out.

Depending on your flight time you can explore the city by yourself or book any optional tours we will be glad to offer you.

Transfer to the airport. Departure.