10 Cities in 5 days 2023

Moscow – Vladimir – Bogolyubovo – Suzdal

Meeting with a guide at a hotel lobby at 08:45.

Depart from Moscow hotel by bus for Vladimir (~ 200 km, 3 h).

Lunch in a local restaurant.

Bus city tour of Vladimir.

Vladimir is the old capital of north-eastern Rus’. Visit the city’s sights dating back to the 12th century: the Golden Gates, symbolizing the grandeur and power of the ancient Rus’, St. Dmitry cathedral dating back to the period prior to the country’s invasion by the Mongols, and the Assumption cathedral – the masterpiece of a white-stone architecture which boasts frescoes by Andrey Rublyov. Visit to the museum "Crystal, lacquer miniature painting and embroidery".

Transfer to Bogolyubovo (~ 15 km, 0,5 h).

Visit to the castle of Grand Prince Andrey Bogolyubsky and the church of the Intercession on the Nerl.

Andrey Bogolyubsky's castle is a white-stone masterpiece, the oldest building on the territory of the Holy Bogolyubsky monastery, built on the site of the former princely residence in 1158. It contains a unique relic-the icon of the Mother of God, considered the first written image of the virgin Mary in Russia. White stone temple on a green hill. The Church of the Intercession on the Nerl, near Vladimir – is one of the most famous monuments of ancient Russian architecture. This miracle, preserved from the XII century, is also called the Swan-temple.

Transfer to Suzdal (~ 35 km, 1 h).

Check in to the hotel. Free time.

Optional: Dinner at the hotel.

Suzdal – Kostroma

Breakfast in the hotel. Check out.

Bus city tour of Suzdal.

In Suzdal everything is like on a postcard. People come here to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of an old Russian city, ideally blended with the classic Russian landscape with vast fields, river bends and hills.
Suzdal counting more than 200 historical monuments, many of which are UNESCO Heritage sites. Visit Trading Rows and the Trading square, the Suzdal Kremlin, the Savior monastery of St. Euthymius and listen to the concert of church bell music, visit the museum of wooden architecture with the buildings of the 17-19th century, enjoy the panorama of the city from the observation platform Ilyinsky lug.

Lunch in a local restaurant.

Depart for Kostroma (~ 180 km, 2,5 h).

Check in to the hotel. Free time.

Optional: Dinner at the hotel.

Kostroma – Plyos – Yaroslavl

Breakfast in the hotel. Check out.

Bus city tour of Kostroma.

Welcome to this trading city which preserved till today the old look of the architectural ensemble of the 18th century trading rows. A sightseeing tour of Kostroma will help you touch the historical heritage of this ancient Russian city. Strolling through the quiet streets of a hospitable and unhurried town, you are sure to feel the atmosphere of harmony and peace. Visit the city’s central square (nicknamed as "a frying pan") and the fire tower of the 19th century.
Visit to the Ipatiev monastery. Ipatiev monastery occupies a special place in the glorious series of spiritual abodes. Founded at the beginning of the XIV century, the monastery is considered one of the oldest in our Country.

Visit to the Museum of cheese and cheese tasting.

Kostroma cheese is famous throughout Russia! Sometimes Kostroma is even called the cheese capital of Russia. Learn about cheese tales and traditions of different nations, cheese records and the most unusual varieties and, most importantly, try real Kostroma cheeses!

Transfer to Plyos (~75 km, 1 h).

Lunch in a local restaurant in Plyos.

City tour of Plyos.

Plyos is a unique place where you can personally see those magnificent Russian landscapes that so beckoned the famous artist Isaac Levitan and his friends. It is thanks to their canvases that the views of Plyos became known throughout the world. Visit the Market Square Resurrection Church, built in honor of the victory over Napoleon in the war of 1812, take a walk along the Embankment and admire the former residential buildings of wealthy Plyos merchants, now architectural monuments of the 19th century.

Departure for Yaroslavl (~ 145 km, 2,5 h).

The road to Yaroslavl will also run over the Kostroma bridge – the only road bridge over the Volga on the section between Yaroslavl and Kostroma. The bridge is 1236 m long and offers incredible scenic views.

Check in to the hotel.

Free time.

Optional: Dinner at the hotel.

Yaroslavl

Breakfast in the hotel.

Bus city tour.

Bus city tour of Yaroslavl with the visit to the grounds of the monastery of Our Savior’s Transfiguration. Outside view of the church of Elijah the Prophet. You will hear the review of the city’s history and see its major sights: the confluence of the rivers Volga and Kotorosl ("Strelka"), the Assumption cathedral, the Volga embankment reconstructed to honor the millennial anniversary of Yaroslavl, drive through the central quarters of Yaroslavl boasting unique architectural monuments included in the UNESCO Heritage list.

Lunch in a local restaurant.

Free time (explore the city at your own).

OPTIONAL

EXCURSION TO VYATSKOYE VILLAGE

Optional: Dinner at the hotel.

Rostov Veliky – Pereslavl-Zalessky – Serguiev Posad – Moscow

Breakfast in the hotel, check out.

Depart for Rostov Veliky (~ 60 km, 1 h).

Excursion to the Rostov Kremlin – residential quarters of the Rostov bishops. View the architectural monuments on the kremlin grounds, the Bishop’s house, the Cathedral square, and Metropolitan’s garden. Visit the ceramics workshop. Exhibition "Walls and passages of the Rostov kremlin" (smaller passages).

Transfer to Pereslavl-Zalessky (~ 65 km, 1 h).

Pereslavl-Zalessky is the home city of Alexander Nevsky and the cradle of the Russian fleet. During the tour, you will learn how the history of this amazing place was formed, what famous people left their mark on it, what the city lives today and what is the secret of its special charm. You will visit the heart of the ancient city – red square, walk along the earthen walls of the XII century and see one of the oldest churches in North-Eastern Russia – the Transfiguration Cathedral. In addition, take a walk along the picturesque shore of Pleshcheyev lake and visit one of the ancient Pereslavl monasteries.

Lunch in a local restaurant in Pereslavl-Zalessky.

Transfer to Sergiev Posad (~ 75 km, 1 h).

Excursion to the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius.

The excursion will introduce you to the shrines, architecture and sights of one of the most famous Russian monasteries, the largest center of Russian spiritual culture and enlightenment.
You will learn about the life of the founder of the monastery-one of the most revered Russian saints, St. Sergius of Radonezhsky. Get acquainted with the history of the monastery is associated with key events in the history of our country and with the names of famous figures of Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian state.

Transfer to Moscow (to the hotel) (~ 75 km, 2 h).

End of the tour.