03 Interactive Tours Along the Golden Ring of Russia.Indd

Home , Golden Ring of Russia, Ipatievsky Monastery, Ivan Susanin, Kalyazin, Kashin (town), Kostroma (river)

The variants of interactive and incentive golden ring programs The Golden Ring SPECIAL PROJECTSSPECIAL

The Golden Ring (Russian: Золотое кольцо) is a ring of cities northeast of Moscow, the capital of Russia. Th ese ancient towns, which also played a signifi cant role in the formation of the Russian Orthodox Church, preserve the memory of the most important and signifi cant events in Russian history. Th e towns have been called «open air museums» and feature unique monuments of Russian architecture of the 12th–18th centuries, including kremlins, monasteries, cathedrals, and churches. Th ese towns are among the most picturesque in Russia. Although there are some discrepancies with respect to the names of the cities that are included in the ring, most include:

■ Sergiyev Posad ■ Gus-Khrustalny ■ Pereslavl-Zalesskiy ■ Suzdal ■ Rostov Velikiy ■ Vladimir ■ Yaroslavl ■ Rybinsk ■ Kostroma ■ Uglich ■ Ivanovo ■ Alexandrov

Rostov (Russian: Ростов; Old Norse: Rostofa) is one of the oldest towns in Russia and a tourist centre of the Golden Ring. It is located on the shores of Lake Nero in Yaroslavl Oblast, 202 km to the north east of Moscow. While the offi cial name of the town is Rostov, it is better known to Russians as Rostov Veliky, i.e. Rostov the Great. Rostov was predated by Sarskoye Gorodishche, which some scholars interpret as the capital of the Merya tribe, while others believe it was an important Viking trade enclave and fortress guarding the Volga trade route. First mentioned in the year 862 as an already important settlement, by the 13th century, Rostov became capital city of one of the most prominent Russian principalities. Even aft er it lost its independence, Rostov was still an ecclesiastic center of utmost importance (from 988 it was the see of one of the fi rst Russian bishoprics). In the 14th Century, the bishops of Rostov became archbishops, and late in the 16th century, metropolitans. One of those metropolitans, Iona (Jonah) Sysoevich (ca. 1607-1690), commissioned the town's main landmark: the kremlin that many regard as the fi nest outside of Moscow. Apart from its history, Rostov is renowned for its enamels. Duke’s town Th e town sightseeing tour «DUKE’S TOWN» is to one of the oldest and most beautiful towns in early Roos – Rostov the Great. You’ll see the most ancient monument of northeasten Rus – THE ROSTOV KREMLIN and THE BELFRY OF ASSUMPTION CATHEDRAL, which is famous all over the world. You’ll see the famous PASSAGES in the walls of the Rostov Kremlin, where «Ivan Vasilievich changes his profession», a popular Soviet comedy, was shot. Th e masters, working with black-polished ceramics in THE POTTERY WORKSHOP, will reveal the secrets of their craft for you. Besides, you can be photographed in the costumes of a duke’s suite. You’ll make a tour to the most beautiful functioning monastery in Yaroslavl oblast – OUR SAVIOUR AND St. JACOB MONASTERY, where the consecrated water springs out of the ground. You can have dinner in the refectory, where you’ll be told about the traditions of Russian orthodox cuisine.

Price for 1 person in a double room in a group of: 8+1 10+1 15+1 20+1 roubles/euros 2250/70 1810/52 1230/36 970/28

The price includes: the chosen transport service, the excursion service according to the program, a guide, museum tickets. Agency commission – 10%

Register number of IIT 005420 and United federal register of touroperators 24-a, Trefoleva str., Yaroslavl, Russia,150000 p.o. 122, Yaroslavl, Russia, 150014 Tel.:+7 (4852) 58-87-13/14 Fax:+7(4852)30-80-83, www.volga-tours.com, e-mail:[email protected] EXTRAS: Th e unique bell concert with the legendary gigantic bell «SYSOY» in THE BELFRY OF ASSUMPTION CATHEDRAL, which is famous all over the world. At the excursion to THE FINITY FACTORY you will learn how the famous Rostov enamel is made. If you wish you can make a souvenir with your own hands or buy works by eminent masters. «HOPE YOU’VE ENJOYED YOUR BATH!» – you have an opportunity to take a steam bath with a real bunch of green birch twigs and also to drive a snowmobile, a «snowstorm», to ride a horse, to boat, to go fi shing, to play paintball in a picturesque forest within two minutes drive from Rostov. «TRADESPEOPLE’S MERRIMENT» is a jolly program, during which you’ll learn, how daring tradespeople went on spree in Rus: entertaining competitions, gipsy fortune-tellers, tasty treat and then some! «HANDICRAFT HOUSE» – you’ll plunge into the world of national creative handicraft s. You’ll see the wonderful black- polished ceramics exposition, works made out of birch bark, lace, wood and so on. You’ll see the exclusive hand-made souvenirs by Rostov masters, get trainings on clay modeling, making a reed-pipe (a traditional Russian musical instrument), a traditional Russian doll, a birch bark souvenir. You’ll take with you everything made by your own hands! «BECOME AN ARTIST!» – is a gripping excursion into Oleg Yesenin’s studio for all painting fanciers. You’ll not only see the famous master’s canvases but also get training on painting in the open air, where you’ll be surrounded by the beautiful nature and architecture of Rostov the Great. Besides you’ll get training on batik painting. An excursion to THE ROSTOV TRADESMEN MUSEUM. Here you’ll learn how the Kekins, the most famous Rostov merchants who are also mentioned in the history of St. Petersburg and Kazan, lived. Alexey Leontievich Kekin, the most outstanding representative of the family, founded a fl ax manufactory in Rostov, invested money in the restoration of the Rostov kremlin and opened a museum there in 1883. He bequeathed 8 million ruble for building a gymnasium, that is bearing his name nowadays. Th e exposition of the Kekins Museum, the living room and boudoir, dining room and study, full of authentic articles of the 18th-19th centuries, will tell you about this and something else.

Pereslavl-Zalessky or Pereyaslavl-Zalessky (Russian: Переславль-Залесский; could be translated as «Pereslavl, which is located behind the woods»), is a town in Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia. Th e town is located 140 km to the northeast of Moscow on the main Moscow Yaroslavl road and on the shores of Pleschevo Lake. Pereslavl-Zalessky was founded in 1152 by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky as a projected capital of Zalesye. In 1175–1302, the town was the center of the Principality of Pereslavl (Zalessky). In 1302, the town became a part of the Grand Duchy of Moscow. Pereslavl- Zalessky had been devastated numerous times by the Mongols between the mid-13th century and the early 15th century. In 1611–1612, it suff ered from the Polish invasion. In 1688–1693, Peter the Great built his famous «fun fl otilla» on Lake Pleshcheyevo for his own amusement, including the so- called Peter's little boat, which would be considered the forefather of the Russian fl eet. Th e Botik (small boat) museum keeps the history of the fi rst Russian fl eet.

Once upon a time A city sightseeing tour of Pereslavl-Zalessky. You are to go on a journey through the mysterious and legendary Pereslavl land, to see the sacred place of the ancient Slavs on the bank of Lake Pleshcheevo – the mysterious BLUE STONE, which has a mystic quality to change its place and to fulfi ll a wish, THE HEALING VARVARA’S SPRING, that is not frozen over in the winter, the ancient KLESHCHINO SETTLEMENT AND YARILO’S BALD PATCH, where heathen tribes lived. You’ll see the ancient OUR SAVIOUR’S TRANSFIGURATION CATHEDRAL of XII century, where Alexander Nevsky’s son and grandson are buried Th e cathedral is surrounded by one-time massive defensive earth mounds, from where a magnifi cent view of the city opens up. You’ll visit THE NIKITSKY MONASTERY, one of the most beautiful functioning monasteries of Pereslavl-Zalessky.

Price for 1 person in a double room in a group of: 8+1 10+1 15+1 20+1 roubles/euros 2560/74 2070/60 1420/41 1240/36

Th e price includes: the chosen transport service, the excursion service according to the program, a guide, museum tickets. Agency commission – 10%

Register number of IIT 005420 and United federal register of touroperators 24-a, Trefoleva str., Yaroslavl, Russia,150000 p.o. 122, Yaroslavl, Russia, 150014 Tel.:+7 (4852) 58-87-13/14 Fax:+7(4852)30-80-83, www.volga-tours.com, e-mail:[email protected] EXTRAS: You can visit the only in Russia IRON MUSEUM and the unique TEAPOT MUSEUM, where you’ll learn about the forgotten traditions of Russian tea drinking and the peasant way of life. A visit to THE LIFE-GIVING CROSS OF LORD THE SAVIOR (XV c.) and THE MIRACLE-WORKING ICON OF ST. NICOLAS THE WONDERWORKER in Godenovo village. In Pereslavl-Zalessky you’ll be a guest of the unique MASQUE MUSEUM, where you’ll see more than 100 masques of fairy tale characters, opera, literature and carnival masques, made out of papier mache by Sergey Ivanovich Potapov, a sculptor and an artist. You won’t forget the excursion to THE LOCOMOTIVE MUSEUM, which is also called «the engineering museum» and «the narrow-gauge railway museum». You’ll see the locomotives, machinery and trolleys of the end of XIX – XX centuries. Here you can learn about the principles of work at the old railroads, sit in the antique coaches and go for a ride in a trolley (in the summer). You’ll attend a real village MATCHMAKING celebration with singing and dancing in a ring, performing a ride during the entertainment program in the Pereslavl culture preserve «GOODBYE, A PLAIT, – GIRL’S BEAUTY». «A VISIT TO FAIRY-TALE» – you’ll fi nd yourself at TSAR BERENDEY’s home, see the fabulously beautiful TSAR’S CASTLE, as it was described in «THE SNOW MAIDEN» by Alexander Ostrovsky. According to the legends, tsar Berendey lived here, his kingdom was in these parts. You’ll be greeted with jokes and stories and be treated to a glass of mead (an alcoholic beverage with honey) prepared according to the old recipe. You’ll learn about the heathen rites of our legendary ancestors in Berendey’s castle. In the workshop, the birthplace of souvenirs, you can not only see, who Berendey toys are made, but also to buy one. In the castle you should make a wish and it will certainly come true. You’ll make a journey through the time and fi nd yourself at the real PETER’S ASSEMBLY on the territory of the estate museum «Th e little boat of Peter the Great». You’ll take part in a stand-up party in an elaborately decorated hall of the XVIII century, and the magnifi cent costumes of beautiful ladies and courteous gentlemen will take you to Peter the Great’s epoch. You’ll adopt high-society manners, learn fan and beauty spot language, intricate steps of an ancient minuet, you can play a game of chess with tzar Peter Alexeevich himself and be photographed in luxurious costumes of Peter’s epoch. You’ll visit THE ESTATE MUSEUM «THE LITTLE BOAT OF PETER THE GREAT» on the bank of Pleshcheev Lake. Here you’ll see «Th e Fortune» – the only extant boat which was made according to the legends by Peter the Great himself. A picnic on the bank of Lake Pleshcheyevo. A tasty treat will be ready for you: shish kebab, salad, pies, vodka. «HORSE STORIES» – an excursion to equestrian sport club, that is in 35 km from Pereslavl-Zalessky. Th e horses of diff erent breeds, including the Frisian breed, are trained here for sport competitions. You can not only learn a lot of interesting about horses and see, how gracefully they dance, but also to ride and spend some time with these wonderful and clever animals.

Uglich (Russian: Углич) is a historic town in Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia, on the Volga River. Population: 38,260 (2002 Census). A local tradition dates the town's origins to 937. It was fi rst documented in 1148 as Ugliche Pole (Corner Field). Th e town's name is thought to allude to the nearby turn in the Volga River. In November 2008in Uglich was opened a new Nexans cable mill. Apart from the kremlin, the city centre features other nice samples of old Russian architecture. Particularly notable are the Alexeievsky and Resurrection monasteries. Th ere is a «Museum of prison art» where visitors can see all sorts of products made by prisoners from scrap materials like wooden craft s, beautiful pictures painted on sheets with a pen, and metal shavings, and ink. Th ere are a few icons, made with oil paints.Uglich is a birthplace of Petr Smirnov, famous «vodka king of Russia», that is why in 1998 in Uglich was opened Museum of vodka The fairy-tale of a town, the dream of a town You’ ll go to ancient Uglich, where prince Demetrius, Ivan the Terrible’s son and the last descendant of the Riuricoviches died under mysterious circumstances. You are to make a tour of the grand UGLICH KREMLIN, where you will visit THE CHURCH OF ST.DEMETRIOUS ON THE BLOOD, which was erected on the place where he died, you’ll see THE EXILE BELL, that announced the sad event and spent three hundred years in exile in Siberia; the Ugich Dukes’ CHAMBERS and OUR SAVIOUR’S TRANSFIGURATION CATHEDRAL, which is famous for its fresco «Transfi guration», that is a copy of Raphael’s painting in Vatican. Aft er that you’ll visit the functioning CONVENT OF ST. ALEXEY, the most ancient Uglich convent.

Price for 1 person in a double room in a group of: 8+1 10+1 15+1 20+1 roubles/euros 2620/75 2130/61 1480/43 1350/39

Th e price includes: the chosen transport service, the excursion service according to the program, a guide, museum tickets. Agency commission – 10%

Myshkin (Russian: Мышкин) is a town in Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia, located on the steep left bank of Volga. A settlement at this location existed at least since the 15th century. Th e town attracts a signifi cant number of tourists usually arriving by river cruise ships. Myshkin retains architectural features characteristic for the 19th century Russia. It also features a number of museums. One of them is the unique Mouse Museum (the name of the town literally means a Mouse's town), Th ere are also Museum of Valenki (Russian felt boots), ethnographical museum, art gallery, and more. Contemporary Myshkin has preserved the character of a cosy merchant town. It has green streets, lined with wooden houses decorated with carved casings. Visiting the Mouse King Departure to Myshkin – the most original town of the Golden Ring. You will begin your trip with the visit to the unique Mouse Museum (the name of the town is derived from «mysh», meaning «mouse» in Russian), and then to the museum «Russian Felt Boots» (i.e. the traditional Russian winter footwear). Here you will fi nd out interesting information about felt boots. You are to learn the secrets of the 19th century walking down to the recently opened vaults of St. Nicholas Cathedral. You will also visit the House of Handicraft s where you will be able to try yourself as a real blacksmith, a joiner and a potter.

Price for 1 person in a double room in a group of: 8+1 10+1 15+1 20+1 roubles/euros 2630/76 2160/62 1530/44 1420/41

Agency fee – 10%

Rybinsk (Russian: Рыбинск) is the second largest city of Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia. It lies at the confl uence of the Volga and Sheksna rivers. Population: 213,000 (2007 est.) Rybinsk is one of the oldest Slavic settlements on the Volga River. Th e place was fi rst noticed by chroniclers in 1071. Since 1504, it was mentioned in documents as Rybnaya Sloboda (literally: «the fi shing village»). Th e name is explained by the fact that the settlement supplied the Muscovite court with choice sturgeons and sterlets. Th ere is also the Nobel Family Museum, documenting the operations of that illustrious Swedish family in Imperial Russia. Early fi lm moguls Nicholas Schenck and Joseph Schenck were born in the town. Aft er they emigrated to the United States brothers created «Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer» company and became the fi rst fi lm producers. In 1935 the building of Rybinsk reservior (touted as the largest man-made body of water on Earth) started. To build this reservior Soviet authorities fl ooded 663 villages and city of Mologa. Today there is a museum of sunken city Mologa in Rybinsk As the experts warn, the giant Rybinsk dam, which holds the Rybinsk Reservoir places the town in the imminent danger of the dam breaking and the reservoir fl ooding the city. Th e most important industries of modern Rybinsk are aircraft engine manufacturing and a hydroelectric power station.

The Centre of Barge Haulers Th e town sightseeing tour – «Rybinsk is a part of Petersburg». In the past this town was called a «Russian Chicago». Th e former centre of grain trade and barge haulers still keeps its extravagant colouring. During the excursion you will see the majestic Our Saviour’s Transfi guration Cathedral executed in the classical style, the Catholic Church in the East-European gothic style, the modernistic buildings of the Bourse and the Fire-observation tower. You will visit commemorative places associated with the names of famous people who lived and worked in Rybinsk: Alfred Nobel, Arcadiy Raikin, the Mikhalkovs, Yuriy Andropov, Henry Yagoda, Alexander Soljenizin and many others. You will fi nd out diff erent stories from Rybinsk’s life, the town where the unique monument to Barge hauler is, there will be also a story about female barge haulers’ artels (cooperative associations), so-called «lousy hill» etc. You will be proposed the excursion to the dam and sluices of the Rybinsk hydropower plant and to the museum of the fl ooded town Mologa where you will be told the sad story of this place and the «Volgolaga» (the camp for victims of political repression in the 30-40s building the Rybinsk hydropower plant), reveal the mystery of the former secret object – the huge dam curbing might of the Rybinsk sea.

EXTRAS: You will visit the museum of motion picture «Rybinsk – Cinema – Hollywood». Here you will discover that brothers Shenky – the founders of the fi lm company «Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer» and «XX Century Fox» which are considered to be the inception of Hollywood – were grown up in the settlement of the Rybinsk steamshipping. Great grandfather of a director Sergey Solovyov was at the head of the local gymnasium. At the end of the programme you will be suggested the interesting interactive game – «You are to shoot a fi lm». You will try to shoot a fi lm «12 chairs» thus acting as a director, an assistant director, cameraman and actor. «Merchant Feast». You will fi nd out that Rybinsk is the centre of fi shing and barge haulers, taste stockfi sh and genuine barge haulers’ food! Moreover, you will see ancient houses of prosperous merchants, some façade projects by a prominent capital architect, Karl Rossi, trade rows where commerce was ‘boiling’. You will have a chance to meet with merchant Kuzma Savelievich, to play the lottery «Pike-fi sh» and try the lunch from Elizabeth Potapovna made according to Russian traditions! «Cordial Barge Hauler’s Tale» is a folk meeting-performance. You will be told about traditions and hard barge haulers’ lives, you will taste traditional food of these people. Sampling of Rybinsk beer «Balagan». Test yourself – «Bench with an old man Mityay». Test for your dexterity – «Kiss with a goat». Test for your endurance – «Pour, pour, don’t begrudge!» You will go to the park-estate Borok which is famous for its amazing nature. You will see a large aquarium where there are various kinds of fi sh. On the lake side you will have an opportunity to join a picnic.

Tutaev (former Romanov-Borisoglebsk) was founded in 1283 population 42,000. Th is city is a pearl of ancient Russian culture. Tutaev is famous for its marvelous ancient churches, Romanov sheep and fur-coats, unique hand-made bells and breath-taking sceneries, and known as a birthplace of fi rst woman-cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova. Th e name of Boris Kustodiev is known to all art lovers. His pictures glorify the beauty of provincial towns, fun of amusing fairs and Pancake weeks, charm and grace of Russian merchant's wives. Kustodiev oft en came to Tutaev to create his masterpieces. In our town he had painted some of his famous pictures: «Th e Provinces», «An Outdoor Celebration on the Volga river», «Bathing», «Spring Evening». Many other pictures were inspired by the enchanting beauty of this town. Favorable business climate, developed industry, advantageous location and picturesque landscape make Tutaev an attractive area for investments in trade, industrial production and storage facilities.

Sentimental journey You will make a «sentimental journey» around Tutayev (Romanovo-Borisoglebsk) and visit the museum «House in Novinskaya street» – the only Russian museum which exposes provincial bourgeoisie mode of life. Here you can take a cup of hot tea, and what is the most important you will see the provincial bank in the 19th century and visit a manager’s fl at and a hall for reception. Everyone can raise one’s intelligence level visiting Protecting Veil Church and praying in front of the miracle-the icon of the Mother of God «Mind Gaining». On the left bank of the Volga (in summer time) you will be able to visit the Kazan Church. Th is complex sloping down to water links municipal buildings with the waterside. You will also see Kustodievskiy boulevard, the former Our Saviour square and Earth ramparts. You will have a chance to admire Resurrection Cathedral dominating on other bank of the river. It is one of the most marvellous monuments of Russian architecture of the XVII century, with the huge Saviour’s image made in the 15th century as experts suppose. Price for 1 person in a double room in a group of: 8+1 10+1 15+1 20+1 roubles/euros 2020/58 1620/47 1120/33 950/28

Prices include: transportation and excursion services according to the programme, guide service, accommodation and dining facilities of the tour leader, museum tickets, standard room accommodation, dining facilities according to the programme, interactive and master classes according to the programme, accident insurance. Agency fee – 10% EXTRAS: Th e excursion to the birthplace of the fi rst woman-astronaut Valentina Tereshkova – to the settlement of Nikulskoye. In the museum «Cosmos» you will fi nd out a lot of facts about this wonderful woman’s life as well as try on a space helmet and sit on a real space seat. You will also be able to have lunch at space café called «Chaika» where you will witness launching of a spaceship «RD-107».

Gavrilov-Yam In historical documents the village of Gavrilovo was fi rst mentioned in 1545. Th ere used to be a post station (Russian: «yam»), so the name of the town comes from the name of postman Gavrila. One of the main sights of Gavrilov-Yam is the interior of the Church of Christmas, where survived the frescoes of the 18th century. In the area of the church complex and the Black Pond there are 5 central posads, 4 mil-pond posads and 3 slobodas. Th ree of them make up of unique ensemble of the civil stone architecture of the XVIII-XIX th cc.. But the gem, decorating this part of the village, is the manor house of merchant Lokalov. Th e main building of it was built in Pseudo-Russian style, it is decorated with every sort and kind of turrets, weathercocks, and surrounded with a fabulous iron-forged enclosure. Still preserved are interior decorations of astounding beauty and elegance. Visiting the textile integrated works is not only an opportunity to get an idea of up-to-date weaving production, but purchasing artistic items of weaving craft made by Gavrilov-Yam weavers in the «Russian Flax» trade mark store.

Yamskaya Sloboda Th e excursion to «Russian silk» home, to the centre of Russian coachmen (those who ride postal horses) – to Gavrilov-Yam and to once the «greatest» Russian village – Velikoye (the name is derived from the word «velikiy» meaning «great» in Russian). You will visit the coachman Gavrila – the Coachman Museum where you will see the only Russian monument to a coachman who, according to the legend, founded on the place of present Gavrilov-Yam a mail staging post called «yam». Here you will familiarize yourself with coachman’s way of life and fi nd out a lot of mysterious stories about this land. Many thanks to this home but we’ll take ourselves off to another! Mistress Mariya will greet you, tell you about the way she lives and show any sort of tricks. You will see a Russian doll-amulet (a magic talisman) which protects its owner from wicked people, and also a a bottle with 3 kinds of cereals which symbolize wealth, health and happiness. Later you will go to once the «greatest» Russian village – Velikoye. Here you will have a chance to taste home-made cherry liqueur and tea with cherry jam, moreover songs and dances, games and amusements won’t let you feel bored! You will also visit unique Velikoselskiy Kremlin - the monument to the Russian victory in the Battle of Poltava; Russian Castle which was at the disposal of the Russian «linen king», merchant Lockalov. In this Castle there is still a marvelous room-grotto which doesn’t yield to Bavarian wonders in Neuschwanstein castle. You will be able to admire the mysterious Black lake where young ladies drowned their sorrows formerly, and the wonderful Lime park.

EXTRAS: You will be proposed an exclusive excursion «Russian Silk» to the former Lockalov’s linen factory which also supplies the company «IKEA» with its goods. Before your eyes a common bloom will be turned into traditional Russian cloth as it was done more than 100 years ago. At the end of the excursion you will be able to visit a company outlet «Russian Fax». You will ride postal carts, horses, you will enjoy the folk entertainment programme with games and amusements, fun and delicious food! Th e interactive programme «Matchmaking in Velikoye village» will help you to discover a lot of interesting about Russian matchmaking traditions and take part in this process. You will be also suggested a cup of tea with cherry jam made according to the special local recipe.

SPECIAL PROJECTSSPECIAL Visiting Fairytales Day 1

You are proposed to visit the main fairytale lady Baba-Yaga (evil enchantress from russian fairy tales) in the ancient Yaroslavl village - Kookoboy. On your way you will also go to the picturesque museum located in the village of Prechistoye – the Museum of Woods. On your arrival to Kookoboy cordial hosts will tell you the legends of this place and show the unique cathedral – Our Saviour Cathedral. Miraculously saved this «little brother» of the Moscow Christ the Saviour Cathedral will surprise you by its dimensions and beauty. While going to Baba-Yaga’s hut you will meet various forest evil spirits but they are not dangerous. If you sing a «chastushka» (humorous rhyme which is a folklore tradition), you will even be able to get some forest gift s. In the pine forest which is at Baba-Yaga’s disposal you are to overcome quite a lot of diffi culties and tests. You will have to learn to hew and to saw fi rewood, to join a sack battle, and to guess complicated riddles of the hostess. Th en you will try well-known Kookoboy pies at «Baba-Yaga’s Tearoom». As for the Museum of Fairytale, there you will see unusual wooden household stuff and furniture of this lady. As a reward for all this, you will be accompanied by a beautiful Russian girl to the spring with the elixir of life spouting in the heart of the real natural monument – the pine forest. Here you will have a chance to make your health better and to gain more energy for the whole year. Not without reason it is said that even Ivan the Terrible came here to have a drink of this miraculous water!

Price for 1 person in a double room in a group of: 8+1 10+1 15+1 20+1 roubles/euros 3420/98 2750/79 1870/54 1640/47

Poshekhonye (Russian: Пошехонье) is a town in Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia, located 151 kilometers (94 mi) north-west of Yaroslavl. It stands on the Sogozha River (although now the river valley is fl ooded by the Rybinsk Reservoir) It was founded as village Pertoma (Пертома) in the 17th century. In 1777, it was granted town status and renamed Poshekhonye. In 1918, the town was renamed Poshekhonye-Volodarsk (Пошехонье-Володарск), aft er V. Volodarsky. It bore that name until 1992, when it regained its old name of Poshekhonye. A popular variety of mass-produced cheese in Russia is called «Poshekhonsky». Th e original cheese factory in the city is currently no longer operating, although the plans of the governor of Yaroslavl Oblast include reopening it. A Northern Venice You will make a trip a Venice of the Yaroslavl region – Poshehonje – the town with 5 rivers and 7 bridges. You will walk along the embankments of the rivers Pertomka and Soga, and ascend the bell tower of the Trinity Cathedral where at a height of 75 metres a wonderful view opens up before you. On the bank of the river Uhra you will be greeted by three poshehonets. «Country bumpkins» will tell you funny stories about themselves and treat to strong home-made liqueur – an exclusive beverage of this place.

Price for 1 person in a double room in a group of: 8+1 10+1 15+1 20+1 roubles/euros 3130/90 2590/75 1880/54 1720/50 Prices include: transportation and excursion services according to the programme, guide service, accommodation and dining facilities of the tour leader, museum tickets, standard room accommodation, dining facilities according to the programme, interactive and master classes according to the programme, accident insurance. Agency fee – 10% EXTRAS: «Th e Soviet Union» is the unique programme which will help you to be plunged into the Soviet era: you will take part in a session of collective farm government and you will be admitted into the ranks of Young Pioneers. In summer you will go haying by tractor and have lunch at a real soviet cafeteria. At the end you will join a picnic with shashlyk (fried meat) and fi sh soup made on a fi re. «Fax, oh, Fax!» Local mistresses will tell you about cultivating fax. You will have a chance to swingle, spin and weave fax yourself. Listened to humorous songs and sayings you will know the way a shirt «was grown» in a fi eld. «Backwoods of Poshehonje». You will visit the Museum of godforsaken villages. Kolodinskiye taletellers will greet you with a lot of jokes, funny stories, games and merry rhymes. You will visit Alexandrov spring where you will meet a local priest, try freshly baked bread, pie and home-made preserves.

Kostroma (Russian: Кострома) is an historic city in central Russia, the administrative centre of Kostroma Oblast. Th e city was fi rst recorded in the chronicles for the year 1213, but historians believe it could have been founded by Yury Dolgoruky more than half a century earlier. As one of the northernmost towns of Muscovy, Kostroma served for grand dukes as a place of retreat when enemies besieged Moscow in 1382, 1408, and 1433. In 1375, the town was looted by Novgorod pirates («ushkuiniki»). Th e spectacular growth of the city in the 16th century may be attributed to the establishment of trade connections with English and Dutch merchants (Muscovy Company) through the northern port of Archangel. Boris Godunov had the Ipatievsky and Epiphany monasteries rebuilt in stone. Th e construction works were fi nished just in time for the city to witness some of the most dramatic events of the Time of Troubles. Th e future tsar, Michael Romanov, also lived at the Ipatievsky monastery. It was here that an embassy from Moscow off ered him the Russian crown in 1612. Sights and landmarks Ipatiev Monastery gives its name to the Hypatian Codex of the Russian Primary Chronicle Th e Resurrection Church (1652) is a superb example of the 17th-century Russian art. Color photograph by Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii in 1910 (Library of Congress) Built in 1559-1565, the fi ve-domed Epiphany Cathedral was the fi rst stone edifi ce in the city; its medieval frescoes perished during a fi re several years ago. Th e minster houses the city's most precious relic, a 10th-century Byzantine icon called Our Lady of St. Th eodore (Russian: Федоровская Богоматерь). It was with this icon that Mikhail Romanov was blessed by his mother when he left for Moscow to claim the Russian throne. Th ey say that just before the Revolution the icon blackened so badly that the image was hardly visible; it was interpreted as a bad sign for the Romanov dynasty. Th e Ipatievsky monastery survives mostly intact, with its 16th-century walls, towers, belfry, and the 17th-century cathedral. Kostroma is famous for its jewelry manufacturing, there is a variety of enterprises on production of jewelry.

Visiting Snegurochka Th e city sightseeing tour around Kostroma won’t leave anybody indiff erent to the unique architectural complex of the trade rows, to the offi ces, the fi re-observation tower, the principal guardhouse, the Nobility Association and the monument to Ivan Susanin. You will visit the active Our Saviour-and –St. Euphymius Convent where the wonder-working icon of the Fedorovskaya Mother of God is kept. You will also visit the active Epatyevsky Monastery which Boris Godunov and the Romanovs patronized at their time. You will see Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Chambers where the Romanovs lived.

EXTRAS: «Visiting Snegurochka» (a snow maiden personage of a Russian fairytale). You will fi nd yourself in the magic tower of Snegurochka. Th e hostess will show her home and tell about her life. In the solemn hall you will see puppet show made on the basis of Ostrovskiy’s fairytale «Snegurochka». In her chamber Snegurochka will show you her needlework, clothes and presents, and in the next hall you will familiarize yourself with Slavic myths and legends, pagan rites and ceremonies. In the room of miracles you will have a chance to look at the exclusive works of local craft smen and gift ed children – Snegurochka’s friends. In the only Russian real Ice room you will try traditional Russian drinks! You will also visit open-air Museum of wooden architecture where you will see churches, peasants’ huts, Russian bathhouses and unique workpieces of local masters. «Visiting Baba Manya». In a peasant’s hut you will be suggested a folk programme which will tell you in what way people washed themselves, cured and cooked using Russian furnace. A peasant woman Manya will show you how to use an oven fork and a poker. Moreover, she will treat you to pies and mead (a beverage made from honey)! «Little Secrets of Large Manufacture». You will observe the process of producing well-known Kostroma linen cloth, visit production departments and aft er this you will have a chance to buy any goods by Kostroma linen manufacture. You will be able to restore your forces having lunch and sampling natural beer at a restaurant where a mini-brewery takes place just in the hall! «Th e World of Fax and Birch Bark». During the excursion you will see the unique collection of Russian fairytales made from birch bark, fi nd out how people produced amazing and practical cloth from a fax wisp in the past. Here you will have a chance to weave birch bark yourself under an exclusive technique of the museum specialists. You will make a fantastic trip to Snegurochka’s home – to Schelykovo where you will have a walk in a magic forest and on Snegurochka’s glade, enjoy beauty of Russian nature where there is a blue spring – a legendary burial vault of Snegurochka. Later you will visit the only Russian elk farm which numbers over 40 elk at present. Th ese elks like porridge, bark and black bread which coming tourists give them. Here you will be able to taste wonderful elk milk which is considered to be very healthy. At the end during the interactive programme «Following Ivan Susanin» you will be led by the legendary man across Yusupov bog under the control of a Polish gentleman, and if you manage to get out, you will be treated to real tasty food from Russian furnace!

Vladimir (Russian: Владимир) is a city in Russia, located on the Klyazma River, 200 kilometers (124 mi) to the east of Moscow. It is the administrative center of Vladimir Oblast. Population: 315,954 (2002 Census). Vladimir was one of the medieval capitals of Russia, and two of its cathedrals are a World Heritage Site. Th e area occupied by the city of Vladimir has been inhabited by humans (at least intermittently) for approximately 25,000 years. Traditionally, the founding date of Vladimir has been acknowledged as 1108. Scores of Russian, German, and Georgian masons worked on Vladimir's white stone cathedrals, towers, and palaces. Unlike any other northern buildings, their exterior was elaborately carved with the high relief stone sculptures. Only three of these edifi ces stand today: the Assumption Cathedral, the Cathedral of St. Demetrios, and the Golden Gate. Th ese three chief monuments, White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal, inscribed by UNESCO on the World Heritage List/ To Vladimir, Krasno Solnyshko (the Fair Sun) Tour around Vladimir. Th ere you’ll be met by the centre of ancient Roos which is famous for its history. You will also see the monuments of white-stone architecture and visit a unique cathedral – St. Demetrius Cathedral. With rich stone carving it looks like being covered with a lacy shawl. In front of St. Demetrius Cathedral there is an observation deck from which you’ll be able to see all the beauties of the Klyazma River. Th en you’ll visit the main church of the city – Assumption Cathedral – world-famous for its wall-painting by A. Rublev and D. the Black. You’ll see the city symbol – the Golden Gates with diorama. Th ey were used as the front gate into the centre of Kievan Roos. You’ll see the exposition «Old Vladimir» in the old tank tower or visit the museum of crystal and lacquer miniature. Next you’ll go to the active Bogolyubovo Nunnery, where you’ll know about the customs and setups of its residents/dwellers. You’ll be lucky to see the tower with circular stairs which is extant by a miracle. It was built during Andrei Bogolyubsky’s reign. Near, among reserved meadows you can admire the white stone Protecting-Veil-on-the-Nerl Church.

Price per 1 person in a double room (for a group) 8+1 10+1 15+1 20+1 roubles/euros 2970/85 2400/69 1650/48 1560/45 Th e price includes: transportation, excursions (meant by the programme), tour conductor/guide, free admission to museums. Agency fee – 10 % EXTRAS: Nobility’s ball – Th ere you’ll meet noblemen from Vladimir. Specially for you there will be a ball in the offi ce’s palace hall where you can try/taste champagne and sweets. Th e interactive programme «Starorusskaya school». Th e school’s interior of the pre-Petrine period has been reconstructed in the museum where pupils of diff erent ages have the museum classes «How did children study in old times»: lessons of writing, counting, moral admonition, history, geography, literature. Children will try to write with goose quills or writing sticks, have arshin, old money and even the Old Russian arms in their hands.

Suzdal (Russian: Суздаль) is a town in Vladimir Oblast, Russia, situated north-east of Moscow, 26 kilometers (16 mi) from the city of Vladimir, on the Kamenka River. Th e history of the town dates back to at least the year 1024. For centuries it functioned as the capital of several Russian principalities. Aft er a decline in political importance, the town rose in prominence as a religious center with numerous monasteries and a remarkable ratio of churches to citizens: at one point, forty churches for four hundred families. Today, the town operates as an important tourist center. In March, the Suzdal tourist centre becomes home to the Open Russian Festival of Animated Film. Th e Cathedral of the Nativity in Suzdal is one of the eight White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal, a World Heritage Site. Golden Gates Tour around Suzdal. Th is city has kept the spirit of old times since 18th century. You’ll admire wooden and white stone private houses surrounded by the gardens. You’ll enter the city through the obelisks of Vladimir’s gates, you’ll visit Kremlin – the gem of Rosvov-Suzdal Rus’ surrounded by the ancient ramparts, God’s Birth-Giver’s Nativity Cathedral famous for its Golden Gates. You’ll have a tasty lunch in the refectory of the famous Hierarchal Chambers, made according to 300-years old recipes (extra charge)! Th en you’ll go to Our- Saviour- and- St. Euphymius Monastery (the museum-reserve) with the prison cell used for religious and political free-thinkers. You’ll never forget the excursion to the active Protecting Veil Convent – the place of banishment for aristocrat women.

Price per 1 person in a double room (for a group) 8+1 10+1 15+1 20+1 roubles/euros 2900/83 2340/67 1590/46 1420/41 Th e price includes: transportation, excursions (meant by the programme), tour conductor/guide, free admission to museums. Agency fee – 10 %

Ivanovo (Russian: Иваново) is a city and the administrative center of Ivanovo Oblast, Russia. Population: 406,465 (2008). Ivanovo has traditionally been called the textile capital of Russia. Since most textile workers are women, it has also been known as the «City of Brides». Ivanovo was created by merging the old fl ax-processing village Ivanovo (fi rst documented in 1561) with the industrial Voznesensky Posad in 1871. Until 1932, its offi cial name was Ivanovo-Voznesensk. Because of its textile manufacturing industry, Ivanovo earned the sobriquet of the «Russian Manchester» during the 19th century. The Textile Capital Tour around Ivanovo – you’ll go to the city famous for its textile production and brides. It is not without reason that the city is associated with some famous weddings – Ivan the Terrible gave the village of Ivanovo to the brothers of his second wife Maria Temrjukovna. Th en the village was given to count Sheremetev’s wedding. With the excursion to the Museum of Industry and Art by D. G. Burilin you’ll see the original collection of antiquities and curiosities made by that patron. In the Museum of Ivanovo’s Textile you can follow the whole history of textile production beginning with the ancient times to the present, see the collection of old-fashioned and modern textiles. Th ere you can also visit the exposition of the famous fashion designer Vyacheslav Zaitsev with his constantly renovating costume collection. You’ll admire the monument of wooden architecture – Assumption Cathedral (18th century) which located in three diff erent places. One cannot but pass one of the most original houses – «House-Ship» as if hovering in midair thanks to the fact that it has glazed ground fl oor. You cannot certainly call it the excursion when there isn’t any souvenirs from the famous Ivanovo’s printed cotton: you’ll learn a lot not just about this trade’s history but you can also buy some products from printed cotton at a very agreeable price!

Price per 1 person in a double room (for a group) 8+1 10+1 15+1 20+1 roubles/euros 2530/73 2060/59 1430/41 1310/38

Th e price includes: transportation, excursions (meant by the programme), tour conductor/guide, free admission to museums. Agency fee – 10 %

Plyos (Russian: Плёс) is a town and the administrative center of Privolzhsky District of Ivanovo Oblast, Russia, situated on the right bank of the Volga River some 70 kilometers (43 mi) north-east of Ivanovo. Th e town was founded in 1410 by Vasili I as a border post of Muscovy. It was granted town status in 1925.

Life in lively colours Plyos is a fascinating Russian backwoods which inspired the great Russian painter to create his famous masterpieces. You’ll visit the Levitan museum-house with landscape works of the great master and his friends. You’ll get a great pleasure while walking along the Cathedral Hill – a favourite recreation centre of townspeople and tourists. You’ll also see the oldest church in the town - Assumption Cathedral of the 17th century, on the opposite side you’ll see the former offi ce’s building which was built in the last quarter of the 18th century.

Price per 1 person in a double room (for a group) 8+1 10+1 15+1 20+1 roubles/euros 2530/73 2060/59 1430/41 1310/38

Th e price includes: transportation, excursions (meant by the programme), tour conductor/guide, free admission to museums. Agency fee – 10 %

EXTRAS: «Russian izba» - Here at a Russian stove you’ll meet with a hostess who’ll tell you about our ancestors’ way of life, show antique utensils and suggest doing the ironing with the usage of age-old instrument, trying on bast shoes (age-old Russian braided footwear) and tasting of hot cereal made in the stove.

Palekh (Russian: Пáлех) is a village in the Ivanovo Oblast in Central Russia. It is considered an urban-type settlement because its economy does not depend upon agriculture. Palekh has a very long history in Russian iconography, the art of painting Russian Orthodox icons for homes and churches. Th e village emerged as a leading centre of Russian icon- and mural-painting in the 19th century. A good example of the Palekh school are the murals and icons from the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross (built in 1762– 1774). Today, Palekh is known primarily for its miniatures. Following the October Revolution with its outspoken Atheist ideology, around 1923, the Palekh masters of iconography began to paint papier-mâché boxes applying the same principles they had learned from painting icons. Th ey used mainly tempera paints of bright colors and painted over a black background. Th e work usually represents themes from real life, fairy tales, literary works, and folk songs. Where the fi rebird lives An excursion to the old village of Palekh. Th e village is worldwide known as a home of the fi rebird. Palekh miniature is associated with boxes, coff ers, handicraft brooches with gold painting which represents the subjects of Russian fairy tales and bylinas. It’s impossible to imagine this distinctive Rus’s cradle without folk occasion, wonderful Russian songs, maidenly attic in the hospitable hostess’s house, costumes of the 15th-17th centuries and age-old decoration. You’re allowed to make a souvenir by yourselves and take it home to remember. You can also be photographed in the costumes in Russian house interiors.

Price per 1 person in a double room (for a group) 8+1 10+1 15+1 20+1 roubles/euros 2530/73 2050/59 1400/41 1250/36

Th e price includes: transportation, excursions (meant by the programme), tour conductor/guide, free admission to museums. Agency fee – 10 %

Kashin (Russian: Кашин) is a town in Tver Oblast, Russia, located around a rural agricultural area on the Kashinka River (Volga's tributary) 204 km away from Moscow and 25 km away from Kalyazin. Kashin is located close to the borders of Tver, Moscow, and Yaroslavl Oblasts. Th e town of Kashin was fi rst mentioned in a chronicle under the year of 1238, when it was sacked by the Mongols. It was given by Grand Duke Mikhail Yaroslavich as an appanage to his son Vasily, who founded a short-lived dynasty of local princes. Mikhail Yaroslavich's wife Anna took the veil in Kashin's nunnery and died there on October 2, 1368 and was glorifi ed by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1650 as a holy patroness of all women who suff er the loss of relatives. Her miracle-working relics are preserved in the Ascension Cathedral of Kashin. In 1382, Kashin was annexed by the Principality of Tver. From 1399 to 1426, it was held by a second dynasty of Kashin princes, which claimed their seniority in the house of Tver. In 1452, Kashin withstood a siege by Dmitry Shemyaka. It fi nally passed to Muscovy in 1486 with the rest of Tver Principality. In 1708, the town was assigned to Ingermanland Governorate. Th ere are several architectural monuments in Kashin, including monasteries, churches, and cathedrals. Th e most ancient of these, a wooden chapel from 1646, was burnt to the ground in 1998. Th e town is also known as a balneological resort. Fishing Day Tour around Kashin. You’ll visit the Merchant Life Museum which is located in the Church of Christ's entry into Jerusalem where you’ll see a peasant's log hut, an inn and a merchant’s store. You’ll also see a famous Kashinsky spring of mineral water, visit Cathedral square, the active Ascension Cathedral and Resurrection cathedral. Th en you’ll have a unique excursion to a very old town called Kalyazin. It is famous for the belfry raised over the water which is the symbol of the trading quarter which was fl ooded because of the Uglich Hydropower Station building. Price per 1 person in a double room ( for a group) 8+1 10+1 15+1 20+1 roubles/euros 2710/78 2230/64 1580/46 1420/41 Th e price includes: transportation, excursions (meant by the programme), tour conductor/guide, free admission to museums. Agency fee – 10 % EXTRAS: A unique opportunity to visit a secret object – Kalyazin’s space site – the locator (on inquiry). «Th e Russian Feast» is an entertainment with home pasties, Russian kvass and tasty berry liqueur. Merry jokes, funs, competitions, contests! You’ll learn about the Russian spoon genealogy, its traditions, signs, rites and fortune-tellings. You’ll have tasty food and of course - a spoon as a present!

Alexandrov or Aleksandrov (Russian: Александров) is a town in Vladimir Oblast, Russia, 120 kilometers (75 mi) north-east of Moscow. Population: 64,824 (2002 Census). Alexandrov Kremlin served as the capital of Russia for three months (December 1564 to February 1565) under Tsar Ivan the Terrible until he agreed to return his court and the relics of Moscow which he had taken with him. Ivan agreed to return aft er the church gave him permission to found the Oprichnina. The Royal entertainment You’re going Alexandrov – the centre of oprichnina Roos where you’ll visit a temporal residence of Ivan the Terrible, the 1st Russian Tsar, - Alexandrovskaya Sloboda. You’ ll b e a guest of the Rich Inn in «the Tsar’s kvass room». You’ll learn the traditions of Russian beverages making and drinking in 16th century and of course you’ll be treated with kvass from the real old-age clay cups. Th e Church of Intercession won’t leave you indiff erent. It’s the rarest monument of Russian medieval architecture where Ivan the Terrible spent many hours praying and thinking over.

Price per 1 person in a double room ( for a group) 8+1 10+1 15+1 20+1 roubles/euros 3060/88 2730/79 1910/55 1590/46 Th e price includes: transportation, excursions (meant by the programme), tour conductor/guide, free admission to museums. Agency fee – 10 %

EXTRAS: «Silver Age» is an excursion to the museum to Marina and Anastasia Tsvetaevi where the poetic atmosphere of «the Silver Age» is reconstituted and where you’ll learn about the famous poetess’s family. «In the store of the well-off merchant». Here you can choose some goods, conclude a bargain and have a cup of strong tea with a spice cake. «Romantic Tour». You’ll learn about matchmaking traditions in Roos’: peasants’ matchmaking, being on a visit like a tsar and petty bourgeois dowry presentation. You’ll have the tour through the mazes of time, traditions and rites.

Sergiyev Posad (Russian: Сергиев Посад) is a city and the administrative center of Sergiyevo-Posadsky District of Moscow Oblast, Russia. It grew up in the 15th century around one of the greatest of Russian monasteries, the Troitse-Sergiyeva (Trinity) Lavra established by St. Sergius of Radonezh. As the town's name, alluding to St. Sergius, had strong religious connotations, the Soviet authorities changed fi rst to just Sergiyev in 1919, and then to Zagorsk in 1930, in memory of the revolutionary Vladimir Zagorsky. Th e original name came back into offi cial use in 1991. To Russian dolls home Tour to Serghiyev Posad – «the Russian dolls’ home». You’ll visit the Toys Museum with the unique exhibits’ collection. Here you’ll attend a Master-Class «the Russian dolls» where you’ll be allowed to paint a traditional Russian souvenir. Th en you’ll see a splendid monastic ensemble of Holy Trinity-St. Serghius Laura which is a Russian «Vatican», visit Assumption Cathedral famous for its unique frescoes and HolyTrinity Cathedral where the relics of the venerable Serghiy of Rahdonezh.

Price per 1 person in a double room ( for a group) 8+1 10+1 15+1 20+1 roubles/euros 3350/96 2780/80 2020/58 1850/53 Th e price includes: transportation, excursions (meant by the programme), tour conductor/guide, free admission to museums. Agency fee – 10 %