Essential Golden Ring 2020 Essential Golden Ring Road Trip Through ’s Heartland

Flexible Essential Trip – Classic Private Journey – 8 Days

Your choice of dates, suggested start day: Monday

Discover the abundant art, visionary architecture, and inspired culture of Russia’s historic Golden Ring, an elliptical string of medieval towns that once formed the political and economic core of the powerful Kievan Rus. Today, this bucolic heartland offers an intimate peek into the soul of Slavic culture. From Moscow, the country’s political and business capital, circle a series of enchanting towns and villages in the countryside, each celebrated for their ancient kremlins, historic wooden churches, fascinating frescoes, and time-honored handicrafts. Enjoy Russian hospitality with several opportunities to dine with Russian families in their homes, and experience five treasured UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

© 1996-2020 MIR Corporation 85 South Washington St, Ste. 210, Seattle, WA 98104 • 206-624-7289 • 206-624-7360 FAX • Email [email protected] 2 Daily Itinerary Day 1, Monday Arrive Moscow, Russia Day 2, Tuesday Moscow • Fedoskino • Sergiev Posad Day 3, Wednesday Sergiev Posad • • Day 4, Thursday Yaroslavl • Day 5, Friday Kostroma • Plyos • Suzdal Day 6, Saturday Suzdal Day 7, Sunday Suzdal • Vladimir • Moscow Day 8, Monday Depart Moscow

© 1996-2020 MIR Corporation 85 South Washington St, Ste. 210, Seattle, WA 98104 • 206-624-7289 • 206-624-7360 FAX • Email [email protected] 3 Tour Highlights Fedoskino Museum of Fedoskino Lacquer Miniatures Sergiev Posad UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trinity St. Sergius Lavra, matrioshka factory Rostov Kremlin, Museum of Church Antiquities, Uspensky Cathedral Yaroslavl Spassky (Savior) Monastery, Church of the Epiphany, Church of St. Elijah the Prophet, historic town center (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Kostroma Catherine the Great’s favorite city, St. Ipaty Monastery, Trinity Cathedral Plyos Lunch in a private home Suzdal Museum of Wooden Architecture and Peasant Life, kremlin, Nativity of the Virgin Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage site), Archbishop’s Chambers, dinner in a private home, Savior Monastery of St. Euthymius Bogolubovo Church of the Intercession on the (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Vladimir Kremlin, Golden Gate, Cathedral of the Assumption and Cathedral of St. Demetrius (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Daily Itinerary

Day One, Monday Arrive Moscow, Russia Arrive in Moscow and transfer to a centrally located hotel to check in. This evening, meet your guide to discuss the program, then get settled into the hotel. Meals: Independent/en route – Park Inn Sadu or similar

Day Two, Tuesday Moscow • Fedoskino • Sergiev Posad Following breakfast at the hotel, begin the journey to cities of the renowned Golden Ring, a modern name given to the ancient towns that form an elliptical loop to the north and east of Moscow. Many of these were seats of political and economic power long before the rise of Moscow. Today, these are mostly quiet and sleepy towns dotted with the remnants of defensive kremlins, active monasteries, and some of the oldest and most beautiful churches in Russia. The first stop is Fedoskino. Begin touring here with a visit to the Museum of Lacquer Miniatures. In the late 18th century when the dipping of snuff became popular in Russia, inexpensive snuffboxes were in demand, and several factories in Fedoskino began turning out boxes made of papier-mache. The primed boxes were perfect as bases for lacquer miniatures, an art that was perfected here and in three other centers around Moscow and St. Petersburg. Fedoskino boxes and miniatures are usually painted in a realistic style, and use a multi-layered combination of transparent and opaque materials, sometimes incorporating gold leaf, silver foil or metal powder.

© 1996-2020 MIR Corporation 85 South Washington St, Ste. 210, Seattle, WA 98104 • 206-624-7289 • 206-624-7360 FAX • Email [email protected] 4 Continue to Sergiev Posad, and after time for an independent lunch, begin touring here. Visit a matrioshka factory and learn about the art of making these stacking dolls. The town was a center of woodcarving and toy making for centuries. The nesting dolls thought of as quintessentially Russian may have been based on a Japanese design, and have not been around for much over a century. Meaning “little mother,” the painted hollow form comes apart to reveal a series of smaller dolls nested inside. First created in Sergiev Posad in the late 19th century, the dolls became world famous after one was displayed at the Paris World Exhibition in 1900. They usually come in sets of two to 24, and are often hand-painted. The UNESCO-listed Trinity St. Sergius Lavra monastery occupies a special place in the spiritual, political, and cultural life of the country, its history interwoven with that of Russia. This is where in 1380, St. Sergius blessed Dmitri Donskoi’s army as it marched out to give the Golden Horde their first defeat in a century. It is where Czar Ivan the Terrible spent a fortune to have the monks pray for him after he murdered his son. It withstood a 16-month siege by Polish forces after Ivan strengthened its fortress walls, and continued to defend Moscow from attack for hundreds of years. It is also the center of wooden toy-making in Russia — the first wooden toys were said to have been carved by St. Sergius. Today, this working monastery remains an important center of the Russian Orthodox Church. In addition to serving as the summer residence of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, it accommodates the Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary and is home to over a hundred monks. Enjoy an independent dinner. Meals: B – Tsarskaya Derevnya or similar

© 1996-2020 MIR Corporation 85 South Washington St, Ste. 210, Seattle, WA 98104 • 206-624-7289 • 206-624-7360 FAX • Email [email protected] 5 Day Three, Wednesday Sergiev Posad • Rostov • Yaroslavl Depart Sergiev Posad for Rostov, one of Russia’s oldest and most beautiful towns. Founded on in 862, Rostov is first mentioned in the oldest Russian Primary Chronicle, “TheTale of Bygone Years.” Rostov’s greatest contributions to Russian culture are its kremlin and the art of bell ringing, which spread throughout the Golden Ring. Today about 33,000 people live in Rostov. A tour of Rostov includes a visit to the kremlin with its restored 16th century Uspensky Cathedral; the famous bell tower where the Russian art of bell ringing was born; the Museum of Archaeology, featuring finds from the early history of the Rostov area; and the Museum of Enamel, displaying examples from Rostov's 250 years of enamel art. Built in the 17th century, the immense UNESCO-listed ensemble of the Rostov Kremlin took 30 years to build and used over 20 million bricks. It features 11 towers and the Metropolitan's Chambers, one of Russia's finest old ensembles. The “White Chamber” in the Rostov Kremlin is where the Museum of Church Antiquities displays beautiful artifacts from the Rostov churches through the centuries. Bell ringing came to Russia in the 10th century when the Kievan Rus converted to Christianity. Although the Orthodox Christians of Byzantium hammered on narrow wooden boards called semantrons during certain points in the liturgy, the Orthodox Rus joyfully took up bell ringing like the European Latinate Christians. Russian bell makers were quick to give the bells a distinctive Russian character, however. The Russian Orthodox hierarchy developed sets of special instructions, called zvon, which were rung for different occasions. Rostov was particularly famous for its bells; the 15 in the belfry of the town’s Uspensky Cathedral are considered “classic” Russian bells. They were the first to be cast so that the three largest bells harmonized when rung together. In the afternoon depart to the city of Yaroslavl. In 1010, Kiev’s Grand Duke Yaroslav the Wise founded this town at the confluence of the and one of its tributaries, the Kotorosl. White and green onion-domed churches, the massive Volga Bastion (built in 1660), and the 17th century former metropolitan’s palace that now houses one of Yaroslavl’s art museums grace the riverbank. In the Old Town are examples of the red-brick churches with decorative ceramic tiles crafted by members of Yaroslavl’s renowned posad, or artist and craftsmen’s settlement. Yaroslavl's historical center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.

© 1996-2020 MIR Corporation 85 South Washington St, Ste. 210, Seattle, WA 98104 • 206-624-7289 • 206-624-7360 FAX • Email [email protected] 6 A tour of Yaroslavl includes visits to the 12th century Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior; the red-brick Church of the Epiphany; the green-domed Church of St. Elijah the Prophet with its fine frescoes; and the Church of St. John the Baptist in Tolchkovo, with its creative brickwork and painted tiles. Yaroslavl’s Spassky (Savior) Monastery, originally founded in the 12th century, is one of the Volga’s oldest monasteries. The oldest of its remaining structures — the Holy Gate and the Transfiguration Cathedral — were built in 1516. The present monastery walls were built in the 17th century, after the city fortifications that withstood the Polish/Lithuanian siege of 1609 burned later in the century. The façade of the red brick Church of the Epiphany, opposite the monastery walls, is decorated with bright Yaroslavl ceramic tiles and two rows of curved gables with rich brickwork. The white Church of Elijah the Prophet was constructed between 1647 and 1650, and is best known for its brilliant frescoes. Painted between 1680 and 1681 by a team led by Gury Nikitin and Sila Savin, the frescoes played a significant role in the development of the Yaroslavl school of painting. (Note: the Church of Elijah the Prophet is open only May-October.) The former House of Governors, built in 1822, houses a museum of Russian art of the 18th-20th centuries. The museum boasts one of the most complete collections of K. Korovin canvases in Russia. Sixteenth to 18th century furniture, glass, china, and medals are also on display. The "Governor's Garden," laid out from 1820 to 1830, is renowned for its exhibition of wonderful flowers in the summer. Dinner tonight will be independent, with overnight at the hotel. Meals: B – Park Inn Yaroslavl or similar

Day Four, Thursday Yaroslavl • Kostroma Continue overland today to Kostroma. In the 17th century, Kostroma was the third-largest town in Russia after Moscow and Yaroslavl. It enjoyed imperial patronage and was visited by Catherine the Great in 1767. Unfortunately most of the town, including the kremlin, burned down in a great fire in 1773. But this gave Catherine the Great a chance to exert her influence on Kostroma’s appearance, and she transformed the city into a showpiece for her enlightened design principles with her best designers from St. Petersburg. Within a few years, Kostroma had been rebuilt according to then-modern town planning methods, with streets radiating from a single focal point near the river. Kostroma is recognized as one of the finest examples of late 18th century architectural principles in Russia. A city tour of Kostroma includes a visit to the St. Ipaty Monastery with its 16th century Trinity Cathedral, the Romanov family chambers, and the Museum of Wooden Architecture.

© 1996-2020 MIR Corporation 85 South Washington St, Ste. 210, Seattle, WA 98104 • 206-624-7289 • 206-624-7360 FAX • Email [email protected] 7 Across the Kostroma River from the square is the city's main architectural attraction, the St. Ipaty Monastery. The revered Ipatyevskaya Chronicle, a document of national significance relating the history of the Russian state from earliest times up to the 15th century, was kept here. The monastery's Trinity Cathedral, with its thick white stone walls and gilded cupolas, was built by Boris Godunov and dates from 1590. An influential school of icon painting began here. The monastery is also associated with the Romanov family, who considered it their family's personal sacred place. It was here that messengers brought the news that Mikhail Romanov had been chosen to take the Russian throne in March 1613. Through the efforts of its royal patrons, the monastery became both a political and spiritual force. Other features of the monastery include the former chambers of the Romanov family and the monastic cells, which display historical artifacts and works of art, and the great five-tiered bell tower, which commands a magnificent view of the town. Check into the hotel with time for an independent dinner. Meals: B – Ya Hotel or similar

Day Five, Friday Kostroma • Plyos • Suzdal En route to Suzdal, take some time to visit Plyos, known as the “Pearl of the Volga.” Plyos is in an area surrounded by changing landscapes of forests, valleys, fields, and tiny villages. The town is sometimes called the "Pearl of the Volga," and gained renown as an artists' retreat. In particular, it contains the House Museum of Isaak Levitan (1860-1900), the Russian artist and teacher. The museum houses some of the finest canvases from his "Volga Period." Here, enjoy lunch in a private home. Upon arrival in Suzdal, check in to the hotel. Suzdal, founded in 1024, was named by Grand Duke Yaroslav the Wise of Kiev, who came to the region to quell a peasant uprising. According to tradition, the Grand Duke held court on the banks of the quiet Kamenka River. Hence the town was named Suzdal, meaning "place where a trial is held." In the 12th century, Suzdal was a capital city, exceeding London in physical size and population. Suzdal’s numerous unique monuments have been remarkably preserved over the ages, enabling travelers to trace the history of Russian architecture back to the 12th century. So much of its original architecture has been preserved that a law was passed to prevent modern development from encroaching on the historic places. Dinner tonight is independent. Meals: B, L – Pushkarskaya Sloboda or similar

© 1996-2020 MIR Corporation 85 South Washington St, Ste. 210, Seattle, WA 98104 • 206-624-7289 • 206-624-7360 FAX • Email [email protected] 8 Day Six, Saturday Suzdal Explore Suzdal after breakfast today. At the UNESCO-listed ancient heart of Suzdal is its kremlin, which once served as the 12th century seat of power for northeastern Rus. Ringed by 1.4 kilometers of earthen walls, the Kremlin's interior houses several churches and historical buildings, including the Savior Monastery of St. Euthymius and the photogenic Nativity of the Virgin Cathedral, with its deep blue onion domes, brilliant gold stars, white limestone walls, sumptuous interior frescoes, and 13th century damascene doors known as the "Golden Gates." Many of Suzdal's princes and bishops are buried here. The Museum of History and Art (also known as the "Icon Museum") is housed in the Archbishop's Chambers, where Suzdal's spiritual leaders once lived. As part of the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum Reserve located in three cities and two villages, the Suzdal museum's acquisitions include one of the largest and oldest collections of religious icons in Russia, along with paintings and artifacts from churches and monasteries. The museum complex also includes an 18th century cross-vaulted reception chamber, decorated with gilded icons and chandeliers and today used for special art exhibitions. Across from the cathedral is the tall, brick 1635 bell tower, which plays chimes on the hour. Nearby is the 1766 izba-style Church of St. Nicholas, brought here from the village of Glotovo in 1960 after a fire destroyed the previous church. Enjoy the opportunity to sample a handful of varieties of the ancient honey wine called medukhova. Smooth and sweet, this Russian mead has accompanied feasts since written history began. After an independent lunch, visit Suzdal's biggest monastery, the UNESCO-listed Savior Monastery of St. Euthymius, or Spaso-Yevfimiev Monastyr. Founded in 1352, its protective brick walls and towers date from the 17th century. Inside the walls stands the five-domed Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior, whose interior was frescoed by Gury Nikitin in the late 17th century. The monastery's 16th century bell tower chimes every hour. Venture three miles out of town to the Kideksha Estate of the Suzdalian princes, with the 12th century white stone Church of Saints Boris and Gleb. Standing next to it are the 18th century Church of St. Stephen and the 17th century tent-roofed bell tower. Dinner will be independent tonight. Meals: B – Pushkarskaya Sloboda or similar

© 1996-2020 MIR Corporation 85 South Washington St, Ste. 210, Seattle, WA 98104 • 206-624-7289 • 206-624-7360 FAX • Email [email protected] 9 Day Seven, Sunday Suzdal • Vladimir • Moscow Depart Suzdal and make a short stop en route to Vladimir at Bogolubovo to view the lovely Church of the Intercession on the Nerl. This graceful little white stone church with its single dome is set in the middle of a meadow on a man-made hill by the River Nerl. Built in the 12th century by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, the walls still have the original carvings. Considered one of the most perfectly proportioned churches in Russia, it was included in the “White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal” on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Continue to Vladimir, which was founded in 1108 by the last great Kievan prince, Grand Duke Vladimir Monomakh. It was the Grand Duke’s grandson — Andrei Bogolyubsky, son of Prince Yuri — who actually developed the town when he moved the government seat from Kiev to this northern region. The capital of Kievan Rus’ from the 12th to the 14th centuries, Vladimir subsided into a small provincial town after power shifted to Moscow. During the Soviet years, it grew into an industrial and cultural center, and much of its wonderful old architecture has been preserved. Observe the 12th century Cathedral of the Assumption, whose gilded domes were meant to show the exalted place that Vladimir held at that time, and the little Cathedral of St. Demetrius with its sculpted white stone walls. Street traffic still passes under Vladimir’s Golden Gate, a testament to its impregnability against the Tatars, who were forced to break through the wooden walls instead. After touring concludes, complete your circular tour of the Golden Ring with a return to Moscow for an independent dinner and an overnight in the capital. Meals: B – Park Inn Sadu or similar

Day Eight, Monday Depart Moscow Following breakfast, the tour concludes with a transfer to the airport. Meals: B

© 1996-2020 MIR Corporation 85 South Washington St, Ste. 210, Seattle, WA 98104 • 206-624-7289 • 206-624-7360 FAX • Email [email protected] 10 Tour Days of Operation Private departures of this land itinerary can begin on the Monday of your choice in 2020. Prices are seasonal, based on the land tour start date of your program. Please note you will need to depart the U.S. at least one day prior to your tour start date due to airline flight schedules.

Private Journey Prices Four star hotels as listed in the itinerary: 2 traveler minimum, from $4,695 per person, twin share Single supplement, from $595 Solo traveler rate, inclusive of single supplement: from $8,095 Five star hotels upgrade option, with hotels upgraded to the Baltschug Kempinski in Moscow, Tsarskaya Derevnya in Sergiev Posad, SK Royal Hotel in Yaroslavl, and room category upgrades at the standard properties in Kostroma and Suzdal: 2 traveler minimum, from $5,095 per person, twin share Single supplement, from $1,075 Solo traveler rate, inclusive of single supplement: $8,895 Flexible Essential trip prices vary significantly by season and are subject to hotel availability for your travel dates. Tour start dates in June, mid-August, and early September may be further affected by higher rates and availability constraints. Additional nights are available on request. Contact us at 1-800-424-7289 for more information.

Your Private Journey Includes • Accommodations per the itinerary. Please see above for upgrade rates. All room types, even in upgraded properties, are standard entry-level doubles or twins; please call for room category upgrade pricing and information. • 7 breakfasts and 1 lunch, per the itinerary. Other lunches and dinners are left independent to allow for independent exploration. • Restaurant tips for included meals. • One arrival and one departure airport transfer. (Additional arrival and departure transfers available at additional cost.) MIR will arrange for travelers to be met upon arrival and seen off on departure, whether we make your air arrangements or not. • Ground transportation throughout itinerary by private vehicle (size of vehicle depends on number of travelers in your group). • Evening cultural performances per the itinerary. • Guided sightseeing tours and entrance fees as outlined in itinerary. • Services of experienced, English-speaking local guides, drivers, and other staff. • Complete pre-departure information including detailed packing list, reading list, Touring with MIR handbook with country-specific information, maps, and travel tips. • Assistance booking your custom flight arrangements (on request; please note that international airfare is not included in the land tour cost). • Final document packet including luggage tags, final updates, and more.

Not Included • International airfare or taxes/fuel surcharges. • Meals not specified as included in the itinerary.

© 1996-2020 MIR Corporation 85 South Washington St, Ste. 210, Seattle, WA 98104 • 206-624-7289 • 206-624-7360 FAX • Email [email protected] 11 • Single supplement charge, if requested or required. • Baggage handling. • Items of a personal nature (phone calls, email, laundry, alcohol, excess baggage, etc). • Gratuities to local guides and drivers. • Visa/passport fees, airport departure fees. • Expenses incurred as a result of delay, modification, or extension of a tour due to causes beyond MIR’s control. • Travel and trip cancellation insurance. Interested in travel insurance? To learn more about all the benefits of purchasing a Travel Guard travel insurance plan, please visit www.travelguard.com/mircorp or contact Travel Guard at 1-877-709-5596.

Start Planning Next Year Now

2021 Flexible Essential Trip – Classic Private Journey – 8 Days At the time of writing, the land itinerary for this program next year is projected to be generally as depicted for this year. Please call if you’re ready to book now. Private departures of this land itinerary can begin on the Thursday of your choice in 2021. Please note you will need to depart the U.S. at least one day prior to your tour start date due to airline flight schedules.

Private Journey Prices - 2021 Four star hotels as listed in the itinerary: 2 traveler minimum, from $4,795 per person, twin share Single supplement, from $650 Solo traveler rate, inclusive of single supplement: from $8,195 Five star hotels upgrade option, with hotels upgraded to the Baltschug Kempinski in Moscow, Tsarskaya Derevnya in Sergiev Posad, SK Royal Hotel in Yaroslavl, and room category upgrades at the standard properties in Kostroma and Suzdal: 2 traveler minimum, from $5,195 per person, twin share Single supplement, from $1,095 Solo traveler rate, inclusive of single supplement: $8,995 Flexible Essential trip prices vary significantly by season and are subject to hotel availability for your travel dates. Tour start dates in June, mid-August, and early September may be further affected by higher rates and availability constraints. Additional nights are available on request. Contact us at 1-800-424-7289 for more information.

© 1996-2020 MIR Corporation 85 South Washington St, Ste. 210, Seattle, WA 98104 • 206-624-7289 • 206-624-7360 FAX • Email [email protected] 12 Flexible Essential Trips – Classic Private Journeys Flexible Essential Private Trips are compact, well-designed private tour itineraries – researched and ready to book on the dates you choose. They work perfectly as brief overviews of a country or as effortless extensions to group tours – great for solo travelers, couples, or private parties who prefer to travel independently but appreciate a savvy pre-designed program.

Important Notes: Is This Trip Right For You? While the planned hotels are very comfortable four star properties, please keep in mind that some aspects of the tourism infrastructure in Russia are not up to the standards North American travelers expect. Services are improving in the region; however you may encounter problems with bureaucratic service, road conditions, and availability and quality of public restrooms. This itinerary features a significant amount of touring on foot. Many streets and sidewalks are uneven, and some attractions are only accessible via steep staircases. Museums may not have elevators. We believe that this program is designed to be as comfortable as possible for travel in this region. It is rated as rigorous touring because of the daily walking involved and the overall shortcomings of the tourism infrastructure. To reap the full rewards of this adventure, travelers must be able to walk at least a mile a day. Flexibility, a sense of humor and a willingness to accept local standards of amenities and services are essential components to the enjoyment of this itinerary. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this schedule is accurate. However, trip itineraries are always subject to change. We do our best to inform participants in advance of any changes, but due to the nature of travel in Russia, this may not always be possible.

Are You Prepared? A Travel Guard travel insurance plan can help cover your vacation investment, offset expenses from travel mishaps and provide you with emergency travel assistance. To learn more about all of the benefits of purchasing a Travel Guard travel insurance plan, please visit www.travelguard.com/mircorp Please read the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory regarding travel to Russia here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/russia-travel-advisory.html If you are not already enrolled in STEP, Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, a free service to enroll your trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, please consider enrolling. For more information: https://step.state.gov/step/

Weather Moscow and the Golden Ring are wonderful cities to visit any time of the year. In the spring, temperatures in Moscow range in the 40s and 50s, and can reach the 70s-90s in July. Rain is always a possibility, with the spring being the rainiest season in general. The winter also makes a great time to travel in Western Russia, giving Moscow a classic Russian look not seen in any other season. Winter temperatures will likely be cold and snowy with temperatures ranging from 0 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (with the chance of subzero temperatures). Warm layers and cozy boots with good traction on ice will make a winter adventure in the uncrowded winter months a comfortable visit.

© 1996-2020 MIR Corporation 85 South Washington St, Ste. 210, Seattle, WA 98104 • 206-624-7289 • 206-624-7360 FAX • Email [email protected] 13 Please remember, weather at all times of year has an element of the unpredictable. This information comes from weatherbase.com and is based on data from previous temperatures on record. It is always advisable to check with weatherbase.com closer to your departure date for current conditions and forecasts for the specific region you will be visiting.

International Airfare MIR’s in-house, full-service air department is available to assist with your air travel needs. Check with MIR before booking air on your own, as we are happy to research and compare the best fares available through multiple channels. Airfare varies depending on a wide variety of factors, such as dates of travel and seasonality, seat availability, special airline promotions, how restrictive ticket changes are, how long the fares can be held without purchase, routing considerations such as stopovers, and more. Tour dates are based on the land tour only. Our preferred carriers for this tour are Lufthansa, Swiss Air, and Aeroflot as they offer convenient itineraries and competitive rates from multiple cities across the U.S. to Russia. Please call us at 1-800-424-7289 to discuss air options and routings for this program, and to request a quote for your specific plans and dates of travel. We will be happy to put together a no-obligation suggested air itinerary and estimate for you at your request.

Visas At the time of writing, U.S. passport holders require one visa for this tour: Russian. You may also need a visa for any additional country you fly via to join the tour. An estimate of current visa costs for U.S. passport holders, based on standard processing time, is $312. Your exact visa fees may differ as visa costs can depend on a number of factors, such as state of residence, processing time, and return shipping. Visa fees are always subject to change. At the time of writing, the Russian Embassy is offering U.S. passport-holders three-year multiple-entry visas at the same price as single- or double-entry visas (the $312 estimated above). Travelers who need to expedite their processing may not have the same option of getting the multi-entry visa at the single-entry visa cost. Please call for information. Standard visa processing in the Russian visa section is ten to fifteen days for this tour. Travelers should prepare to be without their passports for that amount of time. If you plan to travel extensively in the time leading up to your MIR tour, you may need to obtain a second valid passport or use expedited processing, depending on your plans. Please contact us with any questions you may have regarding the timeline for visa processing. Extensive pre-tour paperwork is necessary to apply for this visa, which requires an overseas approval authorization to be issued prior to submission of your application materials to the Embassies/Consulates. A valid passport with six months validity from the end of the tour is also required. In the past, some travelers have made their own visa arrangements instead of using MIR’s preferred provider for their visa processing, either using their own visas service or attempting to process directly with the embassies/consulates. We strongly recommend you discuss it with us before choosing an alternate visa processing method, to help avoid difficulties and visa problems. In the event that you plan to process visas without going through MIR’s preferred provider, please contact us first so we can pass you detailed instructions with critical trip-specific information.

© 1996-2020 MIR Corporation 85 South Washington St, Ste. 210, Seattle, WA 98104 • 206-624-7289 • 206-624-7360 FAX • Email [email protected] 14 Pre-and Post-Tour Options MIR can arrange an extended program before or after your tour. Please call us for suggestions and rates.

Also Nearby... For more tours to this region, you may want to check out:

Flexible Essential Trips – Classic Private Journeys Essential St. Petersburg, 7 days. St. Petersburg, home of the czars and their courts, is a rich repository of extravagant palaces, brilliant museums and renowned theaters overflowing with music and dance. Its fashionable boulevards and serene canals glisten in the “White Nights” of summer and dazzle on sunny winter days. Essential Ukraine, 8 days. Ukraine is the new borderland between Europe and Russia. Explore this resilient region influenced by Polish princes, Cossack hetmen, Turkish khans, Russian communists and Ukrainian poets and nationalists. Essential Poland, 6 days. On this focused tour, visit four Polish UNESCO sites in six days – Warsaw’s Old Town, Krakow’s Historic Center, the Auschwitz/Birkenau camp and the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Essential Balkans, 14 days. Visit seven Balkan countries in 14 days on this compact overland journey through history. A remarkably complex region, the mountainous Balkan Peninsula is fascinating, diverse and incredibly beautiful. Essential Baltics, 7 days. Take an overland survey of the Baltic capitals – Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn – exploring their UNESCO-listed Old Towns, featuring cobbled streets and red-tiled roofs. Visit important rural sites such as Lithuania’s Hill of Crosses and Latvia’s baroque Rundale Castle.

Small Group Tours Russia’s Imperial Capitals & Ancient Villages, 11 days. Discover where Russian art, architecture and culture began. In between the urban centers of Moscow and St. Petersburg, experience the Russian countryside. The oldest and loveliest churches in Russia, Sergiev Posad’s wooden crafts and Fedoskino’s glowing lacquer boxes all put a shine on Russia’s Golden Ring. Kaliningrad & The Baltics, 13 days. This overland journey roves the countryside and urban centers of four distinct nations: the three independent Baltic countries – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia – and Kaliningrad, an exclave of Russia. Bulgaria & Romania: Frescoes & Fortresses, 16 days. Explore the complex history and fascinating culture of Bulgaria and Romania, two Balkan countries whose rugged terrain and consequent isolation have helped preserve their heritage. Discover the luminous frescoes of the painted monasteries, breathe in the fragrance of the Valley of the Roses, and spend an afternoon visiting with villagers in a tiny Transylvanian town. Belarus, Ukraine & Moldova, 14 days. Traverse a little known region that has changed hands from its earliest history. Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova are three of the least-frequented and least familiar countries in Europe. Time slowed drastically here after the devastation of World War Two, but these beautiful countries are emerging from the shadows.

© 1996-2020 MIR Corporation 85 South Washington St, Ste. 210, Seattle, WA 98104 • 206-624-7289 • 206-624-7360 FAX • Email [email protected] 15 Conditions of Participation Your participation on a MIR Corporation trip is subject to the conditions contained in the 2020 Tour Reservation Form and Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Agreement. Please read this document carefully and contact us with any questions.

Cancellation and Refund Policy Payment Terms: Non-refundable deposits are accepted by check, Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. Final land payments may be made by check or credit card for reservations made directly with MIR. If booking through a travel agent, please contact your agent to find out what form of payment they accept. (MIR can accept final payment from travel agents by agency check only.) Airfares are subject to change until ticketed; payment policies vary by carrier. If you cancel your trip please notify MIR in writing. Upon MIR’s receipt of notice the following charges apply to land tours (policies for air tickets, custom group trips vary). Flexible Essential Trips Cost of cancellation, if received: 61 or more days prior to departure, deposit due or paid in full of $750; 31-60 days prior to departure, 50% of land tour cost; 30 days prior to or after trip departure, no refund.

References We encourage you to speak directly with satisfied past travelers. Please request a list of references.

Why MIR? Regional knowledge is crucial to the success of any trip to our corner of the world. MIR combines detailed information about geography and infrastructure, history and art, language and culture, with the depth of knowledge that comes only from decades of regional experience. You may wonder how we differ from other tour operators…

Destination Specialization MIR focuses exclusively on the exceptional region at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. This area has been our overriding passion since 1986; we don’t do the rest of the world. Our hard-earned expertise gained over the last three decades can take you from end to end of the largest country in the world – Russia – and to all of its neighbors. We specialize in travel to Siberia, the Silk Route, St. Petersburg & Beyond. Our destinations include: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, the Baltics (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), the Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia), Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan), the South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia), Turkey, Mongolia, China, Tibet, and Central/East Europe (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia).

© 1996-2020 MIR Corporation 85 South Washington St, Ste. 210, Seattle, WA 98104 • 206-624-7289 • 206-624-7360 FAX • Email [email protected] 16 30 Years of Experience A travel company doesn’t last more than 30 years in the business without a solid track record. MIR has helped thousands of individuals achieve their travel goals. Our dedication and experience have earned us their trust and the trust of many well-respected institutions. Today MIR is the preferred tour operator for museum, alumni and special interest organizations across the country.

Recommended & Respected MIR has twice been rated one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure. Several of our tours have won awards in top travel publications, such as Outside magazine and National Geographic Traveler. Our trips have been featured in books such as Riding the Hula Hula to the Arctic Ocean and 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.

© 1996-2020 MIR Corporation 85 South Washington St, Ste. 210, Seattle, WA 98104 • 206-624-7289 • 206-624-7360 FAX • Email [email protected] 17 More Questions? Please feel free to call us with questions at 1-800-424-7289, 8:30am-5:30pm Pacific Time. MIR Corporation 85 South Washington Street, Suite 210 Seattle, WA 98104 800-424-7289, 206-624-7289 Fax 206-624-7360 [email protected] www.mircorp.com Sellers of Travel: Washington#601-099-932, California# 2082306-40 © Photos: MIR Corporation