Golden Ring of Russia 7 Days | Starts/Ends: Moscow

TRIP NOTES

Golden Ring of Russia 7 days | Starts/Ends: Moscow

Discover the age-old allure of • Visit the quaint riverside city of Yaroslavl • Tip for your tour guide. We recommend Russia on this 7 day tour of Moscow with its impressive skyline of onion you allow USD$3 - 5 per day, per and The Golden Ring. Travelling shaped domes. Explore the city on a traveller. Tipping your guide is an entirely coach tour and enjoy a wood painting personal gesture. from the capital to the countryside, class where golden spires and the • Uncover the Golden Ring town of DETAILED ITINERARY onion shaped domes of colourful Kostroma, with its ancient churches and monasteries dot the horizon, monasteries, and visit the Snow Maiden's Day 1 : Moscow explore the historic and enchanting house with its Ice Room and Ice Bar towns of Suzdal, Yaroslavl and What's Included Kostroma. • 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners (including a Welcome Dinner on day 1) HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS • Escorted by an English speaking Russian tour guide (for groups of 6 or more) Trip Highlights • 6 nights 3-4 star hotels • Take in the highlights of the capital on a • Specialist Russian guides at local sights walking tour, visiting Moscow's famous • Guided sightseeing - Moscow, Suzdal, Thursday. At the airport in Moscow you will be Red Square, home to the historic GUM Kostroma, Yaroslavl met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the Department Store, Lenin’s Mausoleum • Airport arrival transfer on day 1 rest of the day at leisure. This evening dinner and spectacular St Basil’s Cathedral • Moscow Metro travel card - 6 journeys is served at the hotel from 6- 9pm. Overnight • Take a guided tour of the Moscow • All relevant transfers and transportation - Moscow (D) Kremlin, Russia’s political power house. on tour Stroll around the grounds of this fortified • A traditional wood painting class in complex, visit the Kremlin's cathedrals Yaroslavl and see the mighty Tsar Bell • Russian banya (sauna) experience in • Experience the delights of rural Russia in Suzdal the picturesque riverside town of Suzdal. See the ancient Kremlin and UNESCO What's Not Included Listed monasteries, visit the fascinating • Entrance Fees: USD$30-40pp, paid in Museum of Wooden Architecture and local currency sample a traditional Russian banya • International flights and visa (sauna)

Golden Ring of Russia - 7 days updated on 28-09-2021 07:41:17 www.onthegotours.com This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday. Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to UK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] this itinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa AUS 1300 855 684 [email protected] requirements are subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours. NZ 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 - 1 - USA 1 866 606 2960 SA 0800 990 311 TRIP NOTES

Golden Ring of Russia

Day 2 : Red Square & Kremlin of the day is free to explore amazing galleries, Day 5 : Kostroma museums, plenty of cafes, shops (including the GUM department store for high rollers) and bars all within walking distance. During our stay in Moscow there will be the chance to join some of our optional evening excursions, such as a traditional Cossack Show or a Moscow by Night coach tour. All optional excursions are subject to availability, and are booked and payable locally. Overnight - Moscow (B) Meet your guide in the lobby at 08.30 this Suzdal - Kostroma - Yaroslavl. Today we travel morning for an informative welcome meeting. Day 4 : Suzdal on to Kostroma, a historic city which sits on Then we take the metro and make our way the banks of the Volga River and forms part of to the legendary Red Square for the start Russia's Golden Ring. We see the city sights of our walking tour. Here we will take in on a bus tour and visit the fairytale land of the sights such as the epitome of Russian power Snow Maiden's museum. Here we'll explore – the Kremlin, Lenin’s Mausoleum and the the mansion, learn all about Russian fairy ritzy GUM department store. At the south tales and visit the frosty ice-room where you end of the square, feast your eyes on the can enjoy ice cocktails at the ice bar. From iconic St Basil’s Cathedral. We also tour the Kostroma we travel on to Yaroslavl for the mighty Kremlin, with a guided walk through night. Overnight - Yaroslavl (B, L) the grounds to see numerous government buildings, gold-domed cathedrals and the Moscow - Suzdal. This morning we take the Day 6 : Yaroslavl Tsar Bell - the largest bell that never rang! train to Vladimir and then transfer to the If open, you can pay your respects to picturesque Golden Ring town of Suzdal. the grandfather of Communism at Lenin’s Dating back to 1024 with stunning medieval mausoleum. Remainder of the day is at architecture and an array of churches and leisure. monasteries, Suzdal is a major religious centre in Russia. Suzdal, with its pretty meadows and livestock grazing along the During our stay in Moscow there will be the grassy lanes, retains the feel of a small chance to join some of our optional evening pastoral village, despite the host of impressive excursions, such as a traditional Cossack buildings and a population of over 12,000 Show or a Moscow by Night coach tour. people. Yaroslavl - Moscow. After breakfast today Overnight - Moscow (B, L) we get to test our artistic skills at a wood painting class in the grounds of one of city's We take a walking tour around the centre Day 3 : The Kremlin oldest monasteries and you can take your of Suzdal, where we'll see Suzdal Kremlin, artwork home as a souvenir! Then we explore Market square, Alexander monastery, Yaroslavl, a historic UNESCO-listed city which Pokrovsky Monastery and Rizopolozhensky sits on the confluence of two rivers and has monastery. We'll also explore the incredible a skyline crowded with onion-shaped domes Museum of Wooden Architecture which has and imposing spires. Yaroslavl is the biggest a reconstruction of an ancient Russian village and most modern Golden Ring town that we from Ivan the Terrible’s time. This afternoon visit. On a bus tour of the city we'll see the you can enjoy a traditional Russia banya Assumption cathedral, the remarkable 16th (sauna) and if you get too hot you can always Century Cathedral of the Transfiguration of jump in the river to cool off! Overnight - the Saviour , Theatre square and more. If you have booked the optional Inside a Suzdal (B, D) Soviet Bunker Tour Bolt On then we will Today we'll also visit The Residence of Her head 65 metres underground and explore the Majesty the Queen of Maslenitsa, which is Underground Cold War Museum - a Stalinist- an interactive museum with colourful wooden era Soviet Bunker that up until recently was a buildings. Maslenitsa (Butter Week) is a pagan top secret symbol of Soviet Power. The rest festival which celebrates the end of winter,

Golden Ring of Russia during which time people eat traditional Stromynka Hotel pancakes which are called 'blinis.' One of We recognise any vaccine that has been The Stromynka Hotel is an ideal base for the largest Maslenitsa celebrations in Russia authorised for use in the country where exploring the picturesque town of Suzdal. takes place in Yaroslavl but don't worry if the vaccine was administered. This includes This charming, centrally located hotel is you're not in town for the festival, you can vaccines such as AstraZeneca, Covaxin, just a short stroll away from the historic sample a tasty Russian blini here all year Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer- Suzdal Kremlin and the Pokrovsky and round. BioNtech, Sinopharm, Sinovac and Sputnik. Alexandrovsky Convents. The cosy guest This afternoon we travel by train back to rooms are typical of rural Russia, made of In all instances, you must be fully immunised. Moscow, where we'll spend our final night in wood and simply furnished. Modern comforts This means you must receive the full dosage the Big Smoke. Overnight - Moscow (B) include free WiFi, air conditioning, flat screen of the COVID-19 vaccine and allow a minimum TV and a minibar. After a day of sightseeing of 14 days before travelling in order for Day 7 : Moscow guests can relax in the lounge or those immunity to take effect. Each COVID-19 Wednesday. Our tour comes to an end after feeling a little livelier can demonstrate their vaccine has different dosages and timeframes breakfast today. Hotel check out and make singing ability at the hotel's karaoke bar. for immunisation, so please check the related your own way to the airport. (B) medical advice associated with your vaccine. Children under 18 years are not required to HOTELS provide evidence of vaccination to travel at this time. Highlighted below are some of the hotels If you are unable to be vaccinated due which we frequently use on this tour, though to medical reasons, you may apply for an we reserve the right to substitute these exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on hotels to ones of a similar standard. Alyosha Popovich Dvor Hotel a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must Please refer to your Tour Voucher for your provide supporting documentation from a confirmed arrival hotel and further arrival The Alyosha Popovich Dvor Hotel is a medical professional. information. colourful property whose design was inspired by traditional Russian folk tales. The Proof of COVID-19 immunisation must Izmailovo Delta Hotel guest rooms are spacious and equipped be provided to us no less than with plush furniture and gorgeous fabrics. The 4 star Izmailovo Delta Hotel forms 4 weeks prior to travel. We accept In the restaurant, guests can feast upon part of the huge Izmailovo Gamma Delta COVID-19 digital certificates, NHS Covid authentic Russian cuisine, which can then be complex, which was built to accommodate Pass or Vaccination Record Cards e- washed down by a pint of fresh beer. When guests and participants of the 1980 Olympic mailed to [email protected] or you it comes to relaxing, visitors can while away Games in Moscow. Offering comfortable can upload your vaccination history the hours in the onsite sauna or take a dip in guest rooms with modern amenities, the yourself via our traveller login. https:// the Finnish baths. The hotel is conveniently complex also boasts 16 restaurants and bars www.onthegotours.com/Login serving Russian and international cuisine, a located in the historical centre of Yaroslavl, SPA, gym and swimming pool, in addition to just steps from the nearest bus stop. The information you will need to upload shops, a bank and post office. Conveniently includes: Administering national authority or located with the Partizanskaya Metro Station government, document No, name of Vaccine, just 350 yards away, it's a quick 10 minute date/s of vaccination. metro ride to Red Square where you can take in the highlights of the capital. The hotel Group Tour Optional is also ideally located for souvenir shopping, Excursions with the famous Izmailovo Market just a short We offer a range of optional evening stroll away. excursions which are bookable locally on our KNOW BEFORE YOU GO group tours. The optional excursions that are offered change each week dependent upon COVID-19 Vaccination what is on in St Petersburg and Moscow at Requirements the time and the group size. Some of the excursions only operate a specific times of As of 01 November 2021 it is a condition of year and have a minimum group size. travel, as detailed in our Terms & Conditions that all travellers over 18 years provide proof At the welcome meeting on day 1 your tour of COVID-19 vaccination. leader will give you a list of the optional

Golden Ring of Russia excursions that are available during your You will find the cost of entrance fees noted If you reside overseas or are departing the tour and the cost of them in Roubles. under 'What's Not Included' on page 1 of this UK more than 3 months prior to arrival in Please note that the price of the optional document. Russia, we can provide you with the necessary excursions is dependent upon the number invitation letter for entry into Russia in order of people who choose to book and if the Please note that entrance fee amounts do for you to procure the visa independently excursion is escorted by the guide and change and thus upon your arrival to Russia from a Russian Embassy/consulate in your includes transportation. Below are some of your leader will give an exact total and region. Please note independent applications our most popular optional excursions that can breakdown. Please note that we do not are your own responsibility. be booked and paid for locally in Russian include a guided tour of the interior of St Roubles (cash) on the morning of day 2. Basil’s Cathedral, should you wish to go inside Further information is available online at please budget approx USD$8. onthegotours.com/Russia/Visas. It is your • Watch a wonderful Russian ballet in St responsibility to ensure you procure your visa Petersburg. We offer performances in the Entrance fees are also excluded on our Best in a timely fashion. We recommend you apply Mikhailovsky Theatre or the Royal Hermitage of St Petersburg & Moscow and our Russian for your visa at least 1 month before departure. Theatre depending on availability. Prices vary Capitals Past & Present private tours. Pay from USD$100-200 these entrance fees locally at each site. Arrival Transfer An arrival transfer is included for all Please note: we cannot reserve ballet tickets those arriving on day 1 or those in advance and therefore they're subject to Tipping arriving earlier who have booked pre tour availability. Your tour leader will find out how As in many countries tipping is becoming accommodation through On The Go. Our many people wish to book at the welcome the norm in Russia. In better restaurants it is transfer representatives wait 90 minutes from meeting, check what seats are available and suggested that you tip 10% of the bill if you the time your flight has landed and they provide a price. If you have a specific ballet were pleased with the food/service. will be holding a visible On The Go sign. If that you'd like to watch or you want to you are delayed please contact our Moscow guarantee that's you'll have good seats, we If you would like to express your appreciation or St Petersburg office (as detailed on your strongly recommend booking tickets yourself to your tour guide, we've made suggestion as tour voucher) to advise that you have been online prior to departure. to the appropriate amount on page 1 (under delayed for whatever reason. If your luggage the heading 'Exclusions') of these Trip Notes. has been misplaced, head to ‘Information’ or • Located across 42 islands, Saint-Petersburg Tipping is an entirely personal gesture. your airline’s desk prior to exiting Customs to is a perfect place to explore by water and find out how you may lodge a ‘lost luggage’ enjoy the stunning architecture that this city Visas report. boasts. Have a wonderful journey by boat Most travellers require a visa to visit Russia. along the rivers and canals and feel the In order to obtain your visa a Russia Letter Overnight Trains atmosphere of the biggest Northern port of of Invitation is required (endorsed by the Russian Revolution, Route of the Romanovs Russia. (Offered 15 May - 15 Sept). The rates Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) which we and The Big Chill include a comfortable are subject to a minimum of 6 participants. will procure for you. We will provide a Letter of overnight train journey. Russian trains From USD$45 Invite for the duration of the tour and any pre are solid, utilitarian and reliable. All our or post night's accommodation that you have • Experience Moscow by night on a passengers are reserved in 4-berth closed booked through On The Go Tours. If you book panoramic coach tour and river cruise cabins with freshly laundered bed linen your own pre or post tour accommodation you (minimum of 6 people are required for this trip provided. Though not air conditioned, trains will need to request a separate Letter Of Invite to run). From USD$60 are indeed heated during the winter season. from the hotel for these nights. We recommend stocking up on some snacks • Watch the world-class national dance South African passport holders are granted and drinks before you board the train. show 'Kostroma' in Moscow, which offers an visa free entry to Russia for a duration of up to aesthetic journey into Russia’s deep history, We book train tickets 65 days in advance of 90 days when travelling without the intention with a varied mix of national dances and travel, and once they have been purchased of living, working or studying in Russia. contemporary ballet pieces. From USD$60 they are non-refundable and non-changeable. If you're a resident of the UK and would like Should you wish to upgrade to a 2 berth Entrance Fees Not Included someone to handle your visa application for cabin you will need inform us 65 days prior Moscow and St Petersburg entrance fees are you then we recommend CIBTvisas. Please to departure, otherwise you will have to pay a not included in the cost of our Russia group visit http://www.cibtvisas.co.uk/onthego to cancellation fee on top of the upgrade price. tours, these need to be paid to your tour start your visa application with them. Please note for any train journeys - if you book leader on day 2 in local currency - Roubles. your tour less than 65 days before departure

Golden Ring of Russia then it is unlikely you will be in the same Russia is pleasantly warm in summer. In • Summer - Russia can get very hot during carriage as the others in the group as their July and August temperatures have been the summer months of July/August. Pack tickets will have already been purchased. known to rival the Mediterranean. During mid- lightweight cottons and warmer clothes for summer in the northern city of St Petersburg the evening Fitness there is no real darkness and this wonderful • Winter - Russia is bitterly cold from October There may be a lot of walking involved on your phenomenon is known as ‘the white nights’. through to March. Pack a scarf, quality gloves, tour, particularly in Moscow where we explore hat, thermal leggings and longer length coat. most of the sites on foot, therefore please Autumn (September - October) is brief but also You'll also need a warm pair of boots/shoes be aware that a reasonable level of fitness is a good time to travel to Russia, when there with a good grip required. are less crowds and the country is swathed • Personal first aid kit (see ‘Health in golden autumnal hues. From November precautions’) Health Requirements through to February winter sets in and the • Sunglasses and an umbrella It is recommended that you be vaccinated country is usually blanketed in crisp white • Swim wear and a towel (for the banya/sauna) for Diphtheria, Polio and Tetanus. Food and snow. Despite the freezing temperatures, this • Mosquito repellent & sunscreen (if visiting in waterborne diseases are more common than is a magical time to visit if you like snow summer) in the UK, so Typhoid and Hepatitis A - think fluffy hats, warm coats, picturesque • Money belt and a universal adapter are recommended. If visiting Yekaterinburg snowy landscapes and a very high chance of • Flat pack toilet paper and anti-bacterial and undertaking outdoor activities between experiencing a white Christmas! wipes May and August, a vaccination for tick- Time • Spare camera batteries, especially if you born Encephalitis may be recommended. possess a digital camera which requires Russia (European Russia west of the Urals) is This information is only intended as a guide specialist high-power batteries 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Meantime (GMT). and recommendations can change so please • Two spare passport photos/passport From the last Sunday in March to the last consult with your local healthcare provider. photocopy in case of loss/theft Sunday in October, summertime is in force in • Your luggage should not exceed 20kg Drink bottled water only, pack some anti- the UK and time reverts to 4 hours ahead of (44pounds). Pack as light as possible to leave diarrhoea medication, mosquito repellent and GMT. room for the souvenirs! sun cream if visiting in summer. Voltage Food & Drink Currency Standard voltage in Russia is 220V, 50Hz AC. Food While the Russian Rouble is no longer a Sockets require a Continental or European Russia produces a very diverse culinary closed currency, it can sometimes be difficult plug with two round pins. Remember to pack repertoire. Beyond Moscow, St Petersburg to buy in advance or to exchange upon your a travel adaptor. and other big cities, the choice is far more return. As such we recommend exchanging limited. Which is why we include meals on in Pound Sterling, US Dollars and other major Victory Day - 9 May provincial Russia on our group tours. currencies in Russia, plus you may receive a On 9 May every year Russia celebrates better exchange rate in destination. To avoid Victory Day, which commemorates the Soviet Caviar, smoked sausage, pickles, field issues, exchange only clean, unmarked bank victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. mushrooms, cheese and soured cream are notes. Bureau de Change and ATM machines On this special day the streets fill up with the basis of zakuski (hors d'oeuvres or exist in Moscow and St Petersburg (to a lesser revellers to witness the country's biggest appetisers) - a popular dish. Also try savoury extent in the provinces). Changing traveller’s military parade. Please be aware that if you piroshki (a stuffed pastry) and blini (savoury cheques is a real hassle. Credit cards are are travelling during or around this time stuffed pancakes). The Russians excel at readily accepted. certain sites may be closed due to parade hearty meat and vegetable-based soups. The preparation. tsar of all soups is Borsch and Solyanka is also Climate good. Russia is a destination that offers year-round What to Pack appeal. Certainly summer is appealing for • A frameless backpack or small suitcase Well-loved classic mains include - beef many travellers. Devoid of snow-covered on wheels is recommended for your tour. Stroganoff (invented in Russia, as was chicken landscapes, Russia positively blooms in spring Complimentary porterage is not offered at Kiev), pelmeny (Siberian-style dumplings) and and summer. The snow melts to reveal hotels or train stations. Often we need to walk spicy Georgian cuisine such as shashlyk. beautifully coloured flowers and manicured some distance from where we’re dropped off/ Russian rye bread is flavoursome and most lawns at many of Russia’s most famous picked up at train station often eaten without butter. Fish varieties palaces, parks and gardens and previously • Smaller day bag for your camera and i-Pod include - omul (similar to salmon and from spindly birch trees heaving with green foliage. etc Lake Baikal) and sturgeon - often poached

Golden Ring of Russia and served with a sauce or mushrooms. inner-city sights often without the need to of light massaging ‘thrashing’ motion across Russians also excel at the art of ice- board the Metro. the body. It’s best to get someone else to cream making. St Petersburg is particularly do this. Although it sounds painful on bare renowned for its ices. SPECIAL NOTE: Mind your purses and skin - it isn’t and it’s something you should bags aboard the Metro. Pickpockets are as try! The massage with the veniki stimulates Drink prevalent here as elsewhere. blood circulation and the overall experience Russians consume an average 12 litres of Trading Hours will leave you feeling clean, exhilarated and pure alcohol a year, which is three times the fresh! In winter, it’s fun to get all hot and As a rule shops are open from 9.30am to average for the rest of the developed world sweaty and then run outside and roll around 7pm or later and generally closed on Sunday. and also testament to how good the vodka in the snow. Give it a whirl, if you dare! really is! Vodka is one of Russia’s most famous Banks are usually open weekdays from 9am exports. Supermarket & liquor store prices to 5pm in Moscow and St Petersburg, with a range from USD$3.00 for a half litre up to USD break for lunch. Restaurants, cafes and bars $20.00 for connoisseur brands. trade until late. In Moscow and St Petersburg, many grocers trade 24/7. Russian beer (pivo) is also inexpensive and very good. The market leader is Baltika Shopping who produce 9 excellent brews, appropriately Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia labelled 1 through 9 and sold on tap and in has embraced the free market. Souvenirs bottles. are authentic, inexpensive and usually well- made. The trademark souvenir is the brightly Drink only bottled water in Russia. It decorated wooden Matryoshka doll - a set of is inexpensive and available everywhere. dolls within dolls. Enamelled wooden boxes Locally, the water is considered drinkable, but known as palekh are also popular. Perhaps it contains undesirable levels of heavy metals the most curious hangover of Communist and Giardia, an annoying little stomach bug. If times is the quantity of surplus Red Army you do pick up Giardia, it can be treated with and military souvenirs. The ubiquitous ‘fluffy antibiotics. brown hat’, so common an image of Russia, Moscow Metro is also a must-buy. The Russians themselves wear similar hats but theirs are often made The Moscow Metro is the easiest and of real mink, ermine or fox fur. A great place quickest way to get around and your tour to shop for reasonably priced souvenirs is (if incorporating time in Moscow) will include the Izmailovsky Market in Moscow, which is a Moscow Metro travelcard (for 6 journeys/ conveniently located, just a short walk from rides). A Stalinist gift to the people of Moscow, our hotel. this is one Stalinist project Muscovites are proud of. Graffiti-free stations offer an A Russian Banya air of elegance with granite and marble- If your tour visits Novgorod or Suzdal there's clad surrounds. Many of the stations boast the opportunity to sample an invigorating chandeliers, huge mosaic freezes depict Russian banya (sauna) with veniki (birch the power of good Soviet workers banding twigs). In the public baths of ancient Rome - together to help the state and strikingly Romans employed strigule, a curved, scraping elaborate sculptures cast in bronze offer instrument to remove dirt and stimulate their a study of people from an age where skin. The Turks use a kese - best described as collectivism was at the forefront of the a rough cloth - massaging mitt. For their banya Communism dream. Art Nouveau style lamps - Russians use bundles of very thin birch twigs, illuminate the long escalator arches. with and without leaves. These bundles are Riding the Moscow Metro is a sightseeing known as ‘veniki’ in Russian. Why birch twigs? excursion in itself. Meanwhile, although Birch relieves pain in the muscles and joints St Petersburg has an equally fine Metro and lifts the mood of the banya user. Once transportation system, as the city is more prepared and in the sauna, the twigs (which walker-friendly you'll be able to get to most need to be softened in a bowl of water for around 10 minutes) are employed in a sort