BEST of ORTHODOX RUSSIA – May 24-June 04 , 2015

Home , Danilov Monastery, Kazan, Our Lady of Kazan, Radonezh, Sergius (Tikhomirov), Valaam

I T I N E R A R Y

DAY 01, Sunday, May 24, 2015: DEPART USA Depart USA on overnight flights to St. Petersburg from Chicago

DAY 02, Monday, May 25, 2015: ARRIVE TO ST. PETERSBURG Upon arrival to St. Petersburg meet and greet, and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon we explore the Lavra Monastery, a beautiful 18th/19th century structure, embodying the glory of

Palace Square - St. Petersburg

imperial Russia and the magnificent Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, where a few holy artifacts and relics remain. We see Holy Resurrection Cathedral, built on the site of the murder of the Russian Tsar Alexander II. Because of this fact, it is known among the common folk as “Savior of the Spilt Blood” Cathedral. Overnight St. Petersburg. (D) DAY 03, Tuesday, May 26, 2015: IN ST. PETERSBURG. Today we marvel at the beauty of St. Isaak’s Cathedral – one of the world’s biggest domed Cathedrals. We also visit: Smolenskoye Cemetery (Chapel of St. Xenia) and St. John of Rila Monastery (Tomb of St. John of Kronstadt). We then spend time at the Hermitage Museum, home of the last czars, formerly known as the winter palace. Overnight St. Petersburg, dinner at the hotel

St. Isaak’s Cathedral and overnight. (B, D).

DAY 04, Wednesday, May 27, 2015: IN ST. PETERSBURG The view of St. Petersburg from its observation deck is truly magnificent. Today we see the state historical park “Tsarskoe Selo” (Tsar’s Village) – the place of Catherine the Great’s Palace. Built in the second half of the 18th century, it represents the glory of Russia’s

“Golden Age”. You will see the amazing Tsarskoe Selo Palace of Catherine the Great and the fully

Page 2 of 10 restored amber room located in it. We stop at the Cathedral of our Lady of Kazan, once the main Cathedral of the Russian Empire, built in the early 19th century in dedication to the Most Venerated Icon in Russia – our Lady of Kazan. Overnight St. Petersburg. Dinner at the hotel, and overnight. (B, D)

DAY 05, Thursday, May 28, 2015: ST. PETERSBURG - VALAAM We start the day with a visit to St. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Peterhof - an Orthodox masterpiece with beautifully painted galleries and a ceramic iconostas inside. You will see the monument to Peter the Great “Medniy Vsadnik” ("Copper Horseman") – the symbol of St. Petersburg. We then have time for shopping in the Nevsky Prospekt with all its shops and cafes. Departure for Valaam on an overnight boat. Meals will be served on the boat. (B, D)

DAY 06, Friday, May 29, 2015: IN VALAAM Valaam – tour of the island and visit to the Monastery complex. Overnight on the boat. Back to St. Petersburg(B, L, D)

DAY 07 - 08, Saturday - Sunday, May 30 - 31 , 2015: ST. PETERSBURG – MOSCOW – GOLDEN RING - SERGIEV POSAD The Valaam Monastery= Transfer to St. Petersburg train station where you will board Fast-Speed Sapsan train to Moscow. Upon arrival, we have two days to explore this area known as the Golden Ring. We are blessed to be visiting for the Feast of the Pentecost. His Grace, Bishop Longin will serve the Divine Liturgy along with the Russian Patriarch in Sergiev Posad. Following a meeting with the local Russian faithful, we continue our visit of Sergiev Posad, an ancient town renowned for its Trinity. We explore St. Sergius Monastery, one of the oldest and most prominent in Russia and the spiritual center of Russia for the past six hundred years. During the private tour, discover the Monastery’s thirteen churches, the tomb of Boris Godunov, the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh, St. Filaret of Moscow, and St. Innocent – Apostle to America. We also see other sites along the Golden Ring. Overnight in the area. (B, D)

DAY 09, Monday, June 1, 2015: SUZDAL – VLADIMIR- MOSCOW Our morning in Suzdal includes a visit to the Monastery, Suzdal Kremlin, the Cathedral if the Naticity and Metropolitans Chamber. Visiting Vladimir, we see the Cathedral of the Assumption with frescoes by A. Rublev, the St. Dimitry Cathedral and the only golden gates in the fortification walls of Russia. We also see Bogolyubovo and ancient residence of Duke Andrew. Return to Moscow, stopping at the Sofrino church goods factory/store for some His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia shopping. Dinner at the hotel and overnight Moscow. (B, D)

Page 3 of 10 DAY 10, Tuesday, June 2, 2015: IN MOSCOW Today we have a visit of the St. Basil’s Cathedral, and the Kremlin grounds. The Moscow Kremlin is the center of Moscow and of Russian politics. We visit the Cathedral of the Assumption, built in 1479, used for the coronation of the tsars and the Cathedral of Archangel, completed in 1509, used for burying them. Following our tour we’ll proceed to the old Arbat pedestrian walking street, lined with shops, cafes, street vendors and artists. We see the famous cake factory “Red Square” and the gum department store. Dinner at the hotel and overnight Moscow. (B, D)

DAY 11, Wednesday, June 3, 2015: IN MOSCOW We visit Danilov Monastery, the oldest monastery in Moscow established in the 1200’s by Holy Prince Danilo, which presently serves as the official headquarters of the Russian Orthodox Church. Also explore Tretyakov Gallery with its priceless collection of art, Christ the Savior Cathedral and Novodevichiy Convent. Dinner at the hotel and overnight Moscow. (B, D)

DAY 12, Thursday, June 4, 2015: DEPART MOSCOW Return to USA - this morning you are transferred to the airport for the flight home. (B)

ABOUT RUSSIA: (Russian: Россия, tr. Rossiya;), also officially known as the Russian Federation (Russian:

Valaam Российская Федерация, tr. Rossiyskaya Federatsiya), Monastery is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi- presidential re Russia public. From northwest to southeast, Russia shares land borders with Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland (both with Kaliningrad Oblast), Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, and North Korea. It shares maritime borders with Japan by the Sea of Okhotsk, the US state of Alaska across the Bering Strait and Canada's Arctic islands. At 17,075,400 square kilometres (6,592,800 sq mi), Russia is the largest country in the world, covering more than one-eighth of the Earth's inhabited land

Yahoo Maps area. Russia is also the world's ninth most populous nation with 143 million people as of 2012. Extending across the entirety of northern Asia and much of Eastern Europe, Russia spans nine time zones and incorporates a wide range of environments and landforms. The Russian economy ranks as the ninth largest by nominal GDP and sixth largest by purchasing power parity in 2014. Russia's extensive mineral and energy resources, the largest reserves in the world, have made it one of the largest producers of oil and natural gas globally. The country is one of the five recognized nuclear weapons states and possesses the largest stockpile of weapons of mass destruction. Russia is a great power and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, a member of the G20, the Council of Europe, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Eurasian Economic Community, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the World Trade Organization (WTO), as well as being the leading member of the Commonwealth of Independent States. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia (last accessed October 12, 2014)

Page 4 of 10 PRICES QUOTED ARE NET, BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PAX LAND & AIR Airport tax $4479.00 $589.00 included Single supplement Subject to change until time of $895.00 ticketing Optional Suggested tips $150.00 NOT INCLUDED Tips not included

Land only $3355.00

Optional Trip Cancellation Insurance: • Basic Policy: 322.00 based on trip price of $ 4779.00. • Cancel for Any Reason: $ 483.00 based on trip price of $ 4779.00.

RUSSIAN VISAS Please note that pricing and service does not include obtaining Russian visas. The passengers may contact the Russian Embassy in Washington at the below contact info to secure visas.

THE CONSULAR SECTION OF THE EMBASSY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN WASHINGTON, D.C. 2641 Tunlaw Road, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20007 Telephone: General: (202) 939-8907 Fax:(202) 939-8919 Visas: (202) 939-8913 Fax:(202) 483-7579, E-mail: General: [email protected] Visas: [email protected] Office hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Open to public: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Head of the Consular Section: Nikolay V. Pukalov Jurisdiction: Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia, Puerto Rico.

Page 5 of 10 RATE OF EXCHANGE USED TO PREPARE THIS PROPOSAL

• Prices are based on current rate of exchange at 1.35 USD to Euro and are subject to change based on the rates in effect at the time of final invoice. Prices can be protected with full payment at the time the initial deposit is due.

• Once quoted the rate of exchange is guaranteed for 7 days only, where by it becomes subject to change based on market rates. Please be sure all tour participants are informed of this clause and agree to it in writing at time of individual deposit.

YOUR DESIRED & COMPREHENSIVE TOUR INCLUDES

• Round trip air ORD/ST. PETERSBURG x MOSCOW /ORD. • Included in the price are airport taxes and fuel surcharges of $ 589.00 . Taxes and surcharges are subject to change based on the rates at time of ticketing. • Selected Class hotels, Rooms with Private facilities. • Service charges and hotel taxes. • Breakfast daily. • 8 dinners and 1 lunch in Valaam (No beverages). • Assisted arrival and departure airport transfers. • All transfers with Modern air condition motorcoach as per itinerary. • Professional English speaking tour escorts. • Sightseeing and touring by private motorcoach as per the itinerary. • 1st Class Train tickets on fast-speed train St. Petersburg- Moscow. • 2 Day cruise St. Petersburg - Valaam - St. Petersburg- English speaking tour guide for excursion to Valaam. • Guide with tourists 2 nights on Boat and one day on Island • SERVICES INCLUDED: Accommodation at chosen cabin (nights on boat), meals (full Board), excursion on an island. On the day of the beginning and end of the cruise day. Meals are available depending on the time of embarkation and disembarkation: If the duration of the tour coincides with meal time tourist, have their meals at the restaurant, café in the city or you get lunch box. Private boat ride along rivers and canals of St. Petersburg Luggage handling at hotels (One piece per person in and out.)

RATES DO NOT INCLUDE

★ Price does not include: • Personal health/accident insurance & Travel Insurance. • Transportation to and from the airport in Russia if traveling separately from the group • Fee for Russian visa (Latter of Invitation and confirmation along with vouchers will be provided) • Private transfers, additional (optional) tours and tickets to unscheduled show/concerts or museums. • Drinks with meals (other than breakfast coffee and juice). • Anything else that is specifically not mentioned in “Prices includes.” • Airline baggage fees. • Tips and gratuities.to be received with individual deposits.

Page 6 of 10 BEST OF ORTHODOX RUSSIA – May 24-June 04 , 2015

Deposits and final payment: A deposit of $ 1000.00 per person should accompany the registration form along with your optional insurance payment and copies of your passport picture page by suggested date of December 12,2014 . Last day to register Feb 1, 2015. Final payment is due March 20, 2015. Please mail your payment to: Select International Tours, 85 Park Ave., Flemington, NJ 08822 ATT: Marianne Murphy / 800-842-4842, www.selectinternationaltours.com Airline seating and special requests: We do not reserve specific seats with the airline. You may change your seat at the airport prior to departure. Please let us know in writing any special dietary or travel requests you may need. Mileage program information can be added at airport prior to departure by the passenger directly with the airline. Single supplement: A few single rooms are available for an additional $895.00 per person and can not exceed 10% of the group. We are not responsible for securing roommates. LAND ONLY COST $ 3355.00 with services beginning and ending at the hotel. Baggage: Each participant is able to check (1) suitcase weighing no more than 50 lbs., plus one small carry-on bag on the plane. Any airline baggage fees are not included in trip cost. Please check the specific airline baggage fees on their website.. NOT INCLUDED: Tips (suggested $120-150 per person additional) beverages unless noted, Mass collection & church donations, extra baggage, travel insurance which is highly recommended for the protection of your trip investment, items not noted in “Your Tour In- cludes”. Business class seats are available upon request as are add-ons from your hometown airport. Shipping & handling charges of $ 15.00 Tour Cancellation Policy: Up to 90 days prior to departure a reservation fee of $ 500.00 is withheld. From 90 days to 60 days before departure $750.00 cancellation fee applies Within 60 days all payments are non-refundable and name changes are not possible. All cancellations must be in writing. Unused portions of the trip are not refundable. We strongly urge you to purchase Trip Cancellation/Travel Insurance for the protection of your travel investment. We offer to Trip Insured Insurance options . Deluxe Basic Coverage $322.00 or Deluxe Cancel for Any Reason policy $483.00 . Additional details, policy information and prices may be found on our website at: www.selectinternationaltours.com, under Useful Infor- mation. Pricing: Prices are based on minimum 20 passengers traveling & payment by cash or check. 5% credit card payment fee applies. Deposits must be paid by check. Fuel surcharge and taxes are subject to change at time of final invoicing. Visas are required for Russia. Visa fees are not included as part of Select International Tour’s service and should be obtained directly with the Russian Consulate in Washington D.C. Responsibility: Select International Tours, the group leaders and or any travel agency and supplier services in connection with this travel program are not responsible for any loss, sickness, injury or death to person or property. The afore mentioned are not responsible for any loss or injury, changes or extra costs incurred due to the delay or cancellations caused by weather, strike, airline issues or events beyond anyone’s control. Details of the program are subject to change based on events beyond the tour company’s control. All other terms and conditions are as per our website.

REGISTRATION/CONSENT FORM: Best of Orthodox Russia May 24– June 04, 2015 Please complete this form and mail it to Select International Tours along with your deposit, insurance premium, and a copy of your passport picture page. (Attn: Marianne Murphy )

Last Name:______First Name: ______Middle Name:______

Street Address:______

City:______State: ______Zip Code:______

Home Phone:______Cell Phone:______

Email Address______Updates about your trip will be sent by email only. Please be sure that your settings allow for electronic communication originating

- from select-intl.com Special Dietary or Other Needs:______

Preferred Roommate: ______

Emergency Contact (Name and Phone):______

Enclosed is a check/money order in the amount of $______for my initial deposit.

I am purchasing trip cancellation/travel insurance: _____Yes _____No, I decline. Enclosed is $______Deluxe Policy or ___Cancel For Any Reason Policy/ FF number ______Air From Chicago ______Other airport______. By signing below, I understand that price changes are possible at the time of final invoicing, due to exchange rates, fuel costs, taxes and tariffs, and the number of passengers travelling in the group. I also agree that I have read Select International Tours & Cruises’ TERMS AND CONDITIONS located at www.selectinternationaltours.com and outlined in this brochure. I will not dispute any forms of payment associated with this trip. I also understand that Select International Tours & Cruises highly recommends the purchase of travel insurance and that the cancellation penalties associated with this trip cannot be waived for any reason. I agree not to hold Select International Tours responsible in case of any changes, delays, lost items, cancellations, injuries or sickness related to this trip.

Signature:______Date:______

Page 7 of 10 RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, largest autocephalous, or ecclesiastically independent, Eastern Orthodox church in the world. Its membership is estimated at more than 85 million. Christianity was introduced into the East Slavic state of Kievan Rus by Greek missionaries from Byzantium in the 9th century.The Primate of the ROC is the Patriarch of Moscow. The ROC officially ranks fifth - right under the ancient Greek Patriarchates of: Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem.

THE BEST OF ORTHODOX RUSSIA PILGRIMAGE May 24 - June 4, 2015 Price Per Person: $ 4479.00

If you have any questions or wish to reserve a spot please contact Rev. Darko Spasojevic at (847) 271 - 2835 or via email at [email protected]. You may also contact SELECT International Tours directly at the below contact info.