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Russia: Route between Moscow and the Golden Ring of Russia, tailor­made by car Soak up the essence of the country of the tsars by exploring the architectural jewels of the Golden Ring Russia evokes power. You're heading to the largest country in the world, equivalent to a ninth of the planet's land surface. As it's transcontinental, covering much of Asia and 40% of Europe, it boasts major energy reserves and natural resources. And it also boasts a vast history that has left its mark on cities and towns all across the country, through a culture that is passionately conveyed in unique styles of architecture of jaw­dropping beauty. We propose a self­drive tour around the Golden Ring of the country of the tsars, visiting medieval cities that include the White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Many of these cities were once the capitals of the principalities (grand duchies), independent between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries, before Moscow became known as a city and long before the existence of St. Petersburg. You'll see kremlins (fortresses), cathedrals, churches, monasteries and old wooden buildings in urban settings that give way to stunning rural landscapes. Everywhere are vestiges of its past, first as the Russian Empire and then as the powerhouse of the Soviet Union, the cradle of communism with leaders such as Lenin and Stalin, and as a world superpower. Set off from Moscow on a truly magical journey, where you'll be fascinated by golden­domed and brightly­tiled churches, the prologue or epilogue of the imposing Moscow Kremlin, with its kaleidoscopic domes resembling cupcakes and jelly beans. Soak up the literary atmosphere of the hometown of Dostoyevsky, one of the world's greatest ever writers, and visit the home of his contemporary Tolstoy. Make sure try the wonderful Russian cuisine, with beef stroganoff as a signature dish, and ­ if you dare ­ the famous vodka. Departures: from January 2021 till December 2021 Destinations: Moscow, Vladimir, Bogolyubovo, Suzdal, Ivanovo, Plyos, Kostroma, Yaroslavl, Rostov, PereslavlZaleski and Sergiev Posad. Categories: . Day 1: Departure City ­ Moscow Flight departure from the city of origin to Moscow. Arrival and rental car pick­up. Head to the centre, a thirty­minute drive from the airport. Moscow is truly surprising and cherishes a fantastic history, part of which is reflected in its architecture. On the banks of the Moskva River, which lends its name to the city and is crossed by forty­nine bridges, Moscow is proud of the past that made it a world reference. Visit the historic quarter, where pre­ revolutionary buildings prevail, built in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, before the October 1917 revolution. Then there are the buildings from the Stalin period, between 1930 and 1950, which line the city's most important streets and avenues. The seven skyscrapers known as the Seven Sisters are characteristic of this era, housing private properties, hotels, a university and ministerial headquarters. These towering buildings (initially eight) were built by Stalin to commemorate the eight hundredth anniversary of the city. These styles, along with Renaissance to Baroque buildings, contrast with the modern architecture that has dominated in recent years, such as in the business area known as Moscow City, designed by the world­famous architect Norman Foster. One of the most famous and must­see landmarks in Moscow is the Kremlin, fortress of the tsars and currently the official residence of the Russian president, made up of several palaces and churches enclosed by a two­kilometre­plus wall and dominated by nineteen huge towers. (Note: Don't go without buying a ticket beforehand or on a Thursday, when it's closed. Admission not included). The Kremlin is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, along with the neighbouring Red Square. This is where you'll find St. Basil's Cathedral and its multicoloured domes, completed in 1561, as well as the State Historical Museum of Russia (built by Emperor Alexander II in 1872), Lenin's Mausoleum and the GUM (Main Universal Stores, in Russian), one of the largest shopping centres in the world and located in former Soviet department stores, now a symbol of luxury consumption. Near the Kremlin is the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the tallest Orthodox church in the whole world. It was built in 1883, blown up in 1931 to build the Palace of the Soviets (paralysed by World War II) and rebuilt in 1990, after the dissolution of the USSR. Also fascinating is the fifteenth­ century New Monastery of Our Saviour, home to the remains of the Romanov family. Another must is Novodevichy Convent, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a distinction also given to the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, which lies outside the city and is the largest monastery of the Russian Orthodox 17/01/2021 1 Russia: Route between Moscow and the Golden Ring of Russia, tailor­made by car Heritage Site, a distinction also given to the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, which lies outside the city and is the largest monastery of the Russian Orthodox Church. Near the Monastery is a beautiful lake, a mirror of the surrounding environment, which is said to have inspired Tchaikovsky when he was composing the world­famous Swan Lake. You can also head to Novodevichy Cemetery, site of some amazingly original sculptures. The best way to get around Moscow is to use the metro, which is a tourist attraction in itself and the largest in the world. Its impressive stations are known as the People's Palace and are true works of art. A great place for dinner is the pedestrianised Arbat Street, always bursting with life. It's a commercial thoroughfare packed with restaurants, shops and non­stop entertainment. Take the opportunity to try some caviar, such a typical Russian dish. You can opt for salmon caviar (more affordable) or black caviar (much more expensive). And, of course, an Olivier salad, commonly known as a Russian salad. Overnight stay in Moscow. Day 2: Moscow ­ Vladimir ­ Bogolyubovo ­ Kideksha ­ Suzdal The tour starts off today by heading to the city of Vladimir. Get going early because the journey is quite long. It's 187 kilometres on the M7, but the travel time will depend a lot on the traffic. Vladimir is known as the gateway to the Golden Ring of Russia, not just for its ancient Golden Gate. It played a key role in the history of Russia for more than 250 years, as it was capital of the Old Russian State. Until 1432, Grand Dukes were crowned at the Assumption Cathedral. This city and today's ultimate destination form part of the White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This name covers eight medieval limestone monuments in the Zalesye region: five in Vladimir and three in Suzdal. In Vladimir, the stunning white stone heritage is made up of the Assumption Cathedral (also known as the Dormition Cathedral), a medieval church from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, with its dark domes crowned by crosses; the Golden Gate, a kind of triumphal arch built in 1164 and rebuilt in 1795, the only preserved example of the former gates to the city and which now houses a museum dedicated to the thirteenth­century Mongol invasion of Russia; and the Cathedral of San Demetrius, built in the late twelfth century, famous for its carvings and the six hundred or so reliefs on its walls. Just thirteen kilometres away is the village of Bogolyubovo, where you can see the other two jewels of the White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal: the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin on the Nerl River, an orthodox church that is a symbol of medieval Russia, commissioned by Andrei Bogolyubsky in 1165 to commemorate his murdered son; and the Castle of Prince Andrei the Pious (including the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin and Staircase Tower). Hit the road again and stop off in Kideksha, a pocket­sized village half an hour away near Suzdal, at the confluence of the Kamenka and Nerl Rivers. Visit the Church of Boris and Gleb, the oldest white limestone church in Russia and one of the White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal. Then head to Suzdal, where you can sleep and regain strength to visit it properly tomorrow. Overnight stay in Suzdal. Day 3: Suzdal Today you have the day to enjoy this beautiful town, home to three of the UNESCO­listed White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal. Founded in 1024, Suzdal is considered a masterpiece of Russian medieval architecture. A total of two hundred monuments, between religious and civil, are dotted around the city as if it were an authentic open­air museum. These include twenty­seven bell towers and five monasteries. The Suzdal Kremlin with its Cathedral of the Nativity is stunning sight. The Kremlin is of medieval architecture, built in the tenth century on the curve of the Kamenka River, a site that guaranteed its safety next to a moat in its eastern part. Next door is an Orthodox church of traditional Russian architecture from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, along with some annexes such as the Holy Intercession Convent, originally a place of exile and retreat for the unwanted wives of tsars. Another spectacular landmark is the Saviour Monastery of St. Euthymius, also Orthodox. There are more fascinating sights, such as the Pokrovsky Monastery and the Monastery of St. Alexander (1240), as well as the Neoclassical indoor markets, St. Basil's Monastery and the Monastery of Deposition of the Robes.

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