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:

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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

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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. A good dinner will be the perfect way to round off a relaxed but very cultural day. Make sure you try the borscht, a wonderful beetroot soup, and pelmeni, dumplings filled with meat and served with sauces. Overnight stay in Suzdal.

Day 4: Suzdal ­ Ivanovo ­ Plyos ­ Kostroma

Bid farewell to this lovely town early to make the most of the day, as three hours on the road lie ahead. First of all, drive for an hour to get to Ivanovo, a city nicknamed the textile capital of Russia or the city of brides, due to the sheer number of women working in the fabric factories here. It's not a place with too many tourist attractions, in contrast to the others in the Golden Ring. In fact, you needn't spend too much time in Ivanovo, which is more like an industrial Soviet­style city with grey architecture, but this will also give you an insight into the country's past. Onward journey to Plyos, another hour further down the road. This beautiful town is nestled in the so­called Russian Switzerland. Its stunning landscapes will seduce you, as will the imposing Volga, the longest river in Europe, as it weaves its way through the surrounding hills. Not surprisingly, these scenes have been immortalised by numerous painters, including Levitan, whose house has been converted into a museum dedicated to his works. Stroll around the cobbled streets of Plyos and pop into the main churches, such as the Church of the Resurrection of Christ (1817), the Trinity Church (1808), the Vedenskaya Church (1828), the charming wood­built Church of the Resurrection (1699) and the Assumption Cathedral (1699). Another hour away is the city furthest from Moscow from all those belonging to the Golden Ring, Kostroma, perched at the confluence of the Volga and Kostroma Rivers. It's considered the cradle of the House of Romanov, a famous family of tsars, and is famous for the manufacture of flax linen. Its main attractions include the Fire Tower, built in 1827; the Guard House; the Palace of General Borshov (1824); the Drama Theatre (1863); the Monument to Tsar Mikhail Romanov; the Commercial Galleries; the Ipatiev Monastery (1330) and the Cathedral of Our Lady (1552). The main street is Sovietskaya, where you can find shops of local manufacturers, restaurants and cafes. Take a walk around Ivan Susanin Square, named after the Russian national hero who refused to reveal the location of the Tsar's family to the Poles, for which he was tortured to death. This square is known by the locals as 'the frying pan' (Skovorodka). There's a very interesting anecdote about Kostroma, believed to be the birthplace of Snegurochka, the granddaughter of the Russian Santa Claus, known as Ded Moroz. On Lagernaya Street, a wooden house was built featuring an ice room with a permanent temperature of minus fourteen. Snegurochka is said to live there with her elves and a cat, who act as guides on tourist visits. To round off the day, we recommend a blini, a sort of crepe filled with whatever you fancy, accompanied by a tea with honey. Overnight stay in Kostroma.

Day 5: Kostroma ­ Yaroslavl ­ Rostov (Rostov the Great)

After discovering the cultural and architectural wealth of Kostroma, it's time to get back on the road. Head towards Yaroslavl, an hour and a quarter away, lauded as the capital of the Golden Ring and perched on the banks of the Volga River. Don't miss its historical centre, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is famous for its array of Orthodox temples. The oldest churches date from the seventeenth century, with their typical red bricks and bright tiles. The Church of St. Nicholas and the Church of Elijah the Prophet house some of the best frescoes of the Golden Ring and are true architectural stunners. Even older, and not to be missed, is the twelfth­century Spaso­Preobrazhensky Monastery (Holy Monastery of the

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Transfiguration). With whitewashed walls and green domes, it was rebuilt in the sixteenth century after a fire and is considered the oldest monument of the era of Ivan the Terrible. Inside, the Transfiguration of the Saviour Cathedral (1516) is spectacular, as are the other defensive and religious constructions. The peasant armies departed from here to liberate Moscow from the Polish occupation, while Mikhail I set off from the monastery to be crowned the first tsar of the Romanov Dynasty. Also in the town centre are the Gostiny Dvor markets (1818), the Government Offices building (1785), the Vakromeyev House, the State University, formerly the House of Charity (1786) and the Volkov Theatre, the oldest in Russia, founded in 1750. The neighbourhood where the Volga and Kotorosl Rivers meet is called Strelka. This is where the Kremlin was located until its destruction by a fire in 1658. The Dormition Cathedral was built on the same site, until it was demolished by the Soviets in 1937. To commemorate the thousandth anniversary of the town, the cathedral was rebuilt and reopened in 2010. Nearby is the five­domed Epiphany Church and the St. John the Baptist Church, with its façade decorated in bright ceramic slabs. Some of town's wooden houses are simply wonderful, with spectacular carvings on the door and window frames. Authentic works of art. Then on to Rostov, fifty minutes away, where you'll spend the night today and tomorrow will enjoy a relaxed visit to the city, one of the oldest in Russia. Overnight stay in Rostov.

Day 6: Rostov (Rostov the Great)

Rostov, nicknamed the Stone Symphony, is a stunning medieval city that is home to many churches and monasteries, as well as a magnificent Kremlin, considered the most beautiful one in Russia after Moscow's. The nearby Lake Nero is itself an attraction and has some wonderful hiking trails. In its urban part, the image of the reflected domes creates a magical picture. In the city centre, you'll find the huge Assumption Cathedral, with its grey domes and gold finishing touches, which seems to have been plucked from a One Thousand and One Nights folk tale. Its bells are famous and even have a name. Don't miss the Zachatyevsky Cathedral, next to the neoclassical Spasso­Yakovlevsky Monastery (1688), with its green, blue and golden domes, and the nearby Church of the Transfiguration of Our Saviour on the Sands. The eleventh­century Abraham Monastery, one of the oldest in Russia, is also fascinating. A visit to the Kremlin is a must. It consists of three parts: Cathedral Square, the Bishop's Yard and the Metropolitan Garden. Overnight stay in Rostov.

Day 7: Rostov ­ Pereslavl­Zalessky

Today we'll head back to the capital, spending the night at our next stop, an hour's drive away. Driving south, you'll reach Pereslavl­Zalessky, perched on the shores of the spectacular Lake Pleshcheyevo, where Peter the Great built the scale model of what would be the first Russian fleet. Founded in 1152 by Prince Yuri Dolgorukiy, also the founding father of Moscow, it's famous for its rich architectural heritage, including the ancient white­stone Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Saviour (currently a museum), the Church of Peter the Metropolitan, and the Monasteries of Troitse­Danílov, Nikitsy, Feodorovsky and Goritsky. The city is the perfect blend of natural and architectural beauty. The charming wooden houses also provide an endearing image, which attracts painters and artists. Other must­sees are the ancient hilltop fortress and the numerous monasteries. Not surprisingly, it's known as the religious heartland of Russia. Overnight stay in Pereslavl­Zalessky.

Day 8: Pereslavl­Zalessky ­ Sergiev Posad ­ Moscow

The final stop before arriving in Moscow is Sergiev Posad, just over an hour's drive away. It's the only city in the Moscow region that is part of the Golden Ring. Its Trinity Monastery of St Sergius is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most sacred places in Russia, as Orthodox monks still live here. Some call it the Russian Vatican because it became the most important spiritual centre of the Russian Orthodox Church. Before visiting, a historical fact for you. A settlement of merchants (posad) emerged around the monastery thanks to its enormous wealth, origin of the current city of Sergiev Posad. Finally, take a stroll around its craft market, where you can pick up some souvenirs before continuing on to your final destination, Moscow, located an hour and a half away. On the drive between Sergiev Posad and Moscow, you'll also get to admire the Russian dachas, which are the weekend homes of Muscovites. Back in the majestic capital, make sure you visit everything you were unable to see on the first day and ­ time permitting ­ some of the city's countless parks. One of the most interesting is Izmailovo Park, where you can admire a papier mache Kremlin and take a stroll through its market, the ideal place to buy a typical Matryoshka doll as a souvenir of an unforgettable trip. As a farewell, raise a toast with a good Russian vodka. Overnight stay in Moscow.

Day 9: Moscow ­ Departure City

Arrival at the airport with enough time to drop off your rental car and flight back to the city of origin. Arrival. End of the trip and our services.

Services included in the trip

Return flight. Stay in selected hotel in Moscow. Selected meal plan in Moscow. Stay in selected hotel in Suzdal. Selected meal plan in Suzdal. Stay in selected hotel in Kostroma. Selected meal plan in Kostroma. Stay in selected hotel in Rostov. Selected meal plan in Rostov. Stay in selected hotel in PereslavlZaleski. Selected meal plan in PereslavlZaleski. Rent­a­car. Insolvency protection.

Services NOT included

Visa to enter in Russia.

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Possible toll charges.

Important remarks

­ Driving in Russia. 1.1.The minimum age to rent a car is twenty­one and your driving licence must be at least one year old. In some cases, under­25s will be required to pay an additional fee. 1.2.An international driving licence isn't mandatory, but it is highly recommended. 1.3.Speed limits are very strict, as is alcohol consumption, with a zero limit enforced. If the driver's licence is less than two years old, they cannot drive at more than 70 km/h under any circumstances. Be careful because the police often carry out speed checks, so respect the signs. 1.4.We suggest familiarising yourself with signs before heading to the country, as they're all written in Russian. 2.Remember that to enter the country you need a visa, which is only issued for the exact days on which you're going to be there. You can find all details on the Consulate's website.. ­ ­ Triple rooms in Europe are generally rooms with twin beds or a double, in which a folding bed is installed to accommodate the third person. Due to the inconvenience this causes, we advise against using this option as far the possible.. ­ ­ The proposed excursions and tours for each day are purely suggestions, as you can tailor the trip to suit your times, tastes and needs.. ­ ­ A credit card is considered a guarantee, so sometimes you will need one for check­in at hotels.. ­ ­ Hotels usually have cots available. Otherwise, babies will have to share a bed with an adult.. ­ ­ To pick up your rental car, you'll need a credit (not debit) card in the name of the person who made the booking, who must also be the named driver of the vehicle..

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