Golden Ring Cities

Itinerary

• Russia

  Russia is the largest country in the world, covering more than an eighth of the Earth’s land area. With 142 million people, it is the ninth largest by population. It extends across the whole of northern Asia and 40% of Europe, spanning 11 time zones. Founded and ruled by a Viking warrior class, the first state, Kievan Rus', arose in the 9th century and adopted Christianity from the Byzantine Empire. Kievan Rus' ultimately disintegrated and the lands were divided into many small feudal states. Moscow was the most powerful successor state, and it gradually reunified the Russian principalities. Under the Romanov dynasty and Peter the Great the Russian Empire became the third largest empire in history. The rule of the Tsars was ended in 1917 with the October Revolution that inagurated Communism and the Soviet Union. The Russian Federation was founded following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The nation can boast a long tradition of excellence in every aspect of the arts and sciences. Tourism is focused primarily in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

• Moscow

  The focal point of Moscow is Red Square, on one side of which is the Kremlin surrounded by a thick red fortress wall containing 20 towers altogether. There a several gorgeous buildings in the square including the Uspensky Cathedral, the 14th-century Grand Kremlin Palace, the golden-domed Belfry of Ivan the Great, and the renowned St Basil’s Cathedral, famous for its brightly colored domes. Lenin’s Mausoleum is also located in Red Square and is still open to the public on certain days. Outside Red Square, Tverskaya Street is one of the main shopping streets. Old Arbat Street is a pedestrian zone with crafts and artists’ stalls and street performers. The world-famous Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater at Teatralnaya Square dates from 1824. Novodevichy Convent near Sportivnaya metro station houses a museum of rare and ancient Russian art, and is one of the finest examples of 16th- and 17th-century architecture in the city. The Metro system itself is steeped in history, with many of stations featuring beautiful decoration. Other sites include the superb Tretyakov Gallery, the Annunciation and Our Lady of Kazan Cathedrals, Gorky Park, and the macbre KGB museum.

• Suzdal

  Part of the "Golden Ring" of Moscow, Suzdal is a small town almost entirely untouched since medieval times. Chickens and goats roam the main street, and a staggering array of ancient churches and monasteries will occupy visitors for hours.

• • Moscow
  • Holiday Inn Moscow Sokolniki

  Day 1: Moscow

  Enjoy an airport transfer with private vehicle and driver.

  A welcome package with small wooden doll Matreshka, nice book on Russia, vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.

  We will provide you with a letter of Invitation for your Russian Visa. Once payment has been received, the letter along with other important documents will be sent to you.

  Accommodation: Holiday Inn Sokolniki (4*)

  The Holiday Inn Sokolniki (4*) is situated just a short drive from the Moscow City center and the Red Square. The hotel gives the Russian capital a new dimension with world class service and intriguing cuisine. All 523 guest rooms are spacious and are outfitted with modern amenities, and the five restaurants and bars cater to a variety of needs and tastes. This hotel is a great choice for both business and leisure travelers as it is close to the business quarter and famous Moscow attractions, which are easily accessible by car or metro.

• • Suzdal
  • Trinity Monastery
  • Pushkarskaya Sloboda, Suzdal

  Day 2: Moscow - Suzdal

  Enjoy a Russian country side drive (74 km) to Sergiev Posad, a lovely provincial town of Russia whose life centred around the monastery. An overwhelming panoramic view of the Holy Trinity from the "Pancake" Hill. Explore the unique monastic ensemble of Russian Orthodoxy from the 15th to the 19th centuries, and witness a functioning monastery with 200 monks, 300 novices and an Ecclesiastical Academy on its grounds. Here, the finest choirs of Russia can be heard at services in any of the 5 churches open to the public. A flea market in front of the Holy Gates offers souvenirs and other memorabilia. Enjoy a private tour to Vladimir from Moscow. Drive to Vladimir cosidered part of the "Golden Ring", the name for a popular tourist route connecting ancient towns north-east of Moscow. During this tour visit three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are the Golden Gates, Vladimir's unofficial symbol, Assumption and St. Demetrius Cathedrals. The city is also home to several award winning museums, art galleries and theaters; a number of world-class performing groups, artists, and artisans, and several first rate institutions of higher learning. Entrances to the sightseeing mentioned are included in the tour price.

  Accommodation: Pushkarskaya Sloboda (4*)

  Wonderfully placed in the heart of the city and offering cosy lodging, the Pushkarskaya Sloboda (4*) welcomes all types of travellers for a memorable stay.The hotel is ideally placed in Lenin Street. Museum of Wooden Architecture and Kremlin are the attractions that are close to the hotel.The hotel boasts 156 guest rooms that are spacious and equipped with basic requirements for a comfortable stay.

• • The Nativity Cathedral

  Day 3: Suzdal - Moscow

  Enjoy a day tour to Suzdal, part of the "Golden Ring", known for unique architectural constructions dating back to the 12-17th centuries. Recognized as a leading museum of architecture, the town is fabulously rich in ancient cathedrals and monasteries, bell-towers and churches, one and two-story wooden and brick buildings. The Kremlin, the Monastery of the Deposition of the Holy Robe, the Nativity Cathedral and the Intercession Cathedral are the most popular places of interest. Suzdal is truly a town-museum distinguished for its fidelity to ancient traditions. Entrance fees in Kremlin with Krestovaya Palata and the Intercession Monastery is included in the tour price. Optional: Wooden Architecture Museum and Icon Museum (entrance fees not included).

  Accommodation: Holiday Inn Sokolniki (4*)

• Day 4: Moscow

  Enjoy an airport transfer with private vehicle and driver.

  Accommodation: Depart

  Depart from Moscow international airport - end of itinerary.

Accommodation

• • Holiday Inn Sokolniki

  Holiday Inn Sokolniki (4*)

  The Holiday Inn Sokolniki (4*) is situated just a short drive from the Moscow City center and the Red Square. The hotel gives the Russian capital a new dimension with world class service and intriguing cuisine. All 523 guest rooms are spacious and are outfitted with modern amenities, and the five restaurants and bars cater to a variety of needs and tastes. This hotel is a great choice for both business and leisure travelers as it is close to the business quarter and famous Moscow attractions, which are easily accessible by car or metro.

  • More information
• • Pushkarskaya Sloboda, Suzdal

  Pushkarskaya Sloboda (4*)

  Wonderfully placed in the heart of the city and offering cosy lodging, the Pushkarskaya Sloboda (4*) welcomes all types of travellers for a memorable stay.The hotel is ideally placed in Lenin Street. Museum of Wooden Architecture and Kremlin are the attractions that are close to the hotel.The hotel boasts 156 guest rooms that are spacious and equipped with basic requirements for a comfortable stay.

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

• What's not Included:

  • Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.horizon-co.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

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