My Tour Favourites (0)
‘And Quiet Flows the Don’ History Tour
Overview
Follow in the footsteps of the Don Cossacks starting in their former capital of Starocherkassk. Uncover more about the lives of the Don Cossack people beyond the stories with this 7-day cultural history tour. If you are looking for the best Cossack history tour that takes in plenty of the historical sites and more, then this is the perfect choice for you. This tour includes a city tour of the former Cossack capital, a trip to the Azov State Archaeology Museum and fortress, a visit to the birthplace of Anton Chekhov, and a wine tasting experience.
City tour of Rostov-on-Don and Starocherkassk
Exploring the Ataman Palace and the Don Cossack History Museum
Sea cruise around Azov and Taganrog Bay
Traditional Cossack-style lunch
Visit to the Army cathedral and Ataman Efremov compound in Starocherkassk
Visit to the Azov Archaeology Museum and Fortress overlooking the River Don
Wine tasting at Vedernikov Winery Estate
Itinerary
Rostov-On-Don
A popular port city situated 20 miles from the Sea of Azov, and north of the Caucasus. Rostov-on-Don is home to various landmarks including the Temple of the Holy Trinity, the Rostov Regional Museum of Fine Arts and the Maxim Gorky Academic Drama Theater. It is best known for the Cathedral of Virgin’s Nativity, designed in the late 19th century by Konstantin Thon. It was also a host city of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Arrival Transfer
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
Day 2
Walk around Rostov-on-Don
Your first day will kick off with a city tour of Rostov-on-Don. You will visit the popular Bolshaya Sadovaya Street known for being the best place to go shopping in the city, the magnificent Cathedral of the Nativity, and the central market filled to the brim with aromas, spices and seasonal fruit and vegetables.
Breakfast & Lunch
City Tour
Bolshaya Sadovaya Street
Cathedral of the Nativity
Central market
Don River
River cruise
Scenic Surrounds
Free Time
Travel to
Starocherkassk
Starocherkassk is a rural area in Aksaysky District of Rostov Oblast, Russia, situated near to the Don River. The area has a long history dating back to the 16th century and is best known as the centre of Don Cossack culture and politics for nearly 200 years, and the capital of the Don Host Oblast. It is now known for its unique heritage and cultural sites including the 19th century Resurrection Cathedral.
Day 3
Tour of the Don Cossack capital of Starocherkassk
Wake up to an early breakfast before meeting your guide in the hotel lobby. Your driver will pick you up from the hotel at around 9:00am before taking you to the ex-Cossack capital of Starocherkassk where you will begin your tour.
Breakfast & Lunch
Transfer
City Tour
Ataman Efremov Compound
Sts. Peter and Paul Church
Ataman Palace
Museum of history of Don Cossacks
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Day 4
Wine tasting at Vedernikov Winery Estate
After breakfast, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby where your driver will pick you up and take you to your next destination, the Vedernikov Winery Estate. The drive will take approximately 3 hours and you should arrive at the estate around 12:00pm. On arrival, you will be able to stretch your legs on a tour with the winemaker who will guide you through this magnificent winery, its vineyards and tell you more about the history of the land. You will even get to taste some of the award-winning wines for yourself!
Breakfast & Lunch
Vedernikov Winery Estate
Scenic Surrounds
Wine tasting
Cultural Immersive Experience
Expert Guide
Prominent Landscape
Travel to
Taganrog
Taganrog is a large port city in South West Russia at Taganrog Bay in the Sea of Azov. The city is best known as the birthplace of the famous Russian playwright, Anton Chekhov, and features a museum dedicated to his life and family artifacts. The city remains a beacon of local culture with various museums, parks and palaces including the Taganrog Museum of Art which includes many works from the Old Russian Masters.
Day 5
Taganrog city tour
After having breakfast at your hotel, you will meet your guide in the lobby before being picked up by your driver for the 2-hour journey to Taganrog. Your day will start with a city tour of Taganrog where you will visit a series of famous houses including Alexander I, Tchaikovsky, and the birth house of Anton Chekhov.
Breakfast & Lunch
Transfer
City Tour
Birth house of Anton Chekhov
Scenic Surrounds
Azov Sea
Taganrog Bay
Prominent Landscape
Travel to
Azov
Azov is a historic town situated in Rostov Oblast near to the Don River and the Sea of Azov from which its name derives. The area has strong links with military history throughout the ages and is particularly prevalent during the 15th to 17th centuries during the wars between the Don Cossacks and Ottoman Turks. It was the seat of its own government for 7 years, before declining in importance in favour of neighbouring Rostov-on-Don.
Breakfast & Lunch
Azov State Archaeology Museum
Cultural Immersive Experience
Azov fortress
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Free Time
Day 7
Departure from Rostov-on-Don
Enjoy a leisurely morning breakfast in your hotel before your 12:00pm check out. Your driver will meet you outside your hotel at the time agreed and take you to your scheduled departure point (Rostov airport or railway station).
Breakfast
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Departure Transfer
You may also like
Not quite found what you are looking for? Real Russia are committed to finding you the best tour for your needs. Whether you are after an activity-packed immersive experience or a relaxing vacation with plenty of free time, we have you covered. Here, is a list of tours you may also like, hand-picked by us based on your chosen theme and dates.
More information
What’s included
Accommodation as part of the tour- Airport / Railway Station Transfers
- All tours are COVID-19 secure and offer flexible booking options. Visit our Covid-19 information page to find out more
- Breakfast and lunch
- English, German or French speaking guide
- Entrance fees to museums, attractions and parks
- Other food and drink (as specified in the tour itinerary)
- Russian Tourist Visa Invitation
- Transport (as specified in the tour itinerary)
What’s not included
Dinner- International train / plane tickets
- Personal costs (souvenirs, additional snacks etc)
- Tips for drivers/guides/in restaurants
- Travel / medical insurance
- Visa processing
Travel Tips
All travellers are asked to check the vaccination requirements before travel. Visit our Vaccines and Health page to find out more- Any dietary or allergy requirements will need to be disclosed before the start of the tour
- Carrying a water bottle with you is recommended
- Medication should always be taken with you and kept on your person
- Please ensure that you keep any personal documents and valuables on your person at all times
- WIFI will be available at most of the hotels, although mobile coverage may vary in rural areas
- Your local guides will recommend stops where you can go souvenir shopping during your tour
Special notes
There are no special notes for this tour
Suggested reading
Enrich your travel experience with our list of top recommended books from specialist travel guides to compelling novels. Whether you are looking for something to pass the time on the train, or want to get to grips with the local history, reading is essential to turning your trip into a fully-fledged experience.
Russia: Lonely Planet
The ultimate guidebook to Russia that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Russia is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to this vast country from how to get around, the best places to eat in its most popular cities, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights, currency and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips about key attractions such as the Moscow Kremlin, Lake Baikal and the Romanov sites, this guide includes detailed maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
And Quiet Flows the Don
A Russian classic written by epic novel writer, Mikhail Aleksandrovich Sholokhov, And Quiet flows the Don is considered one of the most significant literary works in the 20th century. This incredible tale of war and revolution, follows the turbulent lives of the Don Cossack people, in particular, that of Gregor Melekhov, who struggles to be with the woman he loves as his country is torn apart. This literary masterpiece is considered a damning testament to a nation embroiled in conflict and what can come from it.
Chekov: Stories of Our Time
The ultimate collection of stories from the prolific Russian short-story writer, Anton Chekov, Chekov: Stories of our time offers a glimpse into the masterful hand of Chekov and how he captures humanity in all its complexity. Chekov is known to have written nearly 1000 stories, covering a breadth of human consciousness from wisdom and virtue to the wider world of politics and economy. Often hailed as the greatest short story writer of all time, Chekov have a profound effect on the literary world which can still be seen today.
Visa Information
