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Essential ‘Golden Ring of Russia’ Tour


This 4-day Golden Ring excursion includes visits to the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir, the Wooden Architecture Museum in Suzdal, and the Holy Trinity St Sergius Lavra in Sergiev Posad.
Overview
A shortened version of Russia’s famous Golden Ring. Visit three historic locations, Vladimir, Suzdal and Sergiev Posad, and uncover Russia’s spectacular history. If you want a shorter Golden Ring experience that includes a visit to Sergiev Posad then this is the excursion for you. As part of this 4-day excursion, you will see the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir, the Wooden Architecture Museum in Suzdal, and the Holy Trinity St Sergius Lavra in Sergiev Posad.
City tour of Vladimir, Suzdal and Sergiev Posad
Assumption Cathedral
Cathedral of St. Dmitry
Suzdal Kremlin with Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ visit
Visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trinity-Sergius Monastery
Choice of bellringing at the Spaso-Euthymius Monastery or a visit to the Open-Air Museum of Wooden Architecture
Itinerary


Moscow
Russia’s official capital, Moscow, is the political and religious heart of the country. The city has the highest density of billionaires, is the world’s most populated inland city and boasts six out of Europe’s ten tallest buildings. It continues to be a major tourist destination in Europe growing year on year with famous attractions including Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral, and the Kremlin.
Day 1
Arrival in Moscow
Your driver will meet you at the airport or railway station and take you to your hotel ready for check-in.
The rest of the day is free for you to relax in your hotel room or explore what Moscow has to offer on your own. If you have some spare time, why not try one of our recommended excursions or activities in Moscow?
Arrival Transfer
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
Travel to


Vladimir
One of Russia’s medieval capitals dating back to the 12th century, Vladimir is a popular tourist destination on Russia’s Golden Ring. It is home to various cathedrals, a monastery and other landmarks that have been designated as UNSECO World Heritage Sites including the imposing white stone towers of the Golden Gates as well as the St Demetrius Cathedral, Dormition Cathedral and Assumption Cathedral.
Day 2
Exploring the Golden Ring – Vladimir
After an early morning breakfast and check out your driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and take you to Moscow train station where you will catch the 2-hour bullet train to Vladimir.
Your morning will include a full city tour of Vladimir visiting major attractions like the renowned Assumption Cathedral, built in the middle of the 12th century by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky as the main church of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality.
Here, you will see the world-famous frescoes of Andrei Rublev miraculously preserved.
Next, you will explore the Cathedral of St. Dmitry, built in the 12th century by Prince Vsevolod as his palace church, before visiting the Cathedral of Nativity Christ and seeing the largest relic, the Golden Gate, considered to be the door to Vladimir, built at the beginning of the 12th century by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky.
Exploring the Golden Ring – Suzdal
After lunch, you will head over to Suzdal where you have a full sightseeing tour of the 10th century Kremlin, with a chance to admire the Cathedral of Nativity Christ.
Following on from your Kremlin visit, you will have a bit of time at the cross chambers, and then have the choice to experience bellringing at the Spaso-Euthymius Monastery or visit the Open-Air Museum of Wooden Architecture.
This day will conclude with an overnight stay in Suzdal with dinner included. You will also have a bit of free time to explore Suzdal for yourself.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Assumption Cathedral
Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ
City Tour by car
Golden Gate
St. Dmitry Cathedral
Suzdal Kremlin
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Religious Buildings & Monuments
Travel to


Sergiyev Posad
Sergiyev Posad is a historic town situated in Central Russia and is often included in Russia’s popular tourist route, the Golden Ring. The town has grown around its main tourist attraction and one of the largest monasteries in Russia, the Trinity Lavra, established by St Sergius of Radonezh in the 15th century. The town is immersed in culture and is home to various museums including the Gagarin Palace of Culture and the Museum of Toys.
Day 3
Exploring the Golden Ring – Sergiev Posad
After spending the night in Suzdal you will have time for a quick breakfast before heading to Sergiev Posad (often referred to as the Russian Vatican), the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Your journey begins with a tour of the Trinity-Sergius Monastery, built in the first half of the 14th century by the son of the Rostov boyar, Sergius Radonezhsky, who remains one of the most revered saints in Russia. The monastery is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and revered holy place in Russia consisting of over 50 buildings.
After your trip around the Golden Ring, you will travel back to the hotel in Moscow where you should arrive around 19:00.
Breakfast & Lunch
Prominent Landscape
Religious Buildings & Monuments
Scenic Surrounds
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Trinity-Sergius Monastery
Day 4
Departure from Moscow
On the morning of departure, you will have time for breakfast and some spare time to rest and relax or to do some last-minute exploring before checking out (around 12:00 noon).
Breakfast
Departure Transfer
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
Where you can stay
A hotel can be the make or break of any experience, and we understand that choosing the right hotel is important to our travellers. Check out our range of hotels ahead of time, and learn more about our standard 3-star options and the luxury 5-star upgrades that are available in the destinations you will be visiting.
Please note that the selection of hotels included here are examples of where you may stay on your tour, we will pick the best option for you based on your travel requirements.
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Dates & Rates
Please select the amount of travellers in your group and language requirement of your guide.
Please select a date
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*This tour’s total cost is an estimate, based on travel costs prior to tickets being released. The price is subject to fluctation of up to 10%.† Based on 2 people sharing a twin room.
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
English, German, French, Spanish or Italian speaking guide
Entrance tickets to all locations as part of the tour
Food and drink (as mentioned in the tour itinerary)
Russian Tourist Visa Invitation
Transport (as specified in the tour itinerary)
What’s not included
Alcoholic drinks
International train / plane tickets
Optional excursions and activities
Personal costs (souvenirs, additional snacks etc)
Porter services
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.
Moscow, St Petersburg & the Golden Ring
The ultimate guidebook to the Golden Ring that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Moscow, St Petersburg and the Golden Ring is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to these three spectacular regions including the best places to eat, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips about key attractions such as the Moscow Kremlin, the Peterhof and the many monasteries and cathedrals of the Golden Ring cities, this guide includes regional maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
Moscow: A Traveller’s Reader
A masterful anthology documenting Moscow’s turbulent growth through the lives of its people from the bloody reprisals of Peter the Great to the literary greats of the 19th century. The city spent much of its early life in turmoil from being the subject to much greater empires including the Tatars, to being burnt down numerous times, yet rising from the ashes twice as magnificent each time. Kelly’s compelling narrative covers all of Moscow’s major milestones over 700 years in engaging detail. A must-read for anyone interested in the history of Russia.
Extras & Upgrades
Extras
Customise your experience with our spectacular range of tailor-made tour extras. If you have some free time during your tour and are unsure how to spend it, then our extras may be just what you are looking for, with various activities ranging from an hour long to a full day. Simply, let us know when booking your tour and we can arrange this for you.
Upgrades
Enhance your travel experience with one of our available tour upgrades. Whether you are looking to go first class on the train or swap your standard hotel for a luxury 5-star option, our Sales team are on-hand to help. Simply, let us know when booking your tour and we can arrange this for you.
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Visa Information
