Itinerary

Day 1: Moscow - Suzdal - Kostroma (382 km)

Upon arrival in St. Petersburg, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city. The evening is yours to explore the city on your own or relax as you adjust to your surroundings.

After the city tour continue on towards Kostroma, with a stop in Ples, a small town located on the picturesque bank of the Volga River. Experience true Russian hospitality as a family welcomes you into their "izba" (a wooden house) for a taste of traditional cooking and displays of local craftsmanship. Enjoy dinner at the Yacht Club on the bank of the Volga River before arriving into Kostroma that evening. Check into your hotel for the night.

Day 2: Kostroma - Yaroslavl (76 km)

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a city tour of Kostroma including visits to the Ipatievsky Monastery and the Church of the Resurrection on Debra. Kostroma was known as an important trade and handicraft center in Old Russia and during the 17th century it was Russia's fourth largest city. Today it is most notably known for its linen production as well as machinery and footwear.

Depart Kostroma in the afternoon for Yaroslavl. Here Prince Yaroslavl the Wise founded a fort on the banks of the Volga River which developed into this beautiful town. The abundance of frescoes and ceramic ornaments in the churches has earned Yaroslavl the title of "Florence of Russia." Enjoy a city tour including a visit to the Transfiguration Monastery. Dinner is at your hotel in the evening.

Day 3: Yaroslavl - Rostov the Great - Pereyzslavl Zalessky - Zagorsk - Moscow (248 km)

Around 9am depart Yaroslavl for Moscow. The first stop of the day will be in Rostov-the-Great, a town nearly 300 years older than Moscow. Frequently referred to as "a symphony in stone" because of the many bells chiming throughout the city, the city was first mentioned in the year 862. The term "Great" did not apply to the size of the town, but rather to the degree of religious and civic authority concentrated in the area. Rostov is also the only town in Russia where the old art of "finift," a decorative painting of designs and portraits on enamel, has been preserved.

Continue on to Pereyaslavl-Zalessky in the afternoon. The town was founded in 1152 by Prince Yury Dolgoruky and is the birthplace of the Russian Navy. Military leaders such as Alexander Nevsky, Ivan the Terrible and Peter the Great trained and lived here. Located on the shores of Lake Pleshcheevo, the historic monuments and cathedrals blend with the picturesque landscapes to provide an unforgettable experience.

The next stop on the tour is the town of Sergiev Posad, or Zagorsk during Soviet times. Known as the capital of the Russian Orthodox Church, the city and Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Laura Monastery are a Mecca for Orthodox pilgrims. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of this city in the foundation of Russia. The monastery serves as the basis of Russian spirituality, statehood and national character. A visit to the monastery and lunch in this awe inspiring town are included before continuing on to Moscow in the evening.

Day 4: Depart Moscow

After breakfast at your hotel transfer to the airport or rail station for your return journey home. Ask Runic Travels for suggestions on extensions to compliment your adventure!