Russia’s most popular souvenir is a beautiful wooden doll that hides several smaller pieces inside. When you’re traveling to Russia all your friends are asking you to bring them one. There is no souvenir more synonymous with Russia than the Matryoshka doll. So why not make one with your own hands, enjoying an exciting “immersion” into Russian culture?
Rostov is one of the earliest historically attested towns in Russia, first mentioned under 862 in the ancient chronicle “Tale of Bygone Years.” The town’s main architectural ensemble is the majestic kremlin or, more properly, the Court of the Metropolitan. Although most of the ensemble was not built until the 17th century, this citadel conveys an unforgettable sense of Rostov’s importance for medieval Russia. In modern time it has been a set for historical films many times.
Yaroslavl is a magnificent town situated on a high bank of the Volga River, it is rich with cultural and architectural monuments of the ancient Russian history. Its historical centre is included into the UNESCO Heritage List.
On the tour you will visit the Church of Elijah the Prophet, take a walk along the Volga River embankment and have a look at the Russian Golden Ring in miniature:
The Church of Elijah the Prophet, built between 1647 and 1650 in the architectural style typical for Yaroslav, comprises a white-stone four-pillared main building topped with five green domes connected by a closed gallery to a bell tower and a dome tower on either side. Inside it boasts a magnificent iconostasis and some of the best 17th century frescos in Russia which cover every inch of its walls.
A walk along the upper level of the Volga River embankment. The upper level of the embankment is a kind of a large observation deck. There are many monuments, museums and other historical sites to be viewed from here.
When visiting the Show – Museum “Golden Ring of Russia in miniature” you will systemize all places you have already seen on your 3 days trip and can make some new plans for travelling deeper into Russian provinces. Here, on the area of almost 330 square meters, there is a miniature model of official 9 towns of the Gold Ring and even more.
To begin with you will be pointed out the Susanin Square – the central square of Kostroma built according to the general plan of the city of 1781-1784. Here you can see a well preserved architectural ensemble of the late 18th-19th centuries. The main dominant of the square is the Fire Tower (1825), which has become one of the symbols of Kostroma. Have a look at the Church of the Resurrection on Debrya (1645-1651) – a beautiful monument of traditional Russian architecture. One of the first stone buildings of Kostroma, it was built at the expense of the townspeople.
And finally we will visit the main place of interest in Kostroma, its soul and heart – the Holy Trinity Ipatiev Monastery. It is the cradle of the Romanov dynasty, an object of the cultural heritage towering on the bank of the Kostroma River in the western part of the city. On the territory of the Ipatiev Monastery there are more than ten historical buildings. The magnificent Trinity Cathedral (1650-1652) is its main attraction.
The Ivanovo Textile Factory Museum has got on display the best examples and fascinating works spanning 200 years. It is the museum of the local chintz (printed multicoloured cotton fabric with a glazed finish) containing over 300 iconic samples of Ivanovo cotton and silk canvas.
Because of huge number of textile enterprises, Ivanovo was called “Russian Manchester” and “the city of calico kings”.
Ivanovo can be a paradise for lovers of architectural style “constructivism”. More than 30 monuments of early Soviet architecture have been preserved in the city.
The Museum of Industry and Art, founded by the manufacturer and philanthropist Dmitry Burylin, contains unique collections of books, weapons, numismatics and porcelain. The Burylin Museum was one of the finest private museums in pre-revolutionary Russia, and is still often called the Ivanovo Hermitage.
The tour will be finished at the Gostiny Dvor in the city centre, where you can buy some traditional Russian specialties (free time for shopping).
Gostiny Dvor (meaning: Trade House) in Suzdal was built at the beginning of the 19th century in the likeness of the one in St. Petersburg. This is the busiest shopping arcade in the Gold Ring towns and the best place to buy “Suzdalskaya Medovukha”, an ancient Russian drink made of honey, water and yeast which appeared well ahead of vodka. And do not forget to look into the “Baker’s Nest”, a place of real Suzdal bread with wild yeast leaven, rye and white bread, pot-bellied loaves and crispy baguettes, crumbly croissants and twisted pretzels.
During a sightseeing tour of Suzdal you will get acquainted with the rich history of this ancient town, its amazing architectural ensemble. In the kremlin, you will see the ramparts of the ancient city, the white-stone Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin of the 13th century, the Bishops’ Chambers of the 15th-18th centuries, in the building of which the expositions of the museum-reserve are housed. In the Museum of Wooden Architecture you will learn about the traditional way of life, rituals and holidays of the peasants in Vladimir province.
”Bogdarnya” means “the gift of God”. The area of the complex is an intriguing and unique mix of stunning countryside with ancient forests, open meadows, expansive lakes and clean flowing rivers. Breath fresh air, enjoy the scenery, taste local food – the visit to Bogdarnya will please your body and soul.
In Bodgarnya complex we will visit an authentic peasants’ old hut and acquaint with the life of a peasant family of the late 19th – early 20th centuries. Optionally one can try on traditional Russian outfits and take pictures in them depicting scenes of Russian village people.
Once the capital city of North-Eastern Russia, modern Vladimir still preserves the spirit of antiquity. The town’s historical white stone architecture is on the list of the UNESCO heritage objects.
At the end of the city tour take a walk along the historical Georgievskaya Street.
Nowadays in Vladimir, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure is actively developing. The restored pedestrian zone on Georgievskaya Street, which is full of tourist facilities, is a favourite walking place for citizens and tourists. It stretches along the main transport highway of the regional centre. Some newly installed bronze sculptures are absolute favourites and participants of endless selfies…
Unique architectural ensemble of the Monastery includes churches and cathedrals dating back to XV – XVII centuries. On the tour we will visit:
