Trans-Siberian sample tour itineraries
We are glad to offer you several Trans-Siberian tours. Trans-Siberian travel is a great chance to get acquainted with true Russia’s life and views. You will pass through various time zones, cross some greatest Eurasian rivers, see one of the most interesting highlights of Siberia, Baikal Lake, and finally, through Mongolia, find yourself in Beijing, the capital of China.

Trans Siberian Trains
Discover beautiful nature and landscapes of Ural, Siberia and Russian Far East with the fastest and most comfortable trains (so called «firm», or «firmenny», trains) at the Transsib. These trains make the least number of stops, sometimes covering 300-400 km without stopping. Express trains, or «skory» trains, usually make some more stops than «firm» trains (7/8 Novosibirsk/Vladivostok, 43/44 Moscow/Khabarovsk).

The most comfortable and fastest trains at the Trans-Sib are the following: Rossiya (number 1/2, Moscow-Vladivostok), Okean (5/6, Khabarovsk-Vladivostok), Sibiryak (25/26, Moscow-Novosibirsk), Yenisei (55/56, Moscow-Krasnoyarsk) and some other trains of the same class.

History of Trans-Siberian railroad
Some people think that Transsib means the way that connects Ural with Far East and goes through Siberia (Trans-Siberian). But in reality it’s different the contradiction comes from the name that English travellers gave to it — «Trans-Siberian Railway» instead of «Great Siberian Way» (this would be the litteral translation from Russian) but then this name have been rooted in Russian language.

And now the term Transsib means the way, that connects Center and Pacific Ocean, Moscow and Vladivostok and in broader meaning — ports of West with Russian capital and ways to Europe (Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Brest, Kaliningrad) with ports of the East and ways to Asia. Transsib — is the road that gave an impulse to the settling and developing of eastern areas of Russia and involvment of them into economy of the other part of great country.

Nowadays Jaroslavskiy train station in Moscow is Transsib’s starting point and a final point of the way is Vladivostok train station. But not always it was so. Before the middle of the 20th century Kazanskiy train station was the main gate to Siberia and Far East and Kursko-Nizhegorodskiy (nowadays Kurskiy) train station of Moscow was located at very beginning of Transsib (beginning of 20th century). It’s also important to mention that before the October revolution Moscow train station of Saint Petersburg, which was the capital of Russian Empire at that time was considered to be the starting point of the Great Siberian Way. Vladivostok also wasn`t considered to be the permanent final point, for some time (from 90’s of 19th century till the crucial land battles of Russian-Japanese war in 1904-1905), contemporaries considered naval fortress and town of Port Arthur, which is located on the shore of East-Chinese Sea on the Lao Dun peninnsula, rented by Russian Empire from China to be the end of the Great Road.

Grand laying took place of the 19th century of May 1891 near Vladivostok and in the presence of prince Nikolay Aleksandrovitch (Emperor Nikolay The Second in future).

But actually costruction started a little bit earlier at the beginning of March 1891 with building of the railway from Miass to Chelyabinsk.

The regular communication between the Empire’s capital — Saint-Petersburg and ports in the Pacific ocean — Vladivostok and Dalniy by the railroad was established in July 1903 when the East-Chinese Sea railway that comes through Manchuria was put to operation and began to function routinely. But still there was a break in the railway. Trains were transported through the Baykal Lke by the special ferry boat.

The continued railway between Saint Petersburg and Vladivostok appeared after the finishing of Circum-Baykal railway construction (18th Septemper of 1904). A yer after it was put in regular operation as a part of The Great Siberian Way. And regular passenger trains for a first time in history have an ability to follow rails from the Atlantic (Western Europe) to the Pacific ocean (Vladivostok) without using of any ferry crossings.
The final step in history of Transsib’s construction was putting in the operation the bridge over Amur river near Khabarovsk and beginning of train communication over the Amur.

International Trans-Siberian railroad
The Transsib is not only a great way that connects central Russia and Pacific shores, Moscow and Vladivostok but also a way to Asia, one of the most important roads to Far East countries like China and Korea. By the way, at present time, this is the only way to get to China and Mongolia by train.

7 Top Places to Visit While on a Trans Siberian Trip
A Trans-Siberian trip is the perfect tour to unravel some of the region’s most unique and awe-inspiring tourist destinations. A journey by train gives visitors a glimpse of the area’s most dramatic photogenic locations as well as indigenous wildlife.

Major cities along the way such as Yekaterinburg and Kazan are also worth checking out. The following is an outline of some of the top spots to revel in during a Trans-Siberian tour.

Moscow
Of course, a journey through Trans-Siberia should ideally begin in the grandiose city of Moscow. It is one of the most populous cities in the world and has a rich cultural background that promises to enthral even the most jaded of connoisseurs.

Among the top places to visit is the Kremlin, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The majestic fortified complex is situated at the centre of Moscow and overlooks Saint Basil’s Cathedral, the Red Square, and the Alexander Garden. Currently the official residence of the Russian President, it attracts millions of visitors every year. The site is several centuries old and its buildings have been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times due to waves of skirmishes and dynasty changes.

For entertainment, the Bolshoi Theatre won’t disappoint. It offers some of the city’s most captivating ballet performances.

Yekaterinburg
Widely referred to as Sverdlovsk during the USSR era, Yekaterinburg is located between Asia and Europe and is generally a bit laid-back when compared to other Russian cities. It boasts more than 600 cultural monuments built between the 18th and 19th centuries.

One of its most impressive monuments is the famous Keyboard Monument which is built at a scale of approximately 30:1. Constructed in 2005 by Anatoly Vyatkin, it is made up of 86 keys. Each key weighs at least 100 pounds.
For music fans, Yekaterinburg also has a Memorial centre dedicated to The Beatles. It also offers some amazing music festivals such as the Ural Music Night to indulge.

Kazan
A Trans-Siberian trip would be incomplete without a stop at Kazan. The city is culturally significant and is situated between the Volga and Kazanka rivers. It has both traditional and modern influences which exist in almost perfect harmony.

Among the main highlights in the city is the Kazan Kremlin Fortress. Demarcated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is hailed as the only Tatar fortress in the country. It was conquered in the mid-sixteenth century by Ivan the Terrible.

Krasnoyarsk
Krasnoyarsk is located close to the Yenisei River and surrounded by various mountains which include Mount Karaulnaya. It also has the must-visit ‘Stolby’ Nature Reserve which rock-climbers will love. The area also abounds with hiking trails featuring photogenic views and backdrops.

Lake Baikal
Lake Baikal is located in Eastern Siberia. It is believed to the biggest and deepest lake in the world. While here, visitors can indulge in a range of activities including fishing, relaxing in thermal saunas, and taking in the natural sights that surround the water body.

Situated in Eastern Siberia, the glimmering blue lake is among the most popular attractions in the region. Its frozen wave effects during winter are world-famous. Visitors can also indulge in a bit of mountain climbing at Chersky Mountain, and marvel at the Circum-Baikal Railway which is a popular architectural monument.

For accommodation, Listvyanka which is situated at the shores of the lake offers visitors a wide range of lodging options. Olkhon Island, the biggest island on Lake Baikal, is also preferred by many tourists.

Mongolia
Visitors would be remiss to skip Mongolia in their Trans-Siberian trip itinerary. The country which is located between China and Russia is landlocked. It is a secluded haven full of lash picturesque sights and wildlife as well as beautiful mountains and valleys.

Among the main tourist hotspots is the Mongolian Steppe which has unique wildlife such as the Siberian ibex, argali sheep, and cinereous vultures. The amazing wilderness also offers glimpses of the Mongolian horse-riding and herdsmen culture.

Beijing
Beijing can be reached if you use the Trans-Manchurian Railway secondary route. The capital of China, it gives visitors a chance to immerse themselves in exotic oriental culture.

There are stark differences between the Western and Chinese cultures, and they range from culinary delights to religious practices, and so Beijing offers a unique experience for everyone.

Main attractions include the Forbidden City. It was the main imperial palace for the Chinese dynastic leadership centre between the years 1420 and 1912 and was built during the Ming Dynasty. For sightseeing tours, Beihai Park and Nanluoguxiang won’t disappoint.

Zaryadye Park: new symbol of Moscow
Being located in the very heart of Moscow, next to the Kremlin walls, Zaryadye Park is not just an ordinary park. It is a cultural and educational center with a unique botanical collection of plants taken from some nature zones of Russia (forest, steppe, meadow and northern landscape), that comprises more than 1 million green plants, including rare species listed in the Red book.

Unique media complexes in the Park “Time machine” and “Soaring”, that have no analogues in Russia, invite guests of “Zaryadye” to take a virtual tour to the past, to witness important historical events in the life of the capital and to fly over the main sights of Moscow and the whole Russia.

Visitors of the Park will see the most spectacular views, the best examples of ancient and modern architecture, nature reserves, monuments and parks, the main waterways of the country and experience a real flight.

In “Zaryadye” you can as well visit the “Ice cave”, Underground interactive archaeological museum, greenhouse complex “Florarium” with soilless plant growing techniques, biotechnological scientific and educational “Nature center”. Zaryadye “Hospitality Center” staff will tell you what interesting things can be seen in the pavilions, help you buy tickets and give an informative tour around the park.

St. Petersburg Winter Fairy Tale
The beautiful tradition of riding a horse-drawn carriage dates back to the early years of the Russian Empire. It became as much a symbol of the Christmas season in Russia as the Jingle Bells in the Western world. Imagine yourself dashing through a thick layer of crystal white snow in a richly decorated carriage with amazing strong horses upfront and majestic palaces in the background. Add to this the iconic jingle of the traditional harness bells and you will get the sight and sound of the Russian winter fairy tale.

We offer you to play an integral role in it, to place you in the front seat and indulge yourself in the true spirit of the Russian Christmas culture. Our company provides several fantastic locations to choose: from the Yelagin Island in the heart of St. Petersburg to the more secluded but not less magnificent imperial estates surrounding the city, namely Pavlovsk, Peterhof and Tsarskoye Selo. The services of both professional photographers to capture the moments of joy and experienced tour guides to tell the fascinating stories about the places you visit are also available on request.

Horses and reindeer
There are multiple stables and horse farms in central districts and on the outskirts in Saint Petersburg; some are private or quite difficult to find, however, most of them offer horse riding and horse sledding around Saint Petersburg and its suburbs. The most visited and popular of them are located in historical parks like Central park on Elagin island, Shuvalovskiy park in the northern district “Ozerki”, Krestovskiy island. They offer various opportunities for active leisure: personal riding lessons with instructor, hippotherapy, photo shoots with horses and cart or sledge rent for guided excursions of Saint Petersburg and suburbs. The important thing is to make a pre-booking (especially in high season) to have guaranteed service.

Christmas Festival in Moscow
Christmas fairs and markets invite residents and visitors of Moscow to take part in multiple fun winter activities and New Year shopping.

“Journey into Christmas” is considered to be the biggest in the world New Year Festival and one of the most picturesque annual festivals in Moscow as it combines original traditional elements of Russian Christmas fun fairs and new contemporary ideas for all ages.

Each district of Moscow from December 18 till January 14 will turn into a part of a the festival: 38 venues offer unique art objects, exciting street shows and concerts, master classes on cooking and decoration, traditional food and unusual souvenirs; everyone will be able to participate in exciting contests and quests.

Main objects
The festival starts on Manezh Square and famous huge glowing ball, the one of the most popular sights in Moscow; as a part of “Journey into Christmas” festival it will be turned the biggest Christmas bauble in Russia. Moreover, its size will be significantly increased: the height of the ball will be 17 meters now. The decoration of the ball consists of 9.5 km of LED lights and this is claiming a Guinness record.

Besides the ball, the participants of the festival will see a Russian map shaped labyrinth with a 17-meter high Christmas tree decorated with sparkling LED-lights on Manezh square. Inside the maze the visitors will see exhibitions dedicated to different periods of Russian history, enjoy Soviet posters and get acquainted with Russian fashion of different years.

Both children and adults will enjoy a 100-meter high ice slide — the biggest slide in Russia. It will be built according oldest Russian traditions that were used hundreds years ago for the the winter holiday festivities.

Kids fun
Young Muscovites and guests of Russia will have a plenty of things to do during “Journey into Christmas”. For instance, Tverskoy Boulevard will turn into a “Small town of Storytellers” where experienced instructors will teach children how to do figure skating, snowboarding, play hockey — absolutely free including all sports equipment.

Tverskaya Square is planned to be the main kids attraction for the festival. At this small Christmas town children will dress up a Christmas tree, take a ride on the carousel, learn to sew dolls and cook candies.

Kaliningrad
Kaliningrad region is the unique place in Russia: it has boundaries with European Lithuania and Poland and no boundaries with any Russian regions. Russians love small cities of Kaliningrad regions for its closeness to the Baltic sea; towns Svetlogorsk, Zelenograd and others are the popular sea resorts.

Kaliningrad city is a beautiful medieval city with European spirit and rich history. Before, it used to be German city called Konigsberg and now it keeps the heritage of Poland, Prussia and Germany behind it walls.

Teutonic Knights built Konigsberg Castle in 1255; this was the birth of Konigsberg city. The castle then became a property of Prussian kings, and then was used for the needs of Germany. It was a coronation place of kings, it was visited by Russian emperors and distinguished German people.

During the World War II, the castle was ruined; almost nothing left after bombings and in 1993, when Kaliningrad was already a Russian city, the Russian Academy of Sciences initiated excavations in search of the famous Amber room, as they believed that it was hidden in the castle. They did not find the Amber room, but instead they discovered multiple valuable items of Prussian époque.

Today, the remains of the Konigsberg Castle are the observation deck with a historical exhibition. It is worth visiting during the open-air historical festivals with jousting contests, crafts fairs, archery contests and role-play games.

St. Petersburg is one of the most interesting destinations for tourists. The majority of cruise lines stay 2 or 3 days in this gem of Baltic Cruise ports. We are glad to offer you our VISA FREE shore tours for 1, 2 and 3 days in Saint-Petersburg.

Such tours are available only for cruise or ferry passengers who stay on the territory of the Russian Federation without visa for 72 hours. This type of trip is very convenient for travelers and will suite both groups and individual cruise ship passengers. You have a great chance to visit one of the most beautiful cities without spending money and time for preparing visa and other documents.

Visa-free one day tour including boat trip
During the one-day tour of St. Petersburg you will get acquainted with the Nothern Capital of Russia and see all the major city sights. You are awaited a guided excursion of the State Hermitage – one of the largest museums in the world. This one-day excursion also includes an enthralling water tour of rivers and channels of St. Petersburg. After the boat trip you will visit the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, built in memory of Tsar Alexander II who was assassinated in this place in March 1, 1881. You will have spare time to explore the city by yourself and enjoy its beauty. This trip will leave you the unforgettable impressions and memories.

Baikal Lake – Baikal is the deepest lake in the whole world and it’s located in the southern part of the Eastern Siberia — the region in the Asian part of Russia. It is located at the very border between the Irkutsk region (Irkutskaya Oblast) and the Republic of Buryatiya and has a shape of a giant half-moon. Besides, it’s the biggest reservoir of fresh water on Earth, and the depth of Baikal is 1,167 meters lower the World ocean level. Its maximum depth is 1,642 meters which was learnt in 1983. The square of the Baikal water surface equals to the size of such European countries as, for example, the Netherlands or Belgium. Baikal is ranked number seven in the top of the biggest world’s lakes. Besides, plants which grow there, are rare and endemic, and there are a lot of their kinds, so Lake Baikal even surpasses the Galapagos Islands and Madagascar in it.

Baikal is a sacred place for those who live there. It’s often called “the Sacred Sea”, “the Blue Eye of Siberia”, “the Diamond of the Planet”. The Baikal water is very unique for it’s not only just clean and fresh — it contains a very small amount of mineral salts, which makes this water distilled. It also contains a lot of oxygen. Almost 300 rivers and streams flow in Baikal, but only one river called Angara flows out of it. This river is the biggest afflux of another Siberian river — Yenisei, which is considered to be one of the world’s greatest rivers. There are also about 20 island in the Lake Baikal, and the biggest one is Olkhon — the unique island which contains different types of nature landscapes, like, for example, steppes and Baltic sand beaches at the same time. It’s where the sun shines almost all year round, so Olkhon is definitely a place to be for those who loves sunbathing and don’t like raining cats and dogs. But, to be honest, the temperature of the water is not so high as one might think. The Lake Baikal is quite cold even in August, despite the fact it’s the warmest month in almost all the Russian territory. The water’s temperature influences all the places near the lake. The winter there is usually mild, but the summer is quite cool. Spring comes there a little bit late, but the fall lasts longer.

The best time to travel to Lake Baikal is from May through to October. Summer is the best time for hiking, excursions, fishing, riding jeeps along the coast, and swimming. Besides it, one may enjoy the beaches here, and yachting as well. In wintertime, people come to the Lake Baikal for skiing mostly, but such activities like riding the snowmobiles, dog harnesses, skating, and mountain skiing are very popular there. One may choose comfortable hotel for staying, but there are also stylized Mongolian jurts (nomad’s tents), so such a vacation will be unforgettable.

You can reach the Lake Baikal from Moscow only. The plane from there reaches Irkutsk in something like six and a half hours, and then almost three hours are left till the place of your accommodation — usually, there are some shuttles or buses.

Kamchatka – Kamchatka is a peninsula located in the northeastern part of Russia. It is surrounded with the Okhotskoye Sea, the Beringovo Sea, and the Pacific Ocean. This region has a very unique environment which makes it a place to visit when you’re longing for picturesque views, unforgettable traveling, and unity with nature. Kamchatka is famous for its volcanoes which are depicted on most souvenirs there, like on Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the most eastern city in the northern hemisphere, coat of arms as well. There are more than 300 volcanoes in Kamchatka, from 28 up to 36 of them are active, or potentially active. Kamchatka volcanoes are included into the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Klyuchevskaya, Kronotskaya, Ichinskaya, Avachinskaya, Koryakskaya, and Karymskaya sopkas (volcanoes), as well as Shiveluch, are considered to be the most famous volcanoes in Kamchatka. From time to time they cause some small subterranean pushes.

Also, this region is known to be a place of many water sources — rivers and lakes. Many Kamchatka rivers spring from mountains toes and glaciers which makes them very clean — the useful property for those who love fishing, including Kamchatka bears. The most famous rivers in Kamchatka are Avacha, Malkinskaya Bystraya, Kamchatka (which is the biggest river), Shumnaya, and Geysernaya. In general, there are up to 14 thousand rivers and stream in Kamchatka, 100 thousand lakes of different size, and 414 glaciers.

Kamchatka is a home to the Valley of Geysers which is located at the junction of the above-mentioned rivers Shumnaya and Geysernaya. The Valley of Geysers has the second largest concentration of geysers in the world (after Icelandic geyser fields), and is the only geyser field on the Eurasia continent. It’s not easily accessible, as long as it’s too unique to be opened for tourists all the time, because the Valley of Geysers’ ecosystem is very vulnerable, so it’s necessary to monitor it all the time and regulate the visiting. In fact, the larger part of the Kamchatka region is preserved. There are many nature reserves, nature parks, and zakazniks (protected areas) there.

The range of tourist activities in Kamchatka is really wide. The most crucial type of tourism there is ecotourism, and it’s clearly explained with the uniqueness of Kamchatka’s nature and resources. Such kinds as sports, marine, fishing, medicinal, cultural and ethnographical tourism, are popular as well. To be more precise, Kamchatka offers almost unlimited possibilities for those who is fond of extreme tourism, and gives the chance to climb not only mountains, but volcanoes as well.

Also, many rivers in Kamchatka are good for rafting. If you come there in winter, prepare for heli-skiing, and skiing as well. If you go there in summer, trekking, diving, photo safari, and bird watching are at your service. Besides, this region has a good recreational potential, and one may just go there to take some rest and fix one’s health, thanks to presence of almost every kind of mineral curative water. Don’t forget to try famous Kamchatka dishes, which are often made of local fish and other seafood, for example of salmon, which Kamchatka is really famous for. Many tourist campings were built in Kamchatka in the past few years. Tourist infrastructure there is getting better and better nowadays. There is only one way to get to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky by plane from the European part of Russia — from Moscow. The ticket price is quite high, so one should think of the journey as early as possible.

The Altai Mountains
The Altai Mountains are located in the very heart of Russia — near the Russian border with Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and China. They are often called “Russian Tibet”, “Siberian Switzerland” and even “New Zealand” thanks to their beauty and strength. The highest point of the Altai Mountains, and of the Siberian Region as well, is the Belukha Mountain. It is of 4,509 meters high, and is completely covered with snow, from its peak to its bottom.

The Altai Mountains are really very old but the first documented encounter with them dates back to the 17th century, when Cossacks from the nearby city of Kuznetsk (which later became a part of Novokuznetsk) arrived at the Lake Teletskoye, or Altyn-Köl. Later, when Biyskaya Fortress (now the city of Biysk) was built, the massive developing of the Altai territory, and more of its northwestern part, began.

The Altai is a very versatile geographic region, where plains and steppes change to mountains, and vice versa. Now it’s very popular among tourists, because it has a lot of interesting things which can attract those who like active holidays, and those who like to contemplate as well. The most essential kinds of activities are of course climbing, snowboarding, hiking around the legendary routes, trekking, cycling, diving, rafting, kayaking, sailing, swimming, and fishing. Many people come there for more passive relaxation, such as spa, and feasting the eyes upon maralnik, which is a kind of rhododendron, blossoming in spring — typical deeds of avid ecotourists. They are often attracted by collecting healing herbs, riding a horse, and participating in local festivals, for example in summer “VOTETNO” (literally — “here is etno”) festival at the end of July.

Decision on when to go to Altai should be made depending on what you want to do there. The Altai’s climate is known to be quite harsh. This region is famous for long frosty winters, and hot but short summers. But even in summer, the temperature may go down, so it’s crucial to have some warm clothes with you. Tourist season is in the full swing there usually in summer, and there’s no wonder: it’s the perfect time for people who would like to be involved in many different activities — in summer, one may do the full scope of season activities, from collecting herbs to climbing, and, of course, rafting, sailing, kayaking and fishing — all those kinds of hot season entertainment. Winter season begins in the Altai in December and ends in March. It’s the perfect option to celebrate the New Year there. Skating and mountain skiing, riding famous Russian three horses (“troika”), snowmobiles, winter fishing — everybody will find an entertainment to one’s taste. The most popular city for skiing is Belokurikha.

Another original way of staying in the Altai is housekeeping and taking care of your own house and animals. It is an option for those who prefer peaceful life to the noisy of busy cities.

The best way to get to the Altai is by plane. There are direct flights from Moscow to the most well-known Altai cities Barnaul and Gorno-Altaysk. Then you might go by train, by car, or by bus to any resort and place you like.

Sochi – Officially founded in 1898 on the territory won by Russia in the Caucasian War, Sochi from the very beginning served as a resort area. The discovery of the salubrious sulphuretted hydrogen springs throughout the territory of the town contributed greatly to its rapid development as the most popular health resort in Russia. By the beginning of the 20th century several hotel complexes as well as numerous private summerhouses of Russian nobility had been constructed in the town. Several of them have been preserved and considered to be the excellent examples of Russia’s Art Nouveau architecture. In the Soviet times and at present Sochi stays one of the most popular summer resorts in Russia. The major attraction of Sochi is its natural beauty. Pristine rivers and streams down the picturesque Caucasus mountains, mixed primeval forests engirdle foothills, boundless golden beaches stretch as far as the eye can see.

Kazan – The exact date of Kazan foundation is unknown. According to the opinions of some historians it was founded in the second half of the 13th century, but other specialists believe that the city was founded in 1177. It is located on the banks of the Volga River. Since 1438 the city was the capital of Kazan Khanate, and in 1552 it was conquered by Russian tsar Ivan the Terrible. Nowadays Kazan is the capital of the Tatarstan republic. Kazan is a large industrial center of the region. It witnessed many important historical events. For example, here the leader of the Bolsheviks party Vladimir Lenin started his activities. Kazan is a very interesting city from the architectural point of view. Here one can see old buildings, which have been carefully preserved till nowadays: the Kremlin with various constructions of the 16th-18th centuries, the Peter and Paul cathedral, the Marjani mosque.

Velikiy Novgorod
Veliky Novgorod, one of the most ancient cities of Russia, was founded in the 9-10 centuries. Throughout many centuries, Novgorod was a political center of vast territories stretching up from Baltic lands to the Urals Mountains. For a long time Veliky Novgorod had been the largest center of culture in Russia, where chronicles, books, hagiographies, deductive literature were created. Many outstanding monuments of medieval architecture and painting including old churches, temples and cathedrals have been preserved in the city. The outdoor Vitoslavlitsy museum of wooden architecture presents some excellent examples of wooden structures from different parts and suburbs of Novgorod. The visit to Novgorod helps to get acquainted with everyday life of the Russian people, who lived on the territory of Novgorod principality in different times.

The Golden Ring Towns
The Golden Ring is the name for a popular tourist route with the network of ancient towns north-east of Moscow. These Russian towns are famous for unique architectural constructions dating back to the 12-17th centuries.

During this fascinating tour you will have an opportunity to visit such towns as Vladimir, Suzdal, Kosroma, Yaroslavl and Rostov. You will see fascinating temples made of white stone, visit ancient monasteries, and listen to the ringing of church bells. The Golden Ring tour is a very good way to learn more about Russian history, culture and traditions.

Moscow – As it is stated in ancient chronicles, in 1147 Prince Yury Dolgoruky invited his relative, Prince Svyatoslav Olgovich, to see him in Moscow which at that time was a small castle lost in the boundless Russian forest. Thus the history of the biggest political, economic, cultural and scientific center of Russia began. In the 12th century Moscow turned into a fortress, by the 13th century it was already a town and in the 15th century Moscow became the capital of the Russian State. Today Moscow with its history, architectural masterpieces and innumerable art treasures has found itself in a whirlpool of global currents determining the world development. People from all over the world come to witness Moscow splendors and to fall for the charm the capital of the largest empire on earth certainly possesses.

Saint Petersburg – is a very young city compared to old European capitals and, probably, the only city in the world that has acquired so much historic significance in such a short time. It was founded in 1703 as an outlet to the sea, which was very important for Russia’s future development from both strategic and economical points of view. Saint Petersburg was considered to be «a key for paradise» for the Russian Empire, so the city’s name is very symbolic: it was called in honor of Saint Peter, who, as we know from the Holy Bible, was a keeper of the keys from the paradise. Saint Petersburg today is one of the most important cultural, scientific and industrial cities in Russia, housing several hundred of museums and exhibition halls. Great Russian and foreign artists, poets, writers and composers admired the beauty of Saint Petersburg and commemorated it in their works.