Golden Ring – Reflections of Russian Heritage

Duration4days

Price fromUSD $1,590 ?Currency ConversionConverted from USD based on the latest exchange rate. Final amount and payment will be in USD. Final conversion rate is determined by your bank.

Trip StyleCultural, Sightseeing

Time of yearAll Year

This ‘best of’ Golden Ring tour takes in eight charming, varied and visually spectacular historic cities

Long before the Golden Ring gained fame as one of Russia’s best multi-day tourist circuits, the small collection of cities northeast of Moscow played a vital role in shaping the country’s history. Its oldest settlements can be traced back to at least the 10th century. Our  Golden Ring Russia tour will unfold the fascinating, deep-rooted history of the region and take you back to a simpler time of picturesque farms and villages, wooden houses and onion-domed cathedrals, all set against the enchanting backdrop of the Russian countryside.

Golden Ring Russia Tour Highlights

  • The village of Suzdal appears like a scene from a Russian storybook and has inspired artists and writers for centuries. Wander wide-eyed through quiet laneways and cobblestone plazas, passing horse-drawn buggies and medieval churches.
  • Yaroslavl was the first Christian city on the Volga River. Many of Russia’s greatest craftsmen, stonemasons, painters and sculptors came together to create this city of magnificent churches and monuments, dating back to the 12th century.
  • Rostov is the oldest town in the Golden Ring and the most architecturally impressive, rich in elegantly restored monuments dating from the 12th to the 17th century.
  • Sergiev Posad is one of the most important spiritual centres of the Orthodox Church, sometimes referred to as the ‘Russian Vatican’ for its magnificent white churches with their signature blue and gold cupolas.

Today, much of Russia’s Golden Ring region remains remarkably untouched by urbanisation. Surrounded by rolling hills and flowering meadows, these lands provide a glimpse of rural Russian life that has changed little for generations. Many of the Golden Ring’s villages were instrumental in the rise of the Orthodox church, as evidenced by the abundance of magnificent cathedral spires and domes.

Apart from their religious significance, these proud towns have staunchly preserved their time-honoured traditions, folk art and cuisine. UNESCO's World Heritage Committee has recognised the cultural value of some of the Golden Ring's most exceptional sites, including the historic centre of Yaroslavl and the white monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal.

This four-day Golden Ring Russia tour covers all the most rewarding gems of the Golden Ring. As you take in some of the most iconic images and artistic endeavours of Old Russia, your guide will enlighten you with stories and legends that will transport you to a time of knights and princes, heroes and villains, Tsars and fairy tales.

Arrival

Moscow

Departure

Moscow

Accomodation

4* hotels

Trip style

Cultural, Sightseeing

Duration

4 days / 3 nights

Action rating?

     

Group size

min 2 people

Type of tour

Private - Any Date

Itinerary View map

Day 1 Vladimir and Suzdal

Your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Moscow. Board a car for a drive to Vladimir, which used to be one of the medieval capitals of Russia. During our guided sightseeing tour, we will visit the Cathedral of St Demetrius, Assumption Cathedral and the Golden Gates which featured on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Next, we headed to Suzdal, the most magical of the Golden Ring towns. We will visit the old Kremlin, the Spass-Evfimievsky Monastery and the Cathedral of Transformation, along with other unique cultural and religious objects.

Day 2 Plyos and Kostroma

We start our day with a short drive to Plyos, a small and picturesque town. This is a place you will want to come back to as it has typical Russian views and an indescribable atmosphere of a 19th-century city.

After a glance tour in the area, we travel on to Kostroma, a historic city which sits on the banks of the Volga River. We will visit the Ipatievsky Monastery which is considered the place where the reign of the House of Romanov began. From Kostroma, we travel on to Yaroslavl for the night.

Day 3 Yaroslavl and Rostov

Today we discover Yaroslavl, the unofficial capital of the Golden Ring whose historical centre is protected by UNESCO. It is a town of trades and crafts, with the majority of churches leaving you impressed with its original beauty. Of special interest is the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Saviour, founded in the 12th century, and the majestic Church of Elijah the Prophet.

Next, we head to Rostov, where we visit the Kremlin, a pearl of Russian architecture of the 17th century, and Spaso-Yakovlevsky monastery.

Day 4 Peresalvl-Zalessky and Sergiev Posad

From Rostov, we travel on to Pereslavl-Zalessky, where we take a short sightseeing tour of Red Square and the ramparts. This town is famous for some unique museums like the Museum of Iron or Museum of Kettle.

Board a car for a drive to Sergiev Posad, known as "Russian Vatican" for its magnificent blue and golden cupolas scattered all around the town. Here we visit the Holy Trinity Lavra, one of Russia's most important religious centres founded in the mid-14th century, and enjoy a wonderful sightseeing tour of the city. Closer to the evening, you will arrive back to Moscow.

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Inclusions

4* hotels in Suzdal, Yaroslavl and Rostov

All meals during the tour

Private driver for full 4 days

Local professional English-speaking guide

All sites included in the program (see detailed itinerary)

Entry fees to the attractions (skip-the-lines policy)

Russian visa support documents

Exclusions

Travel insurance

Russian visa and visa fees

Optional excursions

Individual transfers

Golden Ring – Reflections of Russian Heritage

4 days / 3 nights

From
$1,590
USD

*Private tour, price is per person, based on min 2 people

Make an enquiry Personalise this tour
Click here to subscribe

Golden Ring – Reflections of Russian Heritage

4 days / 3 nights

From
$1,590
USD

*Private tour, price is per person, based on min 2 people

Make an enquiry Personalise this tour
Click here to subscribe

Why travel to Russia with 56th Parallel?

Destination Specialists

Our team offers over 18 years of experience travelling and planning travel in Russia. Delivering outstanding travel experiences in Russia’s capitals and in some of the most stunning & remote locations takes experience, special access and the right connections. We make sure that all the fine details are handled perfectly so you can enjoy your Russia travel experience.

Group & Private Tours

The choice to join a small group on a guaranteed departure or chose to travel on your own dates with your own mates. Each destination we travel to in Russia offers an option between private tours and small group tours. Please note: on our adventure tours in remote destinations, we mostly run group tours to keep the cost down.

Bonded & Licensed

56th Parallel is a fully licensed, insured and accredited travel provider.

More benefits
+61 412 587 785[email protected]

Golden Ring – Reflections of Russian Heritage

Days 4

From USD $1,590

Trip Style Cultural, Sightseeing

Time of year All Year

Day 1: Vladimir and Suzdal

Your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Moscow. Board a car for a drive to Vladimir, which used to be one of the medieval capitals of Russia. During our guided sightseeing tour, we will visit the Cathedral of St Demetrius, Assumption Cathedral and the Golden Gates which featured on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Next, we headed to Suzdal, the most magical of the Golden Ring towns. We will visit the old Kremlin, the Spass-Evfimievsky Monastery and the Cathedral of Transformation, along with other unique cultural and religious objects.

Day 2: Plyos and Kostroma

We start our day with a short drive to Plyos, a small and picturesque town. This is a place you will want to come back to as it has typical Russian views and an indescribable atmosphere of a 19th-century city.

After a glance tour in the area, we travel on to Kostroma, a historic city which sits on the banks of the Volga River. We will visit the Ipatievsky Monastery which is considered the place where the reign of the House of Romanov began. From Kostroma, we travel on to Yaroslavl for the night.

Day 3: Yaroslavl and Rostov

Today we discover Yaroslavl, the unofficial capital of the Golden Ring whose historical centre is protected by UNESCO. It is a town of trades and crafts, with the majority of churches leaving you impressed with its original beauty. Of special interest is the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Saviour, founded in the 12th century, and the majestic Church of Elijah the Prophet.

Next, we head to Rostov, where we visit the Kremlin, a pearl of Russian architecture of the 17th century, and Spaso-Yakovlevsky monastery.

Day 4: Peresalvl-Zalessky and Sergiev Posad

From Rostov, we travel on to Pereslavl-Zalessky, where we take a short sightseeing tour of Red Square and the ramparts. This town is famous for some unique museums like the Museum of Iron or Museum of Kettle.

Board a car for a drive to Sergiev Posad, known as "Russian Vatican" for its magnificent blue and golden cupolas scattered all around the town. Here we visit the Holy Trinity Lavra, one of Russia's most important religious centres founded in the mid-14th century, and enjoy a wonderful sightseeing tour of the city. Closer to the evening, you will arrive back to Moscow.

Included

4* hotels in Suzdal, Yaroslavl and Rostov

All meals during the tour

Private driver for full 4 days

Local professional English-speaking guide

All sites included in the program (see detailed itinerary)

Entry fees to the attractions (skip-the-lines policy)

Russian visa support documents

Not included

Travel insurance

Russian visa and visa fees

Optional excursions

Individual transfers

Start planning your tour

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Golden Ring – Reflections of Russian Heritage

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