Classic Western Russia: Moscow, Novgorod
& St. Petersburg
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"The cities are awesome and I had a fabulous time. But, a key part of this was the fact that we booked through MIR and MIR took care of everything."
Lisa Thatcher
Alexandria, VA |
This indispensable introduction to some of Russia's great cities
gives an insider's view of the real Russia, spotlighting not only
the glittering palaces and dignified official edifices of the Russian
Empire, but also a birch bark crafts class in historic Novgorod, Stalin's
underground bunker, and the unforgettable warmth of a meal in a
Russian home.
Days 1-3: Moscow
Gather in Moscow, Russia's capital city. Admire Red
Square and the Kremlin, visit UNESCO-listed Novodevichy Convent and tour the
opulent stations of the Moscow Metro. Learn secrets of the past at Stalin's underground
bunker, and soak up the literary atmosphere at Tolstoy's House Museum.
Tour the Armory Museum, housing Russian treasures. Wander through Izmailovo
Park, and spend an evening dining in a Russian home.
Day 4: Klin, Tver, Novgorod
Drive out to Klin and the estate where Pyotr
Tchaikovsky spent the last year of his life and enjoy a short concert, then continue
on to Tver, the city that Catherine the Great redesigned after it burnt to the ground.
Next is Veliky Novgorod (Novgorod the Great), one of Russia's most ancient cities.
Explore its UNESCO-listed kremlin, the medieval market stalls of Yaroslav's
Court and the 11th century St. Sophia Cathedral. Time permitting, learn from a master craftsman at
a hands-on class on traditional Novgorod birch bark crafts.
Days 5-10: St. Petersburg
Drive to St. Petersburg; designed by the best
architects and built by the best artisans of the era, St. Petersburg's architecture
displays a rare harmony. Observe the lifestyles of the czars at Catherine's
Palace, with its brilliant blue exterior and carved and gilded interior. Admire
the golden gravity-fed fountains at Peterhof. Explore the elegant Usupoff
Palace with its jewel-box theater and spend a morning at the world-class
Hermitage Museum. The museum survived the ravages of World War II, with
most of its enormous collection protected in the basement storage vaults
or hidden in cellars throughout the city. Take a stroll along broad Nevsky
Prospekt, St. Petersburg's main street, and enjoy a romantic evening at one of
the city's sophisticated theaters.
Trip Details
| Length of Trip: |
10 Days |
| Departures in 2012: |
4 |
| Dates: |
May 4-13, 2012 |
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July 20-29, 2012 |
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August 17-26, 2012 |
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September 28-October 7, 2012 |
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| Land Tour Cost: |
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| 2-16 travelers |
$4,695 |
| Single Supplement |
$895 |
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| No Hidden Costs! |
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MIR Signature Experiences
- Discover Stalin's secret underground
bunker, built surreptitiously beneath the
Moscow subway system
- Enjoy an authentic Russian home-cooked meal
- Drive outside Moscow to Tchaikovsky's
estate for a private lecture and a short
concert
Map - Click to Enlarge
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| Days 1-3: |
Moscow |
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| Day 4: |
Moscow, Moscow drive to Novgorod via Tver |
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| Day 5: |
Novgorod,drive to St. Petersburg |
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| Days 6: |
St. Petersburg, day trip to Peterhof and Pushkin |
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| Days 7-10: |
St. Petersburg with day trips to Peterhof and Pushkin |
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| Moscow |
Moscow Kremlin and Red Square (UNESCO World Heritage Site), GUM, Armory Museum, St. Basil's Cathedral, Victory Park on Farewell Hill, Novodevichy Convent (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Sparrow Hills over-look, Moscow Metro, Izmailova Park, Stalin's Bunker, Tolstoy House Museum, dinner in a private home |
| Klin |
House Museum of Tchaikovsky, piano concert |
| Tver |
Neoclassical downtown built by Catherine the Great, Travel Palace |
| Novgorod |
The Detinets kremlin, Yuriev Monastery, Vitoslavlitsy Museum of Wooden Architecture |
St. Petersburg |
Historic city center (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Lomonosov Porcelain Museum & Factory, Alexander Nevsky Monastery, Tikhvin Cemetery, Church of the Savior on the Blood, boat ride on the canals, Peter and Paul Fortress, Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Cruiser Aurora, St. Isaac's Cathedral, Usupoff Palace, Hermitage Museum, Nevsky Prospekt, Kazan Cathedral, Gostiny Dvor, evening at the theater |
| Peterhof |
Peter the Great's estate on the Golf of Finland, fountains and gardens |
| Pushkin |
Catherine's Palace including the world-famous Amber Room |
Suggested Extensions
Combine this tour with Essential Ukraine or with the Essential Baltics program. Contact us for details.
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