Pearls of Northern Russia

1 day.

 

07:45 Group gathering in Moscow, metro station "Komsomolskaya", the building of the Leningrad station, in the center of the waiting room on the first floor, by the elevator (plate "Pearls of Northern Russia").

Departure to Tver. The city on the Volga began its existence a long time ago - in the XII century. Due to its location on the river, it began to develop rapidly and by the XV century turned into a large Russian settlement.

Excursion programme: Sightseeing tour of the historical center of the city of the 18th century. Travel Palace of Empress Catherine, monument to Athansii Nikitin, Church "White Trinity".

Lunch.

Moving to Torzhok is a rare example of urban planning in pre-revolutionary Russia. The city has preserved entire streets with buildings of the XVII-XIX centuries, monasteries. In the vicinity there are ancient estates.

Excursion program: Architecture Torzhka, Museum of Golden sewing.

Moving to High Volochek.

Hotel accommodation. If desired, it is possible to arrange dinner for an additional fee.

 

2 days.

 

Breakfast.

High Volochek – “Russian Venice”, “Tver Venice”. The city, located on the outskirts of the Valdai hill, is famous for a system of canals connecting the Tsna and Tverets rivers. With their help, a unique waterway was created between the Baltic and Caspian Seas. Walking tour of the city center. Moving to Valdai.

Valdai is located among the picturesque forests of the Valdai hills, surrounded by a national park. The main attraction is the Iver monastery, located on the island of Valdai Lake. It is one of three monasteries built by Patriarch Nikon to spread new church reforms.

Excursion programme: Sightseeing tour of Valdai: Valdai Iversky Bogoroditsky Svyatoozersky Monastery, Museum of Bells.

Moving to Veliky Novgorod. Veliky Novgorod is not accidentally called the city-museum of Ancient Russia. No city in Russia has preserved so many beautiful monuments of architecture and monumental painting.

Lunch.

Excursion programme: Sightseeing tour of the city, Novgorod Kremlin - a monument of military-defensive architecture of Rossi XV-XVII centuries. Novgorod Detinets as part of the historical center of Veliky Novgorod is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. St. Sophia Cathedral is one of the most outstanding monuments of ancient Russian architecture. This is the oldest surviving ancient Russian temple in Russia. Yaroslav Palace and Trading, Ilmen Lake, Yuriev Monastery, St. George Cathedral.

Hotel accommodation. If desired, it is possible to organize a dinner for an additional fee.

 

3 days.

 

Breakfast.

Moving to Pskov. On the Great River at its confluence with the Pskov River is located one of the oldest cities of Russia great and glorious Pskov. The official date of the foundation of Pskov is considered to be 903 - the year of the first mention of the city in the Tale of Bygone Years. However, archaeologists have proved that the settlements on the Pskov settlement existed more than 2000 years ago. But from a fortified settlement in the city of Pskov turned during the reign of Princess Olga. According to legend, Princess Olga was standing on the banks of the Great River when she had a vision: three rays coming from the sky and converging on the opposite bank. It was in this place that the princess ordered to build a cathedral in honor of the Holy Trinity, and around “the city is great, glorious and in all abundance!”.

Excursion programme: Sightseeing tour of the city: the historical center of the city, a visit to the Pskov Kremlin, the Trinity Cathedral of the 17th century, Dovmontov city, a monument to Alexander Nevsky.

Lunch.

Hotel accommodation. If desired, it is possible to organize a dinner for an additional fee.

 

4 days.

 

Breakfast.

Moving to Izborsk. Located 30 kilometers west of Pskov, a former town and now a village, Izborsk is one of the oldest Russian settlements that have survived to our time. During the calling of the Varangians, it went to Truvor, Rurik's younger brother. Izborsk often found itself in a combat zone and was subjected to destruction. In 1330, a reliable fortress was built, which made it possible to successfully resist enemy attacks.

Excursion program: Fortress Izborsk. An outstanding stone fortress, built in the XIV century, is famous for the fact that it has never been captured. Little Christmas Monastery, Truvorovo settlement.

Moving to Pechora is a small town near Pskov, almost on the border with Estonia. There are many legends and legends about this area. Russian rulers often visited here.

Lunch.

Excursion to the Pskov-Pechersk monastery.

Return to Pskov.

Back to the hotel. If desired, it is possible to arrange dinner for an additional fee.

 

5 days.

 

Breakfast.

Move to the Pushkin Mountains. The history of the origin of the Holy Mountains (the village was renamed Pushkin Mountains in 1924) is inextricably linked with the appearance of the Svyatogorsk Monastery in these places in the XVI century. The State Museum-Reserve of A.S. Pushkin "Mikhailovsky" was created here. The reserve includes: the museum-estate "Mikhaylovskoye" - the estate of the poet's mother; the museum-estate "Trigorskoye" - the estate of the poet's friends; the museum-estate "Petrovskoye" - the estate of the great-grandfather of the poet; the museum "Mill in the village of Bugrovo" with a functioning water mill; the museum "Pushkin Village" in Bugrovo, where the portrait of the Russian village characteristic of Pushkin's time is revived; the grave of A.S. Pushkin and the necropolis of Hannibalov-Pushkin in the Holy Monastery. On the territory of the Pushkin Reserve there are more than seventy monuments of history and culture.

Excursion program: Holy Dormition Svyatogorsky Monastery, the grave of the poet, the Museum-Estate "Mikhaylovskoye", a walk through the parks of the museum-reserve.

Lunch.

Going to Moscow. On the way, technical stops are possible in Velikie Luki, Rzhev.

Arrival late at night, time depends on the traffic situation.