08:00 -  the tour begins, our driver and English-speaking guide will pick you up at your address in Moscow to depart for Sergiev Posad by car or mini-van. Transfer to Sergiev Posad. It is 2-3 hours’ drive from Moscow. 

Considered by some to be the Russian Vatican, Sergiev Posad is the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. Our tour starts with the Trinity St. Sergius Monastery (Lavra) (inside visit), built in the first half of the 1340s by the son of Rostov Boyar, Sergius of Radonezh, who remains one the most venerated saints in Russia. The monastery includes more than fifty edifices constructed by Moscow, Pskov and Yaroslavl craftsmen. In 1993 it was entered into the UNESCO World Heritage list. The History and Art museum within the walls of the monastery contains a rich collection of old Russian paintings and various works of art dating from the 14th thru 17th centuries. The collection includes over 120,000 items: ancient icons, medieval manuscripts and old printed books, icon and ornamental embroideries, church utensils, articles of gold and silver, paintings, engravings, folk and contemporary art. Sergiev Posad is also famous for being home to the world´s first matryoshka doll. 

12:00 - Lunch at the local restaurant (own expense)

13:30 - Transfer to Suzdal (180 km)

17:00 - Check in the hotel for 1 night. 

9:00 - The tour of Suzdal. Suzdal dates back to 1024. In its early history it was the capital of several principalities and later on became a important religious center. The town is full of churches and at one point in its history had 40 churches for approximately 400 families. Today the town only has a population of around 10,000 and has retained its country village feel with many of the roads remaining unpaved and livestock roaming the streets. The atmosphere is extremely pleasant due to its rustic, country feel combined with its medieval monuments. In short, Suzdal is an extremely special place and we are certain that you will enjoy your time there.

A sightseeing tour will take you to the oldest part of the Kremlin, the heart of Suzdal, the St. Euphimius monastery – the former KGB political jail, the Transfiguration of Jesus cathedral 1560, the bellman performance at the monastery, the Market square etc. Specialists believe the Kremlin dates back to the X century and first appeared in the chronicles in 1024. On its territory, you will admire the Cathedral of the Nativity, dating back to the beginning of the XIII century, the largest relic of which is the Golden Gates. The next stop will be to the Archbishops´ Chambers, a large architectural masterpiece that took several centuries to be built. It houses a unique collection of historical and archaeological objects, including the Cross-Vaulted Chamber. 

The open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture recreates the life and traditions of the people of Suzdal in the XVIII–XIX century. The ensemble includes churches, log houses and other structures. 

Lunch at the local restaurant (own expense)

Transfer to Vladimir (34 km)

During the city tour you will become acquainted with the main highlights of the city. The first stop is the Assumption Cathedral, a unique monument of the white-stone architecture of Vladimir,  with the unique frescoes by Andrey Rublev dated 1408. The cathedral was built in the middle of the XII century by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky as the main church of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality. You will then proceed to the small, one-domed cathedral of St. Demetrius, built in the beginning of the XII century by Prince Vsevolod as his palace church. The cathedral´s interior still features frescoes of the XII century. You will also visit the Golden Gates - considered to be the door to Vladimir built in the early XII century by Prince Andrei Bogolubsky. In ancient times they served as the main military tower of the fortress. 

17:00 - Transfer to the Vladimir train station to catch the train to Moscow at 17:59. 

The arrival to the Moscow train station is at 19.40.