In the morning our driver will pick you up at your hotel in St. Petersburg and take you to the train station, where you will take a train toNovgorod. 

Veliky Novgorod is one of Russia’s most ancient cities and was Russia’s first capital. No other Russian city can compete with Novgorod in the variety and age of its medieval monuments. It was founded by theViking King Rurik in the 9th century who became the first King of Russia and founder of the Rurik Dynasty which ruled the Russian lands until the 16th century. In the 12th century the Novgorod city state controlled most of Europe´s North-East, from today´s Estonia to theUral Mountains making it one of the largest states in medieval Europe.Novgorod is located in the North-West part of the Russia, about 2-3 hours drive from St. Petersburg. 

In Novgorod, a local driver will meet you at the train station and take you to your hotel. Lunch at the hotel.

After lunch, you will be taken on a 3-hour sightseeing tour. Your first impression of the city will be the Kremlin of Novgorod - the oldest in Russia. The structure dates back to 864. You will have the chance to walk along its ancient walls during your visit. The cathedral of St. Sophiadominates the structure of the Kremlin. Built between 1045 and 1050 under the patronage of Vladimir Yaroslavich, the son of Yaroslav the Wise. It is the best preserved of 11th century churches, probably the oldest structure still in use in Russia and the first one to represent original features of Russian architecture (austere stone walls, five helmet-like cupolas). It is adorned with beautiful frescoes from the 12th century and icons. The dome of the cathedral is made in the form of a huge helmet, to show the defendant power of the city. You will also see the Millennium of Russia Monument that displays Russia’s history from Rurik to Nicholas I.

After the tour, you will have the chance to take a look at local handicrafts.In the evening, you will have free time to stroll along the city streets and to dine at a restaurant of your choice. 

Included meals: lunch

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast you will head to the Yuriev Monastery, a medieval religious complex built in 1030 along the Volkov River. The Cathedral of St. George will impress you by its size and beauty, as it was initially intended to surpass even St. Sophia’s cathedral in grandeur. 

In the afternoon, you will depart for Pskov. The trip will take about 2 hours. Upon arrival in Pskov, you will have lunch at a local restaurant

After lunch, you will check into the hotel and have some time to rest before your next tour.
In the evening, you will be taken on a Pskov city tour. You will visit theKremlin, the Trinity Cathedral, the Dovmont’s Town, and the Administrative Chambers. You will also see merchant houses dating back to XVII century. 
Pskov is one of the most ancient cities in Russia. It is the administrative center of the Pskov Oblast located in the European part of Russia. Visiting Pskov will give you an excellent opportunity to see firsthand how the Rus(an ancient name of Russia and its people) developed.

Pskov is also home to the world-famous Pskov paintings - masterpieces of ancient art including icons and frescoes. It is also home to many fabulous works of ancient, Russian architecture. In the 16th century,Pskov was well known as one of Russia’s most beautiful cities with its magnificent churches and cathedrals. In the 18th century, Pskov was considered to be the third most important Russian city after Moscow and St. Petersburg. 

Included meals: breakfast, lunch

Breakfast at the hotel

After breakfast, you will visit Pogankini Palaty, a great example of medieval architecture which houses a rich collection of ancient Russian icons. The tour will be followed by souvenir shopping opportunities.

Lunch at a local restaurant

After lunch you will head to Izborsk and Pechory. 
Izborsk is a village in the Pechora district in the region of Pskov, approximately 850 km from Moscow and 300 km from St. Petersburg.Izborsk is home to an ancient settlement and a stone fortress set on the Zheravyej mountain. Here, much of Russian history began. Meetings between different nations took place here and the city is still a place where their cultures, traditions and faiths are intertwined. Artists and writers always found sources of inspiration in this area. Today, the past and present of Izborsk is studied by archaeologists, ecologists, anthropologists, linguists and folklorists.

You will visit the Izborsk Fortress that dates back to the XIV century. You will also get the opportunity to sample the healing waters ofSlovensky Springs, also known as the Springs of the 12 Apostles. In about half an hour, you will reach PechoryPechory is a small town located 43 km from Pskov. The town was founded in 1472 when theAssumption Church that was dug out of the rock was consecrated here. This was the first church of the Pskov-Pechory Assumption Cave Monastery. Being located on the Russian – Estonian border,Pechory was an important Russia’s outpost. Because of this strategic location, a mighty fortress was built here in 1565. The fortress more than once succumbed to the onslaught of Polish and Swedish forces in the XVI-XVIII centuries. In 1782, Pechory was granted the status of a town. During WWI, the town was occupied by the German army. After the war,Pechory became the site of a struggle between the Red Army and the troops of bourgeois Estonia. Estonia won the struggle and Pechorybecame a part of its territory. This was favorable for the monastery as it was not closed down as most churches and monasteries were during the Soviet times. In 1944, Pechory became part of Russia. TheAssumption Cave Monastery is still the heart of town.

In Pechory, you will visit the amazing Cave Monastery – one of the most famous and oldest monasteries in Russia (founded in 1473).
In the evening you will enjoy free time in Pskov. 

Included meals: breakfast, lunch

Early breakfast at the hotel

After breakfast, you will depart for Smolensk. This is the longest coach journey on the route (about 8 hours). On the way to Smolensk two stops at cafes are scheduled, so you will be able to stretch your legs and relax a bit. Smolensk is designated as a “city of heroes” because of the roll that it and its citizens have played throughout its turbulent history. Smolensk is located in the western, central part of Russia on both banks of the Dniepr River - about 420 km from Moscow. It is one of the oldest cities in Russia. Smolensk’s history is very rich and varied but unfortunately many tragic events are associated with the city. For many centuries the city took the first blows of the enemies coming from the west, it was destroyed several times throughout its long history.Smolensk once was a part of Kievan Rus' and in the twelfth century, it was already the capital of an independent principality. Due to Smolensk’s favorable location, the city became a famous trading and craft center. Today Smolensk is a place with numerous cultural attractions including the great Smolensk Fortress Wall, ancient churches and monasteries, monuments, museums and more. 

As you approach Smolensk, you will be offered a late lunch, after which you will have some time to rest at the hotel and prepare yourself for further sightseeing.

In the evening, you will be invited for a city tour of Smolensk. The tour will start with the Cathedral Hill complex and the Assumption Cathedral founded in the XVII century and famous for housing the icon of Our Lady of Smolensk, one of the most venerated icons in Russia. You will also see the Smolensk Fortress, which used to be one of the most important fortifications of ancient Russia. The wall of the Fortress, dating back to the XVI-XVII centuries is the longest in Europe!

After the tour you have the opportunity to shop for souvenirs and have free time in downtown 

Included meals: breakfast, lunch

Breakfast at the hotel

On this day, you will get to know the Smolensk region. You will take a tour of Talashkino – a village near Smolensk where the Russian Art Centre of XIX-XX centuries is located.

Talashkino estate was acquired by the Tenishevs in 1893. Princess Maria Tenisheva, a famous patron of the arts and artist, turned the estate into the Russian Florence of the time. Many famous artists came to work here: Vrubel, Repin, Roerich, Prakhov, to name a few. The traditional Russian style was revived in the Talashkino workshops. You will be amazed by the traditional Russian architecture and will have the chance to become guests of the Teremok fairy-tale house and see breathtaking examples of Russian woodcarving, based on Russian epic and folk tales.

After Talashkino, you will be invited to see three functioning churches of the pre-Mongol period (XII century).

The church tour will be followed by a Smolensk city walking tour. It covers the historic part of the city which is mostly pedestrian. You will see the Central Square, two parks, the architectural ensemble of the Smolensk Museum Preserve, a small memorial park dedicated to the victory of 1812 and a house where Napoleon stayed while in Smolensk.

Lunch at a local restaurant
Late check-out from the hotel
Transfer to the train station
Departure to Moscow by an overnight train 

Included meals: breakfast, lunch

Arrival in Moscow
Transfer to the hotel