Day 1
ARRIVE MOSCOW
Day Schedule
➤Meet & greet at the airport
➤Transfer to your cosy hotel in the downtown and check-in
➤Group tour: Welcome dinner
A tour to Russia is not complete without a tour to Moscow, the heart of Russia and one of the oldest cities in the country. It was founded in 1147. Moscow is a city of bright contrasts where quiet patriarchal courts and small streets adjoin to futuristic business centres, and old neighbourhoods are interspersed with modern high-rises.
World-famous sightseeing spots such as St Basil’s Cathedral, the Kremlin & Red Square, the Tretyakov State Art Gallery, hundreds of amazing sights and beautiful places attract tourists from all around the world. We at Discovery Russia have carefully selected the most exciting places to visit in Moscow. Welcome aboard!
Moscow witnessed all the major events in Russia’s history and shared many dramatic moments with its residents. Tsars, Emperors and Communist leaders, all stepped inside the Kremlin walls through centuries. World’s bloodiest war, WWII, left so many traces here. And humankind’s greatest achievement – the first man sent to space – was welcomed back on Earth on these streets. Moscow has inspired top Russia’s artists, painters, composers and writers. Its museums keep the unique collections of the fine arts, including the largest collections of Russian cultural heritage.
Group tour: welcome dinner.
Day 2
THE KREMLIN & THE CITY
Moscow Tour
➤Breakfast
➤Moscow metro tour
➤Moscow Kremlin tour
➤Walking city tour
➤Free evening on the Arbat
The Moscow Kremlin
The Kremlin’s original purpose was to protect Moscow’s citizens – the very word ‘Kremlin’ translates to ‘fortress inside a city’. As Russia gained power, the Moscow Kremlin gained status as a symbol of power. Today, the Kremlin is a must-see attraction and holds a coveted place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Representing the pinnacle of Russian power and prowess, the structure’s rich history and physical enormity will amaze you. Enjoy a fully guided tour of the Moscow Kremlin, including the Cathedrals and the Amory, at no additional cost.
St. Basil’s Cathedral
Also known as Pokrovsky Cathedral, this monument is so much more than a church. It was constructed in Red Square to commemorate the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan, a victory that occurred on the Intercession of the Theotokos – a feast day for Russian Orthodox churches. The abundance of feasting is evident in the cathedral’s integral Russian architecture; towering spires, vibrant colours and a mismatch of patterns.
The Red Square
With a name originating from ‘Krasnaya’, or ‘red’ in modern Russian, and closely related to the Old Russian word for ‘beautiful’, it’s no secret how the Red Square got its name. It’s very red and very beautiful – many of our guests say it’s one of the highlights of their time in Russia.
It is the only scientific city in the world where all the branches of sciences are presented. Visit of the famous Open-Air Train Museum, that collects the old Trans-Siberian trains. In the afternoon, you will walk around the city of Novosibirsk, visiting all the main attractions of the city such as: Novosibirsk Railway Station (the biggest station of the Trans-Siberian Railroad), Ascension cathedral, Krasny Prospect street, Lenin Square with the biggest world’s Opera House, St. Nicolas Chapel (the geographic centre of Russia) and the river Ob’ embankment. You will discover the culture and atmosphere of this fascinating Siberian town!
In the evening departure to Krasnoyarsk.
Overnight on board of the train. (duration 12-14 hrs)
Day 3
DISCOVER MOSCOW
Day Schedule
➤Breakfast
➤Guided tour of the State Tretyakov Gallery
➤Panoramic driving city tour
➤Explore the VDNKh
➤ Guided tour of the Museum of Cosmonautics
The State Tretyakov Gallery
The Tretyakov Gallery is home to some of Russia’s most famous works of art. With an inspiring collection of art as started by Pavel Mikhailovich in the 19th century and an impressive array of exhibitions each year, you’re sure to enjoy your visit. In 1892, Tretyakov presented his already famous collection of approximately 2,000 works (1,362 paintings, 526 drawings, and 9 sculptures) to the Russian nation. The collection now contains more than 130,000 exhibits, ranging from Theotokos of Vladimir and Andrei Rublev’s Trinity to the monumental Composition VII by Wassily Kandinsky and the Black Square by Kazimir Malevich.
Stalin’s skyscrapers
Stalin left the city of Moscow with a gift of seven ‘sisters’, in the form of seven structurally – and now historically – significant buildings, built between 1947 and 1953. When constructed, the buildings were amongst the tallest in Europe; Moscow State University’s main building held the title of Europe’s tallest building until 1997. It’s difficult to miss these imposing structures in the Moscow skyline – look a little closer, and you’ll notice the unusual combination of Russian baroque, neoclassical, and Soviet Realism architectural influences.
Day 4
IZMAYLOVO, SECRET BUNKER 42 & ROMANOV BOYARS
Day Schedule
➤Breakfast
➤The guided tour to the Izmaylovo Kremlin
➤The guided tour to Exhibition Complex Bunker 42
➤The guided tour to Chambers of the Romanov Boyars
The Izmaylovo Kremlin
As the symbol of the Russian state, the Kremlin in Moscow’s Red Square is famed and celebrated. But there is a second, less known Kremlin in the northeast part of the city. Located near the Serebryano-Vinogradny Pond, the Kremlin in the city’s Izmailovo District is an unexpected, fairytale-like cultural wonderland.
The colourful and bustling complex is home to several single-subject museums. One is dedicated to Russian folk art, another to bread, and yet another to vodka. It includes a wooden replica of the summer palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, where visitors can experience a traditional Russian meal. It is also home to the Church of St. Nicholas, named after the patron saint of crafts and trade, which at 151 feet in height is the tallest wooden church in the country.
Exhibition Complex Bunker 42
It is a once-secret military complex, bunker, and Spare Long-Range Aviation Command Post (ET-42) in Moscow near the underground Moscow Metro station Taganskaya. It has an area of 7,000 square metres (75,000 sq ft) and is situated at a depth of 65 metres (213 ft) below ground. Construction of the facility began in 1951, in connection with the early threat of nuclear war with the United States. The underground complex was built using the same technique that was used in the construction of the Moscow Metro subway, to which it is connected by two tunnels.
Day 5
DEPARTURE
Day Schedule
➤Breakfast
➤Check-out from the hotel
➤Transfer to the airport and departure
