Orthodox Tours

Day 16.

Saturday, June 26, 2010.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.

This morning we will transfer to St. Petersburg for further exploration of that grand city. Today we will explore the State Russian Museum and the Cathedral of the Savior “on the Spilled Blood” (a splendid example of 19th century Russian mosaic art). From there we will continue to the Modern Icon Gallery, where you’ll be able to purchase some modern icons and iconographical supplies. From the gallery we will go to the Cathedral of our Lady of Kazan. There, those who desire may stand for the All-Night Vigil, go shopping or just enjoy a leisurely night in the heart of St. Petersburg.

Day 17.

Sunday, June 27, 2010.

Meals: Breakfast.

Departure back home.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION IN ST. PETERSBURG:

Day 17, Sunday, June 27, 2010

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.

Today, after breakfast we will start with the exploration of SS. Peter and Paul Fortress that is located in the very heart of St. Petersburg. The day when the ground was broken to build this first stronghold in the newly regained Russian lands became the birthday of St. Petersburg. After a visit to the fortress - which also serves as a final resting place for the Russian Rulers of Romanov dynasty - we will travel by hydrofoil for about one hour to Peterhoff - yet another splendid suburb of St. Peterburg. From there we will continue onto the State Hermitage, once the Winter Palace of the Russian Tsars, which houses one of the world's largest collections of Fine Arts. Countless artifacts on exhibit cover the evolution of Art from the Neolithic time and Ancient Egypt up until the beginning of the 20th century.

Day 18, Monday, June 28, 2010

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.

After breakfast we will transfer to the State Historical Park "Tsarskoe Selo" (Tsar's village), one of the summer residences of the Romanov dynasty with the splendid Catherine's Summer Palace. Built in the second half of the 18th century, it represents the glory of Russia's "Golden Age". The interiors of the palace are fully restored after they were savagely destroyed in WWII. The most recently restored amber now once again conquers the imagination of visitors. Just before lunch, we will visit St. Sophia's Cathedral, a unique architectural monument from the beginning of 19th century. Abandoned and partly destroyed during the Communist Era, this Cathedral welcomes visitors in its restored glory. After lunch we will continue the exploration of St. Petersburg's suburbs with a visit to Pavlovsk. Here you will see a country residence, the Palace of Paul the First, the son and successor of Catherine the Great. This Imperial getaway is surrounded by a Romantic English-Russian Park with spectacular landscapes.

Day 19, Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.

After breakfast we will transfer by hydrofoil to the Historical State Park "Peterhoff" with its world famous Golden Palace that is surrounded by a Park with arcades of golden fountains. We will finish our day in Peterhoff with a stop at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, an Orthodox Architectural Masterpiece build in Neo-Russian style. This church is also famous for an interesting ceramic iconostasis and rich decoration of the interior.

Day 20. Wednesday, June 30, 2010.

Meals: Breakfast.

Departure back home.

The price of optional extension in St. Petersburg

(per person in double accommodations) :

500 USD in a group of 15+

550 USD in a group of 10+

630 USD in a group of 5+

Price includes:

• Accommodations (same hotel where we will be staying upon arrival to

St. Petersburg)

• guide for three days (full day each day)

• transportation (van or minibus for all transfers and hydrofoil tickets)

• entry tickets (to the State Hermitage, Pushkin/Pavlovsk and Peterhoff Palace Museums)

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TOUR:

Price does include:

• Accommodations in "***" hotels in Moscow, cities of the “Golden Ring”, Vologda, St. Petersburg, Novgorod, and Pskov.

• Most of the meals: two or three meals daily, as noted in the itinerary

• Private bus transportation whenever required

• An overnight sleeper train trip from Vologda to St. Petersburg.

• All admissions to the scheduled museums*.

• Professional tour guides at all of the tour places

• English speaking guide/escort during the entire tour

* Some museum churches containing fragile ancient frescoes may be closed if the weather will be too damp. We’ll try to do our absolute best to visit those places anyway, but we hope for your understanding if such visits won’t be possible.

Visits to the restorers’ workshops and studios are subject to availability.

Price does not include:

• Personal health/accident insurance

• Transportation to and from the airport in Russia if traveling separately from the group

• Fee for Russian visa

• Private transfers, additional (optional) tours and tickets to unscheduled show/concerts or museums.

• Some newly introduced fees that may occur in certain places (monasteries or churches)

• Bed sheets on the train if not included in the ticket price

• Tips to bus drivers and tour guides (Minimal suggested amount per person is $2 per day for bus drivers and same for local tour guides. Your generosity will be always greatly appreciated)

Group Air Fare:

Group Air Fare out of Boston Logan Airport was arranged. If you are interested, please let us know. Tickets at $1350 per person are available for the following itinerary:

Departure: Boston, June 10 at 4:30pm, Flight Lufthansa 423 to Frankfurt.
Arrival: Moscow, June 11 at 12:20pm (local time). Flight Lufthansa 3180 from Frankfurt.
Departure: St. Petersburg, June 27 at 2:20pm, Flight Lufthansa 3217 to Frankfurt.
Arrival: Boston, June 27 at 8:15pm (local time). Flight Lufthansa 420 from Frankfurt.