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GOLDEN RING

MOSCOW – GOLDEN RING – ST. PETERSBURG, 11 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS

"My daughter and I just returned from our 11-day excursion to Moscow, Vladimir, Suzdal and St. Petersburg. We had an absolutely marvelous time! Our guides were excellent. They were professional, friendly and exceedingly knowledgeable on all aspects of Russian history and culture. We would not have had as enjoyable a trip without her assistance! The weather was great and the itinerary was comprehensive. Thank you for making this once in a lifetime trip a memory my daughter and I will always treasure."

SUN. DAY 1. USA/EN ROUTE: Our Russian journey begins with an overnight flight to Moscow. All meals served on board, as well as complimentary beverages, movies and earphones for your travel comfort.

MON. DAY 2. ARRIVE MOSCOW: Arrive at Moscow International Airport. Upon arrival, meet awaiting tour escort and motor coach and continue to the hotel for check-in. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Moscow.

TUE. DAY 3. MOSCOW: After breakfast, embark on a sightseeing tour of the city, including Red Square, which was originally known more prosaically as the tog or market place. The present name dates from the 17th century, meaning "beautiful." Red Square is famous for its scene of markets, fairs and religious festivals, as well as a famous place of execution. Here, rebels met their deaths beside the raised circular dais called the "Lobnoe Mesto," from which state decrees were also read out. Independent lunch at the city downtown. See the former headquarters of the KGB, Moscow University and the Russian "White House." Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Moscow.

WED. DAY 4. MOSCOW: Following breakfast is a morning tour of the Kremlin including a visit to the fascinating State Armory, the oldest museum in Russia. As its name implies, it contains many ancient weapons and armor, but it also houses a treasure-trove of gorgeous jewels, gold-encrusted icons, bejeweled royal scepters and exquisitely carved thrones. All of these lovely treasures eloquently tell the history of Imperial Russia. Independent lunch near Red Square. Continue on the city tour and enjoy an afternoon ride on the amazing Moscow Metro, where every station is an individual monument to Soviet art and design. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Moscow.

THU. DAY 5. MOSCOW /VLADIMIR /SUZDAL: After breakfast, meet awaiting motor coach and drive to the Golden Ring of Russia, including Vladimir, an ancient historic Russian town located on a tributary of the Volga. The city dates back to the 10th century and some of the highlights are the Golden Gates and the Byzantine Assumption Cathedral, among countless other treasures you will pass by on your city tour. Lunch at the "Vladimir" Restaurant. Following the tour, continue to Suzdal, located on the Golden Ring. Dinner and overnight in Suzdal.

FRI. DAY 6. SUZDAL: After breakfast, full-day sightseeing in Suzdal, the most beautiful and best preserved town on the Golden Ring. Tour sights include the Kremlin of Suzdal and Assumption Cathedral. Lunch at the "Traktir" Restaurant. Dinner and overnight in Suzdal.

SAT. DAY 7. SUZDAL /MOSCOW /OVERNIGHT TRAIN: After breakfast, transfer to Moscow. Independent lunch en route or at the city downtown. Evening performance at the famous Moscow Circus. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight train to St. Petersburg (2-berth compartment).

SUN. DAY 8. ST. PETERSBURG: Breakfast snack provided on board the train. Upon arrival begin a city sightseeing tour including views of the Peter and Paul Cathedral designed by the famous architect Rastrelli. It stands on the grounds of Peter and Paul Fortress in the oldest section of the city and contains the tombs of Russian rulers from Peter the Great through Alexander III. Independent lunch at the city downtown. Check-in at the hotel, time at leisure. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in St.Petersburg.

MON. DAY 9. ST. PETERSBURG: After breakfast, travel outside St. Petersburg to the lovely city of Pushkin – formerly Tsarskoe Selo, the Tsar's Village. Tour Catherine Palace, the beautiful Baroque-style building that was built by Empress Elizabeth and named for her mother, Catherine the First. The architect was Bartolomeo Rastrelli, who also designed the Winter Palace, as well as the Hermitage Pavilion. Like many other royal residences, the palace sustained heavy damage during the war, although most of it has been restored to its former glory. Independent lunch in Pavlovsk. Afterward, continue to Pavlovsk's Palace, the official summer residence of Catherine the Great's son Paul. The Palace contains an Egyptian vestibule, Italian, French and Greek halls, a throne room and picture galleries. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in St. Petersburg.

TUE. DAY 10. ST. PETERSBURG: After breakfast, visit the Hermitage Museum, one of the largest art and cultural museums in the world. This vast collection (about 65,000 items) includes some of history's most important art. Independent lunch at the city downtown. Continue on your city tour along Nevsky Prospekt and visit Yusupov Palace, site of Rasputin's death. The rest of the day is available for independent sightseeing, shopping and last.minute photo opportunities.

WED. DAY 11. ST.PETERSBURG/USA: After breakfast, time at leisure for independent sightseeing and shopping. Transfer to St. Petersburg International Airport. Our journey comes to an end as we board our flight bound for the USA.