Itinerary

Day 1

Depart the US for Moscow.

Day 2

Arrive in Moscow and travel by motor coach to Vladimir. Brief city tour. (You will stay in a hotel in the historic center of the city--and you will have time to explore this former capital of ancient Rus on your own with the help of a map produced by Serendipity-Russia.

Day 3

Visit the nearby picturisque community of Suzdal, including the outdoor museum of wooden architecture. Have dinner with a Russian family in their apartment.

Day 4

Travel to Gus Khrustalny and visit a glass and crystal factory. Shop at the factory store. Attend a special concert.

Day 5

Visit a school specializing in the English language and vist an orphanage. Present the kids with some special gifts. Reception at the American Home--meet the Home's English teachers and students.

Day 6

Enjoy a new festival honoring historical entertainment--and provide feedback from the perspective of foreign tourists.

Day 7

Meet with local government officials. Visit a factory producing wooden souvenirs. Free time to explore--with the help of Russian young people studying English. Night train to St. Petersburg. (Travel in a comfortable two person first class compartment.)

Day 8

City tour. Visit the Peter and Paul Fortress where many of the tsars are buried. Take a cruise on the city's canals--weather permitting.

Day 9

Visit St. Issac's Cathedral and the world famous Hermitage museum. Attend the ballet or another concert.

Day 10

Travel to Peter the Great's summer palace, Peterhof. On the way stop at the monument to the WWII seige of Leningrad.

Day 11

Visit the Church on the Blood and shop at the nearby outdoor souvenir market. Attend a spectacular folk concert at the Nikolaevsky Palace. Overnight train to Moscow.

Day 12

Arrive in Moscow and go to your hotel in Izmailovsky Park. Rest up a bit and then shop--or just browse--in the huge outdoor market. City tour after lunch.

Day 13

Spend some time on Red Square and see the Kremlin. Stroll along the Old Arbat. Visit the famous Tretyakov Art Museum

Day 14

Visit the large WWII museum. Maybe get your picture taken with a wedding party. (Traditionally Russian couples visit special monuments right after their wedding ceremony.) Attend one of Moscow's famous circuses.

Day 15

Return to the States.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Russian visa

Exclusions -

airfare

Extras -

This tour draws on the more than 14 years experience and special contacts of Serendipity-Russia which operates the American Home in Vladimir. It is a part of Serendipity's special tourism development project. Participants will be invited to provide comments and suggestions which will be shared with Russian tourism officials and businesses.

Substantial information will be provided before the trip, including a suggested reading list, packing tips, and special information on the Vladimir region.

Full assistance with obtaining a Russian visa will be provided.