WANDERWOMAN® WOMEN-ONLY RUSSIA TOUR CANCELED

Moscow, the modern capital of Russia: 3 nights

Day 1: Our grand tour of Russia begins in Moscow.  After an opportunity to rest and freshen up, we will walk to a nearby restaurant for a welcome dinner Russian-style and an opportunity to get acquainted with fellow travelers. (D)

Day 2: We begin our exploration of Russian history and the lives of the women influential in the shaping of Russia with a privately guided walking tour of the Kremlin, the former residence of the tsars, now the seat of the Russian president. Visit the Kremlin Cathedrals, which date to the 15th century and served as the coronation, wedding, and burial places of early Russia royalty. Tour the Kremlin Armory, treasury of the tsars. View priceless artifacts and royal regalia including ceremonial robes, the wedding dresses of Catherine I and Catherine the Great, royal jewelry, icons, a unique collection of carriages, and Faberge eggs.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Next stroll across the famous Red Square and visit St Basil Cathedral – a landmark of the capital with bright onion-shaped cupolas.  Return to our hotel via Moscow’s Metro with its lavishly designed stations adorned with marble, mosaics, sculptures, and chandeliers. (B, L)

Day 3: Enjoy a full-day panoramic city tour including Christ Cathedral and Novodevichy Convent. Novodevichy Convent was originally founded in 1524 to serve as a monastery and as a fortress.  Later it become a refuge for noble Russian ladies.  The convent also provided a convenient depository for unwanted female royalty, including Feodor I’s wife, Irina Godunov; Peter the Great’s half-sister, Sophia Aleksevevna; and his first wife, Eudoxia Lopukhina and others.

After lunch, tour the Tretyakov Gallery, home of the world’s largest collection of Russian masterpieces. Here you will see ancient Russian icons and pre-revolutionary art, as well as the works of modern Russian artists including famous Russian female artists such as Lyubov Popova. Followed by shopping at Old Arbat Street or an optional visit to the Pushkin Museum of Fine Art. The treasures of the Pushkin Museum include the famed “Treasure of Priam” of the Trojan War, unearthed by Heinrich Schliemann. Evening at leisure. (B)

The Golden Ring: Suzdal 2 nights-Sergiev Posad-Alexandrov-Vladimir

Day 4: Travel to Suzdal visiting small picturesque towns of medieval Russia. Visit the center of Russian Orthodoxy – St Trinity Sergius Monastery in Sergiev Posad (Zagorskan).  This beautiful monastery has been an important Russian pilgrimage site for over 500 years. Crowned by iconic gold and blue onion domes, the monastery’s Cathedral of the Assumption is one of the most photographed cathedrals in all of Russia.  Stop for a traditional lunch.

Next, tour the medieval town of Alexandrov, the former seat of Ivan the Terrible. Here at Trinity Cathedral Ivan the Terrible married his third wife, Anna Sobakina and his fifth wife, Anna Vasilchikova.  Continue on to the town of Suzdal, known as the pearl of the Golden Ring.  We will stay at a traditional Russian-style 4-star hotel located within walking distance to attractions and restaurants. (B,L)

Day 5: Enjoy a walking tour of picturesque Suzdal, a rustic Russian village clinging to traditions. Visit the 10th century Kremlin, which as impressive as the Kremlin in Moscow, and Epithimius Monastery. After a break for lunch, visit the open-air Wooden Architecture Museum or enjoy free time for exploring, shopping or an optional Russian Banya (Russian version of a sauna–highly recommended) and treatments. (B)

Day 6: Travel to Moscow via Vladimir. Discover Vladimir’s rich history through its impressive monuments, including its Golden Gates and magnificent cathedrals.  The Cathedral of the Assumption, a World Heritage UNESCO site, is known for its beautiful frescoes and majolica tiles. The Dimitri Cathedral, with its reliefs carved on its façade, frescoes, and mosaics is one of the most extraordinary cathedrals in Russia. Travel to Moscow in time for the fast-train to St Petersburg, dining aboard (3.5 hours).

St Petersburg, Capital city of the Peter the Great & Catherine the Great: 5 nights

Late arrival in St Petersburg with transfer to our 4-star hotel located in the city center.   (B, L)

Day 7: After a leisurely morning, enjoy a panoramic city tour with a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress & Cathedral – the sepulcher of all Russian emperors. See the Grand Choral Synagogue and learn about history of the Russian Jews. Tour the Yusupov Palace including the room in which Rasputin was killed.  Time to relax before walking to dinner and a Russian caviar & vodka tasting. (B, D)

Day 8: Tour Catherine’s Palace with its famed Amber Room in Pushkin. This magnificent imperial palace is located just south of the city and was was Catherine the Great’s favorite summer residence. But it was Catherine the 1st, the wife of Peter the Great for whom the palace is named. The original manor house, which was transformed into an imperial summer palace, was a gift from Peter the Great to his empress.  The estate became the country residence of Russian emperors who followed.  The palace is one of the finest examples of Russian baroque architecture and interior design of the18th century.  A must see.

After stopping for lunch, tour Pavlovsk, Paul’s Palace.  Catherine the Great loved the nature in the Pavlovskoye area and visited it frequently for hunting outings. The estate here was a gift from Catherine the Great to her son Paul the 1st and his wife Maria Feodorovna, in celebration of the birth of their first son in 1777. After the murder of Paul in 1801, Pavlovsk became the primary residence of his widow. Today, like other Russian imperial palaces, Pavlovsk is a museum. (B, L)

Day 9: Travel by hydrofoil across the Gulf of Finland to the Peterhof summer palace, one of the most beautiful palaces and palace grounds in the world. This world-famous palace, fountain, and park ensemble is an outstanding landmark of Russian artistic culture of the 18th-19th centuries. Founded in the early part of the 18th century by Peter the Great, Peterhoff was intended to become the most splendid official royal summer residence. The Great Cascade with its gold gilded statuary and fountains creates an atmosphere of majesty and celebration.  Stop for a quick lunch and return to our hotel with time to rest before dinner. (B, L)

Evening performance at Mariinsky Theatre with premium seats.

Day 10: Our last full day in Russia will begin with a pre-opening hours private tour of the Hermitage Museum with our local expert.  The Hermitage housed Catherine of Great’s personal art collection, which she valued dearly. Motivated by the ideals of the Enlightenment, Catherine brought to Russia a new focus on arts, architecture, and sciences; and thereby transforming St Petersburg into a grand European city.

After our tour of the Hermitage, enjoy free time to further explore the museum’s vast collection of treasures or meander about this lovely city. After lunch on your own, enjoy a guided tour of the Church on Spilt Blood, St Petersburg’s most photographed Church with colorful surreal-looking onion domes. With our guide we will visit the Kuznechny open-air market returning to our hotel by Metro. This evening gather for a special farewell dinner at one of St Petersburg’s premier restaurants. (B, D)

Day 11: After breakfast, transfer to St Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport (LED).   We will coordinate our transfer based on everyone’s flight times.  (B)

NOTE: Eurynome Journeys, LLC and its representatives reserve the right to make changes the itinerary as necessitated by local circumstances including changes in ferry/flight schedules, weather, and/or for any reason as deemed necessary by the tour director.