Five ideas for guided tours in Russia

• Golden Ring

  North-east of Moscow begins the route that includes several cities of the historical Russia of the Middle Ages. This territory is perfectly delimited between the Volga and Kliazma rivers. You will be able to explore this famous circuit going from hamlet to village and visit cathedrals, churches, monasteries and museums. It will be very interesting to spend a few days accompanied by a Russian tourist guide to discover this region and immerse yourself in a heritage and a way of life that has remained authentic.
  Here are the most important stops:
  – Souzdal: The most beautiful city of the route, it was the spiritual center of the country.
  – Vladimir : Several religious sites of the XII century
  – Serguiev Possad: Beautiful monastery of the Trinity-St. Sergius, it is called “the Orthodox Vatican”.
  – Yaroslavl : Central place of the itinerary, the city has a historical center classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
  – Kostroma : less visited, this ancient trading town has kept a real authenticity.
  – Pereslavl-Zalesski : Old city, it is located on the coast of the lake Plechtcheïevo.

• Kiji Island

  The beautiful and picturesque island of Kiji is located 700 kilometers north of Moscow on Lake Onega, in the heart of the Karelian Republic. The island is only 7 kilometers long and 500 meters wide, but coming here on a trip is a real enchantment because you will discover a whole heritage of wooden architecture of the old times with mills, barns and several churches among them one of the highest wooden buildings in the world. The 37-meter high Church of the Transfiguration was built without any nails and has 22 domes at its top. You can also visit a whole parish complex made of fir wood.

• Vladivostok

  Vladivostok is located on the edge of the former Soviet empire, just opposite Japan. Last stop of the Trans-Siberian Railway, the city has become a modern and very lively metropolis From the top of its hills that can be accessed on foot or by funicular especially from the Eagle’s Nest you will have a panoramic view of the whole bay of Zolotoi Rog (Сorne d’Or) and its gigantic port, the largest in the Pacific and the Far East and all around the mountains. For history buffs, head to the fortress and its military museum that traces the maritime history of the region. In the old town, the Millionka district appears to us with various classical, baroque and gothic architectural styles. In the historical center, from the cobblestone street Fokina Ulitsa, you can access the sea through many courtyards and hidden corners with bars and restaurants. For more natural walks, go to Russky Island. The site is a wilderness without infrastructure with deserted beaches and cliffs plunging into the ocean.

• Kola Peninsula

  In the northern part of Europe, just west of Finland, is the Kola Peninsula. This region is also called “Russian Lapland” and has majestic northern landscapes. Along the shores of the Barents Sea you will travel through the wild Tundra. The journey begins at the top of the Arctic Circle in the port center of Murmansk. You will meet the reindeer herding people, the Sami, not far from the Lovozero lake. You will cross the frozen lake of Umbozero or the Khibiny massif by snowmobile. From January to March you can watch the fantastic spectacle of the Northern Lights.

• Yekaterinburg

  Here we are in the economic center of the Urals. On the border between Europe and Asia.
  Yekaterinburg is the fourth largest city in Russia. It is here, more precisely in the Ipatiev house, that the assassination of Tsar Nicholas II and his family took place on July 17, 1918. The house was replaced by the Cathedral of the Blood. Today the town is still a very important center of the metal industry. It is endowed with several museums, like the one of the history of architecture where one will go to see the collection “Shigir” with the Great Idol Chighirsky recognized as the oldest wood sculpture discovered in the world, its age is estimated at 9500 years. The cultural life is active with many libraries, theaters, exhibition centers. The pedestrian avenue Vainera as well as the Lenin boulevard and its tourist bazaar concentrate the city center with its shops, bars, restaurants and nightlife attractions.