Golden Ring Tours & Add-ons

This is our recommended trip for the Golden Ring as it covers all the main towns giving a rounded understanding of the fascinating history and architecture of this popular part of Russia. Fully guided and transport by private car this is a fantastic Trans-Siberian add-on.

Drive to Vladimir With a City Tour Before Continuing to Suzdal to Overnight

This morning begin your Golden Ring trip driving the 173 km to Vladimir, your first stop on this Golden Ring adventure. This city once laid claim to be the capital of all Rus with it’s majestic Assumption Cathedral sitting high above the Klyazma River. The white-stone medieval architecture is as good as anywhere in Russia. Afternoon city tour visiting Bogolyubovo Convent, The Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin on the Nerl River, Dmitrov Cathedral and the Dormition (Assumption) Cathedral. We also stop at the Crystal & Lacquer miniature museum as this craft is a speciality of this region. Continue 35 km to Suzdal reaching there in the evening.

Meals Included: None today.

Suzdal, One of Russia’s Best Preserved Towns, Ivano & Kostroma

You awake in the fairytale setting of Suzdal, a small town with few modern buildings, only the Cathedrals are taller than two stories. You won’t find chain stores or hotels here – just flowery meadows, occasional livestock wandering the streets and an abundance of ancient architecture in a peaceful rural setting providing a fantastic insight into pre-revolutionary Russia. Your morning tour in Suzdal will include the Kremlin, Saviour Monastery of St Euthymius and the Museum of Wooden Architecture. Drive on the 78 km to Ivanovo, known as the “The city of brides” – a name from Soviet times due to the large number of women working here. Faded mosaics to Soviet heroes abound and the grim reality of life for many Russians is obvious everywhere, a sharp contrast to the other Golden Ring cities. We spend a short time sightseeing before continuing on the 95 km to Kostroma to overnight.

Meals Included: Hotel Breakfast.

Continue Your Golden Ring Trip Touring the Highlights of Kostroma & Yaroslav

This morning tour Kostroma which has a wonderful historic town centre the highlight being the impressive Ipatian Monastery founded by a Tatar prince back in 1330 after a vision of the Virgin Mary and the martyr Ipaty of the Ganges. We also visit the Trooutsky cathedral. Drive on the 76km to Yaroslav, the second largest city in Central Russia after Moscow. Located on the bank of the Volga river, there are churches hidden round every corner. We visit The Monastery of Our Savior and Transfiguration, Church of Elijah the Prophet and the Fine Art Museum before driving the 57 km on to Rostov.

Meals Included: Hotel Breakfast.

A Final Day Touring Rostov, Pereslavl-zalessky & Sergiev Posad

City tour of “Great” Rostov which first appears to be a sleepy village until you lay eyes on the extremely photogenic Kremlin. This is one of the prettiest and oldest towns in the Golden Ring and is beautifully set next to Lake Nero. We visit the Kremlin and the Museum of Rostov Enamel before driving on the 66 km to Pereslavl-Zalessky. This relaxed village is also the birthplace of Alexander Nevsky. Our tour will include the Red Square and Transfiguration Cathedral. Drive on to Sergiev Posad. Orthodoxy abounds here with the towns namesake, Saint Sergius, being the patron saint of Russia. Bearded priests, babushkas and hordes of believers flock here paying tribute to the Saint. We visit the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius before the final 58 km drive back to Moscow.

Meals Included: Hotel Breakfast.

This 3 day 2 night Golden Ring tour is a shortened version for those with less time or budget. Most of the main town are still visited including the highlights of Suzdal and Rostov. Perfect for those wishing to immerse themselves in Russian history.

Drive to Vladimir With a City Tour Before Continuing to Suzdal to Overnight

This morning begin your Golden Ring trip driving the 173 km to Vladimir, your first stop on this Golden Ring adventure. This city once laid claim to be the capital of all Rus with it’s majestic Assumption Cathedral sitting high above the Klyazma River. The white-stone medieval architecture is as good as anywhere in Russia. Afternoon city tour visiting Bogolyubovo Convent, The Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin on the Nerl River, Dmitrov Cathedral and the Dormition (Assumption) Cathedral. We also stop at the Crystal & Lacquer miniature museum as this craft is a speciality of this region. Continue on 35 km to Suzdal reaching there in the evening.

Meals Included: None today.

Suzdal, One of Russia’s Best Preserved Towns, Pereslavl-Zalessky & Rostov

You awake in the fairytale setting of Suzdal, a small town with few modern buildings with only the Cathedrals taller than two stories. You won’t find chain stores or hotels here – just flowery meadows, occasional livestock wandering the streets and an abundance of ancient architecture in a peaceful rural setting providing a fantastic insight into pre-revolutionary Russia. Your morning tour in Suzdal will include the Kremlin, Saviour Monastery of St Euthymius and the Museum of Wooden Architecture.

Drive on the 66 km to Pereslavl-Zalessky. This town has a peaceful village atmosphere and is the birthplace of Alexander Nevsky. Plescheyevo lake is where the young Tsar Peter took his marine military exercises and the tour includes Red Square and the Transfiguration Cathedral. Continue on a further 57 km to Rostov to overnight.

Meals Included: Hotel Breakfast.

A Final Day Touring Rostov & Sergiev Posad Before Returning to Moscow

City tour of “Great” Rostov which first appears to be a sleepy village until you lay eyes on the extremely photogenic Kremlin. This is one of the prettiest and oldest towns in the Golden Ring and is beautifully set next to Lake Nero. We visit the Kremlin and the Museum of Rostov Enamel before driving on to Sergiev Posad. Orthodoxy abounds here with the towns namesake, Saint Sergius, being the patron saint of Russia. Bearded priests, babushkas and hordes of believers flock here paying tribute to the Saint. We visit the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius before the final 58 km drive back to Moscow.

Meals Included: Hotel Breakfast.