Petersburg Guide
For a view of Old Russia, I offer you to visit Novgorod (190 km from St. Petersburg) one of the most ancient cities of Russia located in its North-West, near the site where the Volkhov river takes its waters from Lake Ilmen. The history of Novgorod is closely linked with all major stages in the life of the Russian state.
You can add the following tour to your itenerary:
Day trip from St. Petersburg to Novgorod the Great (duration - about 10 hours)
The program includes: tour of the Novgorod Kremlin (the oldest in Russia, this fortress was mentioned in chronicles as early as in 1044), inside visit to the Cathedral of St. Sophia, the Holy Wisdom of God (the most known ancient Orthodox Church, the history of its construction dates back to 1045). You'll walk across the Volkhov river to the Yaroslav's Court (amazing place permeated with true Russian spirit). You will also visit the Yuriev Monastery and tour the unique Museum of Wooden Architecture, plunging into the atmosphere of old Russian wooden villages.
For lunch we'll offer you a choice of traditional Russian restaurants boasting true Russian hospitality, low prices and good quality food.
You can add the following tour to your itenerary:
Day trip from St. Petersburg to Novgorod the Great (duration - about 10 hours)
The program includes: tour of the Novgorod Kremlin (the oldest in Russia, this fortress was mentioned in chronicles as early as in 1044), inside visit to the Cathedral of St. Sophia, the Holy Wisdom of God (the most known ancient Orthodox Church, the history of its construction dates back to 1045). You'll walk across the Volkhov river to the Yaroslav's Court (amazing place permeated with true Russian spirit). You will also visit the Yuriev Monastery and tour the unique Museum of Wooden Architecture, plunging into the atmosphere of old Russian wooden villages.
For lunch we'll offer you a choice of traditional Russian restaurants boasting true Russian hospitality, low prices and good quality food.
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Day trip from St.Petersburg to Vyborg (duration - about 10 hours)
In the northeast of the Karelian Isthmus, at the Finnish border, on the picturesque coast of the Gulf of Vyborg, lies the town of Vyborg, over 700 years old, founded in 1293. Vyborg is located 130 km from St. Petersburg. Its area is about 7000 sq.km.
The ancient inhabitants of the Karelian Isthmus were Karelians. One of the Karelian trade settlements was located not far from present day Vyborg. In the 13th century the area was occupied by Swedes who built a fortress, called Vyborg from which they made raids to Russia. Around the fortress a medieval town formed.
In the northeast of the Karelian Isthmus, at the Finnish border, on the picturesque coast of the Gulf of Vyborg, lies the town of Vyborg, over 700 years old, founded in 1293. Vyborg is located 130 km from St. Petersburg. Its area is about 7000 sq.km.
The ancient inhabitants of the Karelian Isthmus were Karelians. One of the Karelian trade settlements was located not far from present day Vyborg. In the 13th century the area was occupied by Swedes who built a fortress, called Vyborg from which they made raids to Russia. Around the fortress a medieval town formed.
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Kronstadt is located at the Kotlin island in the Gulf of Finland, 29 km North-West of St.Petersburg.
One of the Baltic Naval bases of Russia occupies about one half of the island. Due to the presence of the Naval base a special security regime used to be established for the inhabitants and visitors of Kronstadt: no visitor (foreign or domestic) could enter Kotlin island without a written permission of the civil or military administration.
Nowadays Kronstadt is open for visitors and I invite You to explore this little town that used to play a very important role in the history of Russia.
Day trip to Kronstadt (duration - about 8 hours)
In the ancient times this small town on the isle of Kotlin in the Gulf of Finland was one of the multiple towns located along the great trade water route. This town was marked of the maps of "Hanse" where navigators of Novgorod the Great were located. The fort of Kronshlot was sanctified on the 7 (18) of may 1704. This day can be marked as the beginning of the history of this marine fortress which is considered to be one of the most celebrated creations of Peter the Great.
The history of Kronstadt is tightly linked with the history of St. Petersburg. Created and built by the genius of great masters, experienced and skillful builders and fortification engineers, this town has become a stronghold in the way of those who tried to enter Kronstadt by force but it has always been hospitable to those who came with peace and good will.
Fortifying and building up the town have always considered the matters of the utmost importance. Being built as a fortress it was later considered by Peter the Great to be part of the capital of Russia. That is why Kronstadt like St. Petersburg developed according to the detailed plans. Many associates of Peter the Great as well as other celebrated people of that time lived and created their pieces of architectural and fortification art in the city. Nowadays you can count more than 300 monuments of history, engineering and culture located on the tiny patch of land out in the Gulf of Finland - in Kronstadt. Among them one can find such unique ensembles, hydrotechnical and fortifications buildings as the Kronstadt Fort, the architectural ensemble of province cottages of the beginning of the XVII-th century, the self-draining channel - dock of Peter I which was built in the period between 1719 and 1752 and was the first building of this kind in the world, the full size model of a military settlement of the XVII-th century, the Naval Cathedral of the beginning of the XX-th century and many other monuments making up an inimitable in its variety architectural image of this town-fortress-port.
One of the Baltic Naval bases of Russia occupies about one half of the island. Due to the presence of the Naval base a special security regime used to be established for the inhabitants and visitors of Kronstadt: no visitor (foreign or domestic) could enter Kotlin island without a written permission of the civil or military administration.
Nowadays Kronstadt is open for visitors and I invite You to explore this little town that used to play a very important role in the history of Russia.
Day trip to Kronstadt (duration - about 8 hours)
In the ancient times this small town on the isle of Kotlin in the Gulf of Finland was one of the multiple towns located along the great trade water route. This town was marked of the maps of "Hanse" where navigators of Novgorod the Great were located. The fort of Kronshlot was sanctified on the 7 (18) of may 1704. This day can be marked as the beginning of the history of this marine fortress which is considered to be one of the most celebrated creations of Peter the Great.
The history of Kronstadt is tightly linked with the history of St. Petersburg. Created and built by the genius of great masters, experienced and skillful builders and fortification engineers, this town has become a stronghold in the way of those who tried to enter Kronstadt by force but it has always been hospitable to those who came with peace and good will.
Fortifying and building up the town have always considered the matters of the utmost importance. Being built as a fortress it was later considered by Peter the Great to be part of the capital of Russia. That is why Kronstadt like St. Petersburg developed according to the detailed plans. Many associates of Peter the Great as well as other celebrated people of that time lived and created their pieces of architectural and fortification art in the city. Nowadays you can count more than 300 monuments of history, engineering and culture located on the tiny patch of land out in the Gulf of Finland - in Kronstadt. Among them one can find such unique ensembles, hydrotechnical and fortifications buildings as the Kronstadt Fort, the architectural ensemble of province cottages of the beginning of the XVII-th century, the self-draining channel - dock of Peter I which was built in the period between 1719 and 1752 and was the first building of this kind in the world, the full size model of a military settlement of the XVII-th century, the Naval Cathedral of the beginning of the XX-th century and many other monuments making up an inimitable in its variety architectural image of this town-fortress-port.
The Swedes were dominating in the westen part of the Karelian Isthmus for over four centuries. These land were returned to Russia only in the course of the Northern War (1700-1721). By that time Vyborg had become one of the powerful fortresses.
From 1710 till 1811 Vyborg was part of the Russian Empire. The town grew and new forts were constructed. In the 19th century Vyborg was one of the cultural centres of the Grand Duchy of Finland.
The architectural face of the city was taking shape for over seven centuries. The following architectural monuments survive: the Round Tower on Market Square, Dominican Monastery Cathedral, the city tower, the Hyacinth church, the Parcelax bastion, the commandant's house, etc. In the Old Vyborg quarters there are also monuments of the 14th - 17th century civil architecture and narrow cobbled streets. Vyborg is also famous for its architectural and natural museum preserve Monrepos Park.
From 1710 till 1811 Vyborg was part of the Russian Empire. The town grew and new forts were constructed. In the 19th century Vyborg was one of the cultural centres of the Grand Duchy of Finland.
The architectural face of the city was taking shape for over seven centuries. The following architectural monuments survive: the Round Tower on Market Square, Dominican Monastery Cathedral, the city tower, the Hyacinth church, the Parcelax bastion, the commandant's house, etc. In the Old Vyborg quarters there are also monuments of the 14th - 17th century civil architecture and narrow cobbled streets. Vyborg is also famous for its architectural and natural museum preserve Monrepos Park.
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We have a number of colleagues working in Moscow, offering high quality tourist services. If you would like to include several days in Moscow in your Russian itinerary, we'll be glad to assist you.
The first record of the city of Moscow in the chronicles dates back to 1147. A little town was destined through the centuries to grow into a huge megalopolis and become the capital city of Russia, the epicenter of its political and economic life.
Moscow was not the first Russian capital, and probably is not the last one. But the image of the city bears the trace of different epochs and like an immense book enables us to read the history of the country and the people, page after page. It is an ideal place to get a feel for the new Russia.
To really get to know Moscow, one should see both its old and new streets and squares, enjoy the views of the ancient Kremlin and Red Square, go to the city's theatres, visit its art galleries and museums displaying masterpieces of Russian and world art, see its Metro stations, stroll through its parks and just relax in the shade of verdant boulevards.
The first record of the city of Moscow in the chronicles dates back to 1147. A little town was destined through the centuries to grow into a huge megalopolis and become the capital city of Russia, the epicenter of its political and economic life.
Moscow was not the first Russian capital, and probably is not the last one. But the image of the city bears the trace of different epochs and like an immense book enables us to read the history of the country and the people, page after page. It is an ideal place to get a feel for the new Russia.
To really get to know Moscow, one should see both its old and new streets and squares, enjoy the views of the ancient Kremlin and Red Square, go to the city's theatres, visit its art galleries and museums displaying masterpieces of Russian and world art, see its Metro stations, stroll through its parks and just relax in the shade of verdant boulevards.
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