Wilderness Travel 2017 Catalog of Adventures

Russia: Land of the Czars MOSCOW, THE GOLDEN RING, AND ST. PETERSBURG

GÜNTER GRÄFENHAIN

Our cultural adventure reveals Russia’s glorious past as well as insights into its present-day life. PHOTO: YOSHIO TOMII

HIGHLIGHTS • Discover Old Russia in history-filled medieval towns along the Volga River • Explore romantic St. Petersburg, capital of the Czars, with its palaces and Hermitage Museum • Special cultural experiences including private lunches with families in their homes DETAILS • 11-day trip begins in Moscow and ends in St. Petersburg • 10 nights hotels • All meals included except 1 lunch and 4 dinners TRIP COST $4795 (12-15 members) $5195 (8-11 members) $5595 (4-7 members) Single supplement: $640 Baltic States extension: from $2595 TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Cultural exploration, city walking tours, and easy country walks EXTEND YOUR ADVENTURE Discover the charms of the Baltic States—Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia—with their Old World style and exquisite architecture, including Riga’s huge collection of Art Nouveau buildings, the finest in the world. DATES May 26 -Jun 5, 2017 Jul 14-24

Our journey into Russia is a true insider’s discovery, with our native-born Trip Leader sharing an invaluable perspective of the country. Our explorations lead from Moscow’s monumental Red Square to the spectacular and well-preserved “Golden Ring” towns along the Volga River, where we get an intimate look into Russia’s medieval heritage. In romantic St. Petersburg, we marvel at the treasures of the famed Hermitage and the resplendent Amber Room in Catherine’s Palace, and cruise its celebrated canals by private boat. Along the way through this intriguing land, we get “inside” Russia with special experiences, including lively lunches with families in their homes in Suzdal and Plyos, and options for the opera or Bolshoi ballet. Days 1-3 Moscow In cosmopolitan Moscow, we discover St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Kremlin Armory, whose artistic treasures include Faberge’s bejeweled eggs, the Tretyakov, the world’s largest collection of Russian art, and Izmailova Park, with its flea market full of Soviet memorabilia.

Days 4-6 Sergiev Posad / Rostov / Yaroslavl / Plyos / Suzdal Sergiev Posad is graced by blue-domed Trinity Monastery, and in Rostov, we view its ancient Kremlin, a sweeping ensemble of monasteries and churches. From Yaroslavl, we take a boat excursion on the historic Volga River, and after a walk through the birch forests surrounding Plyos, we are welcomed for lunch in a private home. Ancient Suzdal is a gorgeous country town of wood-and-stone houses, and we dine with a local family and sample mead, the ancient honey wine. Days 7-11 St. Petersburg / Pushkin The Hermitage’s astounding art collection is one of the highlights of St. Petersburg. We’ll take a private boat ride on the city’s legendary canals and visit the Usupoff Palace where Rasputin met his end. In Catherine the Great’s favorite summer palace in Pushkin, we’ll see the unforgettable Amber Room, whose wall panels have been meticulously recreated. Depart on Day 11, or join our Baltic States extension.

FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR EUROPEAN TRIPS, VISIT WWW.WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM/TRIPS/EUROPE 54