Wilderness-Travel-2017-Catalog

54 / 144

FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR EUROPEAN TRIPS, VISIT 54
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.
Our cultural adventure reveals Russia’s glorious past as well as insights into its
present-day life. PHOTO: YOSHIO TOMII
GÜNTER GRÄFENHAIN
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
DATES
May 26 -Jun 5, 2017
Jul 14-24
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.