MDT2. Tula - Yasnaya Polyana

Tula, located 180 km south from Moscow, is a city with the great social heritage. The culture of Tula reflects its history. Tula has long been notable in Russia for remarkable masters and the main armory in the vicinity of Moscow.
First mentioned in 1146, Tula has always been a secure stronghold. Its regional lands have always been a place of bloodshed with different enemies, but no invader entered the town site.
During the 17th century, Tula developed into one of the centers of arms manufacture in Russia. The armament factory was built here in 1712 according to the edict of Peter the Great, and this factory still remains a large armament manufacturer. The first metal works and samovar factory also sprang up in Tula.
During the World War II the city defenders accomplished a feat flinging the enemy back from the city. For this act of courage Tula was awarded a rank of the hero-city in 1977.
The unique Museum of Arms on the territory of the Tula Kremlin is a symbol of the city as are the Museum of Samovars and the Museum of Honey-cake with a riveting variety of exhibits.
The National Leo Tolstoy Museum-Estate in Yasnaya Polyana, located close to Tula, is famous worldwide. Yasnaya Poliana is the place where Leo Tolstoy was born in 1828, lived for about 60 years, wrote many of his books including «War and Peace» and philosophical essays. He was not destined to die in his home. At the stormy night on the fall of 1910 he left the house. On his way he got ill and died in a very small train station Astapovo but his grave is in Yasnaya Polyana.
 
 
Type: Discovery
Tour duration: 2 days
Season: All-year-round (weekends)
Recommended Group Size: 2-8 PAX
Transportation: train, minibus or car, on foot.
 
Itinerary:
 
Day 1 (SAT).
Departure from Moscow (09:10, train #845, Kursky train station). Arrival in Tula (11:41). Meeting with a guide. City tour including excursion over the territory of the Tula Kremlin and to the National Museum of Arms. Excursion to the Museum of Samovars. The opportunity to buy the unique Russian souvenir - Tula honey-cake at a shop of the confectionery plant “Old Tula”.
Lunch at a local restaurant in the center of Tula.
Transfer to the hotel Imperator 3*. Accomodation. Free time (LD).
 
Day 2.
Transfer to Yasnaya Polyana.
Excursion to the National Leo Tolstoy Museum-Estate.Visit to the historical railway station “Kozlova Zaseka”.
Lunch in cafe in Yasnaya Polyana.
Free time. Optional horse riding (extra payment on spot).
Departure for Moscow by an express train (18:15 #846). Arrival in Moscow (21:18). (BL)
 
 
Tour Highlights:
  •  Tula Kremlin ensemble - the most ancient in Tula constructions of defensive architecture. Its territory is decorated with two cathedrals: “Uspenskiy” and “Bogoyavlenskiy”
  • National Museum of Arms with unique collection of the weapon – this is enables to track evolution of a small arms from the end of XVI century up to now.
  • Museum of Samovars. It consists of three halls about the history of occurrence and development of one of the most known Tula crafts. The samples of various types of samovars with an art list are presented there.
  • Museum of Honey-cake presents the history of a unique ancient delicacy - gingerbread. In a museum it is possible to observe, how gingerbread is made in modern conditions, to learn about ancient ceremonies and traditions, to see how gingerbreads are made on ancient forms. Tasting of gingerbread with tea and purchase of tasty souvenirs are offered to visitors there.
  • National Leo Tolstoy Museum-Estate in Yasnaya Polyana. It is possible to be passed on magnificent at any time of a year birch and lime avenues on which Leo Tolstoy once walked, to sit on its favorite bench, to visit a horse court yard, to admire ponds and to like an atmosphere of those far years which stores in the house-museum of the writer.
  • “Kozlova Zaseka” - railway station where Leo Tolstoy met and saw off his friends. It is executed in style of the 19th centur
 

Costs for individual tourists - 2010:

Group size, PAX
2-4
5-7
8+
Price per person, EUR
229
173
148
Discounts for tour operators and travel agents. Please inquire.

Included:
  • TWN accommodation in the hotel “Imperator” 3*** (1 night)
  • excursions per program with entrance fees and English speaking guide.
  • meals per program
  • all transfers according to the program
Not included:
  • train tickets
  • optional activities
Supplements:
  • train tickets - from 12 EUR per person
  • horse riding from 6 EUR per person
  • interactive presentation “DRUZHINA”(Knightly fights) 45 EUR per group
 

 
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