RDV2. Vologda - Kirilov - Ferapontovo

Vologda, located in the Russian North about 450 km from Moscow,  is one of ancient Russian cities, reach with memorials of wooden and stone architecture as well as art crafts. Vologda lace is the most famous one.

Two world famous ancient Russian monasteries are located in Volodga Province. The mighty Monastery of St.Cyril (Kirill) of Belozersk was the main fortress of Russian North and has kept its grand look till nowadays. The smaller and elegant Monastery of St.Therapontus (Ferapont) keeps frescos by the famous ancient Russian icon painter Dionysus. The frescos are included in the UNESCO List of World Culture Heritage.

Type: Discovery
Tour duration: 4 days
Months of Operation: All-year-round
Recommended Group Size: 2-9 pax
Mode of Travel: car (1-2 pax), minibus (3-9 pax)

Itinerary:

Day 1.  Departure from Moscow to Vologda (20:20; train #60, Yaroslavsky train station).

Day 2. Arrival in Vologda (05:44). Transfer to the Spasskaya hotel ***. Accommodation. Buffet breakfast. Vologda city tour: Vologda Kremlin, the house where Peter the Great stayed during his trips to the Northern Russia, first brick constructions in the town (late 18 century), log dwelling houses of the late 19 – of the beginning of 20 century. Exhibition “Art Craft work of the Vologda Land” (including famous Vologda lace). Lunch at the hotel. Excursion to the Spaso-Prilutskiy acting monastery. Free time. Optional tour to the Architectural and Ethnographic museum (12 km from Vologda) and riding at 1-horse sledges is recommended. Tour to the Architectural and Ethnographic museum gives possibility to to see the monuments of wooden architecture and articles of daily peasants' life collected there. The museum portrays the variety of Russian Northern architecture. It gives clients a view of Russian  lifestyle, crafts and trade of Northern peasants.   (B,L)

Day 3. Buffet breakfast. Car/minibus ride (120 km) to Ferapontovo village. Excursion to the Monastery of St.Therapontus.The Monastery of St.Therapontus is unique monument of fresco painting. The famous icon painter Dionysus created frescos extant there in 1502. They are on the list of the World Culture Heritage of UNESCO. Entrance to the cathedral with Dionysus's frescos is possible if weather is favourable. Transfer to Kirillov town (20 km from Ferapontovo). Lunch at the “Rus” cafe. Excursion to the Monastery of St.Cyril of Belozersk. Monk Cyril founded one of the largest monasteries that became an important spiritual and cultural centre of Russia. Since the 15th century it was a place of political exiles. Now it is a museum with rich collection of the Russian applies art articles and architecture monuments of 14-19 centuries. Return to Vologda. Transfer to railway station. Departure for Moscow (21:10; train #59). (B,L)

Day 4. Arrival in Moscow (06:01, Yaroslavsky train station).

Highlights:

• Vologda - the ancient city of Russian North, the center of Art Crafts
• The Monastery of St.Cyril of Belozersk - the main fortress of Russian North
• The Monastery of St.Therapontus with frescos by Dionysus

Costs 2010:

Included:

• accommodation at twin rooms
• 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches
• all excursions as per programme including entrance fee
• transport service during all the programme
• English-speaking guide (other languages on request)
• train tickets 2nd class/4-berth compartments

Not included:

• entrance to the cathedral with Dionysus's frescos (payable on spot in case of proper weather)
• optional excursions

Supplements:

• dinner: +16 EUR per person per meal
• SGL accommodation: +19 EUR per person
• train tickets TWN compartments: +93 EUR per person
• optional excursions:
•  

Group, PAX	2-3	4-5	6-9
Cost per person, EUR
Architectural and Ethnographic museum	49	42	34

• riding at 1-horse sledge (in winter) +53 EUR per hour per group up to 6 pax   

 
  All the costs are valid at the date of publication and are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking.

  Ladies visiting Russian Orthodox acting monasteries should have skirts and head scarfs.