Itinerary – Frames of Religious Russia
8 Day Frames of Religious Russia
As the the biggest country in the world, spanning 9 time zones, Russia offers an unsurprising amount of complex history, rich culture, and diverse spirituality. Spend your days touring the highlights of its two largest cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as exploring poignant towns like Suzdal, Rostov, and Velikiy Novgorod. You will visit a plethora of elegant monasteries, splendid cathedrals, and historic churches as you journey along Russia’s iconic fantastic landscapes.
Itinerary
Day 1: Moscow
Arrival at the Moscow airport (time TBA), meet and greet with English-speaking guide, and transfer and check-in at hotel. Mass at hotel.
Day 2: Moscow – Vladimir – Bogolubovo – Suzdal
Breakfast, 09:00 transfer to Vladimir, 12:00-14:00 Vladimir city sightseeing including Dimitry’s Cathedral Golden Gate, followed by a visit to the Dormition Cathedral (entrance), 15:00 transfer to Bogolyubovo, 15:30-17:00 visit to Bogolyubovo monastery and the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin on the Nerl.
Day 3: Suzdal – Rostov
Breakfast, 08:00-09:00 Religious service at hotel, 09:00-13:00 Suzdal city sightseeing tour. Sightseeing including visits to Suzdal Kremlin with Episcopal Palace and the Cross chamber (entrance), Nativity of the Virgin Cathedral (entrance), the Museum of Wooden Architecture (entrance).
Day 4: Rostov – Sergiev Posad – Moscow
Breakfast, 08:00-09:00 Religious service at the hotel, 09:00-11:00 Rostov city sightseeing tour including the visit to Rostov Kremlin (entrance), 11:00 transfer to Sergiev Posad, 13:00 arrival, 14:00-16:00 visit to the Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius and to the Trinity Cathedral (entrance), a brief meeting with a monk.
Day 5: Moscow – Velikiy Novgorod
Breakfast, 09:00-17:00 Moscow city sightseeing tour including visit to Kremlin with 1 Cathedral (entrance), Tverskaya Street, Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral, GUM Department Store, Lenin Mausoleum, a drive along the Moscow River to Sparrow Hills, Moscow State University, and Novodevichiy Convent, visit to Tretyakov Gallery (entrance), 18:00 mass at church TBA, 19:00 dinner at Restaurant “Taras Bulba”.
Day 6: Kerry – Kilkenny
Stop at the Rock of Cashel – an ancient royal site. Continue to Holy Cross Abbey, one of national monuments of Ireland. Mass and visit to St. Canice Cathedral.
Day 7: Velikiy Novgorod – Saint Petersburg
06:24 Arrival at the Velikiy Novgorod train station, 07:00-08:00 breakfast at Restaurant “TBA”, 08:00-12:00 V.Novgorod city sightseeing including visit to the Monastery of Saint Sophia (entrance) and the Museum of icons (entrance).
Day 8: Saint Petersburg
Breakfast, 09:00-17:00 St. Petersburg city sightseeing tour including Nevsky Prospect, Nevsky Convent, Smolny Cathedral, Winter Palace, Admiralty, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Kazan Cathedral and Church of the Spilled Blood, followed by an excursion with a monk at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (entrance), visit to Russian Museum (entrance) and the Church of the Savior on Blood (entrance).
Day 8: Saint Petersburg
Breakfast, 08:30 Morning mass at St. Catherine Catholic Church (if available), 10:00-13:00 visit to Hermitage Art Museum (entrance), 14:00-18:00 excursion to Peterhof, visit to the Grand Palace and Parks (entrance).
Day 8: Saint Petersburg – Return
Breakfast, transfer to airport (TBA), departure, end of services.
