Day 1:   Moscow

Arrival in Moscow and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Welcome champagne reception and dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Day 2:  The Kremlin and the Cathedral of the Assumption

The Kremlin is the traditional heart of the city and this tour gives you the opportunity to see the grounds (originally a wooden fort from the 12th Century), the Tsar Cannon (1586), and the Tsar Bell (1655), the largest bell in the world. See the fourteenth-century Cathedral Square, the magnificent white Ivan the Great Bell Tower, the Cathedral of the Assumption, The original cathedral was built in the 1300’s and rebuilt in 1479. It is Russia's premier church.   Though a museum, the cathedral is still occasionally used for religious services.   Also in the square is the Church of the Deposition of the Robe and the last to be erected, the Cathedral of the Archangel.
 
The Armoury Museum contains a vast array of artifacts relating to local history throughout the centuries and of personal items belonging to former Tsars, such as Coronation robes, decorated carriages, jewelry, dinner services and one of the most important collections of early English silver in Europe. There is also an impressive Armour collection. Lunch is at Red Square No. One Restaurant, where we will have a special menu – is a replica of an historic Romanov family luncheon. The afternoon is a walking tour of Red Square followed by a City sightseeing tour with visit to the newly constructed Cathedral of St Savior and observation platform.
 
Finally, this afternoon we visit the heart of Moscow, its oldest area dating from the 16th century when it was the beginning of the road to Smolensk. At that time it housed the artisan quarters, still reflected today in the translation of the street names, such as Carpenter, Silversmith and Pastry cook.  The fashionable area for the nobility in the 19th century it then became popular as a shopping area, as it is to this day.  The cobbled pedestrian area offers art galleries and antique shops, lively cafés and street performers. Dinner this evening will be at a Georgian restaurant with a Georgian male choir.

Day 3: Moscow

This morning we will have a guest lecture on “The Icon Tradition and Modern Russian Art” before visiting the Tretyakov Gallery which was founded in 1892 by Pavel Tretyakov. The museum displays the best collection of Pre-Revolution Russian art. Icons originally came to Russia from Byzantium, and were prized for their religious and spiritual content.  We will be welcomed by the museum Curator and also extended a private visit to the museum’s restoration workshop. Lunch follows at The Third Rome restaurant in the Gallery’s grounds.  The balance of the afternoon is at leisure. This evening we visit a commercial art gallery, which will include a vodka and caviar reception. We will also attend a performance of opera or ballet. Premium seats in the orchestra are complemented by champagne during intermission.

Day 4: Sergeiv Posad

This morning we depart for the monastery of Sergeiv Posad.  Here we will have a lecture entitled “Russian Ecclesiastic Culture”.  This is followed by a private tour of the Patriarch’s icon collection.  We will also be treated to a personal tour of the open churches on the grounds led by one of the English-speaking monks. Lunch will be at Trapeza Restaurant on the Monastery grounds. Mid-afternoon we return to Moscow and check out of hotel and have afternoon tea at the A. Pushkin Museum. This evening, subject to programming, we will attend a Russian Spiritual Choir concert at the Pushkin Museum followed by dinner at the Godunoff Restaurant. Your baggage is then taken directly to the rail station where we board first class cabins for the overnight train to St. Petersburg.

Day 5: St. Petersburg

Morning arrival in St. Petersburg. Transfer to the hotel for immediate check in and welcome coffee andtea at the hotel.  There will be time to unpack and refreshprior to our early lunch at the hotel.

We have an afternoon city sightseeingtour with a visit to the Russian Museum.  Housed inside in theMikhailovsky Palace since 1896, this is one of the world’s mostimportant collections and contains only works of Russian artists. Nicholas II was responsible for opening the museum in honor of hisfather Alexander III, who greatly admired Russian art and regrettedthat St Petersburg did not have a gallery to rival the Tretyakov inMoscow.   We will see some exceptional classicalmasterpieces together with works by 20th century artists Kandinskyand Malevich

 Dinner will be at the Noble NestRestaurant at Yusupov Palace. Built in the 1760’s, it was theformer residence of one of Russia’s wealthiest noble families. Thegem of the palace is the private theatre with its own royal box,where concerts of classical and folk music are held.  One of theless formal rooms in the cellars was the site of the attempted murderby poison and stabbing of Rasputin by Felix Yusupov on Dec 17th,1916.  Rasputin was finally shot and his body dumped in theriver Neva.

Day 6: The Hermitage and Peter and Paul Fortress

We have an early entry today to the Hermitage to see Old Masters and Impressionists.  One of the world’s largest collections of art and antiquities, the Hermitage museum is located in 3 of the 4 adjoining historical buildings; the Winter Palace, Small Hermitage, intended as a private retreat for Catherine and the Old (or Large) Hermitage, constructed over almost a century to house the expanding collection, the fourth being the Hermitage theatre. Examples of paintings by the great masters can be seen together with the more recent collection of Impressionist paintings plundered during World War II from museums and private collections. Rediscovered after being hidden, presumed destroyed, for more than 50 years these pictures have attracted great interest from the art world. Fine examples of sculpture, mosaics, furniture and much more can be seen. 

Lunch is at the Old Customs House.  Optional afternoon tour of the Peter and Paul Fortress guided tour with visit to printing workshop. Enjoy an evening performance at the Mussorgsky Theater.  Option of pre or post theatre light supper.

Day 7: Pushkin

Excursion to Pushkin to visit Catherine’s Palace, built in 1752.  Pushkin is the town formerly known as Tsarskoye Selo. The area was developed and in the early 19th century became the summer residence of the Tsar and the wealthy society.  It was said to be the first town in Europe to be lit entirely by electricity.  Catherine’s Palace was looted and burned in World War II and is now mostly restored.  Lunch is at the restaurant Podvorye.  While a little touristy, the food and entertainment are excellent.  This afternoon you have an option to visit St. Petersburg Conservatory or enjoy your leisure time shopping.  Evening tickets for an opera or ballet at the Hermitage Theater.

Day 8: The Ballet

Morning lecture at the hotel entitled “The Russian Ballet”, followed by a visit to a Ballet Academy.  Afternoon at leisure.  This evening enjoy a Russian Folkloric show followed by Gala Dinner at Grand Duke Vladimir’s Palace.

Day 9: Departure

Buffet breakfast at hotel.  Check out of hotel.  Guided transfer to the airport.  Return to USA.