Day 1: Sergiev Posad

Your driver will pick you up from your hotel in Moscow and drive you to Sergiev-Posad. Named after Saint Sergey Radonezhsky, who founded a monastery here in the 13th century, this city is a hub of religious relics and symbolism. Eventually St. Sergey's monastery became the center of the Russian church and is now known as the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergey.

The Trinity Lavra of St. Sergey is Russia's Vatican. It is home to the Russian patriarch and stands today as a center of religious education. After exploring the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergey you will have lunch at a local restaurant and advance to Vladimir, one of the most fascinating cities in the Golden Ring.

Day 2: Vladimir and Suzdal

You will have breakfast at the hotel restaurant followed by a city tour of Vladimir. This town is over 1000 years old and was established by Prince Vladimir, an important ally of Moscow. Two of the most famous sites in Vladimir are the Uspensky and Dmitrovsky Cathedrals. The latter was established in the 12th century and is now the oldest functioning church in Russia. We will also visit the Museum of Crystal Miniature.

The Uspenskiy Cathedral is located on a hill above the city of Vladimir. The location choice was to help people see that God is above them, directing and helping them from heaven.

Lunch at a local restaurant will be followed by a transfer to Suzdal. Upon arrival in Suzdal, you will visit its beautiful ivory Kremlin and old marketplace, Krestovaya Palata. You will then visit the Museum of Wooden Architecture before listen to the hypnotic Bells Concert at the Spaso-Efimievsky Monastery. Your driver will take you back to your hotel in Moscow (or cruise, or airport, depending on your travel itinerary) around 7:30 pm.

The Kremlin of Suzdal is the oldest part of the city. The north and south gates were made using a unique fire gold technique and are some of the best preserved testaments to old Rus architecture and art.

Suzdal Museum of Wooden Art sits on the other side of the river Kamenka. The best wooden crafts were brought here starting in the 16th century. It is a small town by itself, but every inch of it is unique and vibrant.