POST TOUR TO KAZAN
Kazan is the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, one of the largest and most beautiful cities of Russia, which
is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage cities. Tatarstan republic is situated in the heart of Russia about 800
km east from Moscow city. It was founded in 1005 - is standing for thousand of years at the confluence of the
Kazanka river and the Volga river.
Despite of such venerable age, the city is growing and dynamically developing in all respects. There are beautiful
buildings raised in different architectural styles. Mansions in the style of modernism coexist with the Baroque
monuments. You can feel the aura of antiquity spell from ancient white walls of the Kazan Kremlin wherefrom a
superb view on the river opens. Kazan easily combines the culture and traditions of the East and the West: next
to the finely cut minaret towers there are old Orthodox churches.
By many measures, Kazan has the one of the highest standards of living in Russia, following after Moscow
and St. Petersburg. In 2009 Kazan was officially branded as “the 3rd Capital” and also as a "sport capital” of
Russia", due to its recent investments in this domain. Kazan organized the World Summer Universiade 2013,
and FINA World Aquatics Sports Championship in 2015 and it will be hosting FIFA World Cup in 2018 in
Russia.
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TOUR PROGRAM
Dates: 20.08.2016 - 22.08.2016
Price Euro 395
the price is valid for group from 10 pax
21 900 rubles + train tickets Moscow-KazanMoscow (9160 rub.)
1 Day: 20 August
-
Arrival to Kazan. Meeting with English
speaking guide
Breakfast at the city (European
cuisine)
Sightseeing tour across Kazan with
visit
of the Kazan Kremlin
Lunch at the city (national cuisine)
Transfer to hotel Park Inn Kazan,
check-in
Walking excursion down the Bauman
Street
Transfer to the hotel
Dinner at the hotel
2 Day: 21 August
-
Breakfast at the hotel
Trip to the Great Bolgar
(UNESCO World Heritage Site
and Muslim shrine, 180 km out of
Kazan),
incl. on-site lunch
Dinner with national cuisine. Tatar
national show
Transfer to the hotel
3 Day: 22 August
-
Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out
Trip to the Island-Town of Sviyazhsk, incl. on-site lunch
Transfer to the airport. Departure
Night train to Moscow
Transfer from the train station to the hotel
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Kazan Sightseeing tour across with visit of
the Kazan Kremlin
Kazan is often described as the City where Europe meets Asia, where the two cultures (Tatar and Russian) and
two of the world’s main religions meet. Kazan has lots of things to do and interesting points of interest to see,
starting with the Kremlin of Kazan, UNESCO World heritage site, as well Russia’s third oldest university where
Vladimir Lenin was a student. Being an ancient city, Kazan has all influences in culture and architecture from
the ancient Bolgar settlements and “Golden Hordes”. Kazan is an attractive gateway for visitors, wishing to
discover the unique culture of the Republic of Tatarstan, historically known as “Tartaria”.
The Kazan Kremlin is the chief historic citadel of Tatarstan, situated in the city of Kazan. It was built at the
behest of Ivan the Terrible on the ruins of the former castle of Kazan khans. It was declared a World Heritage
Site in 2000. The Kazan Kremlin includes many old buildings, the oldest of which is the Annunciation Cathedral
(1554-62), the only 16th-century Russian church to have six piers and five apses. The cathedral bell tower was
erected in five tiers at the urging of Ivan the Terrible and was scored to resemble the Ivan the Great Belltower
in Moscow, but was pulled down by the Soviets in 1930.
The most conspicuous landmark of the Kazan Kremlin is the leaning Söyembikä Tower, which probably goes
back to the reign of Peter the Great. The Qolşärif Mosque located in Kazan Kremlin, was reputed to be – at the
time of its construction – one of the largest mosques in Russia, and in Europe outside of Istanbul.
The Kremlin is home to governmental bodies, a dedicated museum, as well as shops and cafes. One can
easily spend a day here, especially during art shows and festivals. Sunsets over Kazan as viewed from the
Kremlin are incredibly dramatic, with deep colours and clouds appearing within reach, and the air filled with a
sweet smell like toffee.
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Walking excursion down the Bauman Street
Bauman Street – one of the oldest streets of Kazan. It is also called as "the heart of the city", his "soul". It is named
after Nikolay Bauman, a Russian revolutionary, and is located in the central part of the city. It is the city’s tourist
quarter, complete with restaurants, fountains, street sculptures, small trades and souvenir shops.
You can listen to street musicians, get yourself a portrait, have ice-cream in summer and a hot broth with local
specialty “echpochmak” pies in winter. Theatre and dance performances are common, and street musicians and
artists are a permanent fixture. Day and night, the Bauman Street is full of people, sounds and colours. Also it’s
a place where you can feel variety of the city fully. As citizens say:”If you didn't visit this street you didn't see our
city”.
Trip to the Great Bolgar
Bolgar is a city of Volga-Kama Bulgaria. One of the largest Bulgarian cities ulus of the Golden Horde. Bolgar is
a city, which illustrates the development of Islam in Russia. City is located on a steep bank of the Volga ,
where offers a magnificent overview of the surrounding area. On the territory of the city The White Mosque,
Khan’s Palace, Bread Museum, Bulgar Museum, Mausoleums, Khan's tomb, Big and Small Minarets are
located. You will have the feeling that you have been transported into the past in a «time machine».
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Trip to the Island-Town of Sviyazhsk
Pushkin’s fairy tales come to life on the Sviyazhsk river island only 60 km from Kazan. Initially a fortress built by
Ivan the Terrible to seize Kazan in 16th century; Sviyazhsk has grown through the ages into a quintessential
place of Russian culture. The island with less than 300 residents has 37 cultural sights, two of them are currently
being considered for UNESCO World Heritage status.
Sviyazhsk hosts the oldest Christian church on the Volga, the wooden Trinity Church which was built in 1551
during a single day. Among the beautiful murals of the Uspensky Cathedral rare images of Ivan the Terrible
himself can be spotted. Sviyazhsk bears witness to the worst aspects of the Soviet era, with some of its churches
being turned into a prison camp and a mental institution. An extensive and careful restoration since 2010 has
brought the island’s churches back to their original function.
The solitary and pure nature of the island is preserved with no industry or public transport allowed on the island.
Today Sviyazhsk has a lively arts and festival scene. There is a museum, a stable yard and a medieval theme
centre, complete with an iron monger, archery stalls, and interactive knight’s armour displays. The serene and
spiritual Sviyazhsk is a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike.
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