Russian Tour and Cruise
St. Petersburg, Moscow and Tula
Albany-Tula Alliance 20th Anniversary
June 16-July 4, 20ll
Sponsored by
The Albany-Tula Alliance
with
Grand Circle Travel
Arrangements by
Charlotte S. Buchanan
Russian Tour and Cruise
St. Petersburg, Moscow and Tula
Albany-Tula Alliance 20th Anniversary
Join the Grand Central Tours (GCT) for its cruise and tours from St. Petersburg to
Moscow. Experience the personal relationships developed over 20 years with the people of
Tula and visit the estate of Tolstoy.
Please visit the website of the Albany-Tula Alliance--www.albanytula.org for detailed
itineraries, photos, prices, and other information and reservation forms.
The GCT portion of the tour includes the following:
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Round trip coach transport from Albany to JFK and round trip transatlantic air
transportation—from New York JFK to St. Petersburg
Airport welcome by a GCT representative at your destination
Accommodations—14 nights on a Grand Circle river ship in an outside cabin 40 meals—
14 breakfasts, 12 lunches, and 14 dinners (including complimentary wine with dinner)
11 exclusive, guided sightseeing tours—Moscow City & Subway tour, Novodevichy
(New Maiden) Cemetery, Moscow Circus, The Kremlin & the Armory Museum, Uglich,
Kizhi Island, Petrozavodsk, Peter & Paul Fortress, St. Petersburg city tour, Hermitage
Museum, Catherine’s Palace & Park Exclusive Discovery Series events—Meeting with
Russian World War II veterans, Russian handcrafts presentation, Russian language
lesson, Vodka tasting, Blini party, Home-Hosted Visit, Candid discussions on Russian
history
Personal headset on all included and most optional tours
Exclusive services of up to 6 resident Grand Circle Program Directors (each assigned to a
group of no more than 45 travelers)
Plus enjoy these features on every Grand Circle River Cruise:
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Shipboard commentary during cruising
Captain's Welcome and Farewell Receptions and Dinners
5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward your next Grand Circle trip
Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage per person, including tips
Several optional experiences at additional fees are also available.
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The Tula portion includes the following for a maximum of 25 participants:
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Travel by coach from Moscow to Tula
Three nights in the Ind Garnik Hotel in the center of the City
Nine meals--three each of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including one dinner with some of
our Russian friends
Guided tours--Polenova estate, Tula State University, City Tour including the Kremlin
and samovar museum and arms museum, the Polenova Art School, the medieval museum
and a staged medieval battle in Central Park, a children’s camp, and Yasnaya Polyana-Tolstoy’s estate and burial place
Evening banya experience and musical entertainment
Travel by coach to Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow for departure to JFK
For further information contact
Charlotte Buchanan
(518) 434-3518
[email protected]
www.albanytula.org
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Itinerary
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Costs and Booking
The GCT and Tula portions will be paid for separately to the organizing organization. For the
GCT cruise and tours, depending on the deck level on the cruise boat the basic portion for the
GCT cruise is from $3695 based on double occupancy per cabin. Travel insurance is available
for an additional $475. Optional tours include Peterhof in St. Petersburg at $95, Yusupo Palace
at $65, the Russian Ballet at $95, the Karelian Folk Dance at $45, a monastery at $30, the
Tretyakov Galleries in Moscow at $60 and Star City (where cosmonauts are trained) outside
Moscow). Tours like Peterhof, the beautiful summer palace and gorgeous gardens of the czars
and the Tretyakov Galleries in Moscow, housing all Russian art from icons to the 20th century
should not be missed. A $500 down payment to GCT at the time of making the reservation is
required.
Basic GCT Tour, double occupancy
Fees and taxes
Departure delay (three days in Tula)
Optional tours
Sub-total
$3695
$314
$75
$250 (or more)
$4334
For complete terms and conditions see the Albany-Tula website and the GCT’s website for River
Cruises, Russia Revealed: St. Petersburg to Moscow, June 16-July 1. The group name is
“Albany Tula Group”, and the group number is 23124. Reservations and payment for the GCT
portion should be made directly with GCT.
The Tula portion will be $1l00 plus a $200 tax deductible contribution to the Albany-Tula
Alliance. The price per person is based on double occupancy. For single rooms add an
additional $210. If single persons wish to share a room, we will communicate that to the singles,
so that they may decide if they wish to share a room. Items not specifically mentioned are not
included, e.g. coverage for accident or sickness insurance, alcoholic beverages, excess baggage
charges, personal items, laundry, room service, or gratuities for guides and drivers.
Tula accommodations, all meals, ground transportation, entrance fees
Tax-deductible contribution to the Albany-Tula Alliance
Sub-total
GCT sub-total
Total Price
$1,100
$200
$1,300
$4,334
$5,634
Your reservation of the Tula portion will be confirmed upon receipt and acceptance of the
application and a deposit of $200 per person. One-half of the balance will be due on March 16,
2011. Cancellation after March 16, 2011 will require a forfeiture of $200 per person. The
balance is due on or before April 16, 2011. No refunds will be made after April 16, 2011. Price
of the tour is based on the quoted prices and exchange rate as of October 10, 2010 and is subject
to change Pricing will be based on 15 to 25 people. Checks should be made payable to the
Albany-Tula Alliance, Inc. and mailed with the reservation form to Charlotte Buchanan.
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Pre-Trip
Baltic Capitals: Tallinn, Estonia & Helsinki, Finland
6 days from only $695—travel from only $116 a day
Day 1
Depart U.S.
Depart the U.S. today on your flight to St. Petersburg. Please refer to your individual air itinerary
for exact departure and arrival times.
Day 2
St. Petersburg, Russia
Arrive in St. Petersburg on Day 2. You are met at the airport by a Grand Circle representative
and transferred to your ship. Depending on your arrival time, you may not be able to board your
river ship immediately after arrival. Your Program Director will advise you of your boarding
status and activity schedule for the day when you arrive.
You have the balance of the day to relax after your overseas flight. You may want to join your
Program Director for an orientation walk to get better acquainted with the area around your river
ship. Tonight, you’ll enjoy dinner onboard.
Day 3
St. Petersburg
After breakfast enjoy a panoramic tour of St. Petersburg. A highlight is St. Isaac’s Cathedral.
This is the largest church in the city, built originally to be the main church of the Russian
Empire. The dome of the cathedral, which dominates the city’s skyline, is gilded with more than
200 pounds of gold, and the interior is elaborately decorated with exquisite mosaics, icons,
malachite, and lapis lazuli. This grand church can seat 14,000 worshippers. Although the church
was closed after the 1917 Revolution, it reopened as a museum in 1931, and services for
worshippers were again introduced in 1990.
You’ll also view the Admiralty, former shipyards, and the present Naval Academy on the banks
of the Neva River, showcasing the might of the Russian navy. Other highlights include Palace
Square—showcasing the beautifully baroque Winter Palace, General Staff Building, and
Alexander Column; St. Petersburg University; and the Bronze Horseman, a striking monument to
Peter the Great.
This afternoon, after a light lunch in a local restaurant, you
continue exploring St. Petersburg with us, with an included
visit to the Hermitage. Formerly the Winter Palace and
home of the Tsars, today this is one of the most splendid
museums in the world. Built by the Empress Elizabeth,
daughter of Peter the Great, the palace became part of the
Hermitage Museum, originated in 1764 when Catherine the
Great began her private art collection. Today, more than
1,000 rooms house nearly 3 million exhibits and displays
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representing some of the world’s greatest art.
The staggering collection of art and paintings ranges from ancient Egypt to early 20th-century
Europe and is set in a complex of buildings magnificently and lavishly adorned with gold leaf,
malachite, jasper, agate, and marble. Marvel at masterpieces by da Vinci, Michelangelo,
Raphael, Rembrandt, a full range of French Impressionists, Van Gogh, Rodin, and many more of
the world’s great artists. After your visit to the Hermitage, return to your ship in the afternoon.
Celebrate your first taste of Russia and get acquainted with your traveling companions over a
Captain’s Welcome Drink and Dinner tonight.
Day 4
St. Petersburg/Optional Evening at the Russian Ballet
Early this morning, come with us on a visit to one of the great Tsarist palaces, a royal retreat just
15 miles outside St. Petersburg. Named for Peter the Great’s wife Catherine the First, the palace
was enlarged and redecorated by his daughter Elizabeth as one of the most striking examples of
Russian baroque architecture.
The original palace was heavily damaged during the Second World War, and the restored
building that stands today is said to be the finest replica in the world. Its grandiose façade
stretches 978 feet and glitters in all its former glory, with elegant white columns and ornate gold
moldings set against a background of brilliant blue sky.
The gem of the palace is the famous Amber Room, opened to
the public after the restoration in 2003 during the 300th
anniversary of St. Petersburg. The room is a unique example
of decorative art.
You’ll also enjoy a tour of the elaborate gardens that surround
the palace, which were originally laid out as a private park for
the royal family.
Explore on your own this afternoon—perhaps using the most popular means of local transport:
the subway. You may want to visit the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood. This important
landmark was created as a memorial on the exact site where a terrorist named Grinevitsky, from
the revolutionary organization People’s Will, mortally wounded Tsar Alexander II, despite his
reforms, on March 1, 1881, by tossing a bomb at his feet. The church was modeled after St.
Basil’s in Moscow’s Red Square. It took 24 years to build and 27 years to restore. It has a mindboggling 75,320 square feet of mosaics. And there is always more to see at the Hermitage.
Tonight enjoy the sights of the city at your own pace, as well as an included dinner onboard the
ship.
Later, join us for an optional Evening at the Russian Ballet in a centrally located theater. At the
time you purchase this optional program, your Program Director will advise you of the ballet
performance that you will be attending this evening.
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Optional Tour
Evening at the Russian Ballet
Day 5
St. Petersburg/Optional Yusupov Palace tour
You have the morning at leisure to explore as you wish—browse some shops, visit monuments,
and learn more about Russia’s rich culture, or sip coffee at a cafe and watch the life of St.
Petersburg all around you.
Join us on an optional tour of the splendid Yusupov Palace, once owned by one of the wealthiest
families in Russia. The 19th-century Palace stands on the embankment of the Moyka River,
beyond the “Bridge of Kisses.” Built by Vallin de la Mothe in 1760, the palace’s claim to fame is
as the place where Prince Yusupov murdered Grigory Rasputin, the most controversial figure in
Russian history, in 1916. Here you’ll see where it all took place, as you browse rooms that have
been restored to evoke the eerie atmosphere of the night of the murder. Another palace highlight
is its magnificent private theater, one of the most beautiful of its kind in all of Europe.
After an included lunch, during months when school is in session, you visit the Children’s Music
School, a facility partly supported by grants from the charitable Grand Circle Foundation. The
Russian children will meet you with their smiles, and they’ll
be curious and open to conversation with you, eager to show
their knowledge of English. If you plan your trip during Mayearly June or September-October, you might consider bringing
a souvenir from your hometown for the children. The school
is closed for summer vacation from the middle of June
through the beginning of September, so we cannot make this
visit during the summer months. If you are traveling during
this period, your afternoon is at leisure.
The evening is free, with dinner onboard.
Optional Tour
Yusupov Palace
Day 6
St. Petersburg/Optional Peterhof tour
St. Petersburg, founded as the new capital of the Russian Empire more than 300 years ago
(1703), was the vision and creation of Tsar Peter the Great, who named it after his patron saint,
Peter. This beautiful showcase of a city, covering 150 square miles, is a synthesis of both
European and Russian styles, with elements of both East and West. Pushkin called this city
“Peter the Great’s Window to the West.” Known today as the Venice of the North, St. Petersburg
has more than 40 picturesque islands, more than 60 canals, and hundreds of lovely bridges, and it
is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
This morning, you’ll visit the chief monument to Peter the Great’s reign, the Peter & Paul
Fortress. On May 27, 1703 (considered the city’s birth date), Peter the Great laid the foundations
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of the fortress on an island in the Neva River to protect the city and Russia’s access to the sea
from the Swedish armies during the Northern Wars. Within the fortress is St. Peter and Paul
Cathedral, whose lovely spire is topped by a golden angel holding a cross. This figure is the
symbol of the city. Peter the Great and all the Russian emperors and empresses are buried here,
and the Cathedral made headlines when the remains of the last Romanov family (Nicholas,
Alexandra, and their children) were laid to rest here.
You’ll have some free time on Nevsky Prospect, St. Petersburg’s main avenue, including time to
get lunch on your own. Then your afternoon is at leisure. You can explore the city on your own
from Nevsky Prospect, the center of business, trade activities, cultural life, shopping,
entertainment, and nightlife. The Nevsky is at its most beautiful where the Kazan Cathedral on
one side faces the Dom Knigi bookstore on the other. In addition to being home to many
churches of different denominations, there are many other attractions: the largest department
store in the city, Gostiny Dvor; the National Library of Russia; the monument to Catherine the
Great; Anichkov Bridge with its beautiful statues; and much more.
Join our optional excursion to the magnificent summer residence of the Russian royalty at
Peterhof. In 1714, Peter the Great asked for a “Versailles by the Sea.” The site evolved into a
grand palace atop the hill surrounded by a park, as well as several other smaller palaces. We visit
Catherine’s Wing, one of the small palaces, and have a chance to view the many fountains on the
grounds. You’ll see the palace’s remarkable Grand Cascade. This is an extraordinary fountain
ensemble made up of three waterfalls, nearly 150 fountains shooting more than 2,000 jets of
water, and a myriad of statues and sculptures. Its waterworks, after more than 250 years,
continue to operate over 13 miles without pumps, relying on a system of gravity.
Optional Tour
Peterhof
Day 7
Svir Stroi
Join us after breakfast for a Discovery Series talk on Russian handcrafts, and learn about the
skills and creations of Russian artisans.
Later, enjoy a Discovery Series class in the Russian language.
Every day, you’ll learn about the upcoming port of call during a “port talk.” Today’s port talk
focuses on Svir Stroi—a remote village on the Svir River, 280 miles south of St. Petersburg,
halfway between Lake Ladoga and Lake Onega. The town is known for the children’s orphanage
located here.
Your Russian language lesson will come in handy later this afternoon during your special
Discovery Series visit to the home of a local family. Along with a warm welcome and
stimulating conversation, you’ll enjoy authentic Russian tea and another specialty of the region:
piroshki. From the Russian for “peer feast,” piroshki are pastries with such fillings as cabbage,
chicken, fish, fruit, beef or mashed potatoes. Russians usually bring some small presents, such as
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flowers, wine, or chocolates, when they visit a friend’s place. You may bring some small
presents from the U.S., or just pick up something to take along in a local shop.
Return to the ship to savor dinner onboard.
Day 8
Petrozavodsk/Optional Karelian Folk Show
Continue your discoveries today with a tour of the port city of Petrozavodsk, the industrial,
cultural and scientific center of the Republic of Karelia. Here you’ll see the monument to Peter I,
considered to be the founder of Petrozavodsk, whose order was responsible for the first Russian
cannon factory. Learn more about the Soviet period by touring Kirov Square, Gagarin Square,
and Lenin Square, and stop at the World War II memorial of the eternal flame in the latter.
Return to the ship in time to relax over lunch. Later, you may choose to join us for a Karelian
Folk Show, during which we’ll enjoy the national music and costume of the Karelia Republic—
the northern region of Russia known for its pristine lakes, thick forests and frigid climate. Listen
to traditional songs with verses in the Russian, Finnish, and Karelian languages.
Enjoy time at leisure to either continue your explorations in Petrozavodsk or relax on the ship.
Later, we'll reunite for dinner onboard.
Optional Tour
Karelian Folk Show
Day 9
Kizhi Island
This morning, your ship docks at Kizhi Island in the
middle of Lake Onega, one of the most ancient inhabited
sites in Russia. It was an early pagan center, and now
hosts an open-air architectural museum and reserve.
You’ll visit the museum, opened to visitors in 1966 and
offering an array of architectural monuments. Over 80
wooden monuments represent folk wooden architecture, ancient Russian pictorial art, and
cultural items of the region’s various ethnic groups. The museum’s precious collection includes
many wooden churches and chapels brought from other parts of the Russian north.
Here you view the Church of Transfiguration, with its 22 timbered onion domes. A donation
from Grand Circle Foundation to the World Monuments Fund helped to maintain and protect this
treasure. You then have some free time to do a little exploring of Kizhi Island on your own.
Enjoy the afternoon onboard at leisure as we sail for Goritsy. Perhaps the Captain may invite you
for a visit to the ship’s bridge. Then join a Discovery Series cooking class on pelmeni, a
dumpling similar to Polish pierogi. The meat- or
vegetable-filled pelmeni were originally popular with hunters looking for easy-to-prepare,
nourishing food to take with them on long hunting trips in the winter. Today, the dumplings are a
Russian national dish. You’ll cook and sample your tasty creations. You’ll also have a chance to
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learn some insights into Russian history during an onboard discussion with your Program
Directors.
Day 10
Goritsy/Optional Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery tour
After breakfast this morning, join an onboard Discovery Series Blini Party, and learn the art of
creating blinis, a small Russian pancake that is served with sour cream, caviar, or smoked
salmon. You’ll learn its history and have a chance to make your own. We celebrate this regional
dish by consuming our creations during the party.
Join an optional tour of Goritsy’s Kirillo-Belozersky
monastery, built in 1397 by St. Kirill, who left a life of luxury
to become closer to God. Interestingly, by the 16th century, the
monastery was the second richest landowner in Russia and
had close connections to ruler Ivan the Terrible. You’ll tour
the vast walled area of the monastery, featuring two priories
and eleven churches, most of them dating to the 16th century.
The monastery walls, 732 meters long and 7 meters thick,
were constructed in 1654-80 to hold off Lithuanian invaders.
They incorporate parts of the earlier citadel, which helped to withstand the Polish siege in 1612.
Its walls feature numerous towers, each built to a particular design. You’ll also view the
monastery’s impressive collection of Russian Orthodox icons, stylized paintings of Christian
religious figures.
Then join a Discovery Series presentation on the beverage that has been integral to the Russian
culture for over 600 years: vodka. Distilled even before it was named vodka (from the Russian
word “voda,” or water), vodka was once believed to be a miracle-working medicine. Learn the
remarkable history of vodka—including Russia’s own Prohibition era—and sample some for
yourself.
Tonight enjoy dinner onboard.
Optional Tour
Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery
Day 11
Uglich
This morning, you’ll cruise along the river Russians affectionately call the Matushka (“Dear
Little Mother”) Volga. It’s a contradictory name, for this is the greatest river in Europe, twisting,
meandering, and flowing from the Valday Hills to the Caspian Sea for almost 2,500 miles,
draining an area of a million square miles, and linking five oceans and seas to Moscow through
its canals. In addition to admiring the passing panorama or simply relaxing, you can learn how
Matryoshkas—Russia’s famous nesting dolls—are painted and perhaps try your hand at it
yourself.
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Uglich, with its many medieval buildings, is an impressive site when seen from the Volga or
when walking its ancient streets. The town dates from the 10th century and was used by Ivan IV
(the legendary Ivan the Terrible) in the 16th century as a base for his attacks against the Tatars.
The Uglich fortress, or Kremlin, as it is called, is on the bank of the Volga River and includes
impressive churches. The town’s long history is reflected in these ancient buildings within the
Kremlin. One of the most massive structures is the Cathedral of Transfiguration, built from 1700
to 1713. Note its monumental design.
The striking Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood, with its red walls and blue domes that appear as
you sail into Uglich, dates from around 1690. It was built and named to honor the spot where
Prince Dmitri, the youngest son of Ivan IV, died in the late 16th century. An aura of mystery still
surrounds the exact circumstances of his death—you can decide for yourself whether he was
murdered when you hear the story.
The center of the town also features architectural landmarks,
as well as offering a glimpse of the unique charm of this
Russian province. The streets are wide and offer views of
churches with distinctive domes and belfries. The handcraft
markets near the center boasts a wide choice of souvenirs,
but please keep in mind that their quality varies, and the
prices are about the same as in major cities.
Back onboard, enjoy your last full afternoon of cruising as we sail toward our last port of call,
Moscow. Along the way, you are invited to have a discussion with your Program Directors about
their lives in the USSR and Russia.
In the evening, join your travel companions and the Captain of your river cruise ship at the
Captain’s Reception to celebrate your voyage. Afterwards, share your discoveries along the river
over the Captain’s Farewell Dinner.
Day 12
Moscow
As we approach Moscow, relax and enjoy the passing scenery.
After lunch, set out to explore Russia’s modern capital on an included tour. Your discoveries
begin in the heart of the city, Krasnaya Ploshchad, known in English as “Red Square.” In the
16th century, krasny meant “beautiful,” but its meaning changed over centuries to mean “red.”
Red Square does not refer to Communism but rather to the beauty of the city square. In the 16th
century, the square became a place for state ceremonies, where they have been held ever since.
Along the way, you’ll get a true flavor of life in Moscow, as you join the bustle under the streets
during a ride on Moscow’s Metro, considered one of the best subway systems in the world.
Return to your ship late this afternoon, and enjoy some time at leisure before dinner onboard.
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Day 13
Moscow/Optional National Russian Show
After breakfast, you’ll tour the Kremlin, probably the most
recognized icon of the mystery and intrigue of the former
Soviet Union. It is actually a walled city built as a
fortification and ringed all around by 15th-century towers. As
you’ll see, the Kremlin is the very heart of Moscow, with the
city’s streets radiating outward in circles, the Kremlin
standing as the focal point of the inner ring.
Construction of the Kremlin began in the 12th century on the small Borovitsky Hill (translated as
Pine Grove Hill, reflecting the stands of evergreens that used to line it) along the north bank of
the Moscow River. Almost every ruler of consequence since then has directed construction in the
Kremlin, so it is a wonderful collection of widely varying architectural styles. The citadel is
surrounded by a mile of red brick walls 65 feet high and up to 20 feet thick. Along these are
battlements and gated entryways interspersed with 20 towers, the tallest standing 264 feet high.
Most visitors enter the ancient Kremlin grounds through Kutafya Tower. In addition to housing
the seat of government, there are numerous museums and six cathedrals (one of which we visit)
within the walls. The Kremlin not only represented the political power of the country from Tsars
to Soviet prime ministers, but in earlier centuries it was also the religious heart of the Russian
Orthodox Church.
Our exploration of the Kremlin includes a tour of the State Armory, the oldest museum in
Russia. Some of the Armory collection housed here dates to the 16th century and was originally
stored in a stone chamber. In the 1840s, this Russo-Byzantine building was designed to protect
the Kremlin’s collection of valuable weaponry, jewels, and ceremonial robes and articles.
The museum’s collection has grown, and you will be able to see historic armor (Russian and
foreign), royal thrones covered with thin plates of gold and studded with diamonds, imperial
carriages, coronation robes, and the wedding dress of Catherine the Great. Some of the worldfamous Faberge eggs, created by Carl Faberge, the jeweler to the Tsars of Russia, are on display,
as well as ornate 12th-century decorations of Russian gold and silver, Russian weaponry in
jewel-studded cases, battle-axes, sabers, and lavish equestrian harnesses and saddles. Here are
the vestments of the Tsars—priceless silks, velvets, and brocades, encrusted with jewels and
pearls.
Enjoy a late lunch at a local restaurant before we return to the ship.
The evening is free, with dinner onboard.
Join us after dinner for an optional excursion to a thrilling show by Kostroma, a professional
dance ensemble. They will perform stylized folk dances of Russians, Ukrainians, Cossacks, and
other nationalities that inhabit the Russian Federation. This colorful show features 50 dancers on
stage and 17 costume changes. The ensemble has toured the world with this show to great
acclaim.
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Please note: May-early June and late September-October departures offer an optional tour
featuring the Zlatoust Singers rather than the optional National Russian Show.
Optional Tour
National Russian Show
Day 14
Moscow/Optional Jewish Heritage tour/Optional Tretyakov Gallery tour
This morning is free for you to discover historic sites independently, revisit favorite haunts and
browse local galleries and shops. Please note: Your ship is docked inside the city, a 15-minute
walk to the metro station, which is a direct line to the city’s center. The ride to the city center
takes approximately 25-30 minutes.
Join us for one of two optional tours. On the first optional tour, travel with us to Star City,
located just northwest of Moscow. In 1960, this Cosmonaut Training Center was constructed in a
location kept so secret, even most Russians didn’t know where it was. The well-guarded state
facility became more than just the training ground for every cosmonaut since that year; it also
was an important component in the propaganda of the Soviet era, with its luxury residences and
well-stocked stores.
On your optional tour, you’ll bear witness to more than a half century of Russia’s odyssey into
outer space. View the residential areas, where many Russian cosmonauts still live with their
families. Unlike the Cold War era, however, some NASA astronauts live next-door to their
former rivals. You’ll also see a monument dedicated to Yuri Gagarin, the Russian cosmonaut
who, in April 1961, became the first person in space, and the Alley of Heroes, the route
cosmonauts take to their launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
You’ll also tour the training facility itself. View a full-size mock-up of the Mir Space Station,
which successfully orbited the earth for 15 years before plunging into the ocean in 2001. You’ll
also see many of the space simulators that prepare cosmonauts and astronauts for their journey,
including a water pool, used to simulate weightlessness.
Tour the Tretyakov Gallery in Zamoskvorechye, one of the oldest districts in Moscow, just a
stone’s throw from the Kremlin. As the National Museum of Russian Fine Art, the Tretyakov
Gallery features a collection of more than 130,000 paintings, sculptures, and graphics from
Russian artists dating from the 11th to the 20th centuries. You’ll view paintings by Kandinsky,
Repin, and Levitsky to name just a few.
Enjoy lunch onboard today.
Enjoy an included dinner onboard, after which you make an evening excursion to the Moscow
Circus. This artful performance has enjoyed international acclaim for many years. The Circus
showcases trained animals, daring acrobatic feats, and the stunning precision and horsemanship
of the Cossack Riders. You’ll also see the art of juggling, along with the humor and merriment
that are unique to a circus atmosphere. Performances may vary.
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Optional Tours
Jewish Heritage/Tretyakov Gallery
Day 15
Moscow
On this morning’s included excursion, you’ll see the expansive view of Moscow from the
vantage of Sparrow Hills, formerly called the Lenin Hills. These hills overlook the city from a
steep bank on the south side of the river and give you a view of the famed Moscow State
University, one of the scientific centers of Russia. You will pass by the gleaming Cathedral of
Christ the Savior, a distinctive structure that is an integral part of the Moscow skyline, as it is
visible from so many points in the city center. Reconstructed in the 1990s, it is the largest church
in Russia. You also visit Novodevichy (New Maiden) Cemetery, where Russian luminaries such
as writers Anton Chekhov and Nikolai Gogol, and former President Boris Yeltsin are buried.
After lunch onboard, you’ll meet with Russian WWII
veterans, who will gladly tell you about their war experiences
and answer your questions.
The rest of your afternoon is free to explore on your own. You
might choose to discover historical sites in the city or browse
some of the galleries and shops in the inner circle of Moscow.
If you want to see where the locals shop, in an area that is not
tourist-oriented, you may want to walk through Tverskaya
Street, the main street of Moscow and one of its busiest. For fairly reasonable shopping here, you
might want to visit the Eliseevsky grocery store. Tverskaya Street also features many fashionable
boutiques, but the significantly high prices may encourage more browsing than buying. And
please be aware that this is a long street and can be a tiring walk.
Be sure to bring a pencil and paper to tonight’s dinner, so you can collect the e-mail addresses of
your fellow travelers.
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Tula, Daily Schedule
Day 16, July 1
Depart from Moscow by coach for Tula, about a two and a
half hour ride non-stop, but the stop at the lovely estate of
the artist Vasily Polenova is well worth the extra time.
Check into the Ind Garnik Hotel, a four-star hotel. After a
light lunch, we will walk a short distance for a tour at the
Polenova Art School, an extra-curricular school for
talented youngsters ages five to eighteen. The art is
outstanding. This evening dinner will be at a local
restaurant with some of our English speaking Russian
friends.
Day 17, July 2
Breakfast at the hotel. City tour by coach including the Kremlin, the Arms Museum, and the
Samovar Museum. Lunch either before going to or at the children’s summer camp. After
touring the camp and visiting with the campers, we will return to the hotel before dinner at a
local restaurant. Then really relax and enjoy the banya. The banya is a fabulous Russian
experience!
Day 18, July 3
Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to the estatemuseum of Leo Tolstoy, Yasnaya Polyana. Lunch at a
local restaurant. Free time for rest or shopping at the
huge out-of-doors Central Market with everything
from a huge fish market to wedding dresses or shop in
the modern Paradise Center, a block from our hotel.
Shopping is excellent at costs far below St. Petersburg
and Moscow for quality fur and leather coats, amber
jewelry, hand-painted trays, samovars and vodka. In
the latter part of the afternoon visit Central Park and
enjoy a traditional Russian welcome and musical
entertainment, followed by a tour of the park in horse drawn carriages. A stop will be made at
the Medieval Museum, followed by a medieval dinner and demonstration of a medieval battle.
Day 19, July 4
Celebrate the U.S. independence by returning to it!
After an early breakfast a coach will transport the
group to Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow for the
return to Albany.
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Reservation Form
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Name(s) as on passport
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Street Address
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City, State, Zip Code
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Daytime telephone number
Evening telephone number
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E-mail address(es)
Single supplement
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The Albany-Tula Alliance and Charlotte S. Buchanan act only in the capacity of
agent for the participants in matters of arrangements for hotel accommodation,
sightseeing and limited ground transportation. They will not be liable for damages,
expenses or inconveniences caused by late arrivals and departures, change of
schedule or other conditions, nor can they be held responsible for the loss of
baggage or belongings nor any acts or omissions by any party providing goods or
services on this trip.
PARTICIPANTS ACKNOWLEDGDE THAT PARTICIPATION IN THE TRIP
AND ITS ACTIVITIES INVOLVES THE RISK OF INJURY TO THEIR
PERSON A ND PROPERTY, AND THEY VOLUNTARILY ACCEPT ALL
RISKS OF PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE ARISING FROM
PARTICIPATION IN THIS TRIP. By forwarding the deposit, the participant
certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical or other conditions of
disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other passengers.
I (we) have read and understand the conditions of travel and accept the terms.
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