The Complete Russian Icons Painting Tour, 6 days
Type: special offers, around Moscow, excursion, historical, events, culture heritage, recommended, discovery, Golden Ring
Route: Golden Ring , Pаlekh, Ivanovo, Suzdal, Moscow, Vladimir
Dates: upon request, all year round
Group: 2 pax and more
Led by Vasiliy Novakovskiy
During this trip tourists visit the best museum of icon collections in Moscow and the main Russian icon painting centers (located in distance of 250 km from Moscow). Before 1917 the whole Russia purchased of icons were in Palekh and Kholuy a small Russian towns. Iin a Soviet time after 1917 when the Communist government banned Icons and Religion in Russia these artists saved their art styles and produced other excellent applied art products. Now they paint again the best Russian icons and decorate temples according to the saved traditions.
It is possible to buy fresh painted icons in the artist studios with custom permission. Also other applied art souvenirs is possible to buy in Palekh and Kholuy towns as well.
Tourists will have all the transfers by car/bus. The driver in a car is the English speaking and well educated guide. This person will escort tourist permanently and tell all the tourist stories on the itinerary.
In the museums tourists will get local guides able to explain everything about it’s exhibitions.
On the transfers tourists will see and explore a "real" Russia with wooden decorated houses and village churches, have contacts with peasants, monks and nuns will meeting at active Orthodox Monasteries.
The whole tour is led by the well educated and English speaking "nice- looking" guide. Every where tourists can make photo / video and buy unique Russian souvenirs.
Breakfasts to be provided in the hotels people will accommodate or at local café with Russian traditional cuisine.
Attention, please! Women asked to be wearing long skirt (not trousers) and having headscarves to enter churches and cloisters according to the Orthodox rules
Itinerary
1 day Arrival to Moscow. Meeting in the airport with the English speaking guide.
On the transfer from the airport to the hotel tourists will have some Moscow sightseeing to start the “feeling of Russia” (2 - 3 hour excursion along the route).
At 21.00 check - in the hotel. Dinner in the hotel.
Overnight in the 3*** hotel. (D)
2 day 08.00 - 09.00 Breakfast in the hotel
09.00 - 10.00 Transfer in the car with the guide to the museum of icons in the St. Andronike monastery. On the transfer getting Moscow’s sightseeing with guide.
10.00 - 12.00 Excursion in the Icon Museum with the museum’ local guide (supported/translated by the main guide of the tour)
12.00 - 13.00 Transfer to the Tretiakovskay Gallery Museum by metro. Car parked close to the metro station.
In metro a short Metro tour, observe of the art of Moscow metro decoration (with the tour guide).
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch in the restaurant in the city close to the Tretiakov’s gallery.
14.00 - 16.00 Excursion to the Tretiakov’s gallery with the gallery guide. Attention to the|” icon department” of the gallery.
16.00 - 18.00 Walking tour with guide from the Gallery to the Red Square and excursion around the Red Square with the tour guide.
18.00 - 19.00 Transfer by Metro to the car parking place
19.00 - 20.00 Transfer to the hotel by car
20.00 Dinner in the hotel. Free time in the city.
All day long time souvenirs and shopping are possible. Overnight in the hotel in Moscow. (BL)
3 day 07.00 - 08.00 Breakfast in the hotel. Check - out in the hotel.
08.00 - 11.00 Leaving Moscow. Transfer by car / bus Vladimir (180 km).
11.00 - 13.00 Excursion around the churches of Vladimir with the tour guide.
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch in Vladimir in local restaurant
14.00 - 16.00 Transfer in the car to Kholuy town (100 km). On the transfer visit to the famous Church (XII century) in Bogolubovo.
Kholuy is the ancient center (since XVI century) of icon painting. In the XIX century here were produced 1.5 million icons per year. Excellent exhibition in Museum of Icons and Art. Kholuy icons were done for private home needs. Fantastic Russian style window decorations in the villages we will meet en-route
16.00 - 19.00 Visit the Museum and to the home studio of the icon artist. Shopping and souvenirs.
19.00 - 20.00 Transfer to Uouja (20 km) and check in the hotel in Uouja.
20.00 Dinner in the hotel
Overnight in the 3***hotel in Uouja. (BLD)
4 day 07.00 -08.00 Breakfast and check- out of the hotel.
08.00 -09.00 Transfer to Palekh (40 km).
Palekh is the famous icon painting place (well known since XVI century). Artists of Palekh decorated a lot of churches through the years. Very serious art museum.
09.00 - 13.00 Visit to the museum of icons and artist's studious. Souvenirs.
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch in Palekh
14.00 - 16.00 Transfer to Sant Tikhon of the Lukh Monastery(60 km). On the transfer visit to the ground Fortress (XII century).
16.00 - 18.00 Excursion in the Monastery (XVI century). Contacts with the local monks. Baptisation (washing of the Christian soul and heart) in the 500 years old Holy pond. For “Baptisation” needed the long shirt in which the person jumps in the pond with pray to God.
18.00 - 20.00 Transfer to Shuya (60 km). On the transfer visiting the old Churches (XVI – XVII c).
20.00 Check- in the ***hotel in Shuya and dinner in the hotel
Night in the hotel in Shuya. (BLD)
5 day 07.00- 08.00 Breakfast and check-out of the hotel
08.00 - 09.00 Sightseeing of ancient town of Shuya (XIII century). Observe of the highest in Europe bell tower (106 m). The height of the Bell of Ivan on Moscow’s Kremlin in 86 meters only
09.00 - 11.00 Transfer to Suzdal ( 80 km). On the transfer visit the old Orthodox Churches.
11.00 - 13.00 Excursion around Suzdal
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch in Suzdal
14.00 -16.00 Continue of the excursion around Suzdal. Souvenirs.
16.00 - 20.00 Transfer to Moscow
20.00 Check in and dinner in the hotel in Moscow. Free time in the city and rest.
Overnight in the hotel in Moscow. (BL)
6 day 08.00 - 9.00 Breakfast and check - out of the hotel.
09.00 - 13.00 Excursion to Kremlin. Visit territory of Kremlin, it’s Cathedrals and Armory Museum
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch in the city (extra charge)
Free time in the city
P.m. Transfer to the airport. Departure (B)
Price
From € 692
Included
- local english speaking guides / interpreters
- economy foreign class car for 1-2 pax, minibus for 3-5 pax
- meals per program
- visa support (if needed)
- аccompany english speaking guide
- нotel accommodaion with breakfasts
- arrival and departure transfers