Welcome to the city of St. Petersburg, known as the second capital of Russia! St. Petersburg was founded by the first Russian Emperor - Peter the Great on May 27, 1703. It was planned and built as the capital of the newly emerged Russian Empire. Today it is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The thought of the Venice of the North creates images of elegant royal palaces, exquisite sculptures, romantic fountains, and the magic of drawbridges in the light of white nights. Visiting the "pearl" of St. Petersburg and one of the best European museums - the Hermitage - will bring you incredible emotions.

It is impossible to find more magnificent palaces than in St. Petersburg. It was the capital of the Russian Empire in its very heyday. The suburban summer residence of the royal dynasty - the Catherine Palace - will dazzle you with its formal grace and sophistication of decor. Leaving the palace, you will find yourself in an impeccable snow-covered French park with ponds and ducks, where the time is for royalty. Later, ride a trio of horses, just like in a real Russian fairy tale. This is how horses are harnessed only in Russia, creating an amazing bend of horses' necks, captured by many artists on their canvases. In the evening, you will find a collection of Carl Faberge - the genius who brought the fairy tale to life. His inlaid and enameled eggs are famous all over the world. Like the Krakatuk nut, each egg contains a precious surprise.

Welcome to the capital of Russia - the city of Moscow! Centuries-old history, sights of world importance, and truly unique architecture. Moscow leaves only vivid impressions! It is a city of contrasts. Old courtyards and streets coexist with new business centers. Old quarters stand out against the background of modern high-rise buildings.

Experience genuine delight at the sight of crystal chandeliers, sculptures, and wall paintings at Moscow metro stations. Red Square attracts like a magnet with The Kremlin and the famous GUM, GUM is not just a shopping center, but a real architectural monument. The multifaceted Russian capital will open the main historical attractions in front of you.

Moscow attracts with its diversity! An amazingly beautiful architectural ensemble of Novodevichy Convent astonishes with its medieval and impregnable walls. Nowadays it is the natural landscape museum-reserve Kolomenskoye. A famous observation deck on Vorobyovy Gory rises above the Moskva River offering an impressive bird's-eye view of the city. A little later, you will explore Russian art! The Tretyakov Gallery, a leading cultural and educational center of Russia, opens its doors. About 180 thousand works of art: from ancient Russian icons to works by contemporary artists.

176 km from Moscow, on the high bank of the Klyazma River, rises the golden-domed Vladimir - the pearl of the Golden Ring of Russia. This city, which stood at the origins of the birth of the Old Russian state, was the capital of North-Eastern Russia for more than 250 years. It is not without reason that Vladimir is called the “elder brother of Moscow,” because the rulers of Russia had been holding the title of Grand Dukes of Vladimir for centuries before they began to be called Moscow sovereigns. Next, we will visit the famous city of Suzdal - one of the most interesting preserved ancient Russian cities. It is famous for its ancient architecture - elegant white-stone temples and monuments of wooden architecture. Often Suzdal is called the town from the picture, as it can be compared to a museum under the sky. On the way to Suzdal, we will visit the village of Bogolyubovo - a quiet and cozy place included in the Golden Ring of Russia. The seemingly unremarkable territory contains many monuments of spiritual heritage and pleases the eye with incredibly beautiful landscapes. People come here to recharge with positive emotions and feel the amazing pacifying atmosphere. Here you will find yourself in an incredibly colorful riot of traditional rituals and celebrations, dance to the sounds of fiery folk music, taste mead with pies. Maslenitsa is coming!

Kostroma not only occupies a worthy place in the list of cities of the "Golden Ring", but is also deservedly considered the cradle of the Romanov family. After all, it was here, in the Ipatiev Monastery in 1613, that the elected Tsar, 16-year-old Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov, was hiding from the Polish troops. It is noteworthy that the city's coat of arms, a boat, became the first coat of arms officially approved in Russia. It was granted to Kostroma in 1767 by Empress Catherine II, who visited the city during her cruise along the Volga. Catherine liked the city and its inhabitants so much that she not only granted the coat of arms but also approved the plan for further development. Legend has it that the Empress opened her fan when asked about the appearance of the city. The layout in the form of a fan has survived to this day - the street-rays converge on Susaninskaya Square, where numerous shopping arcades are located. It is here that wide and cheerful folk festivals on the occasion of Maslenitsa take place. Don't miss the chance to get into a round dance, warm yourself with warm tea with honey and be sure to eat one or another pancake. Yaroslavl is a beautiful city on the Volga coast, which only recently celebrated the 1000th anniversary of its history. More than three dozen ancient churches have survived in it, built mainly in the second half of the 17th century, during the heyday of the original Yaroslavl architecture. But not only ancient churches and monasteries attract travelers to Yaroslavl. Several unique large-scale festivals are held annually in the city and its suburbs - real festivals of music, theater, and poetry.

In the morning Maslenitsa will welcome you at its residence in Yaroslavl. There you will learn about the customs and traditions of Maslenitsa celebrations, visit the Empress's study, see with your own eyes her Dressing Room with luxurious outfits for all seasons, the Pantry with gifts from other cities and states, as well as the Throne Room with a unique operating Russian stove. After a hearty lunch, head to Sergiev Posad - the only city in the Moscow Region included in the Golden Ring of Russia route. Thousands of pilgrims and tourists from all over the world come here every year. The city got its name from the name of St. Sergius of Radonezh, the founder of the largest monastery in Russia - the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. The Trinity-Sergius Lavra contains a rare collection of manuscripts and early printed books. Since the beginning of the 19th century, the Moscow Theological Academy, one of the largest religious educational institutions in Russia, has been located on the territory of the Lavra, in the former Tsar's palaces. Among the most valuable shrines of the monastery are the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh, Maxim the Greek and Anthony of Radonezh, the Tikhvin and Chernigov icons of the Mother of God.

The famous VDNKh is the largest exhibition center in Moscow. This is a reflection of the values, aspirations, and culture of the Soviet period in Russia, embodied in the sculpture and architecture of the complex. More than twenty million people visit it annually, and at least one and a half hundred expositions and exhibitions are organized on the territory. And of course, Maslenitsa is no exception. VDNKh is one of the central metropolitan areas where festive celebrations are held dedicated to the farewell to winter. You can take part or just watch folk games and pancake battles, folklore performances and musicals, round dances, and masterclasses. And after you will dive into an amazing museum dedicated to human space exploration. You will learn a lot of interesting things about the developments of the Soviet era.

This day you will be able to explore the city, go to whichever restaurant and discover Moscow that will be only yours.

Take your time to do three things before you say goodbye to Russia! Nesting dolls and samovar, national hats and scarves, boots and mittens, eggs and honey - be sure to take a slice of Russia with you! Admire the gorgeous bird's-eye views of Moscow. And finally, be sure to plan your next trip to Russia!