Saint Petersburg is undoubtedly the most precious gem in the Russia's crown of tourist attractions. Nevertheless you can get tired of staying all the time in the big city and then there are plenty of other places within an easy reach that not less impressive and that give you excellent insight into Russian history and spirituality. One of such places is Transfiguration Monastery on the Valaam island. The architectural solemnity of this monastery, one of the oldest and most respected in Russia is matched by unique thriving nature of the island and austere beauty of the rocky shores of Ladoga Lake - the biggest on Eurasian continent.

Another place not to miss if you are in Northern Russia is Novgorod. The first significant city mentioned in the Russian chronicles, Novgorod has for centuries been the capital of one of the biggest and most prosperous states of Eastern Europe as well as a bastion of democratic form of Russian political tradition alternative to the usual at the Medieval time despotism. The ancient historical part of Novgorod can match in size that of Moscow which gives the idea of the former glory of the city.

The program of the tour:

Day.1		Arrival to St.Petersburg. Transfer to the hotel. Check- in. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 2		Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of the city (Nevsky prospect, the Palace Square, The Spit of the Basil's Island, St. Isaac's Square, Smolny Cathedral, etc.). Lunch. Tour of the St.Isaac's Cathedral, the biggest and the most famous in St.Petersburg, one of the symbols of the city. Dinner
Day 3		Breakfast. Time at leisure. You can go to the city to have a walk along Nevky Prospekt (the main throughfare of the city) or visit one of its markets. Lunch. Tour of the Hermitage Museum, former royal residence of the Russian emperors (nowadays featuring West European Arts collection, the gala and private rooms of the Winter Palace, etc.). Dinner at the hotel. Transfer to the river-boat station. Departure to Valaam Island.
Day 4		Breakfast. A walking guided tour of the island.  Lunch aboard the ship. Time at leisure (optional tour of the Monastery). Dinner aboard the ship. Departure for St. Petersburg.
Day 5		Arrival to St.Petersburg. Breakfast at the hotel. Tour of the Peter and Paul Fortress, the historical fort in the heart of the city, containing the burial grounds of the Russian Emperors of the Romanov's dynasty and  tour of Alexander Nevsky Monastery with its big necropolis of the famous Russian writers, composers and artists. Lunch. Time at leisure. Dinner.
Day 6		Breakfast. Leaving by bus for ancient city of Novgorod. Sightseeing tour of the city including visits to the kremlin (citadel) and St.Sophia's Cathedral, one of the oldest in Russia. Lunch. Tour of the open air museum of the traditional Russian wooden architecture and folk culture. The museum contains a number of well preserved centuries-old wooden houses and churches. Tour of  the Yaroslav's Dvor the ancient quarters that cerved as the city's centre of commercial and public life. Return to St.Petersburg. Dinner.
Day 7		Breakfast. Tour of Petrodvorets or Pushkin, both are the former Russian Tsars' summer residences featuring beautiful parks and palaces. Petrodvorets is especially famous for its golden cascade fountains and Pushkin's Catherine's palace for it's Amber room. Lunch. Time at leisure. Dinner.
Day 8		Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Departure.

 
Recommended period for travel: end of May through end of September

The price of the tour is quoted by request.