A tale of bygone years. National route in the Novgorod region

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In this tour, we will go through the ancient cities of Russia and get acquainted with the places where the history of our country began.

The imperial city of Staraya Russa, where the great works of Dostoevsky were created, Veliky Novgorod with the princely court of Yaroslav the Wise and St. George Monastery, and Valdai with the famous bell craft.

Location

Veliky Novgorod

Sightseeing tours

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Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)

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Tour highlights

We will visit an ancient health resort

We will walk along the mineral lakes and admire the fountain, where water gushes from the ground

Let's get acquainted with the princely court

Let's walk through Yaroslav's hillfort and try our hand at ancient crafts

Let's ring the bells

Let's dive into the history of the Valdai bell industry and ring the famous bells

Itinerary

Day 1 - Valdai and the famous bell industry
Arrival in Novgorod (we meet the train from Moscow at 06:24 train No. 42 and St. Petersburg at 10:26 train No. 7001 and additional train No. 7931).
Meeting with the guide at the railway station at the main entrance from the platform.
The estimated start time of the tour is at 9 a.m. If the group includes tourists arriving by Lastochka from St. Petersburg, the start time will change to a later date.
Guaranteed hotel accommodation at 14:00.
Morning check-in if possible. You can leave your belongings free of charge in the luggage room of the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to the city of Valdai "Pearl of the Novgorod region" (132 km).
The excursion program "Tales and legends of the Valdai Backyard" is a visit to the only Bell Museum in Russia.
The museum contains a variety of different types of bells. Here, in the museum, you can not only learn the history of Valdai and the amazing Valdai bell industry, but also personally ring the famous bells (possibly replaced by a visit to the Museum Bell Center).
Free time at the guest house "Teremok" in the center of Valdai.
A shop with traditional souvenirs and exclusive Valdai products — bells, bagels, gingerbread, local varieties of tea, mugs, plates, T-shirts, magnets with Valdai symbols;
Visit to the Valdai National Park – The architectural ensemble of the Iversky Monastery: the Assumption Cathedral (1656) – the first stone building of the monastery, the Chapel of the Iversky Monastery (XIX century).
Return to Veliky Novgorod.
Day 2 - Tour of the Kremlin complex "Walls and towers of the Ancient Detinets"
Breakfast at the hotel.
Tour of the Kremlin complex "Walls and towers of the Ancient Detinets" in 1044. The walls and towers of the Ancient Kremlin were laid by Yaroslav the Wise. The walls and towers of the Ancient Kremlin were held here, the Mayor's election was held, the chronicle was kept – Likhudov Building; St. Sophia Cathedral (XI century) – an outstanding monument of ancient Russian architecture; St. Sophia Belfry of the XYI century. and a unique collection of ancient bells of Veliky Novgorod (XVI – XVII centuries); monument "The Millennium of Russia" – an encyclopedia of the Russian state, imprinted in bronze – is a chronicle of the thousand-year history of the Russian state.
Free time for souvenirs.
Country tour: We invite you to a fascinating and informative excursion "To the origins of Russia!".
We will visit an amazing place – Yaroslav's Courtyard, where you will hear what the Novgorod veche was about, why there are so many temples on the territory of the auction and where the princely court of the famous Russian Prince Yaroslav the Wise was located.
The acquaintance with the history of the ancient city will continue in the picturesque southern surroundings, where the monastery of St. George, one of the oldest in Russia, is hidden from view.
The monastery is located at the source of the Volkhov River, flowing from the legendary Lake Ilmen.
And the route will end with a walk through the Novgorod village in the Museum of Wooden Architecture "Vitoslavlitsy".
You will touch the traditions of the Russian countryside and learn a lot of interesting things: how huts were built without a single nail, get acquainted with the life of Novgorod peasants. The fabulous beauty of the interiors will not leave anyone indifferent!
Attention! It can be replaced by the Hutynsky Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery.

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Day 3 - Staraya Russa, Dostoevsky house and the oldest health resort
Breakfast at the hotel.
Room release (things in the luggage room).
Departure to Staraya Russa (103 km).
Imperial city resort – sightseeing tour of the city, visiting the Church of St. George the Victorious (15th century), where the miraculous list of the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God (19th century) is kept; acquaintance with the history of strange temples, including the architectural monument of the 12th century – the Transfiguration Monastery.
Visit to the F. M. Dostoevsky house museum, where great works were created - the novel "Demons" and "The Brothers Karamazov", acquaintance with the life and work of the writer.
Walking tour of the oldest health resort in the north-west of Russia, the Staraya Russa resort, which has nine mineral springs, seven of which form mineral lakes, creating zones of increased air ionization in the resort park.
An inspection of the famous Muravyovsky fountain, which is the tallest column of mineral water in Europe, gushing from the ground.
The entrance to the resort is 100 rubles – payment is made on the spot.
Visit to the interactive museum "Manor of the medieval Rushanin" (for an additional fee of 300 rubles).
Return to Veliky Novgorod.
Transfer to the railway station.
17:00 train to St. Petersburg and 20:20 Transfer to the railway train to Moscow.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Tour organizer's comments

Sightseeing trips to Staraya Russa and Valdai and excursions to Veliky Novgorod are waiting for you.

Accommodation

Hotel

2 nights

Comfort

Upscale

The tour provides accommodation in a hotel of your choice in Veliky Novgorod.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, in rubles:

Hotel	Room category	Place in 2-bed room	Place in 1-bed room	3rd adult for an additional location	Lunch Package (3 lunches)	Dinner Package (3 dinners at the hotel)
Akron 5* The buffet	Standard with air conditioning	50 240	65 600	-	2 850	-
Volkhov 4* The buffet	Standard with air conditioning	37 568	39 744	31552	2850	2850
Volkhov 4* The buffet	Comfort with air conditioning	40 300	44 700	31552	2850	2850
Sadko 3* The buffet	Standard air conditioning on request	31 296	32 704	29 120	2100	2100
Sadko 3* The buffet	Superior with air conditioning	31 950	39 700	29 120	2100	2100
Intourist 3* The buffet	Standard air conditioning on request	32 704	39 360	28 352	2100	2250
Intourist 3* The buffet	Comfort with air conditioning	34 300	42 500	28 352	2100	2250

A discount for a child under 14 years of age for any accommodation option is 400 rubles.

Please pay for the package of dinners when buying the tour, the package of lunches can be paid on the spot.

Hotel

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Another option

Hotel

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Another option

Hotel

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Another option

Hotel

2 more photos

Tour conditions

Group

From 2 to 40 tourists

Minimum age

5 years old

Duration

3 days 2 nights

Group meets at

Veliky Novgorod

Included in price

accommodation in a hotel of the selected category;
meals (3 breakfasts);
tour service;
transport support according to the tour program;
group meeting and departure at the railway station;
guide services.

Paid extra

railway tickets to Veliky Novgorod and back;
lunches and dinners (dinners are paid for when buying a tour, lunches are available on site);
personal expenses;
additional excursions (the cost should be checked with the guide).

It's important to know

Air and railway tickets are not included in the price of the tour. You can purchase them yourself or contact us for help.

Dates and Prices

$427

5 – 7 Jun 3 days 2 nights

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$298

12 – 14 Jun 3 days 2 nights

Tour option - A tale of bygone years. National Holiday route in the Novgorod region

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$427

19 – 21 Jun 3 days 2 nights

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$427

26 – 28 Jun 3 days 2 nights

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$427

3 – 5 Jul 3 days 2 nights

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$427

10 – 12 Jul 3 days 2 nights

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$427

17 – 19 Jul 3 days 2 nights

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$427

24 – 26 Jul 3 days 2 nights

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$427

31 Jul – 2 Aug 3 days 2 nights

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$427

8 – 10 Aug 3 days 2 nights

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$427

14 – 16 Aug 3 days 2 nights

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$427

21 – 23 Aug 3 days 2 nights

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$427

4 – 6 Sep 3 days 2 nights

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$427

11 – 13 Sep 3 days 2 nights

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$427

18 – 20 Sep 3 days 2 nights

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$427

25 – 27 Sep 3 days 2 nights

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$415

2 – 4 Oct 3 days 2 nights

Tour option - A tale of bygone years. The national route through the Novgorod region. Autumn-winter

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$415

9 – 11 Oct 3 days 2 nights

Tour option - A tale of bygone years. The national route through the Novgorod region. Autumn-winter

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$415

16 – 18 Oct 3 days 2 nights

Tour option - A tale of bygone years. The national route through the Novgorod region. Autumn-winter

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$415

23 – 25 Oct 3 days 2 nights

Tour option - A tale of bygone years. The national route through the Novgorod region. Autumn-winter

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$415

30 Oct – 1 Nov 3 days 2 nights

Tour option - A tale of bygone years. The national route through the Novgorod region. Autumn-winter

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$415

6 – 8 Nov 3 days 2 nights

Tour option - A tale of bygone years. The national route through the Novgorod region. Autumn-winter

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$415

13 – 15 Nov 3 days 2 nights

Tour option - A tale of bygone years. The national route through the Novgorod region. Autumn-winter

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$415

20 – 22 Nov 3 days 2 nights

Tour option - A tale of bygone years. The national route through the Novgorod region. Autumn-winter

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$415

27 – 29 Nov 3 days 2 nights

Tour option - A tale of bygone years. The national route through the Novgorod region. Autumn-winter

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$415

4 – 6 Dec 3 days 2 nights

Tour option - A tale of bygone years. The national route through the Novgorod region. Autumn-winter

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$415

11 – 13 Dec 3 days 2 nights

Tour option - A tale of bygone years. The national route through the Novgorod region. Autumn-winter

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$415

18 – 20 Dec 3 days 2 nights

Tour option - A tale of bygone years. The national route through the Novgorod region. Autumn-winter

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$415

25 – 27 Dec 3 days 2 nights

Tour option - A tale of bygone years. The national route through the Novgorod region. Autumn-winter

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$296

2 – 4 Jan, 2027 3 days 2 nights

Tour option - A tale of bygone years. The national route through the Novgorod region. New Year's holidays

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$296

4 – 6 Jan, 2027 3 days 2 nights

Tour option - A tale of bygone years. The national route through the Novgorod region. New Year's holidays

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$296

6 – 8 Jan, 2027 3 days 2 nights

Tour option - A tale of bygone years. The national route through the Novgorod region. New Year's holidays

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Reviews Leave a review

EE
Elena Evcharitskaya

about provider

15 Aug, 2025

I really enjoyed the excursions. The guides’ stories were fascinating and rich in historical detail. We learned a lot about Russia’s history and were very pleased overall.

A tale of bygone years. National route in the Novgorod region

Location

Tour highlights

Itinerary

Accommodation

Tour conditions

Included in price

Paid extra

It's important to know

Dates and Prices

Reviews Leave a review

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