Velikiye Luki, Polybino, Toropets, Naumovo: the land that gives birth to geniuses

The farthest corners of the Pskov and Tver regions will reveal their secrets to you: family estates, collections of Russian geniuses, traditions and life of Pskov estates.

You will also hear stories from the lives of figures of national science and culture, take a walk through the private parks and look into the amazing town on the border of the Pskov and Tver regions — Toropets, which carefully preserved the history of bygone eras.

Location

Pskov region, Velikiye Luki

Sightseeing tours

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

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Tour highlights

Memorial Museum-estate of S.V. Kovalevskaya

We will visit the only museum in the world dedicated to this amazing woman, a recognized mathematician and public figure

We will visit the city on the border of the regions

Toropets is a wonderful little town surrounded by lakes and forests, it has managed to preserve its special atmosphere, architecture and rhythm of life.

Tour of the estate of M.P. Mussorgsky

We will visit the manor house in the edge of the blue Pskov lakes, where the outstanding Russian composer M.P.Mussorgsky was born

Itinerary

Day 1 - Velikiye Luki, Polybino and Toropets
08:00 Meeting with a guide at Velikiye Luki railway station (at the monument to Lenin).
Breakfast in a cafe in the city is a buffet.
Sightseeing tour of Velikiye Luki.
Our journey will begin in the city of Velikiye Luki. It is one of the cultural and educational centers of the Pskov region. During our tour, you will be able to feel its history, walk through the streets and discover significant historical sites and monuments.
Excursion to the Academician Vinogradov Museum.
One of the main attractions of Velikiye Luki is the house museum of Academician I.M. Vinogradov. Today it is the only museum in Russia dedicated to the great scientist. Inside you will be able to see a real example of the Velikiye Luki pre-revolutionary city estate, examine the things that belonged to Vinogradov and his family, and learn more about the greatest mathematician, his life and career.
Lunch.
Transfer to Polibino.
The next stop in our program is Polybino.
This village, located on the right bank of the Lovat River, was first mentioned in 1774 as the possession of Ivan Mikhelson. However, today Polibino is known thanks to the museum-estate of S.V. Kovalevskaya.
Guided tour of the museum-estate of S. Kovalevskaya.
The Memorial Museum-Estate of S.V. Kovalevskaya is the only museum in the world dedicated to this amazing woman, a recognized mathematician and public figure.
The first Russian woman mathematician spent most of her childhood in this house, and it was here, in Polybino, that she discovered her aptitude for exact sciences. Here you can see a unique collection of her belongings, documents and books from her personal library, which characterize her as an internationally recognized scientist.
Transfer to Toropets.
Toropets is a wonderful little town located almost on the border of the Pskov and Tver regions.
Surrounded by lakes and forests, it has managed to preserve its special atmosphere, architecture and rhythm of life. You will have free time to stroll through the quiet streets and relax after the trip.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Day 2 - Toropets and Naumovo
Breakfast at the hotel.
Sightseeing tour of Toropets.
You will discover the ancient merchant houses that saw the dawn of trade in the city. St. Tikhon's Convent welcomes you with peace and tranquility. One of the oldest churches in the city, the Kazan Church, will allow you to appreciate the beauty of the Toropetsky style, and the Transfiguration Church will present to your attention the features of local church architecture. We will not ignore Patriarch Tikhon's house either.
You will also be able to see a monument that is special not only for this city, but for the whole of Russia – a monument to a Teacher – the first monument to this noble profession. The ancient center of Toropets-Krasny Ostrov and the Alexander Nevsky Oak – will tell you their story in detail on a trip through Toropets.
Excursion to the Cosmonautics Museum (extra charge).
Lunch.
Transfer to Naumovo.
Guided tour of the estate of M.P. Mussorgsky.
The outstanding Russian composer M.P. Mussorgsky was born in the edge of the blue Pskov lakes.
In his homeland, in the village of Naumovo, Kunyinsky district, a branch of the Pskov State Historical, Artistic and Architectural Museum-Reserve was established. The museum in the house, built in the 19th century, has been opening its doors to its guests for many years.
Today you will be able to appreciate the interiors of the manor house here, and see things that belonged to the family of the famous composer, to trace the creative path of M.P.Mussorgsky.
Transfer to Velikiye Luki railway station.
The end of the program.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Tour organizer's comments

Bus and walking tours are waiting for you: sightseeing tours, visiting museums and moving around small towns.

Accommodation

Hotel

1 night

Comfort

Midscale

The tour includes accommodation at the Toropa Hotel in Toropets.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, RUB.:

Date	Number	Price
07.03.26-10.10.26	2-seater	14800
07.03.26-10.10.26	1-local	16800

Optional meal package (1 additional breakfast and 2 lunches): 2300 rub.

Discount for pensioners: 200 rubles.

Toropa Hotel is located in Toropets, 700 m from Toropets. It offers a restaurant, free private parking and a bar. This 3-star hotel has a 24-hour front desk, free Wi-Fi, and room service. Those who wish can book family rooms.

The rooms have a wardrobe. They are equipped with a desk and a TV. Some rooms at the Toropa Hotel have a balcony. Towels and bed linen are provided in all rooms.

A continental breakfast and a la carte breakfast are served every morning at the Toropa Hotel.

Podgorodnoye is 3.9 km from the hotel, while Toropets/Tsvetki is 4.1 km away.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 8 to 44 tourists

Minimum age

10 years old

Duration

2 days 1 night

Group meets at

Pskov region, Velikiye Luki

Included in price

transportation support along the route;
accommodation in a hotel with breakfast in rooms of the 1st category;
services of an accompanying guide;
sightseeing tour of Velikiye Luki;
sightseeing tour of Toropets;
entrance tickets to museums.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Velikiye Luki and back, and, if necessary, air and railway tickets to Saint Petersburg or Moscow and back (if the tourist goes first to Saint Petersburg or Moscow, and then to Velikiye Luki);
meal package: 2 lunches + 1 breakfast — 2,300 rubles, as well as meals outside the package;
an excursion to the Cosmonautics Museum – 100 rubles.;
personal expenses.

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

$202

12 – 13 Jun 2 days 1 night

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$202

11 – 12 Jul 2 days 1 night

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$202

8 – 9 Aug 2 days 1 night

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$202

19 – 20 Sep 2 days 1 night

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$202

10 – 11 Oct 2 days 1 night

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$176

5 – 6 Dec 2 days 1 night

Tour option - A land that gives birth to geniuses. Winter tour to Pskov region

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$195

11 – 12 Dec 2 days 1 night

Tour option - A land that gives birth to geniuses. Winter tour to Pskov region

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No need to pay now
$195

2 – 3 Jan, 2027 2 days 1 night

Tour option - A land that gives birth to geniuses. Winter tour to Pskov region

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No need to pay now

Reviews Leave a review

E
Elena

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10 Apr, 2025

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I'm so glad I chose the 'Across the Expanses of Perm the Great' tour in July 2024. It was a high-quality, engaging, and thoughtfully designed journey through the entire Perm region. The trip was full of fascinating discoveries: ancient monasteries, unique museums, the distinctive Permian animal style and wooden deities, the history of salt production and the Stroganovs in the Urals, and much more. The natural beauty of Parma was breathtaking: dense forests, countless rivers, mountains, and even an ice cave. The hotels were comfortable, and the breakfasts and lunches were tasty, often featuring elements of local cuisine. Traveling in a small group made the experience even more enjoyable, after all, it's usually seasoned travelers who venture to the Perm region. One special moment was when we all got to bake and taste traditional gingerbread made from an old recipe, for many of us, it was a first. Huge thanks to our amazing guide, Andrey, and to Venaris, our incredibly skilled driver!