St. Petersburg – Valaam – Kizhi – Petrozavodsk – St. Petersburg on the ship Symphony of the North

• "Water and walking tour between Nikonovskaya and Monastyrskaya bays of Valaam Island with a visit to the Central estate of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery"
  Boat tour of the most beautiful places of the Valaam archipelago: along its western coast, from Monastyrskaya Bay, on the high shore of which the central estate of the Valaam Monastery with its majestic Transfiguration Cathedral is located, to Bolshaya Nikonovskaya Bay. The route of the ship passes by small islets, picturesque straits and secluded island hermitages – Nikolsky and Predtechensky. The recently restored church of the Nikolsky Skete, whose amazing harmony and harmony opens from the water, is truly one of the masterpieces of Russian architecture of the second half of the nineteenth century and the main decoration of the reviving Valaam monastery. The Predtechensky Monastery, which has the strictest charter, is traditionally closed to the public, and only from the water can you see the head of its bell tower and the light gray granite cross of worship, which stands out vividly against the background of reddish rocks and dark green pine needles.
  
  A sightseeing tour of the central estate of the Valaam Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery traditionally begins from the pier of the Monastery Bay, where ships of the Valaam fleet arrived in the XIX – early XX century. The monastery, located on a high cliff, looks especially beautiful from the twentieth century. From the pier, the road leads to the foot of Mount Tabor, to the top of which rises a wide staircase of 62 steps, built in the middle of the last century. To the left of the stairs there is a view of the famous monastery garden, charming with its delicate beauty most of all during the flowering season and the quiet golden autumn. Above the garden, along a patterned cast-iron lattice running along the edge of the cliff, there is a path from where the monks of old Valaam admired the gloomy waters of the Monastery Bay reflecting reddish rocks, meeting or escorting boats with pilgrims. Next, the path goes past the marble Znamenskaya chapel to the Holy Gates of the monastery, decorated with the Peter and Paul gate Church, which in former times was the house temple of royalty arriving at Valaam. After passing through the Holy Gates, the guests enter the monastery. A special place is given to visiting the main functioning temple of the monastery – the majestic Transfiguration Cathedral, where the relics of the holy founders of the monastery, St. Sergius and Herman of Valaam Wonderworkers, rest.
  
  During the tour, guests will see the Assumption Refectory Church – the oldest surviving in Valaam, and the church of the Valaam Icon of the Mother of God, consecrated in 2002, walk along the cell buildings and outbuildings, as well as admire the recently restored temple of the Icon of the Mother of God "Life-giving Spring" where concerts of church hymns are held. In the souvenir shop, you can buy something from the products of monastic crafts in order to take away the "particle of Valaam" with you as a souvenir.
  The tour is included in the price.
  
• "Walking tour of the hermitage of Valaam"
  A walking tour based on the desire to show and reveal the rare harmony of wild, harsh northern nature and strict ascetic monastic life. The tour route passes through three Valaam monasteries: Voskresensky, Gethsemane and Konevsky.
  
  The Resurrection and Gethsemane skeets with their peculiar architectural and landscape design form the famous "Valaam Palestine", located in the western part of the island. Valaam, near the berth of cruise ships in Bolshaya Nikonovskaya Bay. In the area of remote inland Igumen lakes and Konevsky skete, guests will meet with a completely different corner of Valaam in its nature – unusually quiet and sheltered. It was here that the hermitage of the hermit of Damascus, the future famous Valaam abbot, was once located. Always a smooth water surface reflecting a dense coniferous forest, an oak alley forming a transparent rustling arch, wooden bridges connecting low banks, thick, healing, juniper–scented air - all this creates a special soothing atmosphere.
  
  The excursion "The Hermitages of Valaam" ends at the monastery farm, which has been supplying the monastery with excellent dairy products since the end of the XIX century to the present day. The guide's story will touch upon the issues of the economic and economic life of the monastery. A special place in the tour is given to getting acquainted with the unique natural complex of the Valaam archipelago, its flora and fauna.
  
  The duration of the route is 6 km.
  The tour is included in the price.
  
• "Walking tour to the rocky shore of Valaam Island"
  The tour route runs from the pier of Bolshaya Nikonovskaya Bay to the southwest of the Valaam Archipelago in the area of the picturesque Rocky Coast Bay, where Finnish military fortifications were located in the 30s of our century. The story of the tour introduces the history of the Valaam monastery during the Soviet-Finnish and World War II, as well as the features of the unique nature of Valaam and the surrounding Ladoga – the largest lake in Europe.
  
  The duration of the route is 4 km.
  The tour is included in the price.
  

• "Bus tour to the Holy Trinity Alexander Svirsky Monastery"
  Travel information along the route. Walking tour of the monastery territory. The main objects of the exhibition are the Transfiguration Cathedral (1641-1644), the Trinity Cathedral (1695-1697).
  The tour is included in the price.
  
• "Bus tour to the Vvedeno-Ostrovsky Oyatsky convent"
  Travel information along the route. Walking tour of the monastery territory. The main objects of the exhibition: The Vvedensky Cathedral of the XV century. (before 1764), the bell tower. The holy spring of the Icon of the Mother of God "The Life-giving Spring" with miraculous iodide-radon water.
  The tour is included in the price.
  
• "Walking tour of Svirstroy village "Live tour from the first person""
  This tour will allow you to take a leisurely walk along the Svir River and along the cozy streets, learning about the complex history of the village of gidrostroiteley. You will hear a story about the monument to the victorious soldiers of the Great Patriotic War, get acquainted with the life of the post-war period and learn about the activities and recreation of the local population today.
  
  After completing the tour, you will return to the pier on your own, leaving in your hearts unforgettable impressions of an exciting journey through the history and modern life of the village of Svirstroy.
  
  The tour is included in the price.
  

• "Walking tour of Kizhi Island with an inspection of the architectural ensemble of Kizhi churchyard"
  The Kizhi Museum-Reserve is one of the largest open–air museums in Russia. It is a unique historical, cultural and natural complex, which is a particularly valuable object of cultural heritage of the peoples of Russia. During the tour, you will see the pearl of the museum collection – the Kizhi Pogost Ensemble, which is included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List.
  The tour is included in the price.
  
• "Excursion to the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord – a UNESCO World Heritage Site"
  Find yourself under the arches of the largest wooden temple in the world! The main event of 2020 is the opening of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord after 40 years of restoration! A unique temple with a centuries-old history reopens its doors for you. It's definitely worth seeing with your own eyes!
  The tour is paid separately
  

• "Walking tour of the central part of the city"
  This tour introduces the history of Petrozavodsk (the same age as St. Petersburg, founded in 1703), starts from the passenger port and visits one of the best monuments to Emperor Peter the Great, then a beautiful walk with a photo shoot on the famous Onega Embankment, and a walk along Petrovsky Square to Pushkinskaya Street (one of the oldest streets in the city). Visit to the Theater Square (former Cathedral Square), as well as the Memorial of Glory and the historical center of the city with the ensemble of the Round Square.
  The tour is included in the price.
  
• "Bus and walking tour to the Kivach Nature Reserve"
  The excursion program includes a trip to the oldest nature reserve "Kivach" with a tour of the second largest plain waterfall in Europe. As well as a walk through the arboretum of the reserve, a visit to the grove of the famous Karelian birch, the Museum of Nature. The distance to the waterfall is 80 kilometers (about 1 hour and 20 minutes on the way). You can take beautiful photos of the waterfall from 3 viewing platforms and buy souvenirs on the territory of the reserve. On the way – travel information about the main attractions of the city of Petrozavodsk and the Republic of Karelia.
  The tour is paid separately
  
• "Bus tour to the city of Kondopoga"
  Departure from the port of Petrozavodsk to Kondopoga (45 km).There is a highway tour on the way. Arrival in Kondopoga.
  
  Arrival at the Palace of Arts, where the mysterious king of musical instruments is waiting for us – the organ, because that's what Mozart called it! There are two organs in the palace. Both were brought from Hamburg and assembled by German organ makers Rudolf von Backkerath. One is large, has about 4,500 thousand pipes and 67 registers. A tour of the palace with marble statues, painted ceilings and luminous staircases.
  
  A concert of organ music. You will hear classical works, as well as modern music, which acquires a completely different sound when performed by the organ. After the concert, we will have some time to visit the "organ backstage" to see how this keyboard and wind instrument is arranged, and ask questions to the organist. We are going to a lesson on playing the unique musical instrument kantele. We will hear the gentle sounds of the kantele and try to perform simple melodies ourselves. Guests will also take part in the production of traditional Karelian pastries- "kalitok" pies. "On the way" – delicious tea from a hospitable hostess and it's time to go back. Transfer to Petrozavodsk.
  The tour is paid separately
  

Picnic on the beach.

• "Walking tour of the village of Mandrogi with a visit to the temple of the Prophet Elisha, the meadow "Lukomorye" and the Vodka Museum"The tour is paid separately
  
• "Tour of the tradition of the northern wedding"The tour is paid separately
  

The last meal service is breakfast.

The end point of all excursions is the Moscow Railway Station in St. Petersburg.

• Peterhof Lower Park Bus and Walking Tour
  The suburbs of St. Petersburg are famous for their majestic palaces, which were built for themselves by noble Russian nobles. Peterhof is one of the most beautiful country residences built in the style of the French Versailles.
  
  The Peterhof State Museum-Reserve is the most visited museum in Russia. Every tourist coming to St. Petersburg is simply obliged to see the fountain capital! And it is during this tour that you will be able to visit and have a quiet time in the Lower Park of Peterhof.
  The tour is paid separately
  
• "Bus tour to Pushkin with a visit to the Catherine Palace with the Amber Room and Catherine Park"
  In Tsarskoye Selo, you will visit the Catherine Palace and stroll through the Catherine Park. You will see live what the famous Baroque of the architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli looks like, walk through the enfilades and halls of the palace, accompanied by a guide's story, get acquainted with the works of art presented in the palace. And, of course, you will enter the world–famous Amber Room, the history of which is full of twists and turns and mysteries - the guide will tell you about them.
  
  Catherine Park is notable for being filled with pavilions and sculptures, many of which appeared here in Peter the Great's time, has both French and English parts, and is extremely picturesque. Enjoy the magnificent architecture created by the geniuses of Rastrelli, Cameron, and Stasov.
  The tour is paid separately