Surprise me, Kazan! Extended program

Breakfast at the hotel. 

12:00 Sightseeing tour “Kazan millennial” through the most interesting sights of Kazan, which will show you Kazan from all sides. 

You will see ancient streets where each stone has its own history, and a modern metropolis living in the frenzied rhythm of the capital.

Get acquainted with the sports facilities built for the Universiade 2013 (panoramic view).

You will visit: 

• in the Old Tatar settlement, located on the picturesque embankment of the lake. Kaban, where the houses of Tatar merchants and mosques of the XVIII century have been preserved.; 
• on the streets of old Kazan, with its cathedrals, monasteries and temples that miraculously survived in the Soviet years (with a visit to the monastery where the miraculous list of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is kept); 
• on Freedom Square, the administrative heart of Tatarstan, where the City Hall (former Noble Assembly), the M. Jalil Opera and Ballet Theater, the S. Saidashev Concert Hall, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Tatarstan are located; 
• You will see a new embankment on the Palace Square near the Palace of Farmers. 

A tour of the University campus of one of the oldest universities in Russia (1804), the architectural ensemble of which is a historical and cultural monument of our country. 

Lunch in cafes/ restaurants of the city (with elements of national cuisine).

Free time for independent walking and souvenir shopping. 

Independent return to the hotel.

Excursions for an additional fee: walking tour "Kazan Arbat" (along Bauman Street). 

The history of the central shopping street of Kazan lasts for many centuries, during which it has repeatedly changed its name. 

During the time of the Kazan Khans, it was called Nogai Road, and when Ivan the Terrible's troops stormed the Kazan Kremlin, blowing up its walls, the street was renamed Prolomnaya, leaving the memory of this event for several centuries. 

There are many architectural monuments here and each building has its own amazing history! 

You will definitely see: Gabdulla Tukai Square and the bell tower of the Church of the Epiphany; the State Bank building, where the gold reserve of Tsarist Russia was stored during the Civil War of 1918; Peter and Paul Cathedral with a 7-tiered iconostasis, rightfully the most striking example of Russian Baroque of the Peter the Great era in all of Russia; an exact copy of the carriage of Catherine II and there are many small architectural forms reflecting the originality of the Kazan land. 

20:00-21:00 Sightseeing tour "Lights of Kazan at night" (for an additional fee, guaranteed for 2 people). 

You will see Kazan in a completely different light – like a fabulous mirage, showered with myriads of stars, the city shimmers!

The multi-level lighting of the city's main attractions rivals the dazzling lights of fashionable new buildings and entertainment centers in sophistication. 

This dispute is reconciled by the Cauldron separating them, reflecting in its waters the brilliance and splendor of the two shores. 

Kazan at night is a truly amazing sight that every guest of the Tatar capital should see! 

The main highlight of the evening trip will be a visit to the ultramodern Ferris wheel "Around the World", one of the highest in Russia (65 meters) (for an additional fee).

Breakfast at the hotel.

Bus tour to the Island-City of Sviyazhsk.

“An island lies on the sea, a hail stands on the island” — as if from the pages of Pushkin's fairy tales, from oblivion, by the will of the Terrible Tsar Ivan, a whole city grew up on a wild island in one month! 

You will learn the fantastic history of the city of Sviyazhsk by going with us to this unique historical and architectural object. 

During the tour you will see: 

• the only wooden Trinity Church in the Volga region, founded by order of Ivan the Terrible (1551); 
• St. Nicholas Church built in 1556; 
• Assumption Cathedral built in 1560 (external inspection), which is undergoing restoration of unique frescoes, including the rarest image of St. Christopher with a horse's head;
• The Majestic Gathering of the Mother of God of "All Sorrowful Joy". 

Excursion for an additional fee: bus tour to the Raifa Bogoroditsky Monastery. 

In 1613, monk Filaret settled in a remote protected forest on the shore of Lake Sumy, seeking solitude and silence for grace-filled prayer. 

The indigenous inhabitants of Cheremisa have considered this place sacred from time immemorial and came here to sacrifice to their pagan gods. 

But the power of the hermit monk's prayer turned these places into a stronghold of the Orthodox faith, which fills every stone of the monastery with its grace to this day! 

During the tour you will see: 

The Georgian Cathedral, where the Miraculous Georgian Icon of the Mother of God is kept;

Trinity Cathedral;

St. Sophia Church is the smallest in the Kazan diocese, in the temple part of which only 7 people can fit (external inspection); 

Church in honor of the Venerable Fathers in Sinai and Raifa who were killed (external inspection); 

you will see the works of the famous sculptor V.N. Savelyev, who is a novice of the monastery. 

Return to Kazan. 

An external inspection of the "Temple of all Religions" (from the highway). 

Lunch with a master class "Secrets of Tatar cuisine". 

The chef of the restaurant will demonstrate the technique of cooking national dishes and teach you how to cook them at home. 

Room release. 

Things on the bus. 

17:00 Transfer to the railway stations. 

Recommended trains departing from Moscow: 

• Train No. 023 departs at 18:11 from Kazan-1 station, arriving in Moscow at 06:20.
• Train No.001 departs at 20:00 from Kazan-1 station, arriving in Moscow at 07:10. 
• Train No. 025 "Itamas" departs at 21:51 from Kazan-2 station, arriving in Moscow at 09:30. 

The time in the program is indicated approximately. The Company reserves the right to make changes to the tour program without reducing the total volume and quality of services, as well as to cancel the tour and/or offer alternative travel options in case of a shortage of the group and cancellation/replacement of rolling stock.