Valdai's gift. Sightseeing tour for the holidays

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Public holidays in the protected areas of the Novgorod region.

You will touch the living history created centuries ago by Grand Dukes Vladimir and Yaroslav the Wise. You will learn the story of merchant Sadko on the shores of the legendary Ilmen Lake. You will visit the first Orthodox monastery and learn about the traditions and life of the peasants of the Novgorod province in the Vitoslavlitsy open-air living museum.

On a journey along the "sovereign's road" you will get acquainted with the pearl of the Novgorod land, Valdai. A majestic lake with vast islands, on one of which stands the Iversky monastery, built in the likeness of the monastery on Mount Athos.

Location

Veliky Novgorod

Sightseeing tours

Tour highlights

Cozy Valdai

You will travel to the city of bell ringing and get acquainted with the architecture of the Iversky monastery

A wonderful village

You will go to the real nature reserve of wooden architecture – Vitoslavitsy

On a visit to the coachman Nikitich

Over tea, the owners of the Yamskaya station will tell you all the subtleties of their service, the history of the Yamskaya chase and everyday life

Valdai steering wheels

You will be able to purchase the famous Valdai steering wheels, which were mentioned in his "Notes" by G.R. Derzhavin

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Veliky Novgorod. City sightseeing tour
6:20-10:20 Arrival in Veliky Novgorod.
Meeting with the guide at the railway station at the main entrance from the platform. Check the meeting details the day before.
Transfer to the hotel.
Accommodation (in the morning, if possible at the hotel, approx. the hour is 14:00).
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant, except for the hotel On Prusskaya (tea/coffee/snacks without breakfast). For tourists staying in other hotels and arriving after 10:00 (breakfast is replaced with dinner at the hotel).
11-00 2-hour walking tour of the old town: Sofia and the Trade side.
A theatrical tour with the posadnik Sbyslav or the posadnitsa Efimiya, the guests will learn about games and rituals, about fiery snakes, and about the Detinets of Novgorod. We will hear a story about the monuments of the Kremlin territory. Let's look at the walls and towers. We will learn the history of Sofia and the Sofia Belfry and the monument to the "Millennium of Russia", which was erected in 1862 in honor of the millennial anniversary of the legendary calling of Princes Rurik, Sineus and Truvor to Russia.
We will visit the place where all the most important events took place - the reception of ambassadors, meetings of the Novgorod "parliament" (Council of Lords) and the Vladychny Court, solemn feasts.
Crossing the "Great" bridge to Yaroslavovo dvorishche, where in ancient times there was a lot of bargaining.
Yaroslavovo dvorishche complex, bargain. The Hanseatic Fountain is a symbol of the union of Hanseatic cities of Modern times.
As a gift, you can choose an entrance ticket to the museum:
"The history of Novgorod and the Novgorod land from ancient times to the 17th century." in the museum building on the territory of the Kremlin and "The Russian icon of the XI – XIX centuries." Ancient – world masterpieces or the Vladyka Faceted Chamber Jewelry and decorative arts of the V-XVII centuries.
Organization of lunch in a cafe – an additional fee. 700 rubles/person. Booking in advance.
Free time in the city center. Optional access to additional excursions.

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Day 2 - Continue exploring the city: Yaroslavovo dvorishche, St. George's Cathedral and Vitoslavitsy
Breakfast at the hotel (except for the hotel On Prusskaya – tea/coffee/snacks).
11:00 a.m. 2-hour car tour of the surrounding area. “To the stars of the blue domes.” Visit to the current, largest of the Novgorod monasteries - St. George the Victorious, traditionally called Yuriev, St. George's Cathedral in 1119.
The wonderful village of Vitoslavlitsy is an architectural and natural reserve of wooden architecture.
Organization of lunch in a cafe in the city – an additional fee of 700 rubles / person. Booking in advance.
15:00 Free time in the city center. Optional visits to additional excursions.
Day 3 - Completion of the program. Excursion to Valdai
Breakfast at the hotel (except the hotel on Prusskaya – tea/coffee/snacks).
Attention: 12:00 is the check-out time.
Room release before departure for excursions. (Things are in the hotel's luggage room.)
07:00-07:30 Gathering of guests.
Departure to Valdai, a small ancient city on the Moscow – Novgorod highway (140 km), information during the journey.
Excursion program: Valdai Iversky Svyatoozersky Bogoroditsky Monastery, located on one of the islands of the picturesque Holy Lake. The richest and most famous monastery of its time. Visiting the monastery allows you to touch the life-giving power of Orthodoxy.
Lunch at a cafe in the city.
Visit to the Bell Museum or Bell Center with a guided tour “Secrets of the Valdai bells".
Valdai bagels are a cure for all ailments.
Check into the information center, where you can purchase the famous Valdai steering wheels, which were mentioned in his "Notes" by G.R. Derzhavin. And, in "A Journey from St. Petersburg to Moscow," A.N. Radishchev wrote: "This town is memorable in discussing the loving disposition of its inhabitants, and especially unmarried women. Who hasn't been to Valdai, who doesn't know the Valdai sheep and the Valdai flushed girls?"
Transfer to the Khrestetsky pogost, where there was previously a wooden traveling palace, which later became a postal station. In a decree signed by Empress Catherine II, it was said: "At the Krestetsky pit, establish a city with the name of the city of Krestsy.
Check-in "On a visit to the coachman Nikitich." Over tea, the owners of the Yamskaya station will tell the guests all the subtleties of their service, the history of Yamskaya racing and everyday life, and lift the veil of secrets and legends related to the profession of a coachman.
Return to V. Novgorod.
~17:00 Transfer to the railway station for tourists departing to Saint Petersburg.
~20:00 Transfer to the railway station for tourists departing to Moscow.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

2 nights

Comfort

Midscale
Upscale
Premium

The tour includes accommodation in a hotel in Veliky Novgorod.

The cost of the tour for 1 person / rub. depending on the accommodation:

Accommodation, hotel	A place in a double room	Single occupancy	Extra bed (3rd in a standard room)	Extra day of stay a place in a 2-bed / single room
"On Prussian"	14700	15500	14100	2200 / 2600
Intourist 3*	16700	18700	14500	2700 / 3700
Sadko 3*	15800	17000	13600	2400 / 3000
"Velcom Inn" 3*	16600	17800.	14600	2600 / 3200
Volkhov 4*	20900	22300	20000	4200 / 4900
*Park Inn 4 (morning sauna, swimming pool)**	24800	31400	18600	5500 / 8800
Excursion package (without accommodation)	8100

Discount for a child under 16 years of age for any accommodation – 500 rubles.

Buffet breakfast (except for g-tsy "On Prusskaya" – tea/coffee/snacks).

The hotel On Prusskaya

Mini-hotel On Prusskaya 8 is located in Veliky Novgorod. It offers free Wi-Fi and free private parking. The mini-hotel is located about 3.6 km from Novgorod-on-Volkhov Railway Station, 4 km from the village of Pankovka and 5.1 km from the village of Novaya Melnitsa. Other facilities offered at the property include a shared kitchen and luggage storage.

The rooms at the inn are equipped with a TV with satellite channels. Some units also have a kitchen, equipped with a microwave and refrigerator. Towels and bed linen are provided at the mini-hotel On Prusskaya 8.

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Another option

Sadko Hotel 3*

The Sadko Hotel is located in the historical part of Veliky Novgorod. This hotel offers rooms and suites with refrigerators, as well as free parking. The hotel is located just 300 metres from the M10 motorway.

Sadko Hotel is located in a 5-storey building. All rooms at the hotel have cable TV and a private bathroom.

A wide range of Russian and European dishes are served in the Sadko restaurant. Guests can enjoy homemade cakes at the cafe, as well as a selection of drinks at the lobby bar. There is also a shop in the hotel where handmade souvenirs from Novgorod are sold.

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Another option

Volkhov Hotel 4*

The Volkhov Hotel is located in the center of Veliky Novgorod, a few minutes' walk from the ancient Kremlin and the Sofia Embankment. It offers rooms with free Wi-Fi.

The rooms are equipped with a private bathroom, a TV and a mini fridge. The windows overlook the park or the courtyard.

The Volkhov Hotel's restaurant serves delicious dishes of European and Russian cuisine. The lobby bar serves a variety of wines and other drinks.

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Another option

Hotel "Park Inn by Radisson" 4*

The Park Inn by Radisson Veliky Novgorod Hotel is located in a park area on the banks of the Volkhov River near the historical center of Veliky Novgorod.

The hotel has 226 modern comfortable rooms of five categories from standard to apartments. In each room: bath with shower, hair dryer, TV, telephone, table, armchairs.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and in the rooms. The price includes breakfast, as well as access to the pool and saunas of the Beresta Spa center*. An extra bed is available in the rooms.

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Another option

Intourist 3*

The Intourist Hotel is located in Veliky Novgorod. It offers free access to a free Wi-Fi network. Car owners will be able to use private parking. If necessary, you can use a washing machine and ironing facilities.

The hotel offers 118 rooms decorated in a modern style. They are equipped with everything that is so necessary for a cozy and comfortable stay. The bathroom must have a hairdryer and personal hygiene products.

In the morning, you can order a delicious breakfast at a reasonable price. Products can be purchased in the nearest shops and supermarkets. You can also have a delicious meal at the nearest restaurant.

A conference room for 60 people is specially equipped for business people on the territory. It is fully equipped with special appliances and furniture.

Next to the hotel there is the Church of Simeon the God-Giver, the drama theater named after F. M. Dostoevsky, as well as the Dukhov Monastery. The distance to the airport is approximately 187 kilometers.

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Another option

“Velcom Inn" 3*

The comfortable Welcome inn hotel is located in Veliky Novgorod, near the interchange of public transport and the main streets of the city.

Guests can stay in spacious and bright rooms, each of which is decorated in a pleasant color scheme and includes comfortable wooden furniture, modern appliances and wireless Wi-Fi access. The rooms have private bathrooms.

Everyone can have a tasty and satisfying snack in cafes, restaurants or bars that are located within walking distance from the hotel itself.

The nearest airport is Pulkovo Airport, 153 km away, and the train station is 2.6 km away. The main attractions of the city, cultural centers and shopping and entertainment complexes are within a 15-minute walk from the building.