Vologda Monasteries: towards the Origins of Russian Holiness

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You will begin your journey with a bow to the miraculous Tikhvin icon in the ancient Assumption Monastery. Then immerse yourself in the merchant's Chagoda: factory glass, archaeological secrets and, if desired, the legendary gray cabbage soup.

Then you will find the pearls of the Russian North: the modest beauty of the Goritsky monastery, the mighty Kirillo-Belozersky monastery and the living frescoes of Dionysius of the XVI century in the Ferapontov monastery.

Finish your trip in Vologda, where you will see the Kremlin, the Spaso-Prilutsky Monastery and take a walk with a local historian. You will have free time for lace souvenirs and branded milk.

Location

Saint-Petersburg

Sightseeing tours

Tour highlights

The Royal Vologda lunch

You will have the opportunity to end the tour with a gastronomic accord — lunch, which contains the most delicious dishes according to ancient Vologda recipes.

The Northern Fortress is a giant

Marvel at the power of the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, where the history of the Moscow princes comes to life behind the fortress walls.

A walk with a local historian

In Vologda, visit the Vologda Kremlin, stroll through the historical center of the city, and also visit the Spaso-Prilutsky Monastery.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Visit to Tikhvin Assumption Monastery. Chagoda Museum of History and Folk Culture Tour
Transfer to Tikhvin. A detailed guided tour from a professional guide.
Visit to Tikhvin Assumption Monastery.
Free time to visit the Assumption Cathedral with its main shrine, the miraculous Tikhvin Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Transfer to the village. Chagoda.
The Chagodoshchenskaya land is notable for numerous archaeological monuments, a glass factory and the most delicious grey cabbage soup!
In Chagod, you can visit the Church of Euphrosyne of Sinozero and take an excursion to the Chagodoshchensky Museum of Folk Culture.
Guided tour of the Museum of History and Folk Culture. You will visit one of the youngest museums in the Vologda region, which will introduce you to the history of the Chagodoshchenskaya land.
You will learn about the nature of the region, about the folk crafts common here, about the year-round cycle of peasant work, about the way of the peasant family.
There is also a large glass collection, which will later become the basis for an exhibition in the new Glass Museum.
Set lunch with the legendary "grey cabbage soup" at the Chagoda cafe (additional charge).
Grey cabbage soup is the very dish that is included in the list of dishes of the national cuisine of Russia.
Enjoy your meal!
Transfer to Vologda. Accommodation at the hotel.
Day 2 - Monastery tours
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the village. Goritsy.
Excursion to the Goritsky monastery. The Goritsky Voskresensky Convent is located on the high bank of the Sheksna River. It is included in the Russian North National Park and is an architectural monument of federal significance.
The monastery is not as famous as the monasteries in the neighborhood, but it has an interesting history and is distinguished by its modest, unobtrusive beauty, appreciated by connoisseurs of Russian cultural and historical heritage.
Transfer to Kirillov.
Excursion to the Kirillo-Belozersky monastery. One of the largest monasteries of the Russian North, Kirillo-Belozersky, is located on the shore of Lake Siversky. An extensive tour awaits us, during which we will hear the history of the monastery's foundation, its development and heyday.
We will find out which famous personalities connected their lives with the Kirillo-Belozersky monastery, as well as join its modern life.
We will also visit the central church of the monastery, the Assumption Cathedral, and see carefully guarded ancient icons, including those from the iconostasis of the Assumption Cathedral.
A set lunch at a restaurant in the city (additional charge).
Free time for walks.
Excursion to Ferapontov monastery. Located between two lakes, the monastery impresses with its absolute harmony with the surrounding nature.
It is perfect in its proportions and preserves a real miracle – the painting of the main cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary of the beginning of the XVI century, made by Dionysius and his disciples.
We will have a guided tour of the monastery, and we will also be able to visit the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin, weather permitting.
The ticket to the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin is paid additionally.
Return to the hotel. Free time.

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Day 3 - Vologda Sightseeing Tour
Breakfast at the hotel.
Sightseeing tour of Vologda with a local historian.
During a large sightseeing tour, we will visit the Vologda Kremlin, stroll through the historical center of the city, and also visit the Spaso-Prilutsky Monastery, founded by Dmitry Prilutsky, the patron saint of Vologda, in the 14th century.
The artistic significance of the monastery is extremely great: the most typical monuments of Vologda architecture of three centuries, from the XVI to the XVIII century, have been preserved here. The monastery served as a stronghold of the Moscow princes in the Russian North and enjoyed great privileges.
Free time.
You will have the opportunity to walk around Vologda, buy Vologda souvenirs, go to a branded dairy store, visit the famous Lace Museum or any other museum you like.
Lunch at a cafe according to old Vologda recipes (extra charge).
The final chord of our program will be the "Royal" lunch, because it contains the most delicious dishes prepared according to ancient Vologda recipes!
Get ready, it's going to be delicious!
Departure by bus to St. Petersburg.
Arrival in St. Petersburg at the metro station "Dybenko Street" is approximately at 00:00.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Tour organizer's comments

There are long trips on the tour.

Accommodation

Hotel

3 nights

Comfort

Midscale
Upscale

The tour provides accommodation in hotels along the route.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the accommodation:

2-seater – 26,100 rubles;
1-bed – 28,400 rubles.

3 meals package – 3,000 rubles.

The wonderful Aura hotel & spa at Blagoveshchenskaya 54 is located within the historical center of Vologda, welcoming its guests with a friendly atmosphere and a good level of service. After a tiring day, you can visit the SPA.

The hotel has 43 comfortable rooms in its arsenal. Each of them is equipped with a TV, refrigerator and high-quality furniture. Comfort is provided by the installed air conditioner and the availability of a tea set. There is a private bathroom with toiletries.

Excellent breakfasts are included in the price of your stay. The catering service is provided by the restaurant. Chefs prepare European and Russian cuisine. There is a bar with local and imported drinks.

There are several attractions near the hotel itself: Dom Zasetsky, the museum "The World of Forgotten things". No less interesting will be a visit to the carved Polisade and the Bishop's court. There are cafes, bars and shops nearby. The distance to the airport is about 10 kilometers.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 10 to 35 tourists

Minimum age

10 years old

Duration

3 days 2 nights

Group meets at

Saint-Petersburg

Included in price

transportation and tour service;
accommodation in standard rooms with amenities;
meals included in the program: 2 breakfasts;
guide services;
entrance tickets to all tour facilities according to the program;
personal radio equipment.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to St. Petersburg and back;
meals not included in the tour: 2 set meals + a traditional Vologda lunch – 3000 rubles (to be paid upon purchase of the tour) and dinners;
ticket to the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin with frescoes of Dionysius (in favorable weather conditions) – 550 rubles (pence), 650 rubles (adult);
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.

Reviews Leave a review

E
Elena

about provider

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!