Yaroslavl – Povenets – St. Petersburg on the ship Kronstadt

The male Orthodox monastery is located on the shore of Lake Siversky, in the city of Kirillov, Vologda region, which grew out of a settlement at the monastery. In the XV—XVII centuries, it was one of the largest and richest monasteries in Russia, the center of the spiritual life of the Russian North. The complex of the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery includes the ensembles of the Bolshoy Uspensky and Ivanovsky monasteries ("Old Town"), "New Town" and the territory of the fortress Ostrog, which has not been preserved between them. The monastery is surrounded by fortress walls with monumental towers decorated with brick patterns. The main building of the ensemble is the Assumption Cathedral (1497).

The complex of monuments of the Ferapontov monastery (1398), with a painting by Dionysius (1502). It is a rare example of the preservation and stylistic unity of the Russian northern monastic ensemble of the XV – XVII centuries.

During the tour, guests get acquainted with the architectural monuments of the Ferapontov Monastery, its history, get acquainted with the portal fresco of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin and visit the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin with frescoes of Dionysius.

The portal painting of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin, painted by Dionysius, presents scenes corresponding to the dedication of the temple. Before the appearance of later buildings, the portal painting of Dionysius was visible from afar, it was facing the road running along the shore below.

The main and undisputed work of Dionysius is the painting of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, with an area of about 600 square meters. The thematic tour includes a visit to the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin. The display of the unique frescoes of Dionysius is accompanied by a guide's story.

Dionysius (about 1440 — before 1508) was the most famous Moscow painter of the second half of the XV century — the time of the formation of the centralized Russian state, when Moscow was rapidly developing, and its art acquired all-Russian significance.

You will take a trip to one of the oldest nature reserves in Russia – Kivach with a tour of the second largest plain waterfall in Europe. On the way, you will hear a story about nature, history and the main attractions of Karelia. Kivach is the most famous waterfall in Karelia. With the light hand of G.R. Derzhavin, the first Olonets governor and an outstanding poet who dedicated the famous ode "Waterfall" to him, Kivach took a prominent place in the works of writers. The waters of the Suna River, compressed by basalt rocks, fall down from a ten-meter height in a heavy cast stream, forming a powerful whirlpool in shreds of foam, and creating an impressive noise.

You will admire the waterfall (~ 1 hour), take beautiful photos from three viewing platforms near the water stream, walk through the arboretum of the reserve (~ 10 minutes), visit the groves of the famous Karelian birch, and inspect the exposition of the Museum of Nature (~ 20 minutes), telling about the features of the reserve, giving the opportunity to get acquainted with the bright representatives of flora and fauna, see the structure of Karelian birch wood and find out the truth about its origin. It will also be possible to purchase souvenirs on the territory of the reserve.
Important. Comfortable clothing and shoes (sneakers/running shoes) are recommended on the tour; insect repellent may be needed. In sunny hot weather, it is advisable to bring a hat (cap/panama hat), sunglasses and drinking water.

The tour will take place with the recruitment of a group of 10 people or more.

From the River Port of Petrozavodsk, you will go to the city of Kondopoga to immerse yourself in the cultural traditions and peculiarities of the northern region. Along the way, you will hear a story about nature, history and the main attractions of Karelia. You will visit the Palace of Arts with marble statues, painted ceilings and luminous staircases, where you will find a concert of organ music (~ 40 min.) with classical works and modern music, which will acquire a completely different sound performed by the organ. After the concert, there will be a little time (~ 20 minutes) to look into the "organ backstage", see how this keyboard and wind instrument is arranged, and ask questions to the organist. During the tour, you will participate in national master classes (~ 1.5 hours) on cooking Karelian gate pies, and playing a unique musical instrument – the kantel. Over a tea party with homemade pastries, you will chat with the craftsmen in a traditional Karelian get-together-"conversation", where you will learn how the inhabitants of Karelia spent their free time in the old days. You will also explore (~ 30 min.) the kennel and nursery garden of husky sled dogs, and get to know a surprisingly quick-witted, loyal and intelligent breed.
Important. Comfortable clothes and shoes (sneakers/running shoes) are recommended for the tour. In sunny hot weather, it is advisable to bring a hat (cap/panama hat), sunglasses and drinking water.

The tour will take place with the recruitment of a group of 15 people or more.

The city tour will take you through the main streets and squares of the city. You will visit the mouth of the Lososinka River, where in 1703, by decree of Peter the Great, an iron foundry cannon factory was founded - the largest weapons enterprise in the country. You will also take a walk along the famous Onega Embankment and the Governor's Park.

Petrozavodsk is closely connected with the name of Peter the Great (on the shore of Lake Onega you will see one of the best monuments to Peter 1).

The modern appearance of the city is formed by complexes of new residential and administrative buildings along the line of Lake Onega.

A wide range of museum collections (nature, archeology, ethnography, culture, history of Karelia) makes it possible to present the uniqueness of the region in the context of Russian and world history.

As part of the tour, you will get acquainted with the capital of the White Sea-Baltic Canal – Medvezhegorsky. You will learn about the events and historical facts of a small Karelian city. You will hear a story about the films shot here ("Love and doves", "Trees grow on stones", "And the dawns are quiet here").

Object of visit: Museum of the History of Railway Transport

You will get acquainted with the history of the development of the railway junction of the Medvezhya Gora station and the city of Medvezhegorsk, see historical models of steam locomotives.

The object of the visit: The shop of the KARELIAN PATTERNS factory

At the end of the tour, you will be invited to visit the store of one of the largest enterprises of folk arts and crafts in the North-West of Russia – the Karelian Patterns factory, which produces linen products with traditional Zaonezh embroidery: table linen: tablecloths of different sizes and purposes; towels, towels, napkins, aprons; bed linen: wedding, anniversary, elegant; dresses, sundresses for children and adults made of linen; kitchen sets (curtains, hot water bottles, potholders, bags); blouses made of linen with embroidery; kosov-mouths for men, women and children; patchwork blankets; sofa pillows; hats; bags.

As part of the tour, you will get acquainted with the capital of the White Sea-Baltic Canal – Medvezhegorsky. You will learn about the events and historical facts of a small Karelian town. You will hear a story about films shot here ("Love and doves", "Trees grow on stones", "And the dawns are quiet here").

Object of visit: MEDVEZHEGORSKY DISTRICT MUSEUM

The museum is located on the ground floor of the former Belbaltkombinat Hotel, a vivid symbol of Soviet history of the 1930s era. The building was built in 1935, is an architectural monument of federal significance, protected by the state.

Currently, the museum's collection includes more than 16 thousand items. The funds are represented by a collection of more than 200 icons of the Northern School of Writing, brought from Zaonezhye, Vygoretia and Segozero;

Object of visit: KARELIAN PATTERNS Factory store

At the end of the tour, you will be invited to visit the store of one of the largest enterprises of folk arts and crafts in the North-West of Russia – the Karelian Patterns factory, which produces linen products with traditional Zaonezh embroidery: table linen: tablecloths of different sizes and purposes; towels, towels, napkins, aprons; bed linen: wedding, anniversary, elegant; dresses, sundresses for children and adults made of linen; kitchen sets (curtains, hot water bottles, potholders, bags); blouses made of linen with embroidery; kosov-mouths for men, women and children; patchwork blankets; sofa pillows; hats; bags.

The Orthodox functioning monastery in the Leningrad region, 20 km from Lodeynoye Pole, is an architectural monument. The monastery was founded by St. Alexander Svirsky at the end of the XV century in the sparsely populated Olonets forest region among the settlements of pagan peoples — Karelians, Veps, Chudis. Soon Alexander Svirsky had students. Even during the life of the founder, the monastery was formed as two interconnected, but independently located complexes (departments): Troitsky with fraternal cells and Preobrazhensky — next to the cemetery. They are connected by a road running along the Roshchinsky Lake. The sanctuary of the monastery is the incorruptible miraculous relics of St. Alexander Svirsky, located in the Transfiguration Cathedral.

An Orthodox women's monastery in Lodeynopolsky district (45 km from the district center) of the Leningrad region. It is located on the banks of the Oyat River. The monastery was founded in the XIV century. The parents of St. Alexander Svirsky, Saints Sergius and Barbara, rest in the monastery. The monastery is also known for its healing radon spring, over which there is a chapel. The baths are equipped.

Kronstadt is a district of St. Petersburg, located on Kotlin Island in the Gulf of Finland at a distance of 48 km from St. Petersburg, connected to the mainland by land road. The island area is 1,584 hectares. Kronstadt is one of the most famous small and medium-sized historical cities in the country and has an outstanding historical and cultural heritage. Over the past three centuries, the city has played a significant role in the history of Russia.

The unique significance of Kronstadt as a naval outpost built to protect the new capital, St. Petersburg, almost immediately after its foundation. The history of the city is inextricably linked with Peter the Great, the formation and strengthening of the Russian Navy, the great inventions and discoveries of Russian scientists, the heroic events of the Great Patriotic War.

The historical part of Kronstadt and the Kronstadt Fortress are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the object "The Historical Center of St. Petersburg and related monument complexes.

There are more than 300 monuments of history, culture, and technology in Kronstadt. Unique hydraulic engineering and defensive structures, beautiful buildings and ensembles such as Fort Kronshlot, a complex of provincial houses of the early 18th century, the world's first self-draining canal-Peter the Great dock, an example of an 18th-century military town, the Naval Cathedral of the early 20th century, in the construction of which the construction techniques of the Church of St. Sophia in Constantinople were used, and other monuments they attract the attention of numerous tourists.

"Venice of the North" - they talk about St. Petersburg. Two cities born of water, decorated with many water channels and rivers, large and small, their commonality lies not only in this. St. Petersburg, like Venice, is attractive to people not only for its beauty; first of all, these are cities with a special destiny. Both of them, having been born, eventually turned into the main cities of a strong maritime power, and in their atmosphere into a kind of "state within a state" with their own way of life and habits. As there is a special style of Venice, so there is a St. Petersburg style.

St. Petersburg gondolas are comfortable motor ships, boats and "river trams". Some will smoothly guide you along the main waterways, others will sweep with the breeze along the main one – the Neva. The whole of Tsar's Petersburg can be seen from the water. The main decoration of rivers and canals are embankments, curly fences and bridges. Giant metal bridges with drawbridges, stone "humpbacked", openwork bridges over small rivers and hanging over small channels. There are more than 340 of them in total. A tour of rivers and canals tells about the present and the past, about what was and remains water and about what has long ceased to exist as a waterway, turning into streets – like, for example, the lines on Vasilyevsky Island. To visit St. Petersburg and not take a tour of the rivers and canals means not to see the "Venice of the North".

The Faberge Museum has the world's largest collection of works by Carl Faberge, including nine famous Imperial Easter eggs. They are of great value not only as objects of jewelry, but also as unique historical artifacts. The entire collection is located in the Shuvalov Palace on the Fontanka River embankment – one of the most beautiful palaces in St. Petersburg.