Escape from the City: 9-Hour Golden Ring Private Tour

* Meet your guide at the lobby of your hotel early morning, at 8:00 am and then set off for a full day countryside trip. We will ride on a business class car around 80 km towards the town of Sergiev Posad, one of the Golden Ring towns. First, visit a famous Russian Orthodox retreat temple Chernigov Skit for early morning church service. * After the service, continue to the private villagers life museum and then finally reach St Sergius Monastery. Enjoy a walking tour, visit 16th century temples, look at famous paintings of Andrey Rublyov and learn about Russian history. Along the way, you will have a chance to try a famous Russian Summer drink, called kvas (if your trip is during the summertime) with famous Russian pastries called pirozhki. Take a break for lunch in a nice cafe where you will have a chance to try dishes from Russian or soviet cuisine. * After lunch we have an option to do something creative with our hands. If you like, we can do a mater class of matryoshka painting or church candles making from real wax. After our class we will have a nice walk around Lavra and will visit the fresh water spring. * The final stop of the day is a Abramtsevo estate, a 19th century retreat for Russian writers and painters, a gorgeous place to learn about the russophile movement and relax before transferring back to Moscow. You will be dropped off at your hotel between 5 to 6pm at the conclusion of your tour. Feel free to ask questions and your guide will share some useful information and suggestions on what to do and to see best in Moscow.

• Private tour with an English speaking guide

• Hotel pickup and drop-off (any centrally located hotel)

• Herbal tea with monastery pastries tasting

• Transportation by business class car (4 doors sedan) or by minivan (for groups more that 4 people)

• Gratuities (very much appreciated!)

• Entrance fees to additional museum areas (if needed, normally not)

• Matryoshka painting and Candles making master class fee (around 5 - 10 US dollars per person)

• Food and drinks, unless specified