Leave your central Moscow hotel by luxury minibus, and then travel northeast out of the city to the visit the famous Golden Ring – a series of charming, medieval fortified cities and towns. Built just after the death of the Grand Prince Vladimir, the towns attracted power and wealth from Moscow – leading them to be called, collectively, the Golden Ring.
The nearest Golden Ring town to Moscow is Sergiev Posad, just an hour’s drive from the capital. Like many medieval Russian settlements, the town took its name from a saint, and in this case it was St Sergius of Radonezh – the country’s patron saint and the man who founded the town’s 14th-century Orthodox monastery.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Trinity Lavra Monastery of St Sergius is an active monastery to this day, and you’ll see many of its resident monks while exploring inside. A complex of different churches and buildings that stretch around the town, the monastery is colossal in terms of its size, history and religious significance; the name ‘Lavra’ denotes the highest rank of Orthodox monasteries in Russia. Learn about St Sergius, who changed from hermit to saint, and see his silver shrine surrounded by the artwork of legendary medieval painter Andrei Rublev.
After a break for lunch in town (own expense), continue sightseeing around the complex, exploring its ramparts and churches. Hear tales of the Lavra’s history, when it became embroiled in controversy during wars with the Mongolians and Polish, and see incredible cathedrals such as the Cathedral of the Assumption with its eye-catching façade.
After exploring the site with your guide, return to your minibus and head back to Moscow. Your tour finishes in the early evening at your Moscow hotel.
