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Nazrul

2019-08-20

Dear Lesya
Thank you very much for your complement.
We will be always in touch with you for our future trip : Sochi
My experience is your company is very sincere for organising tour of overseas tourists.
All the best
Yours sincerely
Nazrul

Vjay

2019-08-13

Dear Ms Lesya/team,

Good day, thanks for all the arrangements done for these clients, just took their feedback they were happy with the tour, They felt st peterburg guides & driver were slightly better than moscow.


Thanks & Regards
Vjay

Jesús

2019-07-09

Hola Lesya,

El martes regresamos de nuestro viaje. Globalmente fue muy bien: la organización, los guias... Todo el grupo ha estado muy contento con Ostwest.com, por eso queríamos darles las gracias por su profesionalidad y eficiencia.

Saludos,

Jesús

All RecordsAdd Record

Sightseeing on Golden Ringprint version

Sergiev Posad

Sergiev Posad

The first settlement arose in this place in the 14th century. The town of Sergiev Posad was named in honor of St. Sergius of Radonezh who was born in the neighboring town of Radonezh and who was the founder of the Trinity Monastery that is now known as the Trinity-Sergius Lavra of the town is the place of the greatest attraction for tourists. The Trinity Cathedral of this ensemble has a unique iconostasis of Andrey Rublev. The ancient Russian architectural ensemble of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra reflects all the steps of the Russian architecture development. Sergiev Posad is a spiritual center of Russian orthodoxy. The Assumption Cathedral of this ensemble is a sepulcher of the Russian Patriarchs. Craft and production shops operate in the town where one can buy famous Matryoshkas (Russian nested dolls). more


Rostov Veliky (Rostov the Great)

Rostov Veliky

Rostov Veliky is one of the oldest Russian cities. According to the chronicles Rostov Veliky was founded in the 9th century. In the mid 15th century it became a religious center of Moscow’s principality. The city is famous for its well-preserved ensemble of the Kremlin built in 17th century that was built as the residence of the Rostov Metropolitanate. While visiting the town you have a chance to enjoy the bell ringing of the unique bells of the Assumption Cathedral belfry. This town is also famous for its enamelwork that won lots of prizes on the international exhibitions. more


Yaroslavl

Yaroslavl

In 1010, Yaroslav, son of the Kiev Prince Vladimir (later Yaroslav the Wise) founded a fortress at the place where the Kotorosl River enters the Volga. He named the fortress after himself. The story goes that a settlement of pagans was located in this place called Medvezhy Ugol (Bears Corner). Its inhabitants were engaged in hunting and fishing. Prince Yaroslav killed their sacred animal a Bear and subjugated the pagans. The legend about this event found its representing in symbol of the city «On a silver shield a bear is represented standing and holding a gold pole-axe in the left paw». Yaroslavl is a town of trades and crafts, of numerous churches striking your imagination with its original beauty. more


Suzdal

Suzdal

Suzdal, first mentioned in chronicles in 1024, is one of the oldest and the best-preserved Russian towns. The town has lots of splendid architectural monuments of different epochs which preserved its original character and appearance: the Suzdal Kremlin with the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady, the Bishop's Palace (the former residence of the local clerical sovereigns built on the border of the 17th and 18th centuries), Spaso-Yevfimievsky Monastery, the Convent of the Intercession and many others, «The Golden Apple» that is the honorary prize of the International Federation of Travel Journalists and Writers was awarded to Suzdal in 1983 for preservation of its architectural ensemble and for active development of tourism. more


Vladimir

Vladimir

The ancient great town Vladimir is situated 45 km to the south from Suzdal. It was founded by Prince Vladimir Monomakh in 1108. In 1157 Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky moved the capital of Vladimir-Suzdal Principality to Vladimir. The capital was moved there, because the sacred icon of Our Lady, which once had been brought from Constantinople, was also moved to Vladimir. The icon got the name of «Our Lady of Vladimir». In the year of 1299 the town also became the residence of the Russian Metropolitan. By the middle of the 14th century Vladimir had lost its political importance and Moscow had become the main political centre of the Russian state. The ancient monuments dated by the 12th century remain in town and its suburbs. The great Cathedral of Dormition stands in the town centre. It was built in 1158-1160 by the order of Andrei Bogolyubsky. The Church of St. Demetrius stands close to the Cathedral. The Golden Gates (1158-1164) are located close to the town centre. There is also a white-stoned Arc of Triumph with half-encompassed ceiling and the Church over the Gates. more


Bogolyubovo

Bogolyubovo

The seat of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky was located in a small town Bogolyubovo, which is located close to Vladimir. The remains of Prince Palace, dated by the 12th century are still there. There is a church not so far from Bogolyubovo, which is considered a real masterpiece of the ancient Russian architecture. This is the Church of Intercession on Nerly built in 1165 by the order of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky. Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky was one of those, who admired the cult of Our Lady and introduced it actively in Russia. He was the first one, who introduced the Holiday of Intercession of Our Lady (October 14) and in the honour of this holiday the Church was built.

Mandrogui

Mandrogui

The village Verkhnie Mandrogui is somewhat 270 km away from Saint-Petersburg. It is located on the left bank of River Svir, between lakes Ladoga and Onega. Since the beginning of times this area was inhabited by pagans (vepses), who lived in the forest on the river bank. Later River Svir served as a great trade route and attracted merchants from Novgorod. In the 18th century in order to develop the shipbuilding industry and build up the Russian fleet, Peter the Great moved many craftsmen in to the area. This explains the high number of different crafts that could be found in the village today. The village of Mandrogui was completely destroyed during the WWII. In 1996 the village was recreated in its historical place to present the traditions and crafts of The Old Russia. You will see Russian styled wooden houses –“izbas”, richly decorated by paintings and wooden ornaments. In the main workshop craftsmen are working making matrioshkas, lace, ceramics, wood engraving, embroidery and many others. If you whish you may take an hour to master your skills in on of the crafts. Local tavern will offer its famous “pirozhki” (pies) with different fillings. Take the tour around the museum of locally produced vodka. The collection counts more than 2000 sorts! The village also has a mini zoo and an elk’s farm on its territory.

Kizhy

Kizhy

Kizhy is a tiny island: it is 7 km long and 1,5 wide. It’s situated at the northern edge of the Onega Lake. The island first gained significance in the 14th century as a trade spot on the route between the White Sea and the merchant-dominated city of Novgorod. Some of the typical and most impressive examples of 19th-century peasant architecture, were collected all over the Karelian region and installed in Kizhy. The island is now the museum of wooden architecture. It contains more than 70 chapels, belfries, log-houses, mills, bath-houses, barns, smithies. The major structure is the magnificent Church of the Transfiguration built in 1714, with its 22 onion-domed cupolas. The composition represents three octagons of different size placed one on the top of the other. The work was performed by the carpenter Nestor. Next to the Church of the Transfiguration stands the Church of the Intercession (Pokrovskaya, built in 1764). Both churches’ interiors are richly ornamented with religious objects: the former has especially noteworthy iconostases, the latter – locally painted icons. The Church of Lazar of Murom is located nearby. It is the oldest monument of wooden architecture in Russia – the Church was built in the middle of the 14th century.

Svirstroy

Svirstroy is a small charming village of about 1000 residents located on the River Svir. The river connects two largest lakes in Europe-Lake Ladoga and Lake Onega. The highlight of your day in Svirstroy is a walk through the small village with visits to the homes of old residents. Warm and welcoming residents of Svirstroy will offer you tea and “pirozhkies”. They might tell you the stories about life in Svirstroy over the past 75 years. Wooden shops sell all sorts of Russian handicrafts and artwork. Needless to say the shopping in Svirstroy, is a lot cheaper than in the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg!

Goritzy

The pier and village of Goritsy can be found on the left bank of the River Sheksna at the foot of the Maura Hill. In the southern area of the village is the working Goritsy Convent of Resurrection. The Convent was founded in 1544. Subsequently, the monastery became the place of imprisonment for spouses and relatives of the nobles that fell into “disgrace” (Ivan the Terrible`s two wives, Boris Godunov`s daughter and some others). In 1932 the convent was closed and many nuns were banished, some of them took shelter in neighboring villages. Recently the work of restoration has been undertaken. Other places of interest are the Monastery of St. Cyril on the White Lake and museum of icons.

About 1,5 km west of the village is Maura Mountain. It is 185 m of height. A magnificent view opens up from it. The legend says that at the top of the hill saint Kirill had a vision of the place as the place to found the monastery. A stone with Kirill’s footprint may be seen there. Close to this stone, not so long ago, a Cross and the Chapel of Saint Kirill and Ferapont were erected. 7 km of Goritsy is located the town of Kirillov with one of the largest monastery in the northern Russia – Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery.

Kostroma

Kostroma is as old as Moscow. Located on the left bank of the River Volga, its surrounded by magnificent monuments of old architecture. Its picturesque suburbs have long been a source of inspiration for many Russian artists Two most significant monuments are the Ipatiev Monastery and Trinity Cathedral. The Monastery was founded in the last half of the XIII century to protect the town from the direction of the Upper Volga. In 1958, a unique open-air museum of wooden architecture was set up within the walls of the Ipatiev Monastery. Churches, old houses, barns, water- and windmills, and small bathhouses were brought from various villages of the Kostroma Region. Among the exhibits are the Church of the Synaxis of the Virgin (1552) from the village of Kholm and the Church of the Transfiguration (1713).

Uglich

Uglich

Town’s landmarks: Dmitry on the Blood Church, Transfiguration Cathedral. Uglich is an old town in the region of Yaroslavl and belongs to the Russian Golden Ring (find out more). It’s famous for its watchmakers. It is also well known for its splendid cheeses and other dairy products. Town’s population numbers at 39,000. The town has a museum of art and history. The name of Uglich is a derivative of “ugol” (“a corner”). The Volga makes a sharp bend at this place, forming a corner, or “ugol”, hence the name. Founded as early as 937, it was first mentioned in chronicles only in 1148. A local legend says that the town existed in the days of Holy Princess Olga. The town served as the capital of the Uglich principality from 1218 till 1238 when it was ruined by the Mongols who killed most of its population. However by the 15th century the town prospered and even had its own money. After Ivan the Terrible’s death, his son Prince (Tsarevich) Dimitry, the last in the Rurik dynasty, was sent to Uglich with his mother and was killed here at the age of eight in 1591 under uncertain circumstances. The church of Dmitry is one of the landmarks of the town. A team of restorers has been working on the town’s historical center since 1952. According to the planning for Uglich’s development and construction, recently approved by the local authorities, its historical center is under permanent conservation