This tour starts early at 6:00 am. Your driver will pick you up and take to the railway station to catch the high-speed train to Vladimir, an important town of ancient Russia and part of the “Golden Ring”. It would take just 1 hour and 45 min. to get to Vladimir onboard the comfortable modern train. You make your train journey on your own, but upon the arrival to Vladimir meet your local English-speaking guide on the platform, this guide/assistant will stay with you until you leave Vladimir next evening.
Your tour will start with the visit to Bogolyubovo, a small village between Vladimir and Suzdal. Highlights are the Church of Intercession on the river Nerl, dating from the early XII century that is considered to be the most harmonious Temple ever built in Russia. Alternatively (in case of bed weather, when the Church of Intercession is closed) you explore the territory and churches of the Bogolubovo Convent that stands on the sight of the former Palace of Andrew the Pious (Bogolyubsky), the only building of Medieval Russia that has survived without renovation.
After this visit you will travel to Vladimir for lunch.
After lunch you explore the town of Vladimir, one of the medieval capitals of Russia and home to three important monuments that are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The first is the magnificent five-domed Assumption Cathedral. Designed as a sepulcher for Grand Princes, the Cathedral is dedicated to the holy icon Theotokos of Vladimir, which was brought to the city by Andrew the Pious. The Cathedral was constructed in 1158–1160, expanded in 1185–1189, and painted by the great medieval iconographers Andrei Rublev and Daniil Chyorny.
Next, visit St. Demetrius Cathedral (XII century) that is notable for its noble form, ideal proportions and walls decorated with beautiful stone fretwork and more than 600 bas-reliefs! See it from outside. Finally, stop at the Golden Gate that used to be the entrance into old Vladimir. Built in1164, the Golden Gate is a combination of battle tower, overgate church and triumphal arch and is considered a remarkable monument of Russian fortification architecture. Now it is closed for restoration.
At the end of the day you will be taken to a hotel in Suzdal, where you can get some rest and spend the night.