Moscow 7s World Cup - June 2013

TRAVEL DATES

26 June, 2013 - 1st of July, 2013

DESTINATION

Russia

DAY 1

Day 1 (June, 26th) - Moscow

You will arrive very early to Moscow. Driver will be waiting for you by the exit gate and will take you to hotel (early check in is arranged). 

At 9 a.m. your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and will take you on one of the most interesting tours in the world. You will visit the famous Red Square and go inside St. Basil’s Cathedral, built by Ivan the Terrible in the 15th century. Next is the Kremlin and the World War II Memorial on Poklonnaya Hill, as well as the spectacular Cathedral of Christ the Savior, destroyed by the communists and restored only a few years ago. The tour will last about eight hours.

The Kremlin of Moscow is perhaps the most recognizable symbol of Russia and one of the world's most interesting castles. This ancient citadel was constructed in 1147 to defend the city from the Mongols and the Lithuanians. Moscow grew far beyond the original walls since then, but the Kremlin has always remained a symbol of political power in Russia.

Being a part of the Kremlin, the Armoury Chamber, originated as a royal arsenal in 1508, is a true Russian treasure-house. Nowadays it's a museum and home for the Russian Diamond Fund. The Armoury Chamber possesses unique and extraordinary items covering the period from the 5th to 20th centuries. Here you can see the ivory throne of Ivan the Terrible, the Imperial Crown of Russia, Fabergé eggs, some items of golden and silver cutlery, etc.

Lunch is included at local restaurant "Kvartira 44"

St. Basil's Cathedral is one of the most famous works of architecture in Moscow and its silhouette is one of the most recognizable symbols of Moscow and Russia. St. Basil's is not a part of the Kremlin. 

Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

This museum, the only one of its kind, situated inside an enormous monument to the explorers of the cosmos, is well worth the visit, not least for the nostalgia it should inspire in anyone who grew up in the heady days of the space race. The displays trace the history of space exploration, including the first interplanetary satellite flights, the first dogs in space and man's journeys to the space. There's plenty of fun gadgetry, plus an excellently conceived display explaining how astronauts survive a space flight, all of which should be interesting for children. Apart from anything else, the sheer aesthetic beauty of the displays should impress. The other-wordly sheen of the hi-tech materials used to construct space craft is extraordinary when seen close-up and, combined with a host of cosmos-themed artwork, the exhibition is a compelling reminder of the time when space exploration was still viewed unequivocally as mankind's last great adventure.

For and evening activity we have prepared for you: "Kostroma" National Folk Show and dinner at a local Moscow restaurant "Panorama" , right where the show takes place.   

Kostroma National Folk Show

If you ask any non-Russian for a list of quintessential symbols of Russian culture, the list will include the Balalaika, vodka, Cossack dancing, Matryoshka nesting dolls, and perestroika. The Russian culture is of course richer than that, and exposing foreigners to the undiscovered, the mysterious, and the unknown is one of the greatest aspects of travel. The concert hall of the Cosmos Hotel stages such a journey into the more mysterious veins of Russian culture: the Russian National Dance Show performed by the Russian National Ballet Company 'Kostroma'. The show is, in its own right, an aesthetic journey into Russia's deep history. The program includes a varied mix of traditional national dance and contemporary ballet pieces. The troupe consists of more than 50 artists with 300 unique costumes decorated with pearls, silver and gold all created and hand-embroidered especially for the show. As one of Russia's most expensive stage shows with its unique music and gripping effects, you will be led into a luxurious and fun tale full of memorable surprises.

 

DAY 2

Day 2 (June, 27th) - Moscow

Today you will go on a short ride through Moscow’s marble-arched subway paradise before stopping at the city’s best art museum - the Tretyakov Picture Gallery.  

During this extensive tour, you will visit very important sites  for the Russian history: Poklonnaya Hill and World War II Memorial 

The Moscow Subway was constructed by the Soviets not only to streamline the city's transportation, but also to celebrate their accomplishments. The entire system represents work of socialist realism with delicate crystal chandeliers and twisting granite columns. On top of immense cultural value, the Moscow Subway is a super-efficient transportation powerhouse that carries three million passengers daily and spans the entire city in a star-like fashion. It can also serve as a nuclear shelter in war time. 

The Tretyakov Picture Gallery is Moscow's most famous collection of art and one of the world's top art galleries. The gallery began as the private collection of wealthy Moscovite merchant Ivan Tretyakov, who lived in the 19th century and donated his collection to the city. 

Lunch is included

By 3 p.m. we will take you back to Luzhniki Stadium, where Rugby First Day Competition starts.

Day 5 (July, 1st) - End of the Tour

Today is the final day of your tour. Your driver will take you to the airport. 

The Baltic - June 2013

 

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen was founded during the 12th century. The city owes much of its charm to the buildings erected by Denmark's monarchs, and boasts a treasure trove of late-Renaissance and Rococo architecture.

Copenhagen deserves its accolade as the Venice of the North. Founded on a series of islands and islets, the city today is laced with graceful canals and boasts some of the most delightful architecture in Northern Europe. See the fabled statue of Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid, a symbol of the city. Stroll along the old harbor of Nyhavn, lined with cafés, restaurants and 500-year-old gabled houses. Browse the superb shops on the world-famous Stroget or view the Rococo palaces lining Amalienborg Square. Best of all, savor the taste of local delicacies while wandering the paths of Tivoli Gardens, one of Europe's most celebrated pleasure gardens.

Oslo, Norway

Forest-clad slopes plummet to an island-studded fjord. Welcome to Oslo, Scandinavia's oldest capital city. The commercial center of Norway, Oslo has been a major trading port for over a millennium. Its harbor is crowded with shipping that ranges from cruise ships to workaday shrimp boats. Though a relatively modest city in size - some 550,000 Norwegians call it home - Oslo is one of the largest capital cities in the world in terms of area. The hills and lakes of its outlying countryside are a paradise for lovers of winter sports. And the city itself boasts a sophisticated yet cozy charm, with a blend of 19th- and 20th-century buildings, many decorated with woodcarvings and bright frescoes, and wide avenues dotted with public squares and parks.

Oslo is the least populous capital in Scandinavia. The city offers excellent theatre, great cafés and quality 

shopping.

Aarhus, Denmark

It's easy to assume that Aarhus stands in Copenhagen's shadow - Aarhus after all is the second largest city in Denmark, and its university is both the country's second oldest and second largest. Yet Aarhus boasts singular virtues and charms. Despite a relatively modern cityscape, Aarhus is the oldest city in Scandinavia, mentioned in Icelandic sagas and chronicles. Excavated glass pearls and rune fragments date the city to centuries before its official founding in 770. Aarhus also boasts a lively cultural scene with an acclaimed International Art & Culture Festival in late August. It is also rich in parks and green areas. Located on Jutland's east coast, Aarhus is surrounded by dense forests, and provides easy access to Denmark's scenic Lake District west of the city.

Originally constructed in the 12th century, Aarhus's Domkirke is one of the great cathedrals in Scandinavia. Its immense copper spire stands over 300 feet high, making it - ironically - the second tallest bell tower in Northern Europe.

Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany

Berlin is a worthy rival to London or Paris in terms of history, art and culture. The city's highlights include the restored Reichstag Building with its magnificent glass dome and the stunning Pergamon Museum.

Warnemünde is a seaside resort near the harbor entrance to Rostock, one of the city-states that formed the medieval Hanseatic League. Originally a fishing village turned spa and resort. Explore the old Cold War hot spots and view the Brandenburg Gate, restored to its original magnificence. Or, stroll along the Kurfurstendamm and take coffee in a local cafe. Warnemünde is also your gateway to Mecklenburg and the German countryside.

Helsinki, Finland

Perhaps their country's harsh climate encouraged the Finns' love and respect for design and the arts. Whatever the cause, there's no denying that Helsinki is one of the most vibrant and beautiful cities in Scandinavia. Hailed as the "Daughter of the Baltic," Finland's capital is a city of graceful neoclassical buildings, striking modern architecture and spacious boulevards dotted with squares and parks. In the past century, Finland has nurtured some of the major creative talents of Western culture, from the composer Sibelius to architects Eliel & Eero Saarinen and Alvar Aalto.

The center of Finnish commerce and culture, Helsinki is home to some 590,000 people. Much of the city's neoclassical architecture dates from the period of Tsarist rule, which began in 1809 after political control of Finland passed from Sweden to Russia.

St. Petersburg, Russia

St. Petersburg has provided a historic stage since the day Peter the Great ordained its construction on the banks of the Neva. In its relatively short history - the city is younger than New York - St. Petersburg has witnessed the rise and fall of Imperial Russia, three shattering revolutions, and civil war. The city survived a long and tragic siege during World War II - indeed St. Petersburg became a symbol of Russian resistance to Nazi invasion.

Russia's "Window on the West," St. Petersburg remains one of the world's most beautiful metropolises. Perched on the banks of the Neva, the city is crisscrossed by canals. Two great architects helped bring Peter the Great's vision of St. Petersburg to life: Rastrelli and Carlo Rossi. The rich architecture that resulted features a mixture of styles from ornate Russian Baroque churches to neo-classical palaces. St. Petersburg has also been the cultural soul of Russia, a repository of priceless art and a home to poets, musicians and composers ranging from Pushkin to Shostakovich.

Peter the Great instilled his near-mania for architecture and building in his successors, making the then capital of Imperial Russia one of the architectural treasures of the world.

Tallinn, Estonia

Like Latvia and Lithuania, the Baltic republic of Estonia has survived a turbulent history. The small nation was conquered and ruled by the likes of Teutonic Knights, Polish princes and Russian Tsars. For 51 years, Estonia remained a pawn in the Soviet empire, until the burgeoning freedom movement led to independence for the Baltic Republics in 1991. Like its sister republics, Estonia maintained its ties to the Western tradition, retaining the Latin alphabet and Catholic and Protestant faiths. Once a member of the historic Hanseatic League, Tallinn is the political, commercial and cultural center of Estonia.

Stockholm, Sweden

Often described as the "Capital of Scandinavia," Stockholm traces its origins back seven centuries, when it was founded on the island of Gamla Stan and became the capital of Sweden. Today, the city covers 14 separate islands connected by bays, channels and inlets. The skyline is a sea of copper roofs grown green with patina, towers, spires and graceful cupolas stand sentinel over the historic Old Town (Gamla Stan). With its population of nearly a million people, Stockholm is one of the world's most beautiful, clean and orderly cities.

With a history stretching over seven centuries, Stockholm is not just a beautiful city but also Sweden's center of art and culture.