Art Treasures of the Tsars

Custom tour of Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia

During it's thousand-year history, Russia rose and fell from a world power three times. The personal lives of its Tsars are beyond the creative mind of any novelist on earth! The move from monarchy to dictator is filled with stories and legends. Today's struggle to form a new Russia adds its own dimensions.

This tour introduced our group to Moscow and St. Petersburg, both capital cities, present and past. Each has a special story to share of how it shaped and formed the fascinating, mysterious country we know today.

Day 1:

We traveled from New York's JFK Airport to Helsinki, Finland.

After a quick jaunt to the next plane for a 9:30 a.m. departure from Helsinki, we arrived in Moscow at noon. On the way to our hotel, we visited Ostankino House-Museum, one of the homes of Count Nikolai. Its lavish interior, with hand-painted wallpaper and intricate parquet floors, houses his art treasures. The centerpiece is the oval theatre/ballroom which was built for the Sheremetevs' troupe of 250 serf actors. In 1801 Count Nikolai married one of the actresses, Praskovia Zhemchugova, and they retired to Ostankino to avoid court gossip. Unfortunately, Praskovia died in childbirth two years later and the count abandoned the palace. Today, only the Italian Pavilion is open for tours.

The rest of the afternoon was spent settling in into the hotel and wandering out and enjoying this fascinating city. Visitors can view Moscow's onion dome buildings, magnificent architecture, historical monuments and famous landmarks.

A morning, guided tour of Moscow offered highlights of the major landmarks of this bustling cultural and administrative capital of Russia. Included were the Moscow University with its splendid view from Lenin Hills, the Bolshoi Theater, Olympic Stadium and more.

In the afternoon we visited the village of Sergei Posad, where medieval Russia still seems alive. Sergius of Radonexh, now patron saint of Russia, founded the fort-monastery in 1340. He was a monk who helped defend the motherland from the Tatars. Being the main link in a chain of fort-monasteries defending Moscow, it grew enormously wealthy from the gifts of Tsars, nobles and merchants looking for divine support. It remains one of Russia's most important monasteries and spiritual sites. It gives a sense of the interlocking history of Church and State with its concentrated wealth and artistry and beautiful churches.

After breakfast we traveled outside of Moscow and visited Yasnaya Polyana. This was an estate of the great Russian writer, Leo Tolstoy. He spent summers here with his wife Sofia and their 11 children. Tolstoy is buried according to his wishes in an unmarked grave in the woods not far from the house. Reflected in his writings are hints of the crusader and prophet. He is remembered for his insights about "the way the world works," as a human rights pioneer.

Morning sightseeing featured the architectural and historical monuments of 850-year old Moscow. We visited the Kremlin and two of its magnificent cathedrals. At the Armory Museum, housing the vast treasures of the Tsars including the Faberge Eggs, a special tour of the Diamond Fund was included.

After lunch we took a private tour of the Tretyakow Gallery. Treasures include many centuries of Russia's master artists, as well as the most famous collection of priceless icons. We returned to the hotel for dinner and got ready for an evening performance at the famous Bolshoi Theatre. After the performance we boarded an overnight train bound for St. Petersburg.

We awakened in St. Petersburg and transfered to the Hotel St. Petersburg for an early check-in. Our hotel was located on the Neva River and a 20 minute walk to the Hermitage Museum. After breakfast an encompassing tour included the impressive burial site of the Romanov Tsars at Peter and Paul Fortress, views of St. Isaac's Cathedral, The Admiralty Building and Nevsky Prospekt and other famous landmarks.

Few cities in Europe can boast as colorful a history as St. Petersburg. Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, it is uniquely situated on 101 islands linked by more than 400 bridges. That evening we enjoyed dinner and a show at the Nikolaevsky Palace.

The Hermitage Museum of Art, which is housed in the Winter Palace, contains one of the world-outstanding collections of Russian, Asian and Western European art. Included in the tour is a special visit to the exclusive Seythian Gold Room which displays unique and historically significant gold objects.

This afternoon we visited Petrodvorests, the summer palace of the Tsars. That evening we enjoyed a performance at the historic and elegant Kirov Theatre.

At a private tour of the Russian Museum we discovered the works of Russian art from medieval icons to 19th-century-realist paintings to Socialist Realism art and beyond.

In the afternoon we journeyed to the Resurrection Church and viewed its splendid mosaics.

Almost a full day of free time allowed us to explore this historic city and seek mementos. That evening we bid farewell to Russia and boarded our return flight for Helsinki.