Ever experienced dog-sledging? Winter offers us a unique opportunity to spend a day in the Russian countryside in the company of Siberian husky. You'll have the chance to dash through the snow in a six dog open sleigh!
Husky dogs
After the ride your trainer will take you to the husky kennel where you can make friends with the puppies. The ideal finish of the day will be a hot tea with traditional Russian pies. Planning Moscow tours with the kids? Dog-sledging will bring them a lot of fun.
A visit to Boris Pasternak's dacha
A short ride by a local train will take you to a charming writers' village, Peredelkino. During the Soviet times it was a colony of Russian poets, writers and literary critics. It used to be the center of Moscow cultural life. Today Peredelkino attracts people from all over the world who come here to visit the house-museum of Boris Pasternak and see his grave in a local cemetery.
Boris Pasternak in Peredelkino
Boris Posternak is a Nobel Prize-winning Russian poet and writer. He's famous all over the world for his Novel Doctor Zhivago. During the tour we'll visit his house where Pasternak spent his last 20 years of life. Wandering around the house you'll plunge into musical atmosphere of the place; learn more about the writer's family, work, love and tragic conflict with the Soviet government. A short walk from the house will take you to the graveyard where Boris Pasternak is buried.
Your Moscow tour guide will show you some other famous houses in Peredelkino and tell you lots of stories about Russia's cultural life.
Yasnaya Polyana, the museum-estate of Leo Tolstoy
The famous Russian writer Leo Tolstoy was born in Yasnaya Polana in 1828. Here he spent about 60 years of his life, wrote many books including "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina" and was buried in 1910.
Yasnay Polyana
Yasnaya Polana is a huge territory of parks, orchards and ponds. Walking along its quiet alleys you'll feel you're travelling back in time. The estate has preserved lots of authentic buildings and the house of the writer will tell you more about the writer's way of life, works and thinking.
A hundred years ago Yasnaya Polana was a mecca for Russian cultural people. And today it is still a very popular place for everyone interested in the heritage of Leo Tolstoy. The estate is located about 200 km outside of Moscow and the tour lasts full day. We also recommend you to visit Tolstoy's museum in Moscow during your Moscow tours.
Melihovo, the estate of Chechov
Are you interested in the Russian literature? Then probably the name of Anton Chekhov rings the bells.
Anton Chechov was a Russian short-story writer, playwright and physician, considered to be one of the greatest short-story writers in the history of world literature. His famous plays include The Seagull, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters and The Cherry Orchard.
Melichovo, the estate of Anton Chechov
During your Moscow tours you can see some of Chehov's houses in Moscow, but we highly recommend you to visit his beautiful country estate. Melihovo is about forty miles south of Moscow, it'll take you about 1,5 hours by car to get there.
Chechov was not only a great writer but also a doctor. He donated his medical services to local peasants in 25 villages, built schools, a fire station and a clinic.
After the tour of the museum we can take you to a picturesque monastery Davidova pustynj (about 10 min by car). Not far from here is a holy-water spring Talezh where you can take a cold bath and raise your spirit.
A tour of the Golden Ring
During your Moscow tours you've probably seen lots of Old Russian churches and monasteries. But if you really wish to find yourself travelling back in time we highly recommend you to visit two old towns Vladimir and Suzdal.
Vladimir is most famous for its three 12th century monuments : the five-domed Assumption Cathedral with magnificent frescoes of Andrey Rublev, the warrior-like cathedral of St. Demetrius notable for its unique carvings and the Golden Gate, which used to be a tower over the city's main gate.
Suzdal, Spasso-Efimievsky monastery
A real wonder of the trip is an ancient Russian town Suzdal. It was once the capital of Rostov-Suzdal principality. This city is like a museum under the open sky, its medieval monuments can tell you the old story of this town. This place is very quiet, it has no train station or industries. Gazing at its blue river, wooden houses, picturesque meadows you may feel that time has stopped here.
One-way journey will take you about 4 hours. Your Moscow tour guide will tell you about what you see on the way, you can use this time to learn more about the Russian history and culture.
Abramtsevo - artistic cloister of Moscow region.
A unique peaceful area located 60 kilometers to the north-east from Moscow along the picturesque Vorya River, Abramtsevo became an artistic cloister in the late 19th century. Purchased by a railway magnet and a patron of art, Savva Mamontov, this estate became the place which gathered some prominat Russian artists such as Ilya Repin, Valentin Serov, Mikhail Vrubel, Viktor Vasnetsov and Vasily Polenov. They formed the Abramtsevo artistic circle and pledged to promote Russian national art.
Nowadays you are welcomed to visit the manor house to learn about its owners and its guests as well as to stroll along the shady alleys to see the Church of the Savior built by Polenov and Vasnetsov in the old Russian style, "hut on chicken legs" (children's playhouse), ceramic bench made by Vrubel.
Abramtsevo
This tranquil artistic cloister is extremely appealing in all seasons. Though if you happen to be there in warm weather, enjoy the afternoon rest on the bank of the Vorya river.
There are two ways to get to this lovely place with your either by electrichka (commuter train) or by a private car. Abramtsevo can also be a part of your countryside tour to the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra.
