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6 adventure companies that are changing the way we travel.

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The historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu, set high in the Andes Mountains, is a bucket list ... [+] destination for many travelers.

The world is a big place, and there are oodles of countries to explore and wild experiences to relish. Many folks have saved up vacation days and squirreled away funds for a journey of a lifetime. The questions are: Where should you go and how should you start the planning process? The advantages of small group travel abound. You’ll meet new people from different places around the globe, logistics and safety protocols will be expertly considered, and a professional tour guide will lead the way so that all you have to do is show up and enjoy the ride.

Whether you’re daring and love hiking, climbing, or horseback riding, or you’re a culture vulture interested in music, art, theater, and unique dining opportunities, these six adventure companies are changing the way we travel. With eco-friendliness and an emphasis on supporting local businesses and communities top of mind, you can be rest assured that each tourism changemaker is doing their part to make the world a better place. Travel with friends, family, or solo—just go!

Exodus Adventure Travels

Blue domed church along caldera edge in Oia, Santorini

Do yourself a favor and take a peek at Exodus Adventure Travels’ Instagram page, where you’ll see stunning photographs and videos of exciting destinations across the planet. From Albania to Zimbabwe, you can choose your own adventure and decide if you want to focus on hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, polar cruises, or cultural experiences. Founded in 1974, this purpose-driven Certified B Corp collaborator organizes small group tours to minimize the impact on the environment and local communities for each tour.

Where to Go: Explore Greece on a walking tour, where active travelers will not only learn about the archaeology, history, and culture of Santorini, Naxos, and Paros islands, but also, they’ll have the opportunity to revel in the theatrical panoramas, complete with sapphire seas contrasted by whitewashed villages and blue-domed churches.

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Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024, intrepid travel.

Morocco has some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet.

The mission and ethos of Intrepid Travel is to create positive change through the joy of travel. A Certified B Corp, this adventure company has been carbon-neutral since 2010. Utilizing local tour guides, you can expect to get an authentic flavor and perspective of what a different country is really like. Choose from 1,000 diverse adventures in over 100 destinations across the globe. Whether you love forests, swamps, mountains, or deserts—there’s a biome for you.

Where to Go: Top well-loved destinations include Vietnam, Morocco , India, Peru, Egypt, Sri Lanka , Cuba, Cambodia, Jordan, and Australia. No matter which tour you cherry-pick, you can expect to have the adventure of a lifetime where you’ll meet new friends of various ages and explore interesting and vibrant cultures and communities.

Wilderness Ireland

Verdant meadows, moss covered boulders, and an azure sea await travelers in Ireland.

If you’re someone who reads reviews to determine which company to book with, then look no further than Wilderness Ireland , a sustainable tourism maverick consistently ranked among the top small group travel companies. You can expect to visit less populated and more remote communities, which helps to support the local economies. Ireland is often a bucket list destination for many folks, especially those with a genetic link or a love of beautiful and verdant landscapes. Choosing a mindful company to explore the Emerald Isle is an important consideration for many vacationers.

Where to Go: For active adventurers who love to hike and explore wild places, explore Ireland’s West Coast —Connemara, Burren, and the Aran Islands. An outdoor lover’s dream destination, you’ll experience must-see locales like the Cliffs of Moher, Croagh Patrick, Burren National Park, and the Aran Islands on a seven-day romp in nature. Fully guided, you can leave the planning and logistics to the experts and simply soak in the magnificent landscapes and culture.

Active Riding Trips

Horseback ride past vineyards, olive groves, and small villages on your trip to Provence, France.

Instead of exploring a new destination via four wheels, why not give four hooves a try? If you’re someone who loves to move intentionally through nature or if the slow travel movement appeals to you, then joining an equestrian vacation will surely fit the bill. Designed for riders of all experience levels, Active Riding Trips delivers a huge bang for your buck. You’ll have an expert guide with you leading the way and answering all questions, and you can expect the food and lodging to be of a high standard. Pro tip: Be sure to check the website for special deals and extra savings on vacation packages. These trips are meant to provide a great value for each sightseer.

Where to Go: If horseback riding in France piques your interest, you’re in luck! Active Riding Trips has many week-long tours to choose from including France’s Week in Provence: Discovering the Luberon . This trip includes accommodations, most meals, horse and all tack, professional guiding services, and transfers. You can expect to develop a special bond with your assigned horse as you’ll be warmly connected each day, taking personal responsibility for brushing, saddling, and feeding duties. It’s a rewarding relationship to be sure.

Patagonia is full of craggy peaks and glacier-fed lakes, a hiker's paradise.

Unique in every way, Flash Pack’s distinguishing favorable aspect, its brilliant niche, is that trips are geared toward solo travelers between the ages of 30—49. You’ll meet likeminded wanderers, from diverse backgrounds, who all come together to explore a small pocket of the planet in an authentic way. Small group travel is the name of the game. Choose from wellness escapes to wildlife journeys to beach escapes to active adventures—no matter what, you’ll enjoy surprises and delights along the way.

Where to Go: Rugged and handsome, Argentina is a bucket list destination for energetic wanderers. Flash Pack’s Ultimate Argentina experience packs a lot in a 10-day itinerary. You’ll start in the “Paris of South America”—Buenos Aires, where you’ll try local food, explore a vibrant market, and travel through diverse neighborhoods via two wheels on a dynamic bike tour. Next, you’ll head to Patagonia, a hiker’s paradise, where you’ll go trekking, kayaking, and glacier walking. Imaginative dining experiences include cave dining in El Calafate, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park and Argentino Lake. Your adventure ends in Mendoza, a massive wine producing region where Malbec is King. What more could you ask for?

Adventures in Good Company

Hiking in Maine is a feast for the senses.

For a small group trip designed specifically for active women, Adventures in Good Company is the crème de la crème. Founded in 1999, over 1,000 wanderers are empowered each year to go on a hiking, backpacking, or sea kayaking jaunt that usurps all others. Tours are expertly planned and organized down to the finest details, focusing on getting women in the outdoors while inspiring meaningful friendships and connections along the way.

Where to Go: Challenge yourself on an Appalachian Trail hiking adventure in Maine , culminating with an adventurous climb to the top of Katahdin, the highest mountain in the state at 5,269 feet. The best part: each day you’ll return to a hot meal, shower, and comfy bed. You’ll meet new friends on this journey, women who will motivate and encourage you as you make your way across ruggedly picturesque landscapes. You will learn that you are stronger than you think and capable of doing hard things.

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Tour Gram 17+

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Welcome to Tourgram - Where Travel Dreams Come True! Unlock the Power of Connection and Adventure with Tourgram - the Social Travel Platform and D2C Travel Marketplace that is revolutionizing the way you explore the world. Connect with Like-Minded Travelers: Tired of going solo? Say goodbye to wandering alone and hello to finding your perfect travel tribe! Tourgram's cutting-edge algorithms seamlessly match you with like-minded buddies and groups who share your passions and zest for adventure. Forge lifelong friendships and create unforgettable memories with those who understand your wanderlust. Journey with Influencers and Live the Dream: Ever fantasized about jet-setting alongside your favorite influencers? With Tourgram, dreams become reality! Immerse yourself in the world of your beloved travel influencers as you embark on remarkable journeys together. Capture Instagram-worthy moments, gain exclusive insights, and make memories that will have your friends back home green with envy. Travel Providers Empowered - 0% Commission: Attention Travel Providers! We've heard your frustrations and decided to rewrite the rules. Tourgram's groundbreaking D2C Travel Marketplace empowers you to showcase your offerings, build your own online travel shop, and sell directly to consumers - all without paying a single cent in commission fees! Take control of your business and watch your success soar to new heights. Personalized Recommendations at Your Fingertips: Leave the guesswork behind and let Tourgram's intelligent algorithms do the heavy lifting. By analyzing your interests, location, behavior, and demographics, we curate tailor-made travel recommendations just for you. Your personalized results will be showcased on your dynamic Social Feed, ensuring that every travel decision you make is a well-informed one. Don't settle for ordinary travel experiences. Join Tourgram today and embark on extraordinary adventures, connect with kindred spirits, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Your travel journey starts here, so let's explore the world together! Travel Providers include tour operators, travel agencies, accommodation providers, and other travel-related businesses.

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• The trip does not include potential airline baggage charges. Baggage charges are controlled and set directly by the airline and are subject to change. Typically, carry-ons and ONE check-in included.
• Payments must be RECEIVED on or before the scheduled payment date in our US Mail post office box as listed on your account page, by bank transfer or by PayPal.
• Trip payments are not refundable and not transferable. We strongly recommend you fully insure your trip/tour . On some tours, trip insurance is mandatory and required to participate.
• Upgrades/options (room-upgrade, singles, flights, bikes, etc.) are payable with your initial deposit, or when you change your itinerary unless you have approval from the club in writing for another payment schedule. Upgrades cannot be changed or refunded. All upgrades must be confirmed when your payment is processed. NOTE: Canceling a confirmed upgrade such as a trip extension may cancel your entire trip.
• The club reserves the right to change flight options based on group trip and transfer requirements. We are not liable for delays or cancellations due to weather or any other cause beyond the clubs control.
• The flight price includes estimated airline/airport taxes and potential flight surcharges unless otherwise noted. Your final payment may include the adjustment against the estimated verses the actual (not occurred in many years). Flight price/cost are not confirmed until ten months prior to departure.
• The final trip payment date is determined by the airlines, our suppliers & vendors and may change.
• The club operates group contract trips. Contacting our suppliers or vendors directly is strictly forbidden, without written authorization from the club. Attempting to join or have others join our trip without a club reservation is strictly forbidden unless you have agreement and written authorization from the club.
• You are required to purchase a club membership and pay your annual membership with your initial deposit. If the trip is next year, you are paying next year’s membership fee. Membership privileges can be revoked at any time for none compliance with club policies, and the trip terms and conditions.
• Under eighteens are required to travel with a legal guardian. Legal guardians are required to carry with them proof of identification and guardianship of the minor, and the authorization and ability to make medical decisions for the minor. Guardians must cover any additional expenses required by the minor. Guardians are solely responsible for the health, safety, and behavior of the minor.
• You must have a current passport valid for six months after the return date for international travel. You must also use your name as it appears on your passport (or authorized id for trips within the USA) on your reservation. You are required to fill out your passport information on your account reservation page.
• You are solely responsible for any visa and all entry requirements, your legal ability to board the airline and to enter or transfer through the countries required by the trip agenda and your trip reservation. This includes exiting / departing the USA and re-entry / returning to the USA.
• The club is in no way responsible for any ADA or disability or accessibility or any accommodations of any kind on our group international trips. You, the member participate at your own risk in any and all travel, touring, social or athletic activities of The Club. You are solely responsible to evaluate and apply your own good judgment and capabilities at all times with respect to these activities.
• You are responsible for updating, checking, verifying and confirming your reservations details on-line on your account page, no exceptions. We are in no way responsible for any errors or omissions on your reservation.
• All communications regarding your account and reservations must be through your account page in the membership area of our website at TheWorldTour.org or by mail at PO Box 4357, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
• Singles are required to purchase a single occupancy room upgrade, or arrange for, and have a roommate. For cases of roommate cancellation, you are considered a single and required to pay the single occupancy rate if available and approved.
• Rates are net per person in US$ based on a check payment or bank transfer. There is a $50 fee on returned checks. We do not accept postdated payments of any kind. We offer payments by credit card using PayPal. PayPal payments are only accepted for trips departing more than ninety days from your payment date. There is an additional 4% transaction fee to use the PayPal credit card service. Chargebacks are not permitted. We only accept check, bank transfer or cash equivalent payment for any payments made within ninety days of departure. We only accept a cash equivalent (bank / teller / Money Order check or bank transfer) payment for any payments made within ten days of departure. You are responsible for any charges and/or fees associated with your payment. The amount credited to your account will be the NET amount of your payment credited to the trip bank account by our banking institution after any fees such as wire transfer, administrative, exchange rates, etc.
• Payments not RECEIVED by the payment date will result in reservation cancellation with no refund. If an exception can be made and approved by the club there is a $50 fee for payments received up to fifteen days after the scheduled payment date, which increases to $100 for payments received up to thirty days late, except for the final payment, as set by the payment plan / schedule, which has a late payment fee of $100 up to fifteen days late.
• You may be responsible for “town/city†tax in hotels that require this as a cash payment at check-out (small amount of $1-3 per night).
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• Trip events and on the ground/resort trip itinerary are subject to availability, cancellations, and changes. There is no refund of any kind for canceled activities, excursions or events included in our trip package.
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• Participation requires that you review and agree to our release forms and agreements and the above terms. Participants are required to agree and sign (signature of Parent / Guardian if Participant under 18 years of age) our release forms and agreements and mail an original copy of the signed forms to The World Tour. By placing a trip on deposit, you are automatically agreeing and indicating your agreement to the “Trip Terms and Conditions†and “Release of Liability†and “Covenant Not to Sue†agreements.

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Moscow Bike TOur

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Description

Highlights:.

• Find adventure at every turn
• Take pride in covering Moscow in record time
• Enjoy the icons in style
• Explore off the beaten path routes of Moscow
• Expert commentary as you travel around the city
• Test your nerve, driving on crazy Russian roads
• Get an Endorphin Rush
• Savour delicacies from different regions of Russia in a traditional restaurant

Only in Moscow for a short time and want to get the most out of the city and have fun? Then a 3-hour bike tour in Moscow is what you need! You won’t hear much about Russian history or become an expert on Russian art, but you will experience all the rest of Russian culture! This tour gives you a unique perspective of a little bit of everything in 3 or 5 hours: must-see tourist sights, local hangouts, Russian food, a glimpse of the modern Moscow life, amazing photo opportunities, a bit of Russian history, and a lot of fun!

This is a great opportunity to cut the usual all day tour down to only 3 or 5 hours and get the most out of the city while having fun and being fit in the greatest locations around Moscow!

A bike trip is sure to capture your heart. It enables you to see the heart of Moscow within the Boulevard Ring and to explore some non-touristic areas of the city, to get an image of the city centre and to work out at the same time.

Our tours differ and depend on whether you are interested in city scenery or nature-like landscape. A variety of places in Moscow are great for riding a bike: these are large parks, yards with old mansions, and historical streets in the centre.

Let’s see what’s waiting for you!

Here are 4 suggested itineraries for a 3-hour tour:.

Moscow Bike Route #1

St. Basil's Cathedral, GUM, Kazan Cathedral, State Historical Museum and Lenin's Mausoleum

Revolution Square and Theatrical Square

Bolshoy Theatre, Metropol Hotel, Chinese Wall, State Duma of Moscow

Alexander Garden

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, fountains, the Grotto, Central Exhibition center, Kutafya tower, Kremlin wall and towers

Historic City Center

Tverskaya street with its beautiful historical architecture, China town (Kitai-gorod), an old historical area of Moscow

Beautiful  City bridge  leading to  Gorky Park  with scenic views of  Christ the Savior  cathedral and the Moscow River. Explore all the beauties riding a bike along the riverside pathways.

Sculpture Park

Peaceful  Crimean embankment  is one of the quietest area of Moscow city with painters' works at the  Vernisage , close proximity to new  Tretyakov Gallery  and good views of  Christ the Savior Cathedral ,  Peter the Great  monument and the Crimean bridge.

Delicious lunch at a café/restaurant

Arbat street + Stalin Skyscraper

The  Arbat  has existed since at least the 15th century and is proud of being the oldest surviving street of the Russian capital. Nowadays, it is now an entertainment and event mecca for Muscovites and tourists alike.

Victory park

Get thrilled with 142 metres  Obelisk  and  Victory Park museum , which is an open-air museum dedicated to the Russian victory of 1945, built in 1995 to celebrate 50 years of victory

Moscow Bike Route #2

Pyatnitskaya street - the Tretyakov Gallery - Luzhkov Bridge - the Cathedral of Christ the Savior - the Gogolevsky Boulevard - the Nikitsky Boulevard - the Tverskoy boulevard - Teatralnaya street - the Bolshoi Theatre – the Kitai - Gorod - Red Square and GUM store - the Bolshoi Moskvoretsky Bridge

This route is the best one if you want to see the heart of Moscow. It goes right through the major places of interest and touches upon the most exciting and vibrant areas of Moscow such as part of the Boulevard Ring, which is absolutely loved by everyone.

Cozy streets of Zamoskvorechye will never leave you indifferent. This district has a long and vivid history and is full of old baroque houses along with Stalinist buildings. It includes three theatres, three museums and sixteen churches.

Back in the 18 th century Zamoskvorechye was known as a quiet, country-like land of single-storey houses and conservative businessmen. It remained country-like and is much more filled with business than before, as this area is just right in the city centre.

You’ll learn:

• what was previously on the site of the Novokuznetskaya metro-station;
• names of four abandoned metro stations and how to find these stations;
• what is the oldest bridge among all the bridges in Moscow;
• how old was Pavel Tretyakov when he decided to collect paintings, that are now exhibited in the Tretyakov gallery;
• what does the real form of the Boulevard Ring in Moscow look like;
• what tricks did the Russian government used to save the houses and buildings from bombing during the World War II;
• what unofficial name the Bolshoi Moskvoretsky bridge has

Moscow Bike Route #3

View over the Kremlin - The Luzhkov Bridge –  The Strelka Institute –  The Muzeon Park –  The Gorky Park –  Neskuchny Garden –  Sparrow Hills –  The Luzhniki Stadium -  Novodevichy Convent – The Arbat Street – The Gogolevsky boulevard - The Cathedral of Christ the Savior –  The Bolotnaya Square

This route includes the most popular city-sights and goes along the Moskva-River. It starts with an observation point, from which you may enjoy the view over the Kremlin, and covers all the most beautiful green areas of Moscow. Historical sites are included into the route so you can feel the historical vibes of ancient Moscow.

• where is hidden an island Moscow;
• where in Moscow you can get printed music of the most sweet masterpieces like “Chocolate waltz” and “Cake-gallop” along with a box of chocolates of the 18 th century;
• why the Luzhkov bridge is also called “the bridge of kisses”;
• the place where the famous Olympic symbol – the Olympic Bear of the Olympics-1980 was flown from;
• the stage where Rolling Stones and Madonna performed when they came to Moscow;
• why the Krymsky bridge was Stalin’s favourite bridge and what musical instrument it represents;
• where living statues in Moscow could be found in 1740s;
• myths and legends about inhabitants of the main building of Moscow State University;
• story about why Sparrow Hills were called that way;
• how Napoleon was cheated when he was going to burn down the Novodevichy convent;
• what was supposed to be on the site where the Cathedral of Christ the Savior is now;
• why Moscow was nearly burnt down in the 15 th century and which role the Arbat street played in it.

Moscow Bike Route #4

Starting with wide area of the VDNKh, you are to learn interesting and fun facts about this spectacular part of Moscow.

• where is a hidden the secret bunker under Moscow (and no, it’s not a famous Bunker 42 everybody knows about;
• why the number of golden statues at the fountain is more than the number of Soviet republics, although it is said to correspond them;
• why one of the Stalin statues was called “matryoshka” (Russian doll);
• what was Picasso’s favourite statue at the exhibition in Paris in 1937.

You’ll see:

• the world’s first light-music fountain that was built in 1950-1954;
• pavilions that symbolize Soviet republics;
• the Botanic garden which is twice as big as the Principality of Monaco;
• the largest green-house in Europe (for the opening day in 1945);
• English garden at the Ostankino mansion;
• Ostankino Tower, one of the tallest structures in Europe;
• the most beautiful flowers in hidden places of the parks.

Biking through VDNKh, Botanic garden and the territory of the Ostankino park will definitely be appreciated by nature-lovers and all those who are keen on speed, who knows no limits and want to explore off the beaten path of Moscow.

We can customize your bike adventure to meet your individual interests.

Our bicycle tour in Moscow gives you a chance to have a s pectacular ride  with  wonderful photo opportunities  and an  unforgettable cultural experience!

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow
• + Private & customized tour
• + An exciting tour, not just boring history lessons
• + An authentic experience of local life
• + Flexibility during the tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri)
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow

*This tour can be modified to meet your preferences

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THIS TRIP IS NOT CURRENTLY SCHEDULED Over the years, Amy has developed and operated trips to a variety of destinations including this one, but not all trips are offered every year. If you are interested in joining a scheduled departure of this trip in the future, please send us an email and let us know. Click to send us an email or use the form at the bottom of this page.

We can organize and operate this trip as a private group departure with a minimum group size of 8 persons. Start organizing your private Russia art adventure here .

Best time to travel: June for the “White Nights” Best gateway city: Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia Moscow and St. Petersburg Slide Show

Experience the art treasures of Moscow and St. Petersburg with guide, Amy Osaki. Begin in Moscow, continental Europe’s largest city, the seat of the government of Russia, and now home to over twenty billionaires! View iconic sites such as the Kremlin (which began as a fortress in the eleventh century), Red Square, and the sixteenth century St. Basil’s Cathedral. Then explore the art masterpieces at the Tretyakov Gallery, the National Museum of Russian Fine Art encompassing works from the eleventh to the twentieth century. Visit the Armory at the Kremlin filled with Imperial treasures including Faberge eggs once exchanged by the tsar and tsarina at Easter. Conclude your Moscow experience at the quiet seventeenth century Novodevichy Convent, one of many World Heritage sites included in the trip.

After a short flight, continue the trip with five days in St. Petersburg where you’ll be immersed in the opulence of Imperial Russia. Established by Tsar Peter I in 1703, St. Petersburg (known as Petrograd and Leningrad for most of the twentieth century) was the capital of the Russian empire for over two hundred years until the Russian Revolution of 1917. The Hermitage—said to be the largest art museum in the world with a collection of over three million objects housed in four main buildings—rivals the Louvre in Paris for both the quantity and quality of its treasures. Founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great, and open to the pubic for over two hundred years the museum is so vast that we’ll spread our visit out over several days and organize it by different themes. Also on the schedule is a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress—the original citadel above the river founded in 1703—as well as some of the Imperial palaces in and around St. Petersburg such as Peterhof, a World Heritage Site. Peter I hired French architects to work on his many palaces, including Jean Baptiste Le Blond who worked with Andre Le Notre at Versailles. Consider enhancing your Russian experience by purchasing tickets to a performance—perhaps a ballet at St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre (also known as the Kirov).

Day 1 Overnight in Moscow Arrive in Moscow and transfer to your centrally-located hotel, your base for the next two nights. Enjoy an afternoon and early evening walk through Red Square (Krasnaya Ploshchad) past St. Basil’s Cathedral, and GUM department store all of which are back-dropped by the walls of the Kremlin fortress. Remember that we are here during the fabled “White Nights” when the summer days linger with light-filled evenings.

Day 2 Overnight in Moscow Within the walls of the Kremlin fortress, visit the Armoury Museum, one of Moscow’s oldest museums established at the start of the nineteenth century. The Kremlin Armoury was the royal arsenal; it produced and stored the weapons, jewelry and other regalia of the tsars. The museum’s collection encompasses four thousand items of applied art from Russia and elsewhere dating from the early fourth century to the twentieth century. Later in the day, visit the collection of masterpieces of the renowned Tretyakov Gallery. The Tretyakov collections were begun by the philanthropist Tretyakov brothers in the early nineteenth century. The gallery is recognized by many as a key repository of Russian art spanning the nation’s artistic tradition from early Orthodox icons to art nouveau, impressionist, and avant-garde works.

Day 3 Overnight in St Petersburg Enjoy a morning visit to the sixteenth century Novodevichy Convent named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2004. The convent’s name is sometimes translated as “New Maidens’ Monastery” to differentiate is from the convent within the walls of the Moscow Kremlin. Surrounded by white crenellated walls, this complex of churches has remained essentially intact since the seventeenth century. Here you’ll find the five-domed Cathedral of Our Lady of Smolensk with its spectacular iconostasis and the tall, red and white Gate Church of the Transfiguration which is often cited as a fine example of “Moscow Baroque” architecture. The neighboring Novodevichy Cemetery is the final resting place of the likes of Anton Chekhov, Sergei Prokofiev, Dmitri Shostakovich, and Boris Yeltsin. This afternoon fly to St. Petersburg, Russia’s second largest city situated on the banks of the Neva River where it empties into the Gulf of Finland.

Day 4 Overnight in St Petersburg Start of your exploration of St. Petersburg with a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress, the original citadel of St. Petersburg. The fortress was built to the designs of the Swiss Italian architect Domenico Trezzini in the early eighteenth century. Trezzini’s Peter and Paul Cathedral dominates the fortress grounds and its iconic golden spire punctuates into the Baltic sky. Later visit the Yusupov Palace on the Moika, acclaimed as an “encyclopedia of St. Petersburg aristocratic interior design.” The palace was the home of the Yusupov family from 1830 and 1917 and was the place where Grigori Rasputin, a spiritual mentor to Tsar Nicholas II and the Royal Family in the early 20th century, was assassinated. A visit to the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood built between 1883 and 1907 rounds out the day. The church was built in “Russian Revivalist” architectural style by Tsar Alexander III in commemoration of his father, Alexander II. The church occupies a conspicuous location on St. Petersburg’s Griboedov Canal and contains 7,500 square meters of mosaics; the interior walls and ceilings are completely covered by mosaics.

Day 5 Overnight in St Petersburg Seeing St. Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum in a day would be like trying to see the Smithsonian in a day! Rather than a forced march through the galleries at a rapid pace, we will slow down and savor the masterpieces. Remember, there are nearly seven miles worth of exhibitions! Today we focus on “Imperial Russia,” touring the rooms decorated for members of the Russian Imperial Family and viewing the art they commissioned and collected. This is the art that influenced the style of the grand palaces of the era. View the Grand Suite of rooms, Peter I’s collection of gold, and the jewelers art owned by the Russian Imperial Family (including Fabergé eggs, gold and diamonds). Here, too, are the rooms of Catherine II and her son Paul I with their fifteenth to eighteenth century French paintings and sculpture (Poussin, Watteau, Fragonard, Chardin, and Houdon).

Day 6 Overnight in St Petersburg Return for a second dose of the Hermitage! Today is dedicated to the famous European masterpieces exhibited at the Hermitage. Feast your eyes on memorable works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Tintoretto, Tiepolo, Velazquez, and El Greco. At the Hermitage, you can revel in Rembrandt; there are twenty of his works in the museum’s collection. After lunch, enjoy the eighteenth to twentieth century masterpieces of Monet, van Gogh, Gauguin, Rodin, Picasso, Matisse and Kandinsky. Digest the art and reflect on this unique collection of human creations. Consider an evening performance, possibly at the Mariinsky Theatre.

Day 7 Overnight in St Petersburg Journey by hydrofoil across the Gulf of Finland to experience Peter I’s palace at Peterhof, a series of palaces and gardens that evoke comparisons with Versailles which Peter visited in 1715. Begun in 1714 with the construction of the Monplaisir palace and expanded by later Imperial generations who added Rococo and Neo-classical elements, Peterhof is now a World Heritage Site. The creative mastery of architects, engineers, artists and craftsmen from throughout Europe is on display here and all is choreographed to celebrate water in homage to Peter, the maritime emperor.

Day 8 Overnight in St Petersburg Go behind the scenes with an excursion to the Hermitage Museum’s Staraya Derevnya Restoration and Storage Center on the right back of the Neva River north of Kamenny Island. This vast treasure house is only accessible by private tour. Later, travel to Vasilvesky Island across the river from the Hermitage to visit Menishkov Palace completed in 1721 and now the oldest stone building in St. Petersburg. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening.

About your guide : Amy Osaki holds a master’s degree from the Winterthur Museum. She studied art at the Louvre Museum in Paris and worked as a museum curator for over a decade including six years at the Portland Art Museum. She is an award-winning art educator who has led art trips around the world for the last fifteen years with Walking Softly Adventures. Many of these trips were offered for graduate credit from Portland State University where she is an Adjunct Professor.

Resources for Further Learning

• Preview part of the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery at its website.
• Learn more about the Moscow Kremlin .
• Prepare yourself to experience the Hermitage . You can even shop on-line at the museum’s on-line museum store!

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Moscow Country Club Becomes Latest European Tour Destination

(left-to-right) Scott McLean, European Tour Greenkeeping Consultant, Andrei Dukhovny, Director of Moscow Country Club, David MacLaren, Head of European Tour Properties, Mary Bazhenova, Golf Membership Manager of Moscow Country Club and Konstantin Gribkov, Golf Director of Moscow Country Club.

European Tour Properties has extended its portfolio of Destinations by welcoming Moscow Country Club as the 28 th  venue within its extensive network of world-class venues.

Situated only an hour outside of Moscow, the club features Russia’s first 18-hole championship course and will host the Staysure Tour’s VTB Russian Open Golf Championship (Senior) from August 17-19, 2018.

The Country Club combines five-star hospitality with top-quality golf in a tranquil setting close to the Russian capital, and this new partnership extends the network to 28 venues within 21 countries, across three continents.

The course itself was designed by renowned architect Robert Trent Jones II and is nestled within dense Russian forest of thick firs and birches, offering a fascinating landscape for any golfer.

In addition to golf, Moscow Country Club features a five-star hotel, cottages and townhouses to rent throughout the year, and a choice of eight restaurants for guests to enjoy.

With an indoor and outdoor pool, state-of-the-art gym, tennis courts and other leisure activities, the extensive facilities at Moscow Country Club make the venue a strong addition to European Tour Properties’ network.

David MacLaren, Head of European Tour Properties, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Moscow Country Club as the 28th member of our network of world-class venues and particularly pleased to welcome our first Destination in Russia.

“Moscow Country Club is both a fine golf resort and an established tournament venue. Our other Venues are sure to welcome the further expansion of our network within key geographical locations worldwide.

“In August, Moscow Country Club will host the VTB Russian Open Golf Championship on the Staysure Tour and we look forward to golfers from all over the world visiting our newest Destination.”

Andrei Dukhovny, Director of the GlavUPDK affiliated Moscow Country Club, said: “We are very excited to be part of the European Tour Properties network. We are looking forward to working with their team and using their expertise to enhance our customers’ experience both on and off the course.

“Moscow Country Club is a stand-out Russian golfing destination, with the Staysure Tour set to visit in August for the VTB Russian Open Golf Championship.

“By becoming a European Tour Destination, we are hoping to grow even further and continue developing as a venue.”

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