Rosamund Bartlett, the acclaimed biographer of both Chekhov & Tolstoy will be leading our tour to the atmospheric homes and estates these literary giants and sharing her passion for Russia and Russian culture.

Day 1

Friday 14 September

London – Moscow

Departure from London Heathrow terminal five at 08:55 on British Airways 872. Arrival in Moscow at 15:55, (+3 hours British Standard Time).

Transfer with Guide

Meals included: Inflight meal & welcome dinner.

Day 2

Saturday 15 September

Moscow

An early start this morning to drive to one of the most famous literary landmarks in the whole of Russia, Tolstoy’s estate Yasnaya Polyana (clear glade) is 125 miles south of Moscow. It is where the great writer was born in 1928, where he spent most of his 82 years, and where he was buried in 1910.

After lunch at the estate we will return to city centre via Melikhovo, Chekhov’s country estate. Chekhov lived there for 7 years and the estate was opened as a museum for Chekhov’s centenary. The gardens and orchards (including of course a cherry orchard) can still be seen today. He wrote over 40 major works here, including the Seagull. Much of the character of the house has been preserved- the same pictures hang on the Walls of Chekhov’s green study, and the photograph of Tchaikovsky still sits on his desk.

Full day Guide, Vehicle & Driver

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3

Sunday 16 September

Moscow

This morning we will have an overview city tour of Moscow.

Later this morning we will visit Chekhov’s Moscow home. Between 1886 and 1890 this small pink two storey house was the home of Anton Chekhov. Built in 1873 the house itself has essentially not changed, but Moscow has grown around it. Now the garden ring is an extremely busy thoroughfare and it is hard to imagine this street in the 1880s when it was still lined with trees.

To the south of the city lie a number of fortified monasteries, built to defend the city against the Mongols. The most spectacular of them is Novodevitchy Convent, constructed in the 16th century. This serene sanctuary houses the lovely Cathedral of the Virgin of Smolensk. Today we will visit Novodevitchy Convent’s fascinating cemetery which houses the graves of many famous Russians, including Chekhov, and his wife, Olga Knipper.

After lunch you will visit the Tolstoy Museum, which is also perfectly preserved and maintained just as it was when Tolstoy lived there (right down to the candles in their holders!). Tolstoy purchased this two-storey house in 1882 so that they could be close to their children’s education. Many of Russia’s literary and musical elite visited Tolstoy here. Chekhov, Gorky, Diaghilev, Rachmaninov and Rimsky Korsakov to name a few.

Early Evening

You will then have the chance to take a tour of the famous Moscow metro. The fascinating interiors of the Moscow Metro stations are ornately decorated with beautiful paintings, carvings and chandeliers. The Moscow Metro was created as complex of monumental structures featuring designs of the very best Soviet architects. The stations, most built between 1930 and 1960 are underground palaces, featuring exquisite frescoes, statues, mosaics and stained glass. Each station has its own special theme- our favourites are Teatralnaya and Chekhovskaya. Today this massive public transportation system is one of the largest in the world, carrying over 9 million passengers per day (twice as many as London or Paris).

Full day Guide, Vehicle & Driver

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 4

Monday 17 September

Moscow

This morning you will see the Kremlin, (meaning citadel) including the armoury, diamond vaults and the expansive grounds. Here you will see the largest bell in the world – as well as the largest canon. Neither was ever used due to their enormous size.

The Armoury Museum - including its vast collection of Imperial Russian artwork. You will have the opportunity to see the greatest collection of Faberge Imperial Easter Eggs and many of the most important Imperial thrones and crowns, including the most historic, Cap of Monomachus.

Diamond Vaults - you will see Catherine the Great’s sceptre with its famous Orlov Diamond and one of the largest collections of diamonds and gem stones in the world.

This afternoon your guide will take you on a walking tour of Krasnaya Ploschad. Commonly known as Red Square, however the word Krasny initially meant beautiful in the 17th Century. Today krasiva still means beautiful.

A fitting entrance to the square are the newly rebuilt Resurrection gates and chapel. Destroyed several times since they were originally built in 1534, most recently in 1931 to allow access to Soviet tanks for military parades. Directly across the square is the fairy-tale St Basil’s Cathedral. This magnificent church-museum was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible and was completed in 1561. Legend has it that Ivan had the architect blinded so he would never be able to design anything as exquisite again.

Time allowing we also suggest you take some time to walk through the famous G.U.M. (Glavny Universalny Magazin -“Main General Store”) department store which faces Red Square. Completed in 1893 it is hard to imagine now the queues it was once famous for.

Full day Guide, Vehicle & Driver on standby

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 5

Tuesday 18 September

Moscow

This morning your guide will take you to the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour which is visible from all over central Moscow and is the largest church in Russia. The original Cathedral was built by the architect Konstantin Ton between 1839 and 1881 to commemorate Russia’s victory over Napoleon in the Napoleonic Wars. In December 1931 the church was demolished and the site lay empty until 1958 when a lido was built. The Cathedral was rebuilt in 1997 and is quite remarkable.

Clad in marble and granite, with huge bronze doors covered in relief depictions of the saints, the cathedral is a statement of the re-found power and prestige of the Orthodox Church and one of Moscow’s most impressive ecclesiastical buildings.

After you visit to the cathedral your guide will take you to the Pushkin museum of fine arts, best known for its French Impressionist collection- a group of paintings that were originally acquired by two famous Russian industrialists Ivan Morosov and Sergei Shchukin. According to Deirdre Fernand, writing in The Sunday Times, it was thanks to these two men that “Russia became home to the greatest examples of modern art”.

After lunch your guide will take you for your visit to the Tretyakov museum, which houses only Russian artists - from Andrei Rublev’s icons to famous 20th Century Russian painters. A must for the first time visitor the vast gallery houses a fine collection of Russian art - icons, mosaics, paintings and sculpture dating from medieval times to the 19th century. Founded by Pavel Tretyakov, a 19th-century industrialist and art collector, the gallery is based in his mansion on the south side of the river.

Full Day Guide, Vehicle & Driver

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 6

Wednesday 19 September

Moscow-London

Morning at leisure prior to transfer to the airport for departure on BA to London at 17:15 (exact flight details to be confirmed) returning at 18:00 local time.

Transfer only

Meals included: Breakfast & Inflight meal

Cost per person based on a minimum of 16 people travelling together and sharing twin or double accommodation: £2,280.00

Single Supplement: £420.00

The maximum group size will be 25 people.

For more information please call us on 020 8956 2756 or email us at enquiries@exeterinternational.co.uk