Several of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites are in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Our customized trip includes:
Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments: The "Venice of
    the North" with its numerous canals and more than 400
    bridges is foremost the result of a vast urban project
    begun in 1703 under Peter the Great. Known later as
    Leningrad (in the former USSR), it is closely associated
    with the October Revolution. Its architectural heritage
    reconciles the opposite styles of baroque and pure
    neo- classicism, as seen in the Admiralty, the Winter
    Palace, the Marble Palace and the Hermitage.

Kizhi: The "pogost" of Kizhi - the Kizhi enclosure - is located on
    one of the many islands on Lake Onega, in Karelia. Two wooden
    18th-century churches, and an octagonal clock tower, also in
    wood, made in 1862, can be seen there. These unusual
    constructions, in which the science of carpentry led to a bold
    visionary architecture, perpetuate an ancient model of parish
   space and are in total harmony with the surrounding landscape.
   An overnight trip from St. Petersburg.

Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow: Inseparably linked to all of the most important
    historical and political events in Russia since the 13th
    century, the Kremlin, built between the 14th and 17th
    centuries by outstanding Russian and foreign architects,
    was the residence of the Great Prince and a religious
    centre. At the foot of its ramparts, on Red Square, the
    Saint Basil Basilica is one of the most beautiful
    monuments of Russian Orthodox art.

Historic Monuments of Novgorod and Surroundings:
    Situated on the ancient trade route between central
    Asia and northern Europe, Novgorod was Russia's first
    capital in the 9th century. Surrounded by churches and
    monasteries, it was a centre for Orthodox spirituality as
    well as a centre for Russian architecture. Its medieval
    monuments and the 14th-century frescoes of Theophane
    the Greek (Andre Rublev's teacher), depict the development
    of its remarkable architecture and cultural creativity.
    A day trip from St. Petersburg.

The White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal: These two centers of art in central
    Russia, Vladimir and Suzdal, with their magnificent 12th and 13th-century public and
    religious buildings, above all the masterpieces of the Saint Demetrios collegiate church
    and the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin, hold an important place in Russian
    architectural history. Part of the Golden Ring—a day trip or overnight trip from Moscow.

Architectural Ensemble of The Trinity-Sergius Lavra in Sergiev Posad: This is a striking
    example of a working Orthodox monastery, with military features typical of the 15th to
    18th centuries, the period during which it developed. The main church of the Lavra, the
    Cathedral of the Assumption, echoing the Kremlin Cathedral of the same name, contains
    the tomb of Boris Godunov. Among the treasures of the Lavra is the famous icon "The
    Trinity" by Andrei Rublev. Part of the Golden Ring—a day trip from Moscow.

The Church of the Ascension at Kolomenskoye: The Church of the Ascension was built
    in 1532, in the Imperial estate of Kolomenskoye, near Moscow, to celebrate the birth of
    the prince who was to become Tsar Ivan IV "the Terrible". One of the earliest examples
    of traditional wooden tent-roofed churches on a stone and brick sub- structure, it has
    had a great influence on the development of Russian ecclesiastical architecture. A
    short excursion from Moscow.

Visits to these sites can be part of your journey of Discovering Russia, either in conjunction with other tour programs or by itself.