The Silver Ring is a chain of small towns in the northwestern part of Russia, close to St. Petersburg, in Novgorod region. Unlike Golden Ring it is not so overcrowded by tourists, is more popular amongst Russian travelers, and therefore you will have more opportunities to fully enjoy the atmosphere of monasteries, white stoned kremlins, and quite life away from big cities.
Usually the Ring includes the following cities: Veliky Novgorod, Pskov, Izborsk, Pechory, Vologda, Ivan Gorod, Vyborg, Tikhvin, Mandrogi, and others.
The pearls of Silver Ring are beautiful monasteries on the shores of multiple lakes. Honey tasting, bells ringing on the belfry of a white-stoned monastery, Museum of Icons, and Open Air Museum of Wooden architecture are the highlights of the journey.
Depending on your estimated budget and time you plan to stay, the itinerary might be from one to three nights.
Departure from St. Petersburg in our transport (buses for big groups, minivans and cars for individuals), closest cities are in 3 hours ride from the city center.
Due to the weather conditions we recommend organizing the tour to the Silver Ring from late April to beginnings October, to fully enjoy the landscapes and the magic relaxed atmosphere of rural life. Golden autumn is the most picturesque time of year to travel to the region, be sure to catch the most beautiful moments in September and October.
FIT and leisure groups are very welcome to visit this special destination. It can be a very nice extension to the trip to St.Petersburg, especially for those who already visited Russia before. A good option to have a closer look to the Russian history.
The markets in the cities of the Ring are full of beautiful handicraft things that will serve you as souvenirs or may be of practical use too! The region was originally a trade center that was rich of all kind of craftsmen that kept on mastering in creating scarfs, linen tablecloths, enamel jewelry, porcelain toys and crystal tableware, wooden boxes and lacquer miniatures. It is impossible to avoid shopping while on the Ring!
Just like in Moscow or St.Petersburg, MAXIMA will be glad to offer you private services of guide speaking your language and transport — cars, mini-vans, and big coaches of different classes — from a tourist economy class to VIP and premium class vehicles. To fully enjoy your trip and take the maximum from your vacation!
Morning — pick-up at the hotel or train station in St. Petersburg by the guide and departure for Veliki Novgorod — one of the most important towns in the Russian history (188 km by private car or bus).
Accommodation at the hotel. Walking Novgorod tour including Novgorod Kremlin, St. Sophia Cathedral of the 11th century and Monument «Millennium of Russia».
Optional: tour to the St. Yury Monastery of the 11th Century.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure for a provincial town of Tikhvin (250 km).
Visit to the Tikhvin Monastery. Walking tour around the Monastery, founded in the 16th Century, with the famous Wonder-Working Icon of Our Lady of Tikhvin.
Monastic food is served for a lunch in the Refectory of the Monastery, where Russian Tsars Ivan the Terrible and Peter the Great had their meals centuries ago. Since then the Refectory has not changed a lot.
Accommodation at the hotel in Tikhvin. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure for the town of Sortavala, located on the northern shore of the biggest European Lake — Lake Ladoga (430 km).
En-route: tour to the fortress and historical village of Staraya Ladoga (Old Ladoga) (first mentioned in 753), which is also called «Ancient capital of Russia».
Lunch.
Visit to Aleksander Svirsky Monastery (16th Century).
Accommodation at the hotel in Sortavala. Dinner. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure for Valaam Island (60 minutes one way by hydrofoil).
Walking tour to Valaam Monastery, including the Cathedral of the Transfiguration and minor monasteries (sketes).
A concert of traditional church songs. Lunch in the refectory.
Departure back for Sortavala.
Continue of the trip along the countryside to the capital of the Republic of Karelia, city of Petrozavodsk (250 km).
En-route — dinner in a traditional wooden house in the Karelian village of Kinerma.
Kinerma tour, acquaintance with culture and history of native people of the region.
Accommodation and overnight at the hotel in Petrozavodsk.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Petrozavodsk city walking tour.
Departure for the Island of Kizhi, located in Lake Onego (75 minutes one way by hydrofoil, without guide).
Arrival at the Island, meet the Museum guide there.
Walking tour to the open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture Kizhi — Churches of the Transfiguration, Intercession, chapels and traditional wooden houses.
Return to Petrozavodsk in the evening.
Transfer to the train station.
~23:00 — Departure by overnight train for St. Petersburg.
Late April — early October
From 2 days
From St. Petersburg by a car/minivan/minibus/coach
