Art, Music & Literature in Moscow

Moscow is the spiritual and political heart of Russia, and for those who wish to understand the country, a visit to the city of Tolstoy, Chekhov and Dostoevsky is an essential experience. Our tour will encompass dazzling Orthodox cathedrals, imposing Soviet era monuments, and the spectacular treasures at the Kremlin – accumulated by generations of powerful Tsars, from 1380 when Prince Ivan I moved his capital to Moscow until the last of the Romanovs were deposed almost a century ago. This great wealth also fostered and inspired the huge achievements of Russia’s greatest writers and artists during the 19th century, and we shall explore their legacy during visits to writers’ houses and important art galleries.

ITINERARY

• DAY 1 - FLY TO MOSCOW
  We fly to Moscow and transfer to the 4 star Hotel National, located a short walk from Red Square.

• DAY 2 - RED SQUARE
  We begin with a panoramic tour of the huge metropolis that is Moscow and end at Red Square. We visit the Armoury Museum at the Kremlin, the Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed, and end at the Cathedral of Archangel Michael where we see the tomb of Moscow’s founder, Prince Ivan I.

• DAY 3 - TRETYAKOV GALLERY
  Our day starts at the Tretyakov Gallery where we see the collection of Pavel Tretyakov. Open to the public since 1870, it is the world’s most important collection of works by Russian artists. Later we go to the Novodevichy Convent, one of the most peaceful and spiritual places in Moscow. The day ends at the house where Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) lived for many years with his large family, and where he entertained the elite of Russian society.

• DAY 4 - KLIN
  We leave Moscow for the day to visit Klin. This is the estate on which Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) lived for the last years of his life and which saw his creativity blossom to the full. It was during his time here that he composed The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, his one-act opera Iolanta, and orchestrated The Queen of Spades. We will see correspondence, documents and many of his personal items on display.

• DAY 5 - MUSEUMS
  This morning will be spent at the Pushkin State Museum, one of the world’s most important museums. Later as a sharp contrast, we will visit the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, a superb collection of works by Russian artists, many of whom were opposed to the socialist ideology of the state and whose works were banned from being publicly displayed. The day ends with a tour of the Bolshoi Theatre.

• DAY 6 - MELIKHOVO
  Our time in Russia ends with a drive to Melikhovo where we see the picturesque rural wooden house where Anton Chekhov (1860 – 1904) lived and worked for seven years from 1892. Afterwards we drive to the airport and the flight home.