Journey to the Volga region Christmas tales

1 DAY

09:00 meeting of the group at the airport. Luggage storage at the hotel.

10:00-11:00 Breakfast in the city cafe.

11:00-14:00 Bus tour of the solemnly decorated city. It will be conducted by experienced guide, who knows the city from his childhood. From the windows of comfortable bus you can see modern buildings and passages modestly standing for centuries, you will drive along modern avenues and ancient streets. Another feature is the tolerant attitude between religions. Here the belfries alternate with minarets and the gospel echoes with the azan. During the excursion you will drive to central square named Tukay square, square of the 1 of May, Freedom Square, square of Sultan Galeev. You will admire sparkling winter parks and appreciate the beauty of the city from the observation deck, where you take amazing photos against snow-covered Kazan. You will get amazing shots, no doubt! You will visit one of the main places of interest of Tatarstan is Staro-Tatarskaya sloboda. During excursion you will be acquainted with culture of nation and its traditions. Optionally it is also possible to visit the Bogoroditsky Monastery, where the miraculous list of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is kept.

14:00-15:00 Lunch in a cafe of the city with a master class in Tatar cooking.

Tourists discover the secrets of cooking one of the national dishes. The process is accompanied by the story of the origin of the food. After this dish is served on the table.

15:00-17:00 Walking tour of the Kazan Kremlin – of the object of UNESCO world heritage site. You will see ancient white stone walls and towers, including the falling tower of Syuyumbike, Governor's Palace that was built on the place of Khan's Palace, and also the Mausoleum of Kazan Khans. During the tour is provided a visit to the Annunciation Cathedral and the pearl of Kazan - Kul Sharif mosque, which combines prayer halls, and is also a cultural and educational center.

17:00-18:00 Visit to the Museum of Moonshine.

18:00-19:00 Walking tour of Bauman street, or the so-called "Kazan Arbat". This is the first merchant part of the city, formed in the late 17th century. The history of its origin is very interesting, and its appearance was formed for centuries!

During the tour you will see:

• Oriental clock with figures of characters of Tatar fairy tales
• the world's first monument to the great Opera singer Fyodor Chaliapin
• sculptural compositions in the form of fountains
• the building of the drama theater, founded more than a hundred years ago
• an exact copy of the carriage of Empress Catherine the great
• monument to Kazan Cat
• a memorable sign "the Zero Meridian of Kazan" and the Avenue of stars

And also learn:

• About underground passages and gold reserves of Russia
• what is the height of the Epiphany bell tower
• which building resembles an expanded book and why

In addition: you will be able to visit souvenir shops and get acquainted with Handicrafts.

Transfer to hotel. Settlement.

2 DAY

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meeting with a guide in the hotel lobby.

09:00-19:00 A trip to Yoshkar-Ola.

You expect a fascinating journey to the Mari El Republic. During one day You will get acquainted with the amazing people, their customs and traditions, beliefs and rituals of one of the oldest pagan peoples of Russia. Bright and memorable will be the promenade in the capital-Yoshkar-Ola. It is amazing how Amsterdam and Bruges, Moscow and Florence could fit in a small town. The embankment of the Malaya Kokshaga river is enlivened by the abundance of water lilies, the pedestrian bridges connecting its banks are elegant and peculiar. Good mood will share with You "alley tales", "Yoshkin cat" and "Yoshkin cat".

They like to celebrate winter holidays in Yoshkar-Ola. Many Christmas tree towns, a city skating rink on the central Lenin Square near the main Christmas tree. The forest beauty rises in the center of the Yoshkar-Ola Kremlin. Here, among the ancient cannons, where you can run in the tunnels of the Kremlin walls, numerous winter walks and fun are held. You can continue your acquaintance with Mari El by participating in the holidays in the national Mari traditions: Shorykyol (born New Year), Koncha Payrem (festival of the stove), Uyarnya (Maslenitsa) in the ethnographic village.

13:00-14:00 Lunch.

14:00 Visit to the ethnographic village, where the interactive program “Shorykyol” (Mari New Year) awaits you. Merry Mari songs and dances, farewells of the old year and invitation of the new one await you ... Round dances around an elegant Christmas tree, games with Yushto Kugyz (Santa Claus) and his granddaughter Lumudyr, downhill riding on straw bags, holiday fortune-telling and attraction of good luck and prosperity for the next year, a noise orchestra and much more await you. In the program as well:

Tea party in a hut: herbs teas with pancakes and sweets.

A master class in baking Mari pancakes "Coman Melna."

PHOTOSESSION.

19:00 Return to the city.

Free time.

Dinner at the hotel for extra. fee (1000 rub./pers.)

3 DAY

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meeting with a guide in the hotel lobby.

10:00-17:00 Visit to the residence of Kysh Babay. Kysh Babai and Kar Kyzy with his fabulous retinue are always glad to guests. He will meet them in the bedchamber, where there are fabulous whispers in which you can whisper a cherished desire. Kysh Babai will sign a festive scroll-letter with a special stamp and a personal seal.

A trip to the residence of Kysh Babay and Kar Kyzy, combined with the virgin beauty of the nature of the village of Yana Kirlay, will fill the soul with joy and fun and leave it with a feeling of a good fairy tale forever.

On the territory of the Residence Kysh Babaya and Kar Kyzy there are all kinds of entertainment for adults and children, slides, ice rink and horse riding. The objects of the residence are located outdoors, harmoniously blending with natural landscapes.

13:00 Lunch.

End of the program transfer to the airport.

The tour price includes: accommodation in the hotel of the selected category (check-in after 14-00, release until 12-00); meals according to the program; accompaniment of the group by a tour guide; entrance tickets to museums according to the program; transport services according to the program.

Additionally pay:

• Visiting the city's Christmas trees and tasting national alcoholic beverages - 1 500 ₽.
• Husky Park for an additional fee - 2 100 ₽.
• Dinner at the hotel or in the city for an additional fee - 1 000 ₽ / person.
• Sledding at the Racetrack - 3 000 ₽ / h per group