Sun. Jul. 27- ARRIVE MOSCOW

Arrive Moscow at 8.05 PM, the largest city in Russia, first mentioned in chronicles in 1147. Moscow has always played the most important part in Russian history. Even when the capital was moved to St. Petersburg, in 1712, Moscow was considered to be the second capital of Russia . Meeting assistance and transfer to HOTEL PETR 1.

Mon. Jul. 28- MOSCOW TOURING

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Later, attend a short Russian language course. This afternoon, experience the Moscow metro followed by a visit to Tretyakov Gallery. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner followed by a Russian Cultural Show. BD

Wed. Jul. 30- MOSCOW TOURING

After Breakfast, embark on a walking tour of Moscow visiting Red Square, a unique architectural ensemble of the 4 th largest square in the world, the Cathedrals of St. Basil and Our Lady of Kazan, the largest History Museum of Russia, Kremlin tours and the Trading Arcades of GUM, Lenin's tomb and necropolis. St. Sofia's Embankment and a photo stop for a splendid view of the Kremlin. The afternoon will be spent at leisure or you may explore the city on your own. This evening, tour the city by night visiting Lenin's Hills, Kutuzovsky Prospect, Polklonnaya Gora, Moscow University, Christ The redeemer Cathedral. After the tour, enjoy dinner at local restaurant followed by transfer to the airport to board your overnight flight to Novosibirsk, Siberia. BD

Thu. Jul. 31- ARRIVE NOVOSOBIRSK

Arrive in Novosibirsk early this morning, the third largest city in Russia after Moscow and St. Petersburg, situated middle of Russia. The City lies on both banks of the Ob River and is popularly known as the Russian Chicago. Meeting assistance and transfer to Sosnovy Bor Hotel. Afternoon tour the city visiting the Old Russian Churches, the Botanical Garden, shopping area and the river front. Enjoy a special dinner at a local restaurant. D

Fri. Aug. 01- ECLIPSE VIEWINGY

Breakfast will be at the hotel. Spend the day preparing and viewing the eclipse with Prof. Jay Pasachoff or at our hotel grounds. This evening, enjoy a special dinner reception to celebrate the eclipse viewing at the Hotel. BLD

Sat. Aug. 02- TOURING AND IRKUTSK

Breakfast will be at the hotel. You will visit Akademgorodok roaming through the woody areas and visiting the institutes. Continue to the geological and locomotives museums. Enjoy lunch at the House of Scientists. Later visit the Museum of the Sun (an individual's idiosyncratic museum, cultural rather than scientific), Check out from the Hotel late this evening and fly to Irkutsk. The city of Irkutsk is one of greatest economic and cultural centers in the eastern part of the country. Many years ago the modern stately city expanded and grew beyond its former outskirts. The presence of an historic Polish Roman-Catholic church, a Tatar Mosque, and a Jewish Synagogue reflects the city's multi-cultures and multinational settlements. Transfer and check in at the ZVEZDA HOTEL. BL

Sun. Aug. 03- TOURING AND IRKUTSK

Breakfast will be at the hotel. Ever since people inhabiting the boundless woods behind the Ural Mountains that were first mentioned in the ancient chronicles, Siberia has been an attraction to numerous travelers, researchers and scientists. A huge territory from the Urals to the Amur River, 7 thousand kilometers from the west to the east and 3.5 thousand kilometers from the north to the south - is Siberia. The word "Siberia" means Sleeping land in the Tatar language.

Irkutsk is called a "treasure house" of the spiritual culture of Siberia. Founded in 1661 by the Cossack Yakov Pohabov, probably the only city of Siberia having preserved its historic character- old time wooden houses built without a nail, decorated with skillful carving harmonize with the splendid stone buildings of Siberian architecture. There are about 700 monuments of history and culture in Irkutsk. Visit the most interesting ones in the central part of the city: Spasskaya (Savior) Church, Epiphany Cathedral, Polish Roman Catholic Church, monument to the explorers of Siberia, the Okhlopkov Drama Theater, Museum of Baikal navigation etc. This evening attend concert of Russian Classical music at Decembrists museum. BL

Mon. Aug. 04- LAKE BAIKAL

Breakfast at hotel. Lake Baikal, the "Sacred Sea" of Siberia, is situated only 70 kilometers away from Irkutsk, the largest and deepest lake in the world. It has 23 % of the world's reserves of fresh water. In 1996 Lake Baikal was declared as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Visit the Taltsy wooden architecture open air museum, Angara River, cable car observation point, Lake Baikal Museum with Iroa and fauna of the lake, St. Nicholas Church XVIII century. Lunch at Listvyanka settlement, fish market and enjoy a one hour boat ride on Lake Baikal. BL

Tue. Aug. 05- IRTUTSK/ ST. PETERSBURG

Breakfast at hotel. Time free until flight to St. Petersburg connecting via Moscow. St Petersburg is referred to as a city that is alive with arts, culture, history and noteworthy sites. None are more significant than the breathtaking churches, synagogues and chapels that have survived wars, persecution and many turbulent times throughout Russia's history. Transfer to ROSSI HOTEL. This evening, enjoy a presentation of Russian Ballet and Dinner. BD

Wed. Aug. 06- ST. PETERSBURG TOURING

Breakfast at hotel. Full day tour of St. Petersburg including lunch at a local restaurant. Visit St. Peer & Paul Fortress the birth place of St. Petersburg, St. Isaacs Cathedral, the third largest cupola construction in the world, Church on Spilt Blood famous for its wonderful mosaics and Hermitage Museum, one of the largest and oldest museums in the world. BL

Thu. Aug. 07- NOVGOROD EXCURSION

Breakfast at hotel. Tour Novgorod located in western Russia, between Tver region and St Petersburg. A beautiful example of Old Russian town with much of its medieval art and ancient architecture is preserved. Visit the Kremiln and fortress, five domes Cathedral of St. Sophia, Millennium memorial erected in 1862 to commemorate the 1000 th anniversary of Russia. Proceed to the open air museum park of wooden architecture, Yuriev Monastery commissioned by 1119 by Prince Vsevolod. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. BL

Fri. Aug. 08- SIGHTSEEING

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend this day at leisure to explore the city on your own. Evening, enjoy a boat canal tour followed by farewell dinner at a special local restaurant. BD

Sat. Aug. 09- HOME BOUND

Breakfast at the hotel. Time free until your transfer to the airport to board your flight departing for the States