24 days in Central Russia Itinerary

A World Heritage Site boasting hundreds of architectural monuments, Yaroslavl sits on the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl Rivers and is renowned for its historical town center.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Yaroslavl: Mountain Levitan (in Ples), Kostroma (The Resurrection Church on the Debra, Monastery of st Ipaty, &more) and Rostov (Church of St. Gregory the Theologian & State Museum Preserve Rostov Kremlin). Next up on the itinerary: appreciate the extensive heritage of Yaroslavl Embankment, see the interesting displays at Einstein's Entertaining Sciences Museum, catch some excitement at Ferris Wheel Zolotoe Koltso, and get to know the resident critters at Yaroslavl Zoo.

To find out how to plan a trip to Yaroslavl, use our trip itinerary maker.

St. Petersburg to Yaroslavl is an approximately 5.5-hour flight. You can also take a train; or drive. When traveling from St. Petersburg in December, plan for slightly colder days in Yaroslavl, with highs around °C, while nights are about the same with lows around °C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 6th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Vladimir.

The most visited destination in the Golden Ring circuit, the city of Vladimir is known for its remarkably preserved white-stone monuments, which have World Heritage status.

Explore Vladimir's surroundings by going to Suzdal (Spaso-Evfimiyev Monastery Museum Complex, Suzdal Kremlin, &more). Next up on the itinerary: examine the collection at Vodonapornaya Bashnya Museum, appreciate the history behind Sculpture Artist, get your game on at Trampoline Center Polyot, and explore the engaging exhibits at Chocolate Studio.

To find maps, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Vladimir itinerary website.

Getting from Yaroslavl to Vladimir by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Mon) so you can catch the train to Moscow.

Russia's political, economic, and cultural center, Moscow remains the most populous inland city in the world, famed for its colorful history and rich architectural heritage.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Moscow: Muzey tekhniki Vadima Zadorozhnogo (in Arkhangelskoye), Ski Stadium Zorkiy (in Krasnogorsk) and FREEZONE Aerodynamic Complex (in Sharapovo). There's lots more to do: contemplate the long history of Red Square, admire the landmark architecture of Lenin's Mausoleum, explore the world behind art at State Tretyakov Gallery, and brush up on your military savvy at Armoury Chamber.

For where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Moscow trip itinerary site.

Traveling by train from Vladimir to Moscow takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Expect a daytime high around °C in December, and nighttime lows around °C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 14th (Sat) early enough to travel to Voronezh.

Voronezh is a city and the administrative center of Voronezh Oblast, Russia, straddling the Voronezh River and located 12km from where it flows into the Don. Go for a jaunt from Voronezh to Nelzha to see Nelzha Ru about 1 hour away. There's much more to do: test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, stroll around Voronezh Central Park, make a trip to Monument to White Bim Black Ear, and examine the collection at Ship-Museum Goto Predestinatsia.

For maps, more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Voronezh road trip planner.

You can fly from Moscow to Voronezh in 5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. In December, plan for daily highs up to °C, and evening lows to °C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Tue) early enough to drive to Tula.

Though Tula is best known for Leo Tolstoy's country estate, the city has plenty of additional cultural and historical intrigue.

Get out of town with these interesting Tula side-trips: Danki (Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve & The Bison Breeding Centre). Next up on the itinerary: see the interesting displays at Tula State Museum of Weapons, explore the world behind art at IllyuziON, appreciate the history behind Historical Center of the City Tula, and have some family-friendly fun at Manufaktoriya.

To see other places to visit, ratings, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Tula visit planning tool.

You can drive from Voronezh to Tula in 4.5 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or fly. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Petrovo.

Kick off your visit on the 21st (Sat): see the interesting displays at K. Tsiolkovskiy's House Museum, don't miss a visit to Holy Pafnutiev Borovsky Monastery, and then get in on the family fun at Etnomir Tourist Complex. Keep things going the next day: let the kids burn off some steam at Active Leisure Center Igrachi, look for all kinds of wild species at Bird Park Vorobyi, thendon't miss a visit to Borovsk Paintings, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Church of Boris and Gleb.

To see more things to do, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Petrovo trip itinerary planner.

You can drive from Tula to Petrovo in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and taxi. In December, daily temperatures in Petrovo can reach °C, while at night they dip to °C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Sun) early enough to travel to Ostashkov.

Ostashkov is a town and the administrative center of Ostashkovsky District in Tver Oblast, Russia, located on a peninsula at the southern shore of Lake Seliger, 199km west of Tver, the administrative center of the oblast. Start off your visit on the 23rd (Mon): don't miss a visit to Nilov Monastery, thencontemplate the waterfront views at Seliger Lake, thentake an in-depth tour of Museum of Forgotten Things and not just, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Temple Complex Shirkov Churchyard. On your second day here, don't miss a visit to Virgin Jiten convent, take in the spiritual surroundings of Bell Tower of The Church of The Transfiguration, thenget outside with Lake Peno, and finally see the interesting displays at Ostashkov Museum of Local Lore.

To find photos, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Ostashkov trip itinerary app.

Getting from Petrovo to Ostashkov by car takes about 5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel back home.