Exchange Details
Overview
Spend time with two different host clubs who will introduce you to some of Russia's historical, artistic, and religious sites. You will also have the opportunity to attend workshops on topics including cooking, doll making, and porcelain that will help you get a more hands-on feel for Russian culture!
Home Hospitality
Home Hospitality provided by the Friendship Force clubs of Krasnogorsk and Velikiy Novgorod.
Live With a Local
- Get to know our host families in Krasnogorsk and Velikiy Novgorod
- Take a visit to a local library
- Meet children at a local school
Sightseeing Highlights
- Red Square and the Kremlin
- Moscow City
- VDNKh
- Sparrow (Vorobyovy) Hills
- Velikiy Novgorod's Kremlin
- St. Sophia’s Cathedral
- Monument to the Millennium of Russian Statehood
- Yaroslav’s Court
- Valday city
I visited five years ago, and I loved all things - the city Novgorod and the lovely people. - Previous ambassador
Krasnogorsk and Velikiy Novgorod, Russia
16 Days / 15 Nights Program and Itinerary:
September 10, 2021 – September 25, 2021
Coordinator: Oyuna Sengeeva, FFI
[email protected]
All Friendship Force Itineraries are subject to change.
Sept. 10, 2021
Arrive in Moscow where you will be met at the airport by host club members
Stay the night at the hotel near the airport
Sept. 11, 2021
After breakfast, a bus will pick you up at the hotel and bring to the city
Meet with family
After lunch with family, go on a city tour, where you will see Red Square and the Kremlin, visit the Armoury, containing a number of Fabergé Eggs as well as jewels, weapons and clothing of the Tsars, and St Basil’s Cathedral
Welcome party in the evening
Sept. 12, 2021
Moscow’s metro system is one of the busiest and most beautiful in the world, carrying over nine million passengers each day and providing an intriguing insight into Russia during Soviet times. A guided tour takes you to the most remarkable stations and offers an essential overview of the history of the metro
Free time with family
Sept. 13, 2021
VDNKh is a guest favorite in Moscow. The abbreviation stands for Russian Vystavka Dostizheniy Narodnogo Khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum
Sept. 14, 2021
The Tretyakov Gallery
Lunch
Sept. 15, 2021
Tour of Moscow City (modern part of Moscow).
Federation Tower (360 meters high) and high-rise ice-cream factory with tasting
Shopping and snacks* in Moscow City
Back to host families
Ambassadors invite their hosts to dinner *
* = not included in Journey price
Sept. 16, 2021
Sparrow (Vorobyovy) Hills is the 80-meter-high bank of the Moscow river, located at the spectacular river bend. It is popular for being the best panorama of the city of Moscow, seen from the observation point. You can see the contemporary towers of the Moscow city business district, Stalin’s 7 sister skyscrapers, Novodevichiy convent complex, Luzhniki sport arena – the main stadium of Moscow 1980 Olympics, the red towers of Kremlin in the distance, and many more. The hills are crowned by the impressive structure of Moscow University
Farewell party
In the evening take a train to Velikiy Novgorod, the Motherland of Russia
Sept. 17, 2021
Arrive at train station in the morning
Guided tour around the downtown – the Kremlin, St. Sophia’s Cathedral, the Monument to the Millennium of Russian Statehood, and Yaroslav’s Court
Welcome party
Sept. 18, 2021
St. George’s Monastery
Culinary Workshop: “Traditional Russian Cuisine”
Visit the Open-Air Museum of Folk Wooden architecture “Vitoslavlitsy”
Ambassadors invite their hosts to dinner *
Sept. 19, 2021
Walking tour of a monastery
Workshop at a porcelain museum
Birch bark crafting
Sept. 20, 2021
Concert of classical music at Rakhmaninov museum
The Chamber of Facets
Applied Art Collection of the 12-15th centuries
Sept. 21, 2021
Historical Museum, featuring a collection of iconic paintings
Russian doll workshop
A visit to a library
A visit to a local school
Sept. 22, 2021
A day tour to Staraya Russa* by bus
Dostoevsky Museum
City museum
Take a visit to the resort
Sept. 23, 2021
A day trip to Valday
City tour, Iverskiy monastery, and Bell museum
Farewell party
Night train to Moscow
Sept. 24, 2021
Arrive in Moscow in the early morning
Transfer to hotel near airport
Check in at the hotel
Sept. 25, 2021
Departure home
Rate:
$2500 USD
Price Includes: FFI and host fees, entrance fees in itinerary, transportation (bus/train), transfer to/from airport, and double accommodation hotel.Know before you go
- Journey number 21345.
- Optional extension to St. Petersburg (5 days, 4 nights). Please contact Journey Coordinator for more information.
- Average temperature is around 70F and sunny, but it’s better to bring a warm sweater for rainy and cool weather.
- Pack comfortable shoes, as we will be walking a lot.
Our Mission
Friendship Force International provides opportunities to explore new countries and cultures from the inside by bringing people together at the personal level. Through the signature program of home hospitality, local hosts welcome international visitors into their culture, sharing with them meals, conversation, and the best sights and experiences of their region.
Read more.