The classical route starts from Moscow, goes through Vladimir, Suzdal, Kostroma, Yaroslavl, Rostov Velikiy, Pereslavl-Zalesskiy, Sergiev Posad. All cities and towns are located relatively close to each other. The "Golden Ring" forms a ring, so from one place you can reach another and make a circle until you get back to the one you started with.

The "Golden Ring" route is known for the famous old cities and towns along the way. So one of the reasons to go there is to see Russian architecture, old churches made of white stone, hear the bells ring, see old fortifications, fortresses, beautiful monasteries, and learn more about the history of Russia.

You will also be interested in going to the biggest towns of the Golden Ring if you want to experience another provincial way of life in Russia. Such towns as Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl can give you a pick of the Russian province. You will see a more traditional way of life, not yet as much westernized, fancy, and hectic as the big cities, with some relics of the Soviet times.

VLADIMIR, one of the oldest Russian cities, was first mentioned in 1108. The capital of Rostov-Suzdal land was Suzdal (now a small town, 38 km north of Vladimir), and in the 1157 the capital was moved to Vladimir. That's when Vladimir started to gain importance, and the city was being decorated. The Golden Gates were put at the western entrance of the city, the impressive Assumption cathedral was built, embodying the power of Vladimir-Suzdal principality. In the beginning of the 13th century, when Russia was invaded by Tartars, Vladimir was devastated. Vladimir started to lose its importance in the beginning of 14th century when the Mitropolit of the 'Whole Russia' moved his residence to Moscow.

SUZDALIn historical chronicles of ancient Rus' Suzdal was first mentioned in 1024, when Yaroslav the Wise, the prince of Kiev, came there to suppress the riot. Since the beginning of the 11th century, Suzdal was the capital of Rostov-Suzdal principality. (Moscow was also part of this principality). Suzdal, as the capital of such a strong and powerful principality, was becoming more and more important. When Andrey Bogolyubsky became the prince, he moved the capital of his principality from Suzdal to Vladimir, but Suzdal still was an important town, and there were many monasteries, fortifications, and churches being built at that time. During the Tartar Yoke, Suzdal was partially demolished and ransacked by Tartars. Because of the vulnerable location, close to the settlements of the enemy, Suzdal was losing its strong position while Moscow was gaining importance. Therefore, in the beginning of the 16th century, Suzdal became a part of Moscow principality. In the 18-19th centuries Suzdal became an important religious center of Russia, still keeping its positions as the center of crafts and trade.