The Royal Estate of Kolomenskoye runs all the way along the right-bank of the River Moscow from Kolomenskaya to Kashirskaya metro stations and is one of popular sights in Moscow outside of the city center. During the reign of Tsar Alexis, Kolomenskoye became a royal residence and a wooden palace was built here in 1660s. It was a grand palace with rich exotic décor that was consistently admired by all the foreigners who saw it. The Tsar’s contemporaries referred to it as the “Eighth Wonder of the Word”.

Although built only for summer residency, it became a favourite residence for both Tsar Alexis and his successors. The future Empress Elizabeth Petrovna was born in the palace in 1709, and Tsar Peter the Great spent part of his youth here. The palace survived up until the time of Catherine the Great, who had the palace demolished. The wooden palace you see in Kolomenskoye today is a replica built very recently from the original architectural blueprints complete with lavish interiors, crimson silk and embossed leather upholstery, genuine gold leaf decorations, fancy masonry furnances and thrones.

The tour starts when the guide and driver pick you up at the location of choice (you can also select transfer by metro and see some of the famous Moscow metro stations on the way). The Tour of Kolomenskoye Palace of Tsar Alexis + food market visit includes:

• Transfer by Mercedes minivan (optional - by metro) to the Kolomesnkoye Estate Grounds;
• Walk around the Palace Tsar Alexis, review of its architecture + scenic photo stops;
• The Grand Porch;
• The Golden Vestibule;
• The Tsar's Banquet Hall where you learn about the traditional Russian foods;
• The Duma (Council) Chamber;
• The Throne Hall;
• The Royal Bed Chamber;
• The Royal Bath;
• The Tsarina's Quarters.

After the Kolomenskoye Palace tour, you will make a transfer to the Danilovsky Food Market. The building of the Food Markets is considered a monument of architecture, and it is built in the Soviet Modernism Style, with a grand dome with a skylight window in the center of it. The market features a variety of local food including those imported from the former republics of the the Soviet Union:

• All sorts of fresh fruit;
• Seasonal vegetables;
• Selection of dairy products including Russian kefir and curd cheese (tvorog);
• Selection of Russian cultured vegetables - cucumbers, cabbage, tomatoes, garlic, etc.;
• Russian honey derived from different plants - wild fields, Linden tree, blooming buckwheat, etc.;
• Fresh black caviar from Astrakhan (the original habitat of sturgeon);
• You can also taste the national cuisine of different regions of Russia.

At the end of the tour your guide will take you back to the location of your choice or book a taxi for you..

Included: licensed guide up to 4 hours, Mercedes, tickets to the selected attractions, metro fare if selected.