In cold February 2016 ART-TOUR went to hot Tanzania.
The main goal was to climb Kilimanjaro – treking from Savannah through moist cloud tropical forests and African alpine meadows and climbing to moon mountainous landscapes and glaciers. It was not easy, but eventually all of us went to the summit of this amazing volcano.
Being close to the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro we were not able to resist going to safari.
The journey ended with three days on the island of Zanzibar on the white beaches of the quiet Indian Ocean.

In cold February 2016 ART-TOUR went to hot Tanzania.
The main goal was to climb Kilimanjaro – treking from Savannah through moist cloud tropical forests and African alpine meadows and climbing to moon mountainous landscapes and glaciers. It was not easy, but eventually all of us went to the summit of this amazing volcano.
Being close to the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro we were not able to resist going to safari.
The journey ended with three days on the island of Zanzibar on the white beaches of the quiet Indian Ocean.

At this time, for two weeks, we made a long range throughout most of the country.
Starting with the ocean coast, with white Art Deco of Casablanca and with prim and unflappable Rabat, we plunged into the Middle Ages when the empire was stretched from Spain to Senegal and we visited two imperial capitals: Meknes and Fez.
Then we passed through the ridge of the High Atlas to the Sahara, where we spent a few days getting acquainted with the desert.
Further our way led us to another imperial capital – the famous Marakesh and a small and cosy Essaouira which once was an important fortress with blustery comercial and pirat history.

Morocco is an amazing country of a fairy tale from the Childhood.

In October 2019, ART-TOUR goes to Ethiopia again.
This time, besides the capital and the cities of the ancient Orthodox North of the country, we will visit Harar, the main Islamic city of Ethiopia

October 5 – 17

Vyborg has always been a frontier city, an ancient Swedish boundary fortress – an identity that determined its destiny across the ages. The city has changed hands many times – from Kingdom of Sweden to Russian Empire, then to Republic of Finland, to Soviet Union, to Finland again, and finally to USSR and, finally, to Russia; it has always been an outpost of these countries. This volatility took its toll on the daily life of its citizens and on the image of the city. Architecture of Vyborg is remarkable and diverse, spanning from a medieval Romanesque fortress to residential buildings marked by Finnish Romanticism of the early XX century, as well as functionalist buildings of the famous Alvar Aalto and SOK industrial bakery.

Starting at: Vyborg railway station plaza
Finishing at: Old Town Hall square
Duration: 3.5 hours (+ commute from/to St Petersburg)

Petrogradskaya side is the oldest inhabited part of Saint Petersburg. Here stands the first residence of the future city – a simple wooden cabin that belonged to Peter the Great. Trinity church, the first one in the city, also once was there; working settlements of the builders of Peter-and-Paul Fortress have also been located here. However, the powerful current of Neva river separated Petrogradskaya side from the left bank on which the Admiralty has become the focal point of the portuary city; therefore, until the very beginning of XX century, Petrogradsky island remained largely peripheral.

Troitsky (Trinity) bridge, built in 1903, has opened a new chapter in the island’s life. Along its axis, a luxurious Kamennoostrovsky prospekt was laid down. In mere ten years, it has become one of the most fashionable avenues in Europe. Every building has its own story to tell, and their ensemble is a living memory of the “Silver age” of the city marked by the Nordic Art Nouveau architecture.

Starting at: Trinity bridge;
Finishing at: Leo Tolstoy square
Duration: 3 hours

Smolny Dvor (Pitch Town) was an industrial district founded in the early days of Saint Petersburg that produced pitch and tar for the Admiralty Shipyard. Since then, the name was related to the Novo-Devitchi Convent built by the famous architect Rastrelli, the Institute of Noble Maids designed by Quarenghi, and the Petrograd Soviet that replaced the “Smolny maidens” during the Revolution. Our architectural walk also includes the magnificent ensemble of Tavrichesky palace that combines the luxury of classical architecture with the romantic impression of Tavrichesky paysage garden. Adjacent streets bear a rich collection of buildings of early XX and XXI centuries.

Starting at: Tavrichesky garden
Finishing at: Propylaeum of the Smolny Institute
Duration: 3 hours

On the map of Petersburg, Nevsky prospect is one-third of the famous trident of avenues that all aim at the golden spire of the Admiralty. Nevsky is a perfect example of aesthetics of urban space. Thanks to the whole system of adjacent squares, Nevsky is distinctive for its diverse, colorful setting that has no stiffness or monotony. Various ensembles are all united by the golden thread of the avenue. A stroll along Nevsky can turn into an exciting reading of Russian history.

Starting point: Admiralty
Finishing point: Anitchkov bridge
Duration : 2.5 hours