compass rose tours

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It started with a set of postcards. Andrea Knies and Mimi Cirbusova are Co-Owners and Co-Founders of Compass Rose History Experiences. Shortly after meeting in 2015, Mimi overheard Andrea talking about Charles Ringling (which she is often known to do). She decided to give Andrea a set of vintage Ringling Brothers postcards for her birthday. A friendship blossomed. Their mutual love of Sarasota-Manatee area and its rich history inspired them to share their knowledge and passion with the world — not just their friends at happy hour. Both women serve their community in various history-related volunteer roles, and are known to “fall down the rabbit hole” of historical research. Both have tattoos related to Sarasota. Both are known to talk about dead people as if they were alive.

2024 Downtown Sarasota Walking Tours “1926 Sarasota” and “Resilience”

Compass Rose History Experiences is coming back to downtown Sarasota in 2024! Experience Sarasota’s infamous boom and bust year on our “1926 Sarasota” tour, and walk the road to recovery in our post-Great Depression tour, “Resilience”. Tours are available once a month in February – March 2024. Purchase your tickets on Eventbrite HERE .

Sarasota 1926 Tour

Sat, Feb 24 • 3:30 PM

Selby Five Points Park 

Sarasota Resilience Tour

Date Coming Soon

WHICH HISTORICAL SARASOTAN ARE YOU?

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Stroll Through Sarasota History With an Interactive Walking Tour

By Kim Doleatto January 17, 2023

Andrea Knies and Mimi Cirbusova leading a historic walking tour in downtown Sarasota.

Image: Courtesy Photo

Mimi Cirbusova and Andrea Knies talk about dead people as though they’re alive because to them, they kind of still are. The pair reanimate historic local figures through the places they visit and the stories on their popular walking tours.

Andrea Knies (left) and Mimi Cirbusova

Brimming with movers and shakers who dared to tame the area b efore air conditioning and paved the way for today, there’s no shortage of characters and events to pull from. “We don’t want people to remember dates and timelines, but to remember the people’s experiences,” Cirbusova says.

That’s what participants will discover during their walking tours, born of the pair’s shared love of local history. In 2018, that led to the creation of Compass Rose History Experiences . Compass Rose is a storytelling project that presents the past in a conversational way that, before the organized tours, riveted the duo's friends at happy hour.

“We’d be out with friends and start conversing about history stuff and everyone would quiet down to listen,” Cirbusova, 35, says. Knies, 41, asked them, “Wait, would you pay for this?” and the answer was always "yes." 

"For us, it’s just so much fun and we saw other people value it, too,” Cirbusova says.

Compass Rose's “1926 Sarasota” tour, which covers Palm and Pineapple avenues, looks at the boom and bust of the Roaring '20s in Sarasota, which saw unfettered development. Lavish at the time, hotels like John Ringling’s  El Vernona and Charles Ringling's Sarasota Terrace Hotel opened. There were also the Mira Mar plaza and the American National Bank building, later known as the Orange Blossom Hotel— not to mention the many churches that popped up. That year also saw the completion of the John Ringling Bridge and the beginning of construction of the Sarasota County Courthouse. (Yes, you’re allowed to make parallels with today’s fast and furious development .)

As for the boom and bust tour concept, it also came with a dash of magic, not unlike the pair's penchant for reanimating the dead. “We saw omens of $19.26 on receipts. The idea just chased us,” Cirbusova says.

“We visit buildings you see all the time and know the name of, but maybe you don’t know the stories of why they’re still standing,” says Knies. “We look at the ‘why?’”

The other historic Compass Rose History Experiences walking tour could be considered a “Part 2," of sorts. Called “Resilience,” this tour looks at the road to recovery during the post-Great Depression and World War II years of the 1930s and '40s.

“So often, people only think of the terrible events during this time, but the community came together in beautiful ways," Cirbusova says. " The Kress building on Main Street went up during the Depression and it created jobs at the time and was very exciting for residents. The  Wilson building on Orange Avenue was being used as a Red Cross run by Mrs. Van Wezel who led the volunteer efforts there. They would do blood drives, and get supplies to ship overseas. The 'Knit Your Bit' campaign called on the public to knit socks and scarves for the troops."

When possible, the two history buffs use primary sources like old newspapers, census records, letters and probate records. In the case of populations of the community that were purposely left out of the record, like minorities, they rely more on cemeteries and oral histories.

Knies, who moved to the area in 2014, says, “I’ve always found it important to know who stood here before me. I got into local history immediately, kind of like knowing where your go-to grocery store is when you move to a new neighborhood.”

The tours are capped at 20 people, to keep the experience intimate and safe, but if you can’t make it, step back in time on your own watch with Compass Rose History Experiences podcasts called “Navigating History,” which dive deep into local history and show that reality is truly stranger than fiction.

Tickets for one tour are $20 or $30 for both and happen once a month through April. Tours meet at Five Points Park in Downtown Sarasota, span less than one mile, and last 75 to 90 minutes. All tours begin at 3:30 pm. To buy tickets, click here .

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Compass Rose

Closed for renovations.

Private Sails

Be the envy of your friends and everyone on Lake Texoma as you charter the famous Compass Rose for an exclusive sail! You choose the date and time, we'll provide the fun, all inclusive. Not your cattle call party barge; the Compass Rose is a unique experience specializing in groups of 10 or less. We provide a more intimate experience aboard a classic wooden tall ship. Whether you're looking for luxury or the adventure of playing pirate, the Compass Rose and her crew will make sure your experience is one to remember. Contact us to plan your adventure.

                                                                                  Moonlight Sails

Looking for Romance? Peace? Adventure? Think you can't have it all in the same night? Think again! Sunset to moonlight, gourmet desserts and champagne, flying off the yardarms (if adventure is in your blood), watching the stars; it all happens aboard the Compass Rose. 3000 sq ft  of sails, a crew to meet your needs ... ahhh ... this is the life!

Historic Day Sails

Come enjoy a historic day sail and learn about brigantine ships, pirate lore , the history of the Compass Rose and Lake Texoma. Compass Rose is always the star of Lake Texoma when she hoists her sails! She is one of the few working Brigantines left in the world. Great fun for the whole family!   Call for booking information .

                    Weekend  " At Dock " Tours!  

1st Saturdays from 10:30 - 1:30 - April 7th thru Nov. 4th

Take an above and below decks tour of the famous Compass Rose!

            Group Educational Tours!

One of the main purposes of the Compass Rose is education about the great tradition of sailing. This ship serves as a floating "school". We teach  about our ship and the Civil War world she encountered in the 1860's. We toss in some pirate fun to boot, or should we say "booty" ? Truly fascinating for kids and adults as well! Special pricing and times are available. Contact us today!

Weekend Tours

1st and 3rd Saturdays

10:00am - 2:00pm

Price: $10.00 per person

Children: $5.00 per child

Children under 6 free.

ALL TOURS TAKE PLACE AT DOCK

Educational Tours

One of the main purposes of the Compass Rose is to educate children about the great tradition of sailing. This ship serves as a floating "school". We teach  about our ship and the Civil War world she encountered in the 1860's. We toss in some pirate fun to boot, or should we say "booty" ? Truly fascinating for kids and adults as well!

Call  903-744-3825

Group Tours

Book your own Group Tour of the Compass Rose and enjoy a private excursion into the world of pirates and privateers. It's fun to gather your group of friends, church, co-workers or group affliates to storm the Rose in your  "pirate attire" and have a rousing good time! Call us at 903-744-3825  or use the Contact Us button below today! Special pricing and times available

Compass Rose Farms

“Lets take our hearts for a walk in the woods and listen to the magic of old trees..” Unknown

Come sit a while..

We invite you to come for a tour of the land, spend an hour wandering in the grove, or smelling roses in the garden. This land has much to teach and a big heart to share, she is ancient and her voice can be heard in the trees.

  Take one of our private tours with Kateen Fitzgerald as she shares the story and beauty of this land. Kateen generously shares her wisdom and knowledge gathered during her 33 years of working in partnership with the land. This is a great opportunity to “pick her brain” and ask questions about everything from farming and fiber to roses.   

The Weavers Grove

Come for a guided tour of the grove and stay for some solitude. Bring a mat to sit on and a notebook to wander with. Artists, wanderers, and, weavers are welcome. Arrangements for future visits can be made without tour fees.

The grove is available for celebrations and ceremonies as well as personal use. please, let us know how the grove can serve you.

The Rose Gardens

The rose garden is open for tour and picking during the bloom. Please check in with us as roses have three bloom cycles between June and September. Tours include natural rose care, meeting new varieties, and lots of joyful smelling.

Brides and their parties can make an appointment to pick bouquets and schedule tea parties on the lawn.

Permaculture Gardens and systems

One-hour tours of the Permaculture demonstration site are available, during the growing season. Our garden includes many smaller gardens including culinary herbs, medicinal plants, flowers, vegetables, perennials and fruit and nut orchards. Meet the geese and ducks and see how they work in the landscape. when available u-pic produce may be added to your tour.

Fiber arts and processing tours

Tours of the fiber mill, studio, and sheep are a fun way to get your fiber-loving friends together and have a day on the farm. Bring a picnic lunch and your knitting and stay a while to knit in the gardens. Yarn and roving are available for sale.

Tour Information

• Tours are scheduled for one hour
• Tours are informative and educational, a notebook is recommended
• Upon arrival enter the gate and park in front of the garden
• Close all gates behind you
• No pets outside of vehicles
• Our animals are free to wander the land, please, greet them gently
• Wear appropriate shoes for your tour

Tour prices :

$100 per tour for up to five people $5 per additional person.

We would love to share the land with you, contact us to schedule your tour.

1463 W Uncas Rd Port Townsend WA 98368

[email protected] (360) 379 1443

Gardens are open seasonally

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Compass Rose History Experiences Introduces 1926 Sarasota: A Guided Walking Tour Experience

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THURSDAY JAN 13, 2022 |

Compass Rose History Experiences announces the launch of 1926 Sarasota: A Guided Walking Tour Experience. Guides Mimi Cirbusova and Andrea Knies navigate attendees on a journey back in time to experience the triumphs and tragedies of this pivotal year in Sarasota’s history. Locals and visitors alike will enjoy being emersed in stories of the people and places of Sarasota in 1926. Tours meet at Five Points Park in Downtown Sarasota and cover a distance of less than one mile over the 75-90 minute tour. All tours begin at 3:30 pm and are currently available on Saturday, January 29th, Friday, February 25th, and Saturday, March 26th. Tickets cost $19.26 and must be purchased in advance. For the safety and experience of the guests, tours are limited to 20 participants. Compass Rose History Experiences is owned and operated by Mimi Cirbusova and Andrea Knies. Their mutual love of local history inspires them to share their knowledge and passion with the world — not just their friends at happy hour. Both women serve their community in various history-related volunteer roles, and are known to “fall down the rabbit hole” of historical research. Both have tattoos related to Sarasota. Both are known to talk about dead people as if they were alive.

Click here to purchase tickets.

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As the flagship restaurant aboard each of our ships, the wonderfully spacious Compass Rose serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and features an exceptional variety of European-inspired Continental cuisine, as well as flavorful vegetarian and kosher dishes. Elegantly decorated in blues and silvers with stunning Versace tableware, this sumptuous eatery delights with a beautifully refined atmosphere bathed in natural light during the day.

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Our exceptional service begins long before you step aboard. Your Personal Consultant will help you or your Travel Advisor plan your next luxury cruise vacation.

Compass Rose Wool Mill

Connecting people, land, and fiber

Bring a friend or a group and take a tour of the land and see how fiber is processed from sheep to cloth. Meet our flock of Icelandic sheep, walk through the mill and follow the path of fiber from washing to roving. Explore the fiber and dye studio to see how spinning, weaving, and dying transforms natural fiber into yarn and cloth. Then stop in to our store and take home some yarn and roving. On sunny days you are welcome to bring your knitting and a lunch, after your tour you can sit in the gardens to relax and craft.

Tour Information

• Tours are scheduled for one hour
• Tours are informative and educational, a notebook is recommended
• Upon arrival enter the gate and park in front of the garden
• Close all gates behind you
• No pets outside of vehicles
• Our animals are free to wander the land, please, greet them gently
• Wear appropriate shoes for your tour
• optional: bring lunch and your knitting for a creative time in the gardens after your tour. (no additional charge.)
• Tour prices :

$100 per hour for up to five people $5 per additional person

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Elegant and beautifully appointed venue overlooking Tom’s Bayou in Valparaiso, Florida. Large or small, your event will be perfectly hosted. WeddingWire.ensureInit(function() {WeddingWire.createWWRated2013({"vendorId":"e2b9ca7ed4576383" }); });

Private dining rooms are available which can seat up to 150 guests. we provide a perfect venue for any event ranging from small social events to business conferences. our event directors will work with you to customize every detail. we will tailor your event to your specifications., the compass rose.

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Compass Rose Brigantine Ship

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Compass Rose Brigantine Ship (Denison, TX): Hours, Address - Tripadvisor

Compass Rose Yacht Charters, LLC

BOOK TODAY 978-360-1223

Step aboard the Compass Rose Yacht Charters to make Lifetime Memories on the Ocean!

We are not merely travelers, but are the navigators of our destiny.

Compass Rose Yacht Charters, LLC, out of the Newburyport, MA area, is the closest thing to having your own private yacht for day ocean charters. Founded by Captain Gig Michaud, a US Coast Guard Licensed Captain (Master), and Retired Navy Captain, who desires to share his passion for the Ocean with his clients.

Family Vacationers and Small Corporate Groups will experience the Natural Beauty on the Ocean, from Picturesque Harbors and Rivers, to cruising along the North Shore Coastline.   Our reputation has been built on honest and ethical business practices mixed with passionate knowledge of yachting hospitality and tourism.

When you step aboard our magnificent 35’ Tiara Yacht “GIA”, you will leave behind all your cares and begin experiencing the seafaring excitement of yachting at its finest. You will personally observe the Majestic Beauty of a Sun soaked Ocean, shimmering like diamonds across the horizon, with its warm gentle breezes.

Departing from the dock, and beginning the journey, you will see, up close and personal, life on the water. You may observe occasional sightings of marine mammals and seabirds in their natural elements, such as Seals, Sunfish, Dolphins, Seagulls, Sandpipers, Herrings, etc, and if lucky, the largest mammals known to mankind, the Whale.

Our Goal is to make your day on the Ocean, aboard Yacht “GIA”, an informative and enjoyable experience for you and your family or small business group. We look forward to having you aboard!

Happy Customers

Amazing day on the water.

“My friends and I had the most amazing day with Compass Rose Charters last week. Everything was perfect and Captain Gig is not only a very experienced captain but the friendliest man who made sure our day was everything we had hoped for. First of all, the yacht Gia is a gorgeous boat, meticulously clean and comfortable. Our day included a voyage out the mouth of the Merrimack River, down the Annisquam River to Gloucester Harbor and back. Captain Gig pointed out many interesting sights along the way with interesting facts and history. We were served a lovely assortment of appetizers and cocktails. Our trip included stops for swimming and sunbathing. We had such a memorable day and hope we can do it again soon. I very highly recommend Compass Rose Charters. Thanks, Captain Gig and Gia! Our day with you was the highlight of our summer.”

Caryn W. ★★★★★

BEAUTIFUL BOAT

“Gig keeps an absolutely beautiful boat and knows some of the best spots, no matter if you’re looking for a relaxing cruise or just a ride to the beach!”

Mark I. ★★★★★

HEAVEN ON EARTH

“There’s nothing better than getting out on the water and it’s especially perfect aboard the GIA!! A gorgeous boat, beautifully appointed and Captain Gig is attentive, safe and knowledgeable about this little piece of Heaven on Earth called the New England coast!! Compass Rose Yacht Charters is second to none!!”

Michele N. ★★★★★

REVIEW OUR HAPPY CUSTOMERS ON TRIPADVISOR!

Capt. Gig Michaud [email protected] 978-360-1223

The Yacht “GIA” is located at the Newburyport Boat Basin 346 Merrimac St Newburyport, MA 01950

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The best swimming with pigs tours in the bahamas.

Discover how to responsibly swim with pigs in the Bahamas.

Swimming With Pigs in the Bahamas

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Reels of people frolicking with pigs on a beach in the Caribbean have more than likely surfaced on your TikTok and Instagram feeds at one point or another. After all, millions of people partake in this quintessential Bahamas experience each year, and the attraction is so popular that it's been replicated in other destinations.

If swimming with pigs in the Bahamas is on your bucket list, read on to discover the best tour options as well as what to consider when you visit.

Which Bahamas island has swimming pigs?

Located in the Exumas, Big Major Cay – commonly known as Pig Beach – is the original Bahamas island with swimming pigs. It is accessible from several islands in the Bahamas as well as Florida. Most swimming pig tours include other tourist attractions and experiences, including snorkeling in Thunderball Grotto (a filming location for two James Bond movies) and swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay.

How to get to Pig Beach from the Exumas

Staniel Cay: Staniel Cay is the closest inhabited island to Big Major Cay. Guests of Staniel Cay Yacht Club can take a short boat ride to Pig Beach via a local charter. 3N's Vacation Services and Staniel Cay Adventures are both reputable companies that offer such options.

Great Exuma: The largest island in the Exumas, Great Exuma houses some of the best resorts in the Bahamas , including the family-friendly Grand Isle Resort & Residences and the adults-only Sandals Emerald Bay . To get to Pig Beach from Great Exuma, it's best to book directly with your hotel. You'll have the option to take a full-day tour (with a roughly two-hour boat ride to the attractions from Great Exuma) or fly to Staniel Cay and take a short boat ride to Big Major Cay from there.

How to get to Pig Beach from Nassau

Pig Beach is reachable from Nassau via plane and/or boat. Below are some of the top-rated swimming pig tours from the Bahamas' capital city:

3N's Vacation Services: Swimming Pigs Flight & Tour

Price: From $675 per person Duration: 3.5 to 4 hours

This full-day, all-inclusive tour transports passengers from Nassau to Staniel Cay by plane, where you'll continue your excursion via boat. The tour includes several stops and activities:

• Swimming with pigs and feeding them tour-provided food at Pig Beach
• Swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay
• Snorkeling at Thunderball Grotto
• Visiting the iguanas of Guana Cay
• Strolling along a stunning sandbar
• A stop near Pablo Escobar's mysterious sunken plane on Norman's Cay

Snacks, lunch, soft drinks, beer and water are covered in tour rates; snorkel gear and towels are provided. Children ages 2 and younger are free, though this tour is not recommended for young kids. While tour groups are limited to 12 guests at maximum, private tours are available for a more intimate experience. Recent reviewers say they enjoyed this tour, though some expressed mixed feelings about the captains.

Check prices & availability on:

Born Free Charters: Exuma Island Hopping and Swimming Pigs

Price: From $439 for adults; $329 for kids ages 2 to 6 Duration: 9 hours

This tour departs from Paradise Island by high-speed powerboat and stops at the following destinations:

• Allen Cay, to visit Bahamian rock iguanas
• Compass Cay, for swimming with the nurse sharks
• Great Exuma, for a Bahamian-style lunch buffet (included in tour rate)
• Norman's Cay, for snorkeling
• A sandbar for some beach time

Recent travelers highly recommend this tour, praising the guides, the lunch and the overall experience. Per the tour provider, this tour isn't recommended for children younger than 2, pregnant women, or those suffering from chronic back and/or neck pain.

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How to get to Pig Beach from Florida

There are a few reputable companies that offer Pig Beach tours from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Below is a well-rated option:

Bahamas Air Tours: Miami to Bahamas Day Trip

Price: From $949 per person Duration: 12 hours

This full-day tour starts with private transportation from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. It also includes in-destination transportation to Pig Beach, Guana Cay, Thunderball Grotto, Compass Cay and the sandbars at Staniel Cay. Both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages are included in the price as well. Recent travelers rave about this experience, with some noting it's the best tour they've ever taken.

Note that passports are required for this day trip, and that while children are permitted on the tour, it's not ideal for young kids. This excursion is also ill-suited for pregnant women, and the tour operator requires a doctor's clearance for expectant mothers. Tours are limited to nine guests (but require a minimum of five participants); private charters are also available.

Is Pig Beach ethical?

Even though the Bahamas limits the number of tour operators allowed to visit Pig Beach per day, there's some controversy surrounding the island and whether or not it's ethical to visit.

In 2017, several pigs were found dead after an influx of tourists left snacks on the beach, causing the pigs to ingest too much sand. Also, travelers can be aggressive with the pigs, often chasing them, picking them up or even trying to ride them.

In recent years, a number of safety measures have been put in place to protect both the pigs and tourists. Per the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, they include the following:

• A trough provides a designated feeding place for the pigs.
• Signage communicates rules to tourists, including what you can and cannot feed to the pigs. The pigs are restricted to a diet of fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, grapes, watermelon, apples and lettuce, and many guides supply these items for tourgoers. Some tour guides will provide bread as well, though processed food is not ideal for these animals.
• A local taskforce of caretakers is on the ground daily to ensure visitors and tour operators are engaging with the pigs responsibly.

While the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism maintains that the attraction is sustainable, know that there aren't any legal limitations protecting the pigs at this time.

How to be a responsible traveler at Pig Beach 

All tour guides are expected to share the following protocols with travelers; whether they do or not, it is important to respect these rules for both the safety of the pigs and you: 

• Remain calm at all times.
• Do not chase, pick up or ride the pigs.
• Do not engage with the pigs without supervision.
• Only use approved food from your tour operator, and do not feed the pigs alcohol.
• If you do not have feed, hold your hands up to show the pigs you do not have anything.

What to pack for your excursion

Pack a beach bag , dry bag or backpack with the following items:

• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Beach towel
• Camera and/or phone
• Waterproof phone pouch with lanyard
• Change of clothing
• Windbreaker or light jacket (in case of rain and because it gets chilly on the water)
• Cash and/or credit card (for tour guide tip and other purchases)

It's best to wear a swimsuit and a cover-up or T-shirt with sandals for the trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are several theories about the origin of the swimming pigs. The most logical is that when the Exumas gained popularity with the rich and famous in the 1980s and '90s, the resident pigs were too smelly to stay and were hence moved to the uninhabited island of Big Major Cay.

It is generally safe provided you're respectful of the animals. However, you should keep in mind that the pigs are known to bite if they're hungry and think you might have food you're not sharing. Because Big Major Cay is their home, they also defecate on the shoreline and in the water.

Most tour operators do not allow children under age 2 on these excursions, and based on our experience, we don't recommend bringing toddlers and young children in general — even if rates are free or discounted for them. Wait until your kids are a bit older.

Swimming with pigs on Big Major Cay – the original Pig Beach in the Bahamas – will cost you several hundred dollars – in part because Big Major Cay is a remote destination only accessible by boat. Of course, it is also pricey because of its popularity. Copycat experiences like swimming with the pigs on Rose Island are cheaper, but less authentic.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Amanda Norcross previously visited Pig Beach during a press trip to the Bahamas. Disheartened by tourists' mistreatment of the pigs, she aims to educate travelers on how to visit Big Major Cay and other animal-centric destinations responsibly.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Caribbean Vacations
• The Best All-Inclusive Caribbean Resorts
• The Best International Travel Insurance

The Best Zoos in the U.S.

Tags: Travel , Tours

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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The wonders of Moscow metro

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• Preplanned tours
• Daytrips out of Moscow
• Themed tours
• Customized tours
• St. Petersburg

Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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