We are proud to introduce our popular Volga River sailings between the two major cities of Russia, St. Petersburg and Moscow. Explore Russia’s two great cities from the comfort and security of a specially adapted river cruiser and sail between them along a network of canals, rivers and lakes. Enjoy a program of cultural events on board ship as well as a full range of shore excursions, including visits to Red Square, the Kremlin, the fairytale island of Kizhi, the Czars’ Winter Palace and many more. The ideal way to discover Russia.
Option 1: St. Petersburg to Moscow
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: St. Petersburg. Board the M/S Kronstadt. Dinner on board.
Day 2: St. Petersburg. Three and a half hour sightseeing tour of the "Venice of the North" (includes Nevski Prospect, Kazaan's Assembly Church, the Royal Square, Smolny Monastery, St Isaac’s Cathedral and the Peter and Paul fortress, etc). After lunch (possibly packed to save time), visit the famous Hermitage Museum – the world’s largest. Optional evening ballet performance.
Day 3: St. Petersburg. Day at leisure or optional full day visit to Peterhof and Pushkin, the Tzars summer palaces. Dinner on board. Set sail at 8:00 pm.
Day 4: Mondraga. Now underway on this 1140 mile cruise via the Neva river, Lake Lodoga, Svir River, Lake Onega, The Volgabaltic canal, The white lake, Vitrega, Kavdga, Seksna, the Volga rivers and finally the Moscow Volga Canal. Shashlik (barbecue) picnic lunch and visit to the Vodka Museum in Mondraga before continuing to Kizhi. Evening classical music concert in the salon.
Day 5: Kizhi. Morning spent at the tiny fairytale island of Kizhi on Lake Onega (Europe’s second largest); the open-air museum of architecture contains examples from various regions of Russia and the Transfiguration Church is a pure delight, with its 22 domes and erected without a single nail or piece of metal by Nester; explore the island, and lunch on board. Evening folklore concert.
Day 6: Goritza. Afternoon arrival at Goritza, a typical Russian village. Browse around, possibly visit the homes of local farmers! Caviar and champagne tasting on board.
Day 7: Yaroslavl. Yaroslavl is an important port along both banks of the Volga, founded in the 11th century by Prince Yaroslavl the Wise. Sightseeing will include many of the splendid monuments, as the St. Elija the Prophet church in the central square with its famous fresco paintings Choir concert of Russian hymns at the Transfiguration Cathedral.
Day 8: Uglich. Despite its name, Uglich is one of Russia’s most loved towns and best viewed from the river; sightseeing will include the Kremlin and the town’s oldest building, the Palace of Tsarevitch Dmitri. The Church of St. Demitrius of the Blood, from the 16th century, stands today. Evening Gala Dinner hosted by the Captain.
Day 9: Moscow. Arrive at 1:00 pm in Moscow, capital city and located where the trading rivers Moskva and Yauza meet on the central Russian plateau; artisans settled here (on the site of the present Kremlin) long before the first references to "Moscow" appear in the chronicles for 1147. Sightseeing will include the Kremlin and Red Square and lunch may be packed to allow more time for exploring, etc. during the free afternoon. Optional visits to either the Arms Palace (Treasury of the Tzars) or the famous Circus.
Day 10: Moscow. After breakfast, visit the Kremlin grounds and/or a guided tour of the famous Moscow Metro with its extraordinary Mosaic line station that are almost palaces in their own right. Enjoy a walk down Arbat Street, Moscow's main pedestrian thoroughfare. Dinner and optional excursion of Moscow by night.
Day 11: Moscow. Disembark after breakfast at 9:00 am.
Option 2: Moscow to St. Petersburg
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Moscow. Embarkation on the M/S Kronstadt. A welcome cocktail and information meeting will either precede or follow dinner.
Day 2: Moscow. Begin a fascinating introductory tour through Russia’s capital. You will see all of the major attractions such as the Kremlin, St.Basil’s Cathedral and Red Square.The afternoon is at leisure. In the evening we highly recommend the optional performance of the acclaimed Moscow Circus.
Day 3: Moscow. Tour the famous Moscow Metro and the pedestrian street of Old Arbat. Built in the 1930’s the Metro stations in the central part of the city, with their murals, frescoes and hand painted ceilings are true works of art unlike any other in the world. Back on board, enjoy the romantic sunset as you bid Moscow goodbye and sail on to Uglich.
Day 4: Uglich. On arrival enjoy a guided walking tour of Uglich, one of the most beloved towns of old Russia. Visit the Church of St. Demitrius of the Blood and the Palace of Tsarevich Dmitri. Return to the ship for lunch and sail on. Enjoy an afternoon concert of classical music.
Day 5: Yaraslavl. Your tour of the 1000 year old Volga port town of Yaroslavl will include the beautiful Transfiguration Cathedral where you will attend a private choir concert of Russian hymns. Also visited will be the Church of St. Elijah the Prophet with its famous 13th century fresco paintings. Tonight, you will be served a traditional Russian dinner, featuring national specialties served by staff dressed in national costumes and accompanied by live folk music.
Day 6: Goritza. On arrival to Goritza, a typical Russian village along the Volga, visit a home of one of the local folk who will treat you to a taste of homemade pirogi (pastry) and tea. In the afternoon, its time for our “caviar and champagne party” where you will be served traditional Russian “blini” (pancakes) with red caviar and champagne.
Day 7: Kizhi. Morning free for on board activities. In the afternoon, you will arrive at the tiny fairy-tale island of Kizhi, located on the northern end of Lake Onega,the second largest in Europe and one of the worlds purest. The tour highlight will be a visit to the Transfiguration Church, erected without a single nail or piece of iron.
Day 8: Mondraga. Morning is at leisure. Around noon you will arrive at the green station of Mondraga. Instead of lunch on board, enjoy a cooked to order shashlik (barbecue) picnic riverside, with wine and entertainment. Be sure to explore the village including the unique Vodka Museum featuring over 250 varieties of Russia’s national drink! Sail on in the afternoon and prepare for your Farewell Captain’s Gala Dinner.
Day 9: St. Petersburg. Today you arrive in St. Petersburg, which celebrated its 300th birthday in 2003! Your guided tour will include highlights such as the Nevski Prospect, Kazan’s Assembly Church, the Admiralty Building, the Royal Square, the Smolny Monastery, St.Isaac’s Church, St.Peter-Paul’s Fortress and many more. After a break for lunch (lunch packs provided), visit the world famous Hermitage Museum, featuring more than three million exhibits, including works by famous artists such as Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Titian, Michelangelo and Monet. Dinner is served on board. In the evening, attend an optional ballet performance by some of the leading ballet dancers of the Kirov Theater.
Day 10: St. Petersburg. A full free day to shop, stroll and explore this magnificent city on your own. Or, purchase the optional full day Palace Tour and see one of the fabulous Winter Palaces in Pushkin (Catherines or Pavlovsk) combined with the unique fountains and gardens of Peter the Greats’ Summer Palace of Peterhof. In the evening, relax with our onboard band or enjoy an optional Cossak show performed by one of St. Petersburg’s best known ensembles.
Day 11: St. Petersburg. Bid your crew and fellow passengers goodbye as you disembark around 9:00 am.
Departure dates: June 10, 30, August 9, 29 2010.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Tour escort
- Sightseeing per itinerary
- Conferences and shipboard entertainment
- Accommodations in select cabin category
- Three meals daily shipboard
- Luggage handling
- Excursions and entrances per itinerary
- English speaking guides for day tours.
Price Excludes:
- Optional excursions
- Visa to Russia
- Port charges: $ 135
- Fuel surcharge: $ 35.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Russia
Outdoor: Water Drifter
Boating and Sailing
Cultural Journey
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