One of the best ways to explore the immense cultural and natural treasures of Russia is on board ship! Combining a rich and varied cultural programme with breathtaking Russian scenery, this tour is truly a must for anyone interested in exploring the fascinating complexities of Russian history and enjoying the mellow beauty of Russian nature. You will start your discovery of Russia from the beautiful city of St Petersburg, a unique treasure of the world’s cultural heritage. You’ll then move on to the powerful magnificent, city of Moscow via some beauty spots in Northern Russian, and the old provincial towns of the “Golden Ring” route. The Golden Ring is the name given to the chain of ancient towns around Moscow, each one of which played a significant part in Russian history. These towns contain a whole collection of architectural masterpieces, set in the charming landscape of central Russia. This 11-day cruise along several Russian rivers, linked by the Moscow Canal and the Baltic Waterway, is the perfect opportunity for a leisurely exploration of these beautiful Russian landscapes and ancient towns, with their impressive selection of historical and architectural gems.
Another pleasant discovery during this trip will be the authentic flavours of the celebrated Russian cuisine, which as prepared by our skilled chefs will delight every one of our guests. Onboard entertainment, sightseeing options and our attentive English-speaking staff will make your trip relaxing and entertaining at the same time. We will cruise the intricate pattern of interconnecting rivers, canals and lakes that link Moscow with St. Petersburg, including the beautiful river Volga, the biggest in Russia. In addition to exploring the wonders of towns and cities, you will sail through enchanting countryside and witness firsthand the tranquillity and beauty of Russian nature, which has inspired famous Russian writers and musicians for centuries.
PRICE
LAND-ONLY PRICE: £949
PACKAGE PRICE: £1,219
Travel style: cultural cruise ITINERARY Day 1. Arrival in St. Petersburg. Transfer to the majestic ship Bunin, which is today considered to be one of the finest vessels on Russia's waterways. Your first night onboard! We will spend three glorious days in this exciting city while your ship is docked in the port. Welcoming cocktail reception in the evening. Day 2. After breakfast on the ship, you have a guided tour of St. Petersburg. This magnificent city enchants all its visitors with its legacy of history and the arts, and its striking beauty. St. Petersburg is a city of canals and rivers, built on 101 islands and linked by 350 graceful bridges, thus earning the name "Venice of the North". We take a bus tour around the city. You will see the major sights of St. Petersburg, including the Peter & Paul Fortress and the Church of Christ’s Resurrection (The Saviour of the Blood), which revives the traditions of 17th century Russian church building. We go on to the Peter and Paul Fortress, the historic heart of St. Petersburg, dating from 1703. The fortress, the first building of the new city, was founded to protect the lands of the Neva from possible attack by Swedish troops. The sacred site of the fortress complex is the Cathedral of Peter and Paul. Until 1917 the fortress housed political prisoners. Many of its buildings have now been converted into museum. It features a splendid cathedral containing the tombs of the Romanov monarchs. Day 3.Today we visit one of the world’s most famous museums, the Hermitage, housed in the former Winter Palace. The museum contains a vast collection of Western Art, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Picasso and many other great masters. There are also fascinating Historical, Russian and Oriental sections. From the 1760s onwards, the Winter Palace was the main residence of the Russian Tsars. Magnificently located on the bank of the river Neva, this Baroque-style palace is perhaps the major attraction of St. Petersburg. Later in the afternoon we will embark and start our amazing river journey. Day 4. Today we reach the village of Mandrogi and enjoy an outdoor break in beautiful landscape surroundings. There are several masterpieces of wooden architecture in the village. Villagers will meet you and present a special programme of their traditions and culture. There is a museum of Russian Vodka in Remeslennaya Sloboda, where tourists can learn about the technology and history of Russian vodka production. There are attractive walks through along the village and the forest to beguile you until late afternoon, when we get back on the board and continue our amazing journey.
Day 5. Today our ship will take us to the amazing tiny island of Kizhi via the Volga/Baltic Canal. The island is located at the northern end of Lake Onega. We will visit the renowned open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture, collected from various areas of the country and restored to form a glimpse of the past. The Church of the Transfiguration, with its 22 domes, is the ultimate in Russian fairy-tale church architecture. The Kizhi museum is one of the most interesting cultural sights in Northern Russia, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Day 6. Our new destination today is Goritsy, a tiny settlement where the largest Russian Orthodox monastery of the Russian North, the Kirillo-Belozersky monastery, is situated. We continue our river journey in the afternoon.
Day 7. Arrival in the charming Russian city of Yaroslavl. This is an important port with a population of 600,000, stretching for 18 miles on both banks of the Volga. Yaroslavl was founded in the 11th century by Prince Yaroslav the Wise, and still has many interesting architectural and historical treasures. Of special interest is the magnificent 13th century Spassky Monastery complex, a group of several majestic 17th century cathedrals, an elegant rotunda and the remains of an ancient trading center. We will start our city tour in the early morning and will visit the Spaso-Preobrazgenskiy Monastery, the Church of the Prophet Elijah and many other cultural highlights.
Day 8. Today we arrive in one of the best loved towns of provincial Russia, Uglich, founded in 1148. The view of the town as approached from the Volga River is especially beautiful, with the Cathedral of the Resurrection and St. John's Church towering on the horizon. At the end of the 16th century, the seventh wife of the Tsar Ivan the Terrible lived in honorary exile in the Kremlin at Uglich. We will visit the Cathedral of the Resurrection and the Kremlin, which are among the oldest buildings in Uglich. Tonight is our magnificent Farewell Gala dinner on board ship.
Day 9. Arrival to Moscow. After breakfast you will enjoy city tour around Moscow. Our bus will take you through the main streets of Moscow – wide, busy and elegant. You will also visit the Novodevichy Convent, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Convent is located near the Moscow River and is a peaceful retreat from the bustling city of Moscow. It was used by women from the Tsar’s family and the aristocracy. Many members of the Tsar’s family and some very famous Russian artists, writers and politicians are buried in its cemetery. The Convent is one of the finest examples of Russian architecture, with rich interiors and an important collection of paintings and artefacts. Depending on the timing of our trip to Moscow, in the evening we may be able to attend a performance at the famous Bolshoi Theatre (by request).
Day 10. Today we explore Moscow as a great city of Russian history and culture. We will visit the Kremlin (the former residence of the Tsars and Russian Orthodox Patriarchs) and its uniquely beautiful Orthodox cathedrals. You will also see the Byzantine splendour of St. Basil's multi-coloured onion-domed cathedral, in Red Square. You can take an optional tour to the Pushkin Museum, as well as the Kremlin Armoury Museum, where you'll admire many of the treasures of the Tsars, including famous and spectacular jewels, crowns, thrones and royal armour.
Day 11. Breakfast on the ship. Transfer to the airport for the flight back to the UK.
Some places you visit in this journey are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Please click here to view the UNESCO review page:
Accommodation & meals: DBL cabin, full board Transport: small minibus or coach Tour staff & support: Cruise tour leader, English-speaking guide, transfer driver, crew and support staff Other services >>>
Some places you visit in this journey are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Please click here to view the UNESCO review page: 
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