This two-week cruise and sightseeing tour is a wonderful opportunity to discover the major highlights of Russian culture and history in relaxing style. From busy and beautiful Moscow with its glorious Kremlin, you will sail in comfort to St Petersburg, stopping en route to discover the beauty of the ancient cities of the Golden Ring and masterpieces of traditional Russian architecture. Your stops include the sacred island of Kizhi in Valaam with its ancient monastery, part of the living history of the Russian Orthodox church.
At the end of your journey you approach the Venice of the North, St Petersburg, with its magnificent palaces and squares, the true jewel in the crown of the Russian tsars, bursting with art and the cultural heritage of the golden age of the Russian aristocracy. Dedicated tour staff, delicious Russian cuisine, a choice of onboard entertainment and a selection of sightseeing tours will give you a delightful, comfortable and informative experience of Russia.
Arrival in Moscow. Transfer from the airport to the ship. Your first night onboard! Welcoming cocktail reception in the evening.
Day 2
Guided city tour around Moscow. Visit to the Novodevichy Convent (UNESCO World Heritage site). Optional - a performance at the famous Bolshoi Theatre (by request).
Day 3
Visit the Kremlin and its Orthodox cathedrals. An optional guided tour to the Pushkin Museum or the Kremlin Armoury Museum. In the afternoon we will embark and start our amazing river journey.
Day 4
Arrival to Uglich. Visit to the Cathedral of the Resurrection and the Kremlin.
Day 5
One of the Golden Ring’s loveliest cities – Kostroma, a true cruise highlight.
Day 6
Arrival to Yaroslavl. City tour, visit to the Spaso-Preobrazgenskiy Monastery, the Church of the Prophet Elijah and other cultural highlights.
Day 7
Our new destination today is Goritsy which hosts the largest monastery of the Russian North - Kirillo-Belozersky monastery.
Day 8
Arrival to the Island of Kizhi via the Volga/Baltic Canal. Visit the renowned open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture, the Church of the Transfiguration, the Kizhi museum (UNESCO World Heritage site).
Day 9
Sail from the Europe’s largest Lake Onega to Lake Ladoga. We stop at Svir Stroy for a stroll around the village.
Day 10
Arrival to Valaam archipelago home to famous Vaalam monastery. Farewell Gala dinner onboard.
Day 11
Arrival to St. Petersburg. City tour.
Day 12
Visit to the Hermitage, housed in the former Tsars’ Winter Palace. Optional tours at your request (to be agreed with the on-board guide).
Day 13
Breakfast. Transfer to airport for the flight back to the UK.
Major Highlights of this Tour:
Travel by the majestic ship Glushkov, which is considered to be one of the finest vessels on Russia's waterways today.
Highlights of “Venice of the North”, magnificent city of St. Petersburg with its numerous canals and more than 400 bridges.
The intricate pattern of connecting rivers, canals and lakes that link Moscow with St. Petersburg, including the beautiful river Volga – the largest in Russia.
Authentic small Russian villages and towns preserving traditional wooden architecture and local culture
Old Kremlin (Fortress) at one of the finest towns of provincial Russia - Uglich, where the seventh wife of the Tsar Ivan the Terrible lived in honorary exile at the end of 16th century.
The amazing tiny island of Kizhi and the Kizhi museum, which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
A museum of Russian Vodka in Remeslennaya Sloboda, where you can learn about the technology and history of Russian vodka production.
The authentic flavours of the celebrated Russian cuisine - schi and pelmeni for example – as prepared by our on-board chefs will delight every one of our guests.
For detailed itinerary of the tour please click here
At your request we can organise for you various activities, please click here for a detailed list of options.
Beautifully clean ship and well attended crew, both courteous and helpful. Excellent, plentiful, well prepared and presented food. Well done! We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday and would wish for many other British people to visit a country of such fascination! Harold Brooks
PRICES
LAND-ONLY PRICE: £1099 PACKAGE PRICE: from £1369 NO HIDDEN COSTS!
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 >>>
Harold Brooks
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