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RUSSIAN RIVER CRUISES
CRUISE - ALONG THE VOLGA: ROSTOV - VOLGOGRAD - NIZHNY NOVGOROD - ST. PETERSBURG - 16 DAYS (CR-37)
Cruise - Along The Volga: Rostov - Volgograd - Nizhny Novgorod - St. Petersburg - 16 Days (CR-37)
Group size
from 2 people
Season
Summer
Duration
16 days
Departs
Thursday
Starts
Rostov-on-Don
Ends
St. Petersburg
Countries
Russia
Cities
St. Petersburg, Kazan, Kizhi, Yaroslavl, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, Volgograd, Goritsy, Mandrogi, Saratov, Cheboksary, Valaam
Price
Price by request
Reservation
View dates and prices
This 16-day cruise begins in the modern trading hub of Rostov-on-Don and ends in majestic St. Petersburg. On the way, you’ll explore historic Volgograd, rebuilt after the World War Two destruction during the Battle of Stalingrad and the former German settlement of Saratov. You’ll explore monasteries and open air museums, cathedrals and riverfront promenades. Kazan’s fabulous Kremlin, the beautiful riverside city of Yaroslavl and a city tour of Nizhny Novgorod are sure to be amongst the other memorable highlights on this comprehensive trip.
Rostov-on-Don
Day 1
Transfer from the airport to the ship
On arrival at Rostov-on-Don airport, our driver will be waiting with a Go Russia sign ready to transfer you to the ship.
Day 2
City Tour around Rostov
Modern Rostov-on-Don was established in 1749 to regulate the trade with Turkey. Once the Volga-Don shipping canal was constructed in 1952, the city could handle trade from five seas: the Black Sea, Sea of Azoy, Caspian Sea, White Sea and finally the Baltic.
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Along the Volga
Day 3
Cruising
We have a free day today enjoying the beautiful scenery from the ship as we cruise along the Volga River. Sit back and relax as you enjoy your surroundings.
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Volgograd
Day 4
City Tour around Volgograd
Visit to Mamaev Kurgan
The boat docks in Volgograd, an honorary title bestowed for outstanding heroism in World War Two from this city, formerly known as Tsaritsyn and then Stalingrad. This is the site of the Battle of Stalingrad. Heavy German bombardment over two hundred days reduced the city to rubble. The casualties on both sides are estimated to be between one and two million, illustrating the ferocity of fighting. During our city tour, we will make a guided visit to Mamaev Kurgan and the Statue of The Motherland Calls.
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Saratov
Day 5
City Tour around Saratov
Today's destination on the banks of the River Volga is Saratov. Interestingly, Germans settled here in the 18th and 19th centuries but with the start of hostilities in World War Two, many were exiled to far flung Siberia and Kazakhstan, many choosing not to return. Thought to take its name from Sary Tau meaning Yellow Mountain in the Tatar language, it was a closed city until 1991, a military aircraft manufacturing site. It's other claim to fame is as the home of Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space.
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Samara
Day 6
City Tour around Samara
Samara, where we'll enjoy a city tour today, is one of the largest cities in Russia and dates from the 14th Century. Renamed Kuybyshev in 1935, the city holds the distinction of being the place chosen to replace Moscow as the Soviet capital should the latter have fallen to the Nazis. Later, it became the base for the growing defense industry and as the number of such factories increased, so Kuybyshev became a closed city just like Saratov.
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Kazan
Day 7
City Tour around Kazan
Visit to the Kazan Kremlin
Kazan is the stop on today's itinerary, the centre of Tatar culture. Referred to as the Pearl of the Central Volga region, it dates from the 13th Century when it was founded by the Mongols. Later, it became the capital of the Khanate of Kazan, falling to the Russians under Ivan the Terrible in the 16th Century. This chequered history gives Kazan a unique blend of Muslim and Christian culture. We shall have an excursion to the city's Kremlin.
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Cheboksary
Day 8
City Tour around Cheboksary
We reach the Chuvash republic today and enjoy a city tour in historic Cheboksary. The fortress dates from 1555 but the place remained a sleepy backwater until the coming of the railway in 1939. During our visit you will enjoy a number of ancient churches and monasteries (among them Vvedensky cathedral (1657) and Saint-Trinity monastery (1566), as well as a view of a lovely bay beautifully situated in the middle of the city which has become a very popular gathering place for local residents.
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Nizhny Novgorod
Day 9
City Tour around Nizhny Novgorod
Colloquially known as Nizhny, the fifth largest city in Russia is today's destination. It occupies a commanding position with views of both the Volga and the Oka Rivers. We'll tour its ancient Kremlin and take a stroll along the pleasant pedestrian promenade before reboarding the ship.
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Yaroslavl
Day 10
City Tour around Yaroslavl
Visit to the Church of Ilja the Prophet
Visit to Spaso-Preobrazhenskiy Monastery
Today we reach the port of Yaroslavl, strung out along both banks of the Volga. It takes its name from its founder, Prince Yaroslav the Wise who based himself here in the 11th Century. An undisputed highlight of the city is its 13th Century Spassky Monastery. Hosting several cathedrals, a rotunda and the remains of an ancient trading centre, this is a fascinating complex to explore. Our tour takes in the Church of the Prophet Elijah and many other cultural highlights, including a visit to Spaso-Preobrazhenskiy Monastery.
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Goritsy
Day 11
Visit to the Largest Monastery of the Russian North
Goritsy is our port of call today, a tiny settlement where the largest Russian Orthodox monastery of the Russian North, the Kirillo-Belozersky monastery, is located. After exploring the monastery, we’ll continue our river journey in the afternoon.
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Kizhi
Day 12
Visit to the Open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture
We reach the Volga-Baltic Canal and transit it to reach amazing Kizhi Island. Situated at the northern end of Lake Onega, it’s home to the Museum of Wooden Architecture. Many interesting buildings have been relocated here to be restored, including the fabulous Church of the Transfiguration with its twenty two domes. You won’t be surprised to learn this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Mandrogi
Day 13
Free time in the village
Mandrogi is a popular stop on our tours and we hope you’ll enjoy the chance to get out into the great outdoors. The village is surrounded by woodland which provides some attractive walks should you wish to stretch your legs. There’s also a museum dedicated to the production of Russian vodka (optional visit) and the villagers will be keen to welcome us with a show of their traditions and culture. We’ll enjoy a traditional picnic of shaslik (shish kebab) and plenty of free time to explore before reboarding the ship.
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Valaam
Day 14
Walking tour “Sketes of Valaam”
Valaam, also known historically by the Finnish name Valamo, is an archipelago in the northern portion of Lake Ladoga. The largest island is also called Valaam. It is best known as the site of the 14th century Valaam Monastery and for its natural beauty.
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St. Petersburg
Day 15
City Tour around St. Petersburg
Today we reach elegant St Petersburg, the final stop on our cruise. Mooring up, we alight to participate in a comprehensive guided sightseeing tour which takes us around this city of 101 islands. Highlights of our guided bus tour include the Peter & Paul Fortress, built in the early eighteenth century to prevent a Swedish attack, and the Church of Christ’s Resurrection (The Saviour of the Blood), which revives the traditions of 17th century Russian church building.
Day 16
Transfer from the ship to the airport
Our driver will meet you with a Go Russia sign board as you disembark to transfer you to the airport.
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Dates and prices
Please read notes at the bottom of the table to learn more about the meaning of each pricing section
Prices and dates upon request, please contact us for more information.
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