| Day 1 |  | Arrival
When you arrive at the airport, your personal driver will be
waiting for you holding a sign with your name on it. He will take
you straight to your ship where you can unpack and relax. There is
no evening program tonight and after dinner in the ship's
restaurant you can get acquainted with fellow passengers in the bar
or simply rest in your cabin. |
| Day 2 |  | St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is widely accepted as Russia's most important
cultural and historical treasure and one of the world's most
beautiful cities. Chosen to be the new capital by Peter the First
in 1703, it remained so until the revolution. Despite extensive
damage in the Second World War during the terrible siege, the city
was rebuilt to safeguard its unique architectural treasures.
Today we will visit St. Isaac's Cathedral, the largest Orthodox
Church in the world. Taking over 40 years to complete, no expense
was spared to create this sumptuous cathedral. Its cupolas alone
are made of 100 kilograms of pure gold. After visiting St. Isaac's
we will cross the Neva River to visit the Peter and Paul Cathedral,
the burial place of the Russian Emperors. |
| Day 3 |  | St. Petersburg
Today is your chance to visit the Winter Palace in the heart of St
Petersburg. The grandiose palace is home to the Hermitage museum
which is widely accepted as one of the greatest art collections in
the world. It was begun by Catherine the Great as a private
collection but now it is open to all. The Winter Palace which backs
onto the River Neva is itself a work of art featuring lavishly
decorated halls and receptions. Before it in the Palace Square is
the Alexander Column, erected to celebrate Russia's victory over
Napoleon in what is know as the First Patriotic War. |
| Day 4 |  | Mandrogi
Mandrogi is on the way to Karelia between Lake Ladoga and Onega
Lake on the River Sver. It is a small village once the home to a
sculptor who has left his mark there. You will discover the unique
style and architecture of a typical North Russian village of
yesterday and see the large collection of sculptures dotted here
and there throughout. |
| Day 4 |  | Kizhi
Kizhi is the largest of a group of islands found in Lake Onega. It
is a UNESCO world heritage site due to its amazing group of wooden
churches. The most famous of them all is the Transfiguration Church
a dreamlike structure with 22 domes built entirely of wood with not
one single iron nail being used. In the 1960's, the Soviet
authorities recognized the importance of the site and created a
museum of wooden architecture here, bringing buildings from other
monasteries in Karelia. |
| Day 5 |  | Goritsy
Goritsy is famous for the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery built in
1397. In those troubled times, it was built more like a fortress
than a house of God which saved it from destruction many times in
the subsequent 700 years. At the height of its power, it was served
by over 20,000 peasant farmers. Following the Revolution of 1917,
the Bolsheviks closed the monastery, transforming it into a folk
museum and sending the monks away to labour camps. |
| Day 7 |  | Yaroslavl
Yaroslavl is another gem amongst the Golden Ring towns, believed to
have been a Viking settlement since the 8th century, Yaroslavl is
first mentioned in 1071 and was independent until it was
incorporated into the growing Muscovite territories in 1463.
For many centuries it was the second city of Russia and during the
Polish occupation of Moscow in the 17th century it was made the
capital for a while until the invaders were repelled. It is home to
many delightful churches and monasteries and is home to Russia's
oldest theatre founded in 1750. More recently, Yaroslavl can boast
of being the birthplace of cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova the first
woman in space. |
| Day 8 |  | Uglich
Today Uglich is one of the most picturesque towns of what is known
as the Golden Ring, the ring of historic towns North East of Moscow
which are rightly called 'living museum' due to their fine medieval
architecture. Uglich was a principality in its own right until 1328
when its princes sold their lands to the powerful rulers of Moscow.
As a border town of Moscovy, it was well defended but it was still
razed to the ground by would be invaders like the Lithuanians and
the Tatars. It was here that young Prince Dimitry was murdered in
1591 bringing an end to the Ruyrik dynasty and heralding a period
of political turmoil, war and invasion before the establishment of
the Romanovs who would rule Russia for three centuries. |
| Day 9 |  | Moscow
To begin this very special trip where else but Moscow's iconic Red
Square? Located in the very heart of Moscow next to the Kremlin,
you will feel as if you have walked into a film set in this
magnificent setting overshadowed by the impressive St Basil's
Cathedral. In Russian today Krasnaia Ploshad means Red Square but
the older meaning of this name is Beautiful Square, the name it was
given when Ivan III decided to keep the large open space by the
Kremlin for fairs and celebrations after a fire cleared the old
wooden buildings in 1490. Just in front of the Kremlin wall is the
tomb of Lenin which, although it no longer attracts visitors like
it used to, remains a powerful symbol of former soviet times. |
| Day 10 |  | Moscow
In order to better understand the history of the city where better
than Moscow's historic centre? You will visit the Kremlin, the
ancient citadel built to hold off the Mongol hordes in the Middle
Ages which has long been the centre of political power in Russia.
The Kremlin has been built over time and despite its cathedrals and
historic towers, remains just as important in the day-to-day life
of the state as ever. Since its foundation in 1156 successive
generations of rulers have made their mark here and you guide will
help you unravel this millennium of history. |
| Day 11 |  | Departure
The end of your voyage and time to leave your ship, the crew and
your new friends and return home. Of course all your transfers to
the airport are taken care of by our staff, leaving you to savour
the memories of this wonderful journey. |
1-800-884-1721
Route description: Where better to begin your voyage than the World Heritage city of
St Petersburg? After taking in a taste of its beauty and culture
you will sail southwards into Lake Onega, then the mighty Volga and
on to Moscow the glittering city which is emerging as one of the
worlds most important capitals and a must-see destination.
