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Ship Chehov: Moscow - Rostov-on-Don, River Cruise 19 Sep 2010 - 06 Oct 2010Route description:Begin your voyage in Moscow, one of the liveliest and most interesting capital cities in Europe before sailing southwards through the historic heartland of Russia. Visiting numerous cities and towns which have each played their role in the formation of modern Russia, you will arrive in Rostov-on-Don, the capital of the legendary Cossack people. Itinerary
Tour details Date: 19 Sep 2010 - 06 Oct 2010 Ship: Chehov Route: Moscow - Rostov-on-Don Duration: 18 days Price: Lower Deck Triple: $2,676 Main Deck Twin: $2,876 Upper Deck Twin: $3,002 Boat Deck Twin: $3,328 Suite: $5,163 What's included:
*Only US citizens and residents can have the full visa support, for other guests we will provide visa invitation
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Welcome to Russia! Your driver will be waiting for you at the airport arrivals gate, you will see him holding a sign with your name. He will take you to the port for ship embarkation. There is no special program for this evening. You will have a chance to relax after your flight, to enjoy the dinner on board and to meet your fellow travelers for this extraordinary adventure across Russia.
The tour starts after breakfast and today we will head to the heart of Moscow - the Kremlin. This giant fortress was originally built in 1147. It expanded and enhanced overtime to repel the Mongol hordes eventually becoming one of the world's largest and most unique fortresses. The Kremlin was the center of political power across the Eurasian continent and to this day remains the symbol of Russia..jpg)
This day is very special, as we will go inside the Kremlin - the
ancient castle built to withstand the Mongol hordes. Throughout
history, the Kremlin has been the center of political power in
Russia and it remains a symbolic political center even today, as
the official site of the inauguration ceremony of the Russian
president (they don't actually live or work here).
Uglich is a small town located on the banks of the Volga River. It’s tiny by modern standards, but back in the medieval times it was one of the best defended fortresses of the kingdom of Moscovy (the principality of Moscow). Uglich was attacked by many invaders who attempted to rule Moscow such as Mongols, Tatars, Lithuanians, Teutonic knights and Moscow’s neighboring principalities such as Tver.
Everyone has heard of Kiev and Novgorod, these cities are still famous today. Historically these cities were the largest in Eastern Europe. 
Nizhny Novgorod was one of the newly founded towns that escaped
Mongol devastation on account of its insignificance. Nizhny
Novgorod, similarly to Moscow and Tver, attracted refugees from
other cities pillaged by the Mongols and expanded rapidly during
the period of the "Mongol yoke" that lasted for a little over 100
years. Moscovy incorporated the city in 1392 and soon thereafter
the Tatars of Kazan burnt it down (1408). It took over one century
to construct an enormous redbrick castle here which was soon of use
when the Tatars tried to burn it again in 1520 and 1536. Today,
just like 500 years ago, Nizhniy is one of the main commercial
centers of Russia.
Kazan was the capital of Tatars, the allies of Mongols. Ivan the
Terrible conquered Kazan in 1552 and forced its Muslim ruler to
convert to Christianity. Ivan remodeled Kazan's castle to the
Russian style and built St. Basil's Cathedral on the Red Square of
Moscow in the celebration of his victory. It is interesting that
St. Basil's domes, all nine of them, correspond to the number of
days that the siege of Kazan lasted.
Ulyanovsk is a small town on the banks of the Volga River. It is
named after Vladimir Ulyanov, who was born here. You probably have
never heard this name but he became world-famous under his adopted
name - Lenin. His family home is now a museum of his life.
Samara has long been Russia's diplomatic and economic link to the
East. The growing bread trade in 19th-20th centuries turned this
city into an important economic center in Russia. In World War II
many of military factories were moved to Samara. The soviet leaders
were even planning to move Russia's capital here had Moscow fallen
to the German hands. Today, Samara is the third largest
metropolitan area in Russia after Moscow and St. Petersburg and an
important industrial center.
Saratov was the northernmost colony of Greek Empire. In 512 BC it
was completely annihilated by Persia. One millennium later, Ivan
the Terrible established a colony on the ruins of the ancient city.
Saratov used to have a large population of Germans, who migrated
here during 19th century. When World War II erupted, they were
relocated to Siberia and Kazakhstan. During the Cold War Saratov
became the center of military aircraft production and not
surprisingly, Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, trained
here.
Volgograd (former Stalingrad) is famous for the battle that
unfolded here during the World War II. German forces attempted to
cut off the Russian armies and their industrial production from
their fuel supplies. To that end, they needed to take Stalingrad,
situated on the western bank of the Volga River. Hitler sent his
best armies and generals, including famous marshal Von Paulus to
command the siege. The Battle of Stalingrad lasted for almost one
year. The heroic defense of the city enabled the Russian army to
prepare a counter attack and to surround the invading forces. This
was a serious loss from which Hitler forces were never able to
fully recover. This was not the victory for the allies yet, but it
was in Stalingrad that the tide of war turned against the Germans.
Volgograd has a giant memorial Rodina Mat (Motherland)
commemorating those who fought and died here.
The Volga is often mentioned in Russian literature. In ancient
times this river was used as a trade route by the Vikings who
travelled to Greece. It was along this route that the first Russian
settlements appeared. Today, more than half the population of
Russia lives along this ancient trade route.
Astrakhan is located where the mighty the Volga meets the Black
Sea, on the trade route from India to Persia. Astrakhan was the
capital of Khazaria and then of the Golden Horde (the Mongols).
Moscow took Astrakhan in 1556 and has ruled it ever since. As
Russia's gate to the Orient, this city features a unique mixture of
East and West.
The Volga is often mentioned in Russian literature. In ancient
times this river was used as a trade route by the Vikings who
travelled to Greece. It was along this route that the first Russian
settlements appeared. Today, more than half the population of
Russia lives along this ancient trade route.
We are returning to Volgograd on the way to Rostov-on-Don. Here you
will have free time and will be offered optional program:
You will have a great entertainment program while on board of the
cruise ship Chekhov
Rostov-on-Don (Rostov-na-Donu) is famous for the freedom-loving
Cossack community who inhabited it since its foundation in 1749. In
this city apart from visiting some highlights, you will get to know
and experience genuine Cossack culture and their way of
living.
Your voyage is coming to an end. It is time to say goodbye to this beautiful country, the crew and your fellow passengers. It is time to pack up and to go home bringing unforgettable memories with you. 
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