Ship Chernishevskiy: from Moscow to St. Petersburg River Cruise [07/27/2010-08/07/2010]
Route description:
Starting from Moscow, one of the world's largest and most vibrant
capital cities, you will travel to St Petersburg, Russia's
beautiful capital of culture. Sailing along the River Volga into
Lake Onega and on to the Gulf of Finland you will witness over a
thousand years of Russian history from the earliest wooden villages
to the latest contemporary architecture. What's included:
- Russian visas*
- Two airport transfers (on arrival and departure)
- Port fees are also included
- Meals (B, L, D)*
- Professional English-speaking guides
- Sightseeing tours according to the itinerary with entrance fees
- Rich on-board entertainment program
- Daily aerobics, Russian language and history lessons
*Only US citizens and residents can have the full visa support, for other guests we will provide visa invitation
Itinerary| Day 1 |  | Arrival
Your personal driver will meet you at the airport (he will be
holding a sign with your name on it) and take you to your ship.
There is no evening program, as you will probably want to get some
rest. You will be served dinner in the ship's restaurant after
which you can relax in the bar or get some sleep. | | Day 2 |  | Moscow
Moscow is Russia's largest city, its political and economic
capital. The town of Moscow was the center of Moscovy - a small
principality that unified the Russian lands against the Mongols in
the late 14th century and has ruled Russia ever since. As the
Mongols burnt major cities across Russia, refugees fled to smaller
principalities like Moscow, Tver and Nizhny Novgorod. Through
bribes, diplomacy and coercion, Moscow overcame its two rivals to
become "Russia's first city." Moscow's role was briefly challenged
when Tsar Peter the Great moved Russia's capital to his new city,
St Petersburg, on the shores of the Baltic Sea.
This day is dedicated to exploring Red Square, the most famous
square in the world located in the very heart of Moscow next to the
Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral and Lenin's Tomb. Red Square
together with the surrounding buildings is the most well known
symbol of Russia. You will have a whole afternoon to explore this
amazing place.
You will have a lunch in one of the Moscow restaurants.
- You will have a bus city tour around most beautiful sights
of Moscow such as Red Square, Kremlin, Tverskaya and Arbat street
as well as Novodevichiy monastery
- You will have lunch in the city center
- Optional excursions: national folk show "Kostroma" and
Moscow by night
| | Day 3 | .jpg) | Moscow
This is a free day to explore
Moscow. After busy last day we let you to explore Moscow the way
you want. We have prepared several optional tour for you this day.
You can choose from Tretyakov Gallery, famous Russian collection of
paintings, or Sergiev Possad, one of the oldest ancient cities of
Russia.
In the evening, our ship will set sail for the Volga River.
- Optional: Tretyakov Gallery
- Optional: Sergiev Possad
- Optional: transfer to city center
| | Day 4 |  | Uglich
Uglich is a small town located on the Volga River. Uglich was the
best-defended fortress of Moscovy and it was burnt on number of
occasions by Lithuanians, Tatars, and even the grand prince of
Tver, the city which rivaled Moscow.
Uglich is most famous for the tragic events that took place in 1591
when the 10-year old prince Dimitry, the last heir to the throne of
the ancient Ruyrik dynasty, was killed here (as historians now
agree, by Boris Godunov, advisor to Dimitry, who wanted the throne
for himself). Dimitry's death plunged Russia into decades of
political turmoil known as Time of Trouble.
- You will discover the town on a walking tour with visit to
the Kremlin and church of St. Dmitry on the blood
| | Day 5 | .jpg) | Yaroslavl
By today standards Yaroslavl is small, but its place in Russia's
history and culture cannot be underestimated. Before it was
annihilated by the Mongols it was Russia's largest city, its
economic, political, cultural and scientific center. It was rebuilt
shortly after but was once again burnt to the ground. While the
Mongols had been preoccupied with Yaroslavl, Moscow was able to
harness enough power to overthrow the "Mongol yoke."
During the Polish occupation of Moscow in the early 17th century,
it was Yaroslavl once again that became the center of the national
resistance to the occupation.
- You will explore this town on Volga river by bus with stops
in Transfiguration monastery and Church of Elijah Prophet
| | Day 6 | .jpg) | Goritsy
Goritsy is famous for the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery (1397). This
monastery's strong walls and bastions were used by some nobles as a
safe house during the Times of Trouble. The Polish armies stormed
it, but never succeeded in capturing it. Unfortunately, the
monastery was not so successful in repelling the attacks of other
invaders four centuries later. The Bolsheviks closed the monastery
in early 20th century and sent its monks to the prison camps.
- On your walking tour around the small town you will go
inside of local Monastery of St. Cyril on the White Lake and
exceptional museum of icons.
| | Day 7 |  | Kizhi-Island
Kizhi is the name of unique island located on the Lake Onega. In
the center of the island stands the amazing Transfiguration Church.
This wooden church and its 22 domes are built without a single
nail. In fact, originally, the Transfiguration Church was located
in another place. The Bolsheviks, who had little, if no, respect
for religion, had some respect for its architectural value, so they
decided to move this unique church as far from the major cities and
people as possible, to distant Kizhi Island.
- You will devote this day on the island to the open-air
museum of wooden architecture
Please note: for cruise May 04 - May 14 you will spend day
on board only | | Day 8 |  | Mandrogi
Mandrogi is the name of a small village that has no architectural
wonders, giant castles or churches. You will, however, discover the
unique style and architecture of the northern tribes that have
occupied these lands for centuries.
- Here among beautiful landscapes of this peaceful place we
will have a picnic ashore with a Russian famous shashlik (meat
kebab) made on the grill.
- You will have free time to stroll around the town and buy
some souvenirs.
| | Day 9 | .jpg) | St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is Russia's cultural and historical treasure, one of
the world's most beautiful cities, and one of its top ten tourist
destinations according to "The Forbes Traveler." It is known as the
Venice of North thanks to its numerous canals and hundreds of
bridges. It is sometimes called Russia's Versailles thanks to
dozens of opulent palaces and royal estates. It can be rightly
called a living museum - so many of its buildings are part of
Russia's history.
- This day we will visit Peter and Paul Fortress with the
burial place of the Russian Emperors located on the Neva
River.
- Bus city tour to St. Basil Island, The Building of
Exchange, Rostrum columns, Nevskiy prospect, Issac
Cathedral,Cathedral of Savior
| | Day 10 |  | St. Petersburg
This day we are heading to the very heart of St. Petersburg and its
most important sight - the Winter Palace. On one side, the palace
is faced by the Palace Square with the Alexander Column in the
middle of it. The column was erected to celebrate the victory over
Napoleon (what is called in Russia, the First Patriotic War). To
its rear, the palace is washed by the Neva River in the middle of
which you will find the Peter and Paul Fortress.
The Winter Palace is home to the Hermitage Museum - the largest
collection of Russian art in the world. The Hermitage started as
the private art collection of Catherine the Great and over time
became the largest collection of Russian art in the world. These
art works are displayed in the Palace's numerous halls, many of
which are works of art in themselves.
- Hermitage
- Optional excursion to Catherine Palace
- Optional excursion St. Petersburg by night
| | Day 11 |  | St. Petersburg
There is so much to see in city center of St. Petersburg but there
are even more amazing sights around it. Peterhof is a lavish royal
residence on the outskirts of the city. It is most famous for its
fountain park that rivals that of Versailles. Peterhof was the
official summer residence of Russian tsars and is home to the
Summer Palace.
- You will driver to the outskirts of St. Petersburg to visit
Peterhof Palace and Parks
- Optional: transfer to city center
| | Day 12 |  | Departure
Your incredible voyage in time is coming to an end. It is time to
say farewell to this unique and beautiful country. It is time to
say good-bye to your new friends. It is time to go home with a
stock of fantastic experiences and unforgettable memories.
Your driver will take you to the airport. |
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Toll-free1-800-884-1721
