Ship Chernishevskiy: from St. Petersburg to Moscow River Cruise [06/05/2010-06/15/2010]
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. 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 | .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 Hermitage, one of the world's
biggest art galleries.
- Bus city tour to St. Basil Island, The Building of
Exchange, Peters and Paul Fortress, Rostrum Columns, Nevskiy
prospect, Isaac Cathedral, Cathedral of Savior.
- Optional: Russian Ballet
| | Day 3 |  | St. Petersburg
First half of the day you will have to explore St. Petersburg on
your own. You can also take an optional tour to Catherine Palace,
one of the worlds most interesting palaces. It is located 15 miles
away from St. Petersburg, and was a summer residence of
Tzars.
This evening the cruise of Two Capitals will start. You will have a
presentation of crew program and a "get to know" show.
- Optional tour to Pushkin (Catherine Palace)
| | Day 4 | .jpg) | 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.
- You will have free time to stroll around the town and buy
some souvenirs.
| | Day 5 |  | 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
- You will devote this day on the island to the open-air
museum of wooden architecture
| | 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 |  | 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."
- You will explore this town on Volga river by bus with stops
in Transfiguration monastery and Church of Elijah
Prophet.
- What about purchasing some delicious Russian foods? You
will have free-time exploring local market.
- After the city tour your guides will present you the
interactive tour of former Governor's House (Art Gallery)
| | Day 8 |  | Uglich
Uglich is a small town located on the Volga River. The place 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 9 |  | 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,
Leningradskaya and Tverskaya streets, Novodevichiy Convent
(exterior), KGB (exterior),GUM and Cathedral of Christ the
Savior.
- Optional excursion Moscow by night
| | Day 10 |  | Moscow
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).
The Kremlin is a living museum of Russia's history. Its inside
wasn't built overnight, rather various rulers added new pieces over
time (and some, like Napoleon, plundered from it). This cultural
and historical treasure has been so well preserved that it seems
that you are traveling in time. You will see the most interesting
places in the Kremlin as you follow our professional guide in the
steps of some of the world's greatest leaders and its most terrible
dictators.
- Excursion of Kremlin and one cathedral
- Optional excursion: Tretiakov Gallery or Novodevichiy
Convent (inside)
- Optional excursion: National folk show "Kostroma"
| | Day 11 |  | Departure
Departure
Our unforgettable journey across this unique country is coming to
an end. It is time to say farewell to Russia and your new friends.
Your personal driver will take you to the airport |
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