| 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 |  | 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 3 |  | 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 4 |  | 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 5 |  | 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 6 |  | 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 |  | 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 8 |  | 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.
- 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 |  | 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.
- We will show you the key landmarks and monuments in the
city.
- You will then visit Peter and Paul Fortress with the burial
place of the Russian Emperors located on the Neva River.
|
| Day 10 |  | 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 11 |  | St. Petersburg
There is nothing planned for your last day in St Petersburg
allowing you the freedom to roam the city, pursue personal
interests or make the most of the fantastic shops to buy last
minute gifts. Simply strolling around the streets or exploring the
canals here is a fascinating opportunity to see the city which
inspired great writers like Dostoevsky and Pushkin or inspired the
music of Stravinsky and most notably Shostakovitch. Sightseeing by
small boat is especially recommended. It's not for nothing that St
Petersburg is known as the Venice of the North! |
| Day 12 |  | 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: Sailing this route is still far and away the most popular way to
visit both great cities while enjoying the comfort of a cruising
holiday. 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. All our cruise ships sail
this route so you have a wide choice of dates and facilities at
your disposal. Cruises range from 11 to 13 days including extensive
sightseeing time.
