Day 1 Arrival in Moscow

Upon arrival in Moscow, transfer to the deluxe Marriott Royal Aurora Hotel located in the historic city center right by the Bolshoi Theatre. You may spend the rest of the day at leisure relaxing after the flight or explore Moscow centre on your own.

Please note that the itinerary from St. Petersburg to Moscow mirrors itinerary from Moscow to St. Petersburg. You can choose which way you wish to travel by the dates of the departures.

Accommodation

Marriott Royal Aurora Hotel - built in 1999, The Marriott Aurora Royal Hotel is one of the most luxurious in town: with the Red Square and the Kremlin as well as the famous Bolshoi Theatre in walking distance, the hotel has the capital’s commercial, political and cultural heart literally on the doorstep. With its arches and spires, the hotel gloriously blends traditional Moscow with modern conveniences.

Meals Included

none

Day 2 Exploring Moscow

Begin the day with orientation tour of Moscow followed by a ride in the famed Moscow metro. After lunch in a local restaurant, proceed to the Old Tretyakov gallery to view its extraordinary collection of Russian art, ranging from 12th-century icons to 20th-century paintings.

This evening you can enjoy an optional opera or ballet performance at the famed Bolshoi Theatre (subject to the schedule of performances).

City Tour in Moscow includes: Red Square (walking tour) with St. Basil's Cathedral (w/o entrance), Christ the Savior (entrance), Novodevichy Cemetery (entrance), metro ride tour, Vorobyevy Hills (photo stop).

Accommodation

Marriott Royal Aurora Hotel

Meals Included

Breakfasts1, Lunches1

Day 3 Visit the Kremlin and then board the Volga Dream

This morning enter the Kremlin for a visit to the Armory Museum, with its collection of tsarist thrones, ceremonial crowns, coaches and gifts of state. Continue to the beautifully frescoed 15th-century Assumption and Archangel Cathedrals. If you wish, you can take the optional tour of the new Tretyakov Picture Gallery and discover its outstanding collection of XX century masterpieces by artists including Chagall, Kandinky, and Malevich. The tour is guided by the professor of fine arts.

After lunch we transfer to the awaiting luxurious Volga Dream and begin our sailing along the Russian Waterways. Gather for Captain's welcome reception and dinner as we begin our cruise.

Accommodation

On board the Volga Dream

Meals Included

Breakfasts1, Lunches1, Dinners1

Day 4 Cruise to Uglich, a Golden Ring city dating back to the 10th century

We arrive this afternoon in Uglich, dating back to the 10th century. A walking tour of this Golden Ring city includes the Chapel of Dimitry, a 17th-century treasure built on the site where Ivan the Terrible’s 10-year old son met his death. Visit the Church of the Transfiguration, noted for its beautiful iconostasis, and attend a concert of choral music.

During the cruise, you will have opportunities to partake in activities, some cultural, informative and others, relaxing. There are guest speakers on board certain voyages and there are movies shown on Russian Culture and History. There are chances to learn the Russian Cyrillic alphabet and learn traditional crafts. You can get into the the kitchen and learn some Russian cooking secrets or get 'behind the scenes' in the heart of the ship - the engine rooms.

Accommodation

On board the Volga Dream

Meals Included

Breakfasts1, Lunches1, Dinners1

Day 5 Stroll in the oldest city on the Volga River, Yaroslavl, a World Heritage site.

This morning visit the oldest city on the Volga River, Yaroslavl, a World Heritage site. In the Spassky Monastery see the Transfiguration of the Savior, adorned with murals depicting St. John's apocalyptic visions, and the richly frescoed Church of St. Elijah the Prophet. There will be time to stroll the lively farm market before reboarding the Volga Dream in time for lunch.

Accommodation

On board the Volga Dream

Meals Included

Breakfasts1, Lunches1, Dinners1

Day 6 Visit the village of Goritsy to tour the fortress-like Kirillov-Belozersky Monastery.

Early this morning we cross Lake Beloye, or the White Lake, formerly known as the “tsar’s fishing grounds”. Arrive in the peaceful village of Goritsy to tour the fortress-like Kirillov-Belozersky Monastery with magnificent frescoes by one of the Russia's most renowned icon painters. Return to the ship for a late lunch.

Accommodation

On board the Volga Dream

Meals Included

Breakfasts1, Lunches1, Dinners1

Day 7 Explore a tiny, picturesque island of Kizhy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Lake Onega.

This afternoon explore a tiny, picturesque island of Kizhy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Lake Onega. The open-air Museum of Architecture includes the Church of the Transfiguration, a unique onion-domed masterpiece built without a single metal nail and resembling something out of a Russian fairy tale.

Accommodation

On board the Volga Dream

Meals Included

Breakfasts1, Lunches1, Dinners1

Day 8 Navigate the Svir River toward Lake Ladoga, Europe's largest freshwater lake.

Be on the deck as we navigate the Svir River toward Lake Ladoga, Europe's largest freshwater lake, past a shoreline dotted with graceful willows, alder trees and stately pines. Step ashore for a brief visit to the vacation village of Mandrogi to experience daily life in a quaint wooden village.

Accommodation

On board the Volga Dream

Meals Included

Breakfasts1, Lunches1, Dinners1

Day 9 Arrive into St.Petersburg

Disembark this morning in St. Petersburg, which Peter the Great transformed from marshland into the vibrant city of islands, canals, bridges and pastel-colored palaces. Continue with an orientation tour of St. Petersburg and enter Peter and Paul Fortress, this family shrine of the Romanovs.

Following lunch enter the famed Hermitage Museum, whose four hundred rooms contain spectacular examples of nearly all schools of Western art, including one of the greatest collections of French impressionist works. This evening check-in at the five-start Angleterre Hotel located opposite of the St. Isaak Cathedral.

This evening enjoy an optional opera or ballet performance at the famed Mariinsky or Mikhailovskiy Theatre (subject to the schedule of performances).

City Tour in St. Petersburg includes: Peter & Paul Cathedral (entrance), Split of Basil Island (walking tour), St Isaak Cathedral (photo stop), Spilled Blood Church (photo stop), Nevskiy Prospekt drive.

Accommodation

The Angleterre Hotel was one of the first hotels to be built in St Petersburg. Since the very beginning the hotel has continued the time-honored Russian traditions of hospitality, and is dedicated to offering comfort and refinement to its guests. From its charming and central location overlooking St Isaac’s Cathedral, it is perfectly placed for discovering the history and romance of the city. The legendary hotel is managed by The Rocco Forte Collection and has obtained a new look after following extensive complex reconstruction in 2004. The Angleterre Hotel is a member of the WORLDHOTELS Deluxe collection.

Each of the hotel’s bedrooms and suites was designed by Olga Polizzi and is decorated in a style that combines the classic with the contemporary. All bedrooms are air-conditioned and fitted with direct-dial telephones, satellite TV, mini-bar, safe, fax point, and high-speed Internet connection. Many have views over St Isaac’s Cathedral. Angleterre Hotel has a fully equipped business centre, Beauty Studio, Fitness centre and swimming pool, and an Executive floor with Club Lounge, as well as the Caviar Bar and the ever-popular Borsalino Restaurant.

Meals Included

Breakfasts1, Lunches1

Day 10 St.Petersburg

Begin today at the meticulously restored Peterhof, St. Petersburg most famous and spectacular Imperial estate, often cited as the "Versalles of Russia". Visit authentic Bath Cottage and stroll in the vast Lower Park with 176 fountains of various forms and styles and four cascades, majestic palaces, numerous gilded statues of ancient gods and heroes.

Optional: Join the museum hostess for the tour of the magnificent Yusupov Palace, once the residence of the wealthiest and most respected family in Imperial Russia, which saw one of the most dramatic episodes in Russia's history - the murder of Grigory Rasputin.

Accommodation

The Angleterre Hotel

Meals Included

Breakfasts1, Lunches1

Day 11 Visit Catherine's Palace

This morning we drive to Tsar’s Village for a specially arranged visit to Catherine’s Palace. See the exquisitely restored Amber Room and stroll in the formal gardens. Lunch and taste vodka an Podvorie, a restaurant in a traditional Russian log house.

Accommodation

The Angleterre Hotel

Meals Included

Breakfasts1, Lunches1

Day 12 Tour ends in St.Petersburg

Transfer to the airport this morning for your flight.

Meals Included

Breakfasts1