Russsia River Cruise: May - September 2013 & 2014

Sail through the heart of Russia from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Cruise northwards to the enchanting Golden Ring cities of Uglich and Yaroslavl. In St. Petersburg – said to rival Paris and Venice for grandeur and romance – you will tour the city and visit the Hermitage and its world-renowned art collection.

 Volga-Baltic Waterway 13 Day Tour Cruise Features:
1    Overnight Flight from Saint John to Moscow, Russia
2    Moscow    Airport transfer, EMBARKATION
3    Moscow    Moscow City Tour & Lunch Cruise, Bow Hill & Metro Tour
4    Moscow    Kremlin & Armory Tour, Welcome Cocktail & Dinner
5    Uglich    Walking Tour
6    Yaroslavl City tour
7    Goritsy    City tour
8    Kizhi    Walking tour
9    Svirstroy Shashlyk (Russian BBQ), Russian home visit
10  St Petersburg    Hermitage Museum, City tour
11  St Petersburg    Catherine's Palace & Amber Room, Evening Ballet Performance
12  St Petersburg    Excursion to Peterhof
Optional Yusupov Palace or St. Isaac's Cathedral
13  St Petersburg    DISEMBARKATION
Airport transfer, Flight from St.Petersburg to Saint John

Price per person, DBL, Cat F  from $3,499

Price Includes: 

- 11-night Cruise Accommodation in an Outside Stateroom
- Daily Sightseeing Programs as outlined in the Itinerary
- All Meals on board; Early-riser Coffee, Buffet Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Free-flowing Wine and juice with every Dinner on board the Ship
- Bottled Water in every stateroom replenished daily
- Cocktail Reception & Welcome Dinner
- Home Visit with Russian Family
- Ballet Performance at the Hermitage Theater, the Private Theater of the Czars
- Special highlights including lectures, Russian language classes, theme dinners, cooking demonstration, onboard music performances and afternoon/evening piano
- Physician on board
- All English Language onboard in a non-smoking Environment (except Sun Deck)
- All local Taxes

Not Included:

- Airfare from Saint John
- Port Charges of $231 per person
- Airport Transfers
- Visa Fees (A Visa is required for travel to Russia)

Day 1    DEPART CANADA
Board your overnight flight from Saint John to Moscow, Russia.

Day 2    ARRIVE IN MOSCOW, RUSSIA - EMBARKATION
Arrive in Moscow and transfer to your ship. The balance of the day is free to start exploring this beautiful city. (D)

Day 3    MOSCOW
You will tour Russia’s capital this morning. Your tour begins with the Red Square where you will see the Kremlin walls and towers, the iconic St. Basil Cathedral, History Museum and Lenin’s Tomb. We will board a tour boat for lunch and enjoy a scenic cruise along the Moskva River: a unique opportunity to see many of the Moscow landmarks from the river. After lunch you will tour the Moscow Metro system, easily the most architecturally extravagant subway system in the world. You will also visit Poklonnaya (Bow) Hill, where you will see the WWII monument. Tonight, you can enjoy an optional visit to the Moscow Circus. In the alternative, enjoy a performance of Kostroma, the Russian National Show, a fantastic combination of music, dance and drama that unfolds in one of Russia’s most expensive stage shows. (B,L,D)

Day 4    MOSCOW
This morning, a tour within the walls of the Kremlin introduces you to the former royal residence of the Czars and main center of the Russian Orthodox faith. Visit Russia’s oldest public museum, the Kremlin Armory, which houses the Romanovs’ royal collection of jewels, crowns, armor, royal carriages, and the world largest collection of Imperial Fabergé eggs. Tonight, meet your fellow travelers at the Welcome Cocktail Reception & Dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 5    UGLICH
Located on the banks of the Volga, Uglich was founded by merchants in 1148. Rich in history, Uglich is home to some of Russia’s most beautiful churches and cathedrals, and you’ll see a sampling during your city tour. The most noteworthy include the Chambers of Prince Dimitry and the magnificent Church of Dimitry on the Blood, dedicated to the tragic story of Ivan the Terrible’s son. Alternatively, you will have a chance to visit the Hydroelectric Engineering Museum in Uglich. (B,L,D)

Day 6    YAROSLAVL
Founded in 1010 by Prince Yaroslav the Wise, it is one of Russia’s oldest cities, tracing its roots back to the Vikings. The city stretches for miles along the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl Rivers. Explore the city’s history through its architecture, including the fortified 12th-century Transfiguration Monastery and the Yaroslavl Museum of Russian Art, the former residence of the Governor of Yaroslavl. (B,L,D)

Day 7    GORITSY
Goritsy is a peaceful farming town and a typical Russian village. The tour includes the Monastery of St. Cyril on the White Lake and the Museum of Icons. Return to the ship to sail for Kizhi. (B,L,D)

Day 8    KIZHI
Kizhi is an island that is situated at the north end of Lake Onega and home to some of the most amazing wooden architecture in Russia. Forever linked to Novgorod the Great, the style of architecture reflects its early introduction to Christianity. In 1764 locals built the Church of Intercession, its towering walls and 22 domes, without the use of a single nail. Your walking tour includes the Museum of Wooden Architecture. (B,L,D)

Day 9    SVIRSTROY
Svirstroy is 100 miles from St. Petersburg with a population of only 1,000. During your visit, you will sample Russia’s popular grilled shashlyk, a form of shish kebab. Svirstroy is also the site of an AmaWaterways exclusive shore excursion. You’ll visit the home of a local Russian family, learning about everyday life in Svirstroy and experience Russian hospitality first-hand. (B,L,D)

Day 10    ST. PETERSBURG
One of Russia’s former capitals, this city rivals Paris or Venice for its romantic image. Dating from the beginning of the 18th-century it was built to the exact specifications ordered by Peter the Great. After breakfast, enjoy a hydrofoil journey to The State Hermitage, one of the oldest and largest Museums in the world. Founded by Catherine the Great, the museum is a complex of six buildings, including the former Winter Palace, and houses nearly 3 million works of art including the largest collection of paintings in the world. After your visit, enjoy a lunch in a local restaurant. This afternoon, a sightseeing tour of this beautiful city shows you Nevsky Prospect, Palace Square and St. Isaacs Cathedral. You will also see the Peter & Paul Fortress. (B,L,D)

Day 11    ST. PETERSBURG
Today visit the nearby town of Pushkin, where Catherine’s Palace was the summer residence of the Russian Czars. This excursion includes a tour of the interior of the Cameron Gallery which features state rooms and dining rooms in baroque and neoclassical style. You will also visit the reconstructed Amber Room, considered to be the Eighth Wonder of the World, and features and room covered with panels of amber. This evening, you will have the opportunity to experience a night of traditional, Russian ballet at the Hermitage Theater or choose to attend a folkloric show. (B,L,D)
 
Day 12    ST. PETERSBURG
This morning, depart by hydrofoil for Peterhof, St. Petersburg’s most spectacular Imperial Estate. Also known as the “Russian Versailles,” the palace was built on the shore of the Gulf of Finland by Peter the Great, initially as a resting place en route to the Imperial Naval base. Your tour includes the Lower Gardens, the Grand Cascade and Samson Fountain, commemorating Russia’s victory over Sweden during the Great Northern War. Later, choose between two optional excursions: a Visit to one of the four palaces in St. Petersburg which was owned by the Yusupov family, or enjoy a visit to St. Isaac’s Cathedral. (B,L,D)

Day 13    ST. PETERSBURG - DISEMBARKATION
Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. (B)

Notes:
- Dates, price & itineraries are subject to change.
- Single Supplement for Cruise: 50% of twin price; Suites 100%.

Other categories available upon request.

Please call us for more information.