Along the Russian Rivers, from Moscow to Saint Petersburg (port-to-port cruise)

We’ll set out for a panoramic tour of the city, stopping by the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, rebuilt in 1995 as an exact replica of the 1883 version that had been demolished in 1931 by Stalin. We’ll also discover the Donskoy Monastery, built out of wood in 1592 and truly conceived as a fortress whose goal was to defend the city from a Mongolian invasion. Rebuilt in the 17th century, it is today surrounded by gorgeous castellated ramparts as well as eight square and four circular towers with red-blood crowns. The monastery’s necropolis houses the tomb of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. After lunch in town, we’ll visit the Kremlin, former residence of the tsars, and take a stroll around the Cathedral Square where we’ll come across the most ancient monuments. We’ll finish up with a visit of the wonderful Cathedral of the Dormition. Join us for an optional visit of the Kremlin Amoury. The museum houses collections based on the precious items that had been preserved for centuries in the tsars’ treasury and the Patriarch’s vestry: Royal garments, gold- and silverware, arms and armours, etc. The highest artistic level and particular historical and cultural value of the exhibits have made the Armoury a world-wide known museum. Visit of the Armoury subject to entry quotas set by the Kremlin Administrative Office. Must be booked 60 days prior to departure at the latest. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board. This evening, join us for an optional tour of the subway and city “by night”. The Moscow subway stations are some of the most beautiful in the world. With their sculptures, mosaics, lamps, and stained glass, the city’s subway stations look more like lavish palace halls. We’ll not only visit some of the stations but we’ll also take a nighttime tour to see the city all lit up.

Join us for a visit of the Tretyakov Gallery, this historic building is the foremost depository of Russian fine art in the world and houses more than 1300 exhibits from the 11th till the early 20th century. We’ll return on board and have lunch. We’ll start cruising in the early afternoon towards Uglich. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.

We’ll cruise along the Moscow canal through the impressive lock chambers built under Stalin, allowing us to reach the Volga River. We’ll have lunch before reaching Uglich. It is said that this Golden Ring town was founded in 937 and is one of few Russia’s historical and well-preserved destinations. Join us for a visit of the Uglich Kremlin which houses the Church of St Dmitry on the Blood and the Cathedral of the Transfiguration. The Uglich Kremlin was built during the 15th century and consists of seven buildings. The most majestic part is the five-domed Transfiguration Cathedral built in 1713. You’ll also see the Church of St Dmitry on the Blood, the second oldest building in the Uglich Kremlin ensemble. It was painted red to remind people of the blood spilled in this place when the eight-year-old Prince Dmitry was found dead. We’ll then enjoy a traditional concert of church music. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.

Yaroslavl, one of the most attractive among the Golden Ring cities, was founded by Yaroslavl the Wise in 1010. Join us for a visit of the Spassky (St Saviour) Monastery. Built in the 12th century, the monastery is home to the oldest building in the city: the monastery cathedral. You’ll also be able to see St. Elijah the Prophet’s Church. After lunch, join in on an optional excursion to Rostov, one of the oldest cities of the Golden Ring located on the shores of Lake Nero. After a panoramic tour, we’ll visit the Rostov Kremlin and the Assumption Cathedral erected in 1162. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.

During a stopover in Goritsy, discover the authentic Russian way of life through a tour of the Goritsy School and a typical house. OR you can choose to join us on an optional visit of the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery. Founded in the 14th century by St. Cyril, this monastery used to be the largest and the strongest fortress in Northern Russia. This optional visit replaces the tours included in the stopover in Goritsy. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.

We’ll cruise along Lake Onega and have lunch before reaching Kizhi. Located at the heart of Lake Onega in the Republic of Karelia, Kizhi is one of Russia’s must-see attractions. Join us for a guided tour of the island, a true open-air museum which houses a collection of amazing wooden structures from the past, including old chapels and houses, windmills and granaries as well as barns and racks for drying crops. The gem of this collection is the 22-domed Church of the Transfiguration (currently being renovated), covered with golden leaves and religious portraits and sitting next to the Church of the Intercession. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.

We’ll sail along the Svir River which connects Lake Onega with Lake Ladoga. Take advantage of this morning cruise to admire the beauty of the surrounding landscapes. Enjoy lunch on board or join us for an optional traditional lunch in Mandrogi. Afterwards, you’ll have some free time to enjoy a stroll through the village, founded over 16 years ago as an eco-stop. Artisans and craftsmen from all over Russia were invited to live and work here, creating the village’s unique style. This evening, enjoy the Captain’s dinner. We’ll spend the night on board.

Located on the Neva River, discover the second largest city of Russia through its canals and rivers bordered with magnificent architectural palaces. We’ll first explore this “Venice of the North” with a panoramic tour of the city. We’ll also visit the St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral, a major Baroque Orthodox cathedral, before lunch in the city. Join us on a visit of the Peter and Paul Fortress and its cathedral, which contains the tombs of former Russian tsars. You can also join us on an optional cruise along the canals of the city. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.

Join us on a visit of the Catherine Palace, a former imperial palace and one of the largest in St. Petersburg. Among the different rooms of the palace there is a ballroom and, above all, the Amber Chamber, a luxurious room filled with furniture made up of thousands of shards of amber. Enjoy a walk in the garden before lunch in town. In the afternoon, join us for a visit of the most famous museum in Russia located in the Winter Palace: The State Hermitage Museum. Sprawling across three massive buildings, this vast, chaotic, and incredibly rich collection is unquestionably the biggest draw for visitors to St. Petersburg. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board. Join us for an optional visit of Saint Petersburg by night and watch the raising of the draw bridges (this excursion can only be purchased on board).

Join us for a visit of the Peterhof Palace. The utterly elegant Great Peterhof Palace is one of the supreme monuments of the 18th century and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a tour of the palace, we’ll have a stroll through the magnificent park to admire its gilded statues and numerous fountains. Afterwards, we’ll have lunch on board. Enjoy some optional free time to explore the city on your own. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board. Enjoy an optional evening of folklore entertainment.

Enjoy one last breakfast before disembarking in Saint Petersburg. End of our services.

• Your cruise in the cabin of your choice
• All onboard meals, from dinner on D1 (picnic meal in the event of late arrival) to breakfast on D12
• Drinks at all meals (mineral water or 1 glass of wine* or 1 soft drink or 1 beer* + 1 tea or coffee per person at each meal)
• Musical greeting
• Captain’s Dinner
• All visits and excursions mentioned in the program (except optional excursions)
• The assistance of English-speaking guides and a speaker specialising on Russia
• The services of our CroisiEurope cruise director on board
• 2 lunches in Saint Petersburg and 1 lunch in Moscow
• Onboard activities: conference on Russian civilization, Russian classes, Russian songs and dances
• All port fees.

• International flights and their taxes
• Transfers to/from departure/arrival points
• Lunches on D1 and D12
• Drinks with meals in town, in Moscow and Saint-Petersburg
• Mandatory Russian visa
• Letter of agreement
• Optional excursions
• Tips
• Cancellation and baggage insurance
• Any additional service not mentioned in the program.

Tips: We recommend tipping the crew, local guides and drivers approximately €10 per day and per passenger.