Your Unforgettable Voyage
Day 1 – Welcome to Moscow!
Check in to the luxurious new Lotte Hotel Moscow, ideally located close to Red Square and the Kremlin.
Day 2 – Discover the Capital with our Engaging Guide
Your in-depth city tour begins this morning in Red Square
where you will gaze in awe upon the colorful domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral. To the right is the ornate, turn-of-the-century façade of the historic GUM Department Store and before you are the carved cornices and towers of the State Historical Museum, built in 1894. Then drive past the Bolshoi Theater and ascend the Sparrow Hills for expansive views over the city. Admire the graceful spires of Novodevichy Convent
and head over to the Korsh Theater for lunch in the historic restaurant, splendidly restored to its pre-revolutionary elegance. Sample fine Russian cuisine and ponder the artistic genius of those who dined here before… Anton Chekov, Konstantin Stanislavski and other Russian luminaries. After lunch, enter within the imposing red-brick walls of the Kremlin for a guided afternoon tour of the grounds, including the gold-domed Assumption Cathedral. At the Kremlin Armory Museum, you’ll be spellbound by a dazzling collection of Imperial treasures, everything from jeweled crowns and coronation gowns to gilded coaches and Fabergé Eggs. Meals B,L
Day 3 – Welcome aboard the Volga Dream
After a leisurely morning, you’ll be escorted to the pier to board the 5-star MS Volga Dream. Settle in to your spacious stateroom and get acquainted with your ship’s inviting public spaces; her casual elegance captures the easy-going luxury of an ocean-going yacht. Meals B,D
Day 4 – Ashore in Uglich
Home baked bread and a sprinkling of salt is the traditional welcome that greets you in this Golden Ring town. A handsome 17th century church now stands on the site where Ivan the Terrible’s young son was assassinated. Explore this architectural treasure and then enjoy a choral concert in the 5-domed Church of the Transfiguration. Meals B,L,D
Day 5 – The Oldest Town on the Volga
Unharmed by the WWII, seemingly protected from time, the ancient churches of Yaroslavl are a wonder to behold. Admire its prized frescoes and then sample some local bounty at the farmers’ market. Meals B,L,D
Day 6 – Across White Lake to Goritzy
These waters were once the exclusive fishing grounds of Russian czars. Today you voyage across the lake to visit a centuries-old monastery and the Cathedral of the Assumption. Meals B,L,D
Day 7 – The Open-Air Museum of Architecture
Cruise across Lake Onega to step ashore on Kizhi Island, where you’ll be awed by the 300-year-old Church of the Transfiguration. This onion-domed fantasy was hand-built with chisels and axes – and not a single nail! It is just one of many inspiring structures here on this island museum. Meals B,L,D
Day 8 – Step into Russia’s Past…
It’s Williamsburg – Russian Style! The riverside village of Mandrogi has been faithfully reconstructed to present you with a fascinating look into rural life of Russia long ago. Enter into traditional wooden homes and admire skilled artisans at work. Meals B,L,D
Day 9 – Disembark in St. Petersburg… The Venice of the North
Our St. Petersburg-based staff is at the pier to greet you this morning, ready to show you their beloved city starting with the handsome Baroque buildings that grace the bustling Nevsky Prospekt. Behold the massive gilded dome of St. Isaac’s Cathedral, one of the largest churches in the world, and admire the stately elegance of the Church of the Spilled Blood, set alongside one of the city’s many picturesque canals. See the simple wooden cabin of Peter the Great, the first structure built in the city. After sightseeing, check in to the elegant Grand Hotel Europe, a storied landmark perfectly situated on Nevsky Prospekt just minutes from Palace Square and the Hermitage. Meals B
Day 10 – The Glory of Imperial Russia… Our Complete Hermitage Experience
This morning, the architectural splendor of the Hermitage, erstwhile palace of the Czars and center of the Romanov Court, will impress you nearly as much as the resplendent masterworks of the museum’s enormous collection. By special arrangement, your visit here includes the rarely visited Gold Room, home to a dazzling 1,500-piece collection of gold artifacts and jewelry from the 7th century B.C. to the 19th century A.D. Your “Complete Hermitage Experience” also takes you behind the scenes to the Repository, a state-of-the-art storage and restoration facility for more than 3,000 masterpieces currently not displayed in the principle galleries.
You can return with your guide to the Grand Hotel Europe or linger on in the museum to continue exploration of its vast collection at your own pace. This evening, delight in Russia’s rich artistic heritage at a musical performance featuring one of St. Petersburg’s outstanding ensembles. Meals B
Day 11 – Farewell to St. Petersburg
Your sojourn in Russia finishes this morning. Meals B
