5 Star Russian River Cruise - Volga Dream | St Petersburg - Moscow

Fly to St. Petersburg and transfer to the five-star Belmond Grand Hotel Europe and check in. In the evening there is a welcome meeting with the local guide (they will be in the hotel lobby from 6pm to 9pm). Spend the evening exploring St. Petersburg.

 

• Hotel Description

Gold Programme

St. Petersburg is a captivating city founded by Peter the Great in 1703 and built on a group of islands connected by bridges, it is one of the great art cities of the world. Morning city tour of St. Petersburg, including a visit to Peter and Paul Fortress, burial place of the Romanov monarchs, and Nevsky Prospect, where fine shops, cafes and museums are found. See St. Isaac Cathedral, Spilled Blood church and embark on a walking tour of Split of Basil Island. (B)

Platinum Programme

St. Petersburg is a captivating city founded by Peter the Great in 1703 and built on a group of islands connected by bridges, it is one of the great art cities of the world. Morning city tour of St. Petersburg, including a photo stop at Peter and Paul Fortress, burial place of the Romanov monarchs, and Nevsky Prospect, where fine shops, cafes and museums are found. See St. Isaac Cathedral, Spilled Blood church and embark on a walking tour of Split of Basil Island. Enjoy a canal cruise sailing under the city‘s historic bridges and past its magnificent pastel palaces. End the day with a guided tour of Yusupov’s Palace, home of St. Petersburg once most wealthy aristocrats and murder scene of Rasputin. (B,L)

 

• Hotel Description

Gold Programme

This morning begins with a visit  to the renowned Hermitage Museum, home to one of the most important collections of European art in the world.  After lunch visit Peterhof. Visit the authentic Bath Cottage and stroll in the vast Lower Park. The lavish décor of the buildings is rivalled only by its famous Grand Cascade of fountains. (B,L)

Platinum Programme

This morning visit the famed Hermitage Museum before they officially open thus avoiding the crowds. This guided tour also included a very rare visit to the Gold Room, generally closed to the public and contains awe inspiring collection of Scythian artwork and imperial gifts. After lunch travel to the Imperial estate of Peterhof. Visit the authentic Bath Cottage and stroll in the vast Lower Park. The lavish décor of the buildings is rivalled only by its famous Grand Cascade of fountains.   (B,L)

 

 

• Hotel Description

Gold Programme

Morning at leisure or book additional excursions. In the afternoon visit Catherine the Great’s Palace and see the exquisitely restored Amber Room. Once deemed the “eighth wonder of the world,” the room was stripped by the Nazis in 1941, but majestically reconstructed in honour of St. Petersburg’s 300th birthday. Transfer to the  luxurious M/S Volga Dream I to begin sailing on the Russian waterways. Meet for the Captain's welcome reception with a traditional Russian vodka and salt ceremony and dinner as the cruise begins (B,D)

Platinum Programme

This morning visit the Faberge museum, which contains world’s largest collection of works by Carl Faberge, including 9 Easter eggs commissioned by the Russian royal family. After lunch, visit Catherine the Great’s Palace and see the exquisitely restored Amber Room, once deemed the “eighth wonder of the world,” the room was stripped by the Nazis in 1941, but majestically reconstructed in honour of St. Petersburg’s 300th birthday. Transfer to the  luxurious M/S Volga Dream I to begin sailing on the Russian waterways. Meet for the Captain's welcome reception and dinner as the cruise begins (B, L,D)

 

Cruise the scenic Svir River, connecting Lake Onega and Lake Ladoga. Disembark in Svirstroy to experience daily life in this small and charming village on the River Svir. Taste tea with jam and “pirozhki” (local pies) offered by Svirstroy villagers. Learn more about Russian tradition, lifestyle and the attractions of Svirstroy village. Continue to a nearby town to see a monument from WWII and to visit a local primary school. Experience a costumed Russian tea ceremony and, in the afternoon/evening, on board learn how to cook Russian food. (B,L,D)

 

Today, enter the Volga/Baltic Canal for a stop at the picturesque little island of Kizhi, which lies at the northern end of Lake Onega. See a collection of ancient Russian wooden houses and windmills, including the Church of the Transfiguration, an onion domed masterpiece with twenty-two cupolas. This amazing church was built without a single nail. In the evening there is a piano concert featuring Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov. (B,L,D)

Today, sail on the White Lake, once known as the Tsars fishing grounds. Dock in Goritsy and tour the Kirillov-Belozersky Monastery, founded in 1397, and home to one of the best collections of Russian icons in the world. Tonight on board enjoy some Russian vodka tasting with dinner. (B,L,D)

Founded in the 11th century by Prince Yaroslav the Wise, Yaroslavl is the oldest city on the Volga. The city was undamaged during World War II and many of Yaroslavl's churches from the 13th-17th centuries are intact. Visit the Spassky Monastery and see the Transfiguration of the Saviour. Visit the 17th-century Church of EIljah the Prophet with its most prized asset- frescoes painted by renowned artists of ancient Russia. If weather permits enjoy a traditional Russian barbeque on board. (B,L,D)
 

You will want to be on deck as the boat arrives in Uglich, because the view from the Volga River is especially beautiful with the Cathedral of the Resurrection and St. John's Church looming on the horizon. Explore the Church of St. Dmitry of the Blood, a 17th-century architectural treasure, built on the site where Ivan the Terrible's young son met his death and enjoy a concert of choral music at St. John's church. (B,L,D)

Gold Programme

Arrive into Russia’s capital in the afternoon and enjoy an orientation city tour of Moscow which includes Tverskaya Street, Lubyanka Square and the Kremlin embankment. Continue to the famous Novodevichi Cemetery which holds the tombs of Russian authors, musicians, playwrights, and poets, as well as famous actors, political leaders, and scientists. In the evening, check in to the deluxe St. Regis Moscow Hotel Nikolskaya in Moscow (or the Ararat Park Hyatt depending on dates) (B,L).
 

Platinum Programme

Arrive into Russia’s capital in the afternoon and enjoy an orientation city tour of Moscow which includes Tverskaya Street, Lubyanka Square and the Kremlin embankment. Lunch is served in a restaurant on the top floor of one of Moscow’s skyscrapers so you can enjoy spectacular city views as you eat. Continue to the famous Novodevichi Cemetery which holds the tombs of Russian authors, musicians, playwrights, and poets, as well as famous actors, political leaders, and scientists. In the evening, check in to the deluxe St. Regis Moscow Hotel Nikolskaya 5-star hotel in Moscow (or the Ararat Park Hyatt depending on dates) (B,L).
 

 

 

• Hotel Description

Gold Programme

This morning explore the Kremlin and visit the Armoury 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. Visit the world famour GUM Department store. The rest of the day is free to explore Moscow on your own.  (B)

Platinum Programme

This morning explore the Kremlin and visit the Armoury 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. Time is spent in the Red Square  and after lunch visit GUM—Moscow’s most impressive department store. We include a visit into St Basil’s and its medieval prayer chambers. Continue to  Moscow’s newest park Zaryadye, located next to Red Square. It has areas that represent nature from all over Russia from arctic tundra to Siberian steppe, a walkway that juts out over the Moskva River and plenty of benches to rest sightseeing-weary legs.  (B,L)

 

• Hotel Description

Gold Programme

Today visit the Tretyakov Gallery, the first museum dedicated exclusively to Russian fine art. Continue with the city tour of Moscow and Cathedral of Christ. Afterwards explore Moscow’s metro, famed for it’s architectural splendour. Spend the evening at leisure to explore Moscow or seek out a cultural performance at one of the city’s renowned venues. (B)

Platinum Programme

Today visit the Tretyakov Gallery, the first museum dedicated exclusively to Russian fine art. Continue with the city tour of Moscow and Cathedral of Christ. Spend the evening at leisure to explore Moscow or seek out a cultural performance at one of the city’s renowned venues. (B,L)

 

• Hotel Description

Free morning before transfer to the airport for the flight back to the UK. (B)