Russian River Cruise

• Moscow, Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral, Kremlin, Volga River, Kizhi Island, St. Petersburg, Hermitage Museum, Catherine Palac
• Enjoy a guided tour through the world-famous Hermitage Museum, the crown jewel of St. Petersburg, located in the Winter Palace.
• Visit the magnificent baroque style Catherine Palace, former home of Catherine the Great.
• Explore the incredible Kremlin and view the priceless collection of imperial treasures in the Armory Museum.
• Moscow sightseeing includes the world-famous Red Square with the spectacular view of the rainbow-colored St. Basil’s cathedral.
• Cruising between Moscow and St. Petersburg, discover the unknown Russia, where daily life has remained unchanged for centuries.

 

br />Experience the splendor of the czars, vibrant Slavic culture and the expansive beauty of rural Russia on this 11-day cruise from Russia’s capital, Moscow to Peter the Great’s glittering city, St. Petersburg. Visit Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedral‘s kaleidoscopic towers. Step inside the Kremlin and discover its imperial treasures. See the architectural treasures of the “Golden Ring.” Cruise through picturesque Lake Onega and the mighty Volga River. Follow an expert guide to discover the incredible treasures of the immense Hermitage Museum as you explore St. Petersburg, one of the loveliest cities in Europe.

Day 1: Overnight Flight
Today board your overnight flight en route to Moscow, Russia.

Day 2: Arrive Moscow, Russia - Ship Embarkation
This morning you arrive in Moscow, the grand capital of Russia and its most dynamic city. Transfer to the ship, your home for the next nine nights, where you will enjoy nightly entertainment and delicious local cuisine. This evening, spend time getting acquainted with your fellow passengers and the ship.

Day 3: Moscow, Russia
Moscow is one of the largest cities in the world and home to more than nine million people. Enjoy a tour highlighting historic and famous landmarks including Red Square (UNESCO), St. Basil’s Cathedral and Tverskaya Street, Moscow’s grand boulevard, lined with shops and restaurants. The balance of your day is at leisure.

Day 4: Moscow - Cruising
Take the Moscow Metro to visit the 15th century Kremlin. Known as the “Underground Palace,” each Metro station was designed by a Russian architect, sculptor or artist. At the incredible Kremlin (UNESCO), view the priceless collection of Imperial treasures in the Armory Museum, including the crown jewels. Set sail from Moscow through the countryside of Russia and enjoy nightly on-board entertainment such as a romance concert, a classical music concert, and even Russian dancing lessons! Tonight, enjoy a welcome cocktail reception, followed by the Captain's welcome dinner.

Day 5: Uglich
Approach the picturesque Golden Ring city of Uglich and soak in a lovely view of the magnificent architectural monuments from the deck. A walking tour features historic Transfiguration Cathedral, where a local choir brings the church's acoustics to life during a brief demonstration. Also see the blue-domed Church of Prince Dimitry on the Blood. Visit a local handicraft market to view regional crafts and learn about the Chaika watches. Continue along the mighty Volga River through unspoiled forests and rural villages. While sailing, enjoy a unique sampling of local cuisine such as blini and caviar.

Day 6: Goritsy
Enjoy breathtaking scenery as you sail south to Goritsy, a peaceful farming community. Later, sail in the vast White Lake, once known as the Tsar’s fishing grounds. As you continue cruising, enjoy one of the many daily on-board discussions.

Day 7: Lake Onega - Kizhi Island
Cruise through picturesque Lake Onega, the second largest lake in Europe and one of the world’s purest. This morning arrive at Kizhi Island, at the northern end of Lake Onega. Kizhi is renowned for its open-air museum. Visit these fascinating buildings of northern wood architecture including the remarkable Church of the Transfiguration. This spectacular church has 22 domes in three tiers and is the ultimate in Russian fairytale architecture. Continue on your cruise, enjoying an authentic Piroshki tea party and learning about local tea traditions.

Day 8: Svir River - Green Stop on Mandroghi or Svirstroy
Cruise through the 119-mile Svir River which connects Lake Onega with Lake Ladoga. Pause for a few hours in a quaint riverside settlement where you may explore various buildings which represent country life in Russia. This evening, enjoy a festive Captain’s dinner.

Day 9: St. Petersburg
Sail along the Neva River to St. Petersburg, Peter the Great’s magnificent creation and one of the loveliest of European cities. Your morning tour of this fabled city of canals will take you to Palace Square, the historic heart of St. Petersburg (UNESCO), and along Nevsky Prospect, the city’s main boulevard. See the monumental St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Admiralty Tower and other great buildings that stand as monuments to the extravagant splendors of Imperial Russia. This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour through the world-famous Hermitage Museum, the crown jewel of St. Petersburg. No museum rivals the Hermitage in size, grandeur and holdings, including masterpieces by Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Rubens and Picasso.

Day 10: St. Petersburg
Today, take an excursion to Tsarskoye Selo (formerly known as Pushkin) and tour the magnificent Catherine Palace. Marvel at the blazing robin’s egg blue of the exterior and tour its distinctive rooms. After your visit, enjoy lunch at a nearby folk restaurant featuring delicious local cuisine. The remainder of your afternoon is free to soak in the best of St. Petersburg.

Day 11: St. Petersburg - Disembark Ship - Tour Concludes
Your tour ends, leaving you with many pleasant memories of a wonderful vacation.

Don't miss our current specials: FREE Door to Door Service Now Vacations Start at HOME! Don't worry about getting to the airport... because a vacation should be worry-free. With Collette Vacations, enjoy free round trip sedan service that takes you from your home to the airport when you purchase an air-inclusive Collette tour.* This personalized service - including gratuities - is available on new air-inclusive bookings to the South Pacific, Canada, and Europe; and on ALL Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures and Explorations by Collette tours. On departures May 2010 and beyond, Door to Door transfers are included with air-inclusive bookings to all destinations Great Savings • Added Comfort • More Convenience
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
8/14/2010 - 8/24/2010	$1,799
9/2/2010 - 9/12/2010	$1,799
9/3/2010 - 9/13/2010	$1,799
9/21/2010 - 10/1/2010	$1,799
5/11/2011 - 5/21/2011	$1,849
5/30/2011 - 6/9/2011	$1,949
6/18/2011 - 6/28/2011	$1,949
7/7/2011 - 7/17/2011	$1,949
7/26/2011 - 8/5/2011	$1,949
8/14/2011 - 8/24/2011	$1,949
9/2/2011 - 9/12/2011	$1,949
9/21/2011 - 10/1/2011	$1,849
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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