12 days on the volga river (Ex-moscow)
This Volga River cruise is a wonderful opportunity to visit many different regions of Russia.
Experience the activity and history of Moscow, relax in the peaceful atmosphere of medieval Yaroslavl and delve into Russian village life in the beautiful towns of Uglich and Kostroma. On your Russian cruise you will see Nizhny Novgorod, the stunning, historical center of the Volga region. The boat will dock at the Eastern cities of Kazan and Astrakhan that occupy the Golden Horde. Every port city visited is of historical significance and full of outstanding sights and monuments. This cruise will take you down practically the entire length of the Volga River and end at the Caspian Sea. This Volga river cruise will leave you with unforgettable memories and truly be a journey of a lifetime! As rare as a trip along the Upper Volga may be, the Lower Volga, running south and away from the population centers of Moscow and St. Petersburg, is still an area of outstanding beauty largely unexplored by tourists. Spend two days in Moscow to explore Russian ancient capital then board deluxe M.S. Volga Dream to cruise over 3,000 km all the way down to the Volga River Delta on the Caspian Seaand taste caviar in Astrakhan. Discover iconic onion-domed churches in Uglich, stroll through the gems of Yaroslavl, the Volga’s oldest city and explore Volgograd, former Stalingrad, the city of decisive battle of the the II World War. |
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Day 1
Upon arrival in Astrakhan, transfer to the deluxe M.S. Volga Dream. You may spend the rest of the day at leisure relaxing after the flight or exploring Astrakhan on your own.
Astrakhan is the world’s caviar capital and fishing capital of the Western Russia - set at the mouth of the Volga, where it flows into the Caspian Sea.
Day 2
In the morning proceed with a tour of a local fortress built in the reign of Ivan the Terrible and after lunch attend a lecture about famous black caviar followed by a private testing of this precious delicacy.
Day 3
Originally called Tsaritsyn, Volgograd has had three name changes in its tumultuous history. The site of epic battles during the Russian Revolution, it was known as Stalingrad from 1925 until 1961. The city’s heroic defense by the Russian people during World War II became the decisive battle of the eastern front. Visit the memorial on Mamayev Hill, where the struggle saw its bloodiest fighting, and Stalingrad battle panorama museum.
Day 4
Once home to a large German community, today Saratov is known for its connection to Russia’s first cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, who lived and studied here. Take a city tour, and visit Radishev State Art Museum - the first Russian picture gallery outside of St. Petersburg and Moscow. On the way back to the ship stop by at an open air museum of military weapons and take a picture of the Volga river from Saratov highest point.
Day 5
This morning rest on the Sun Deck as we sail by the Zhigulevskie mountains and approach the city of Samara. In Samara, visit Stalin’s Bunker, preserved exactly as it was at the end of World War II. Tour Cosmic Samara, the space museum, then stroll along the Volga esplanade and taste beer at the famous local brewery.
Day 6
This morning notice that Russian Orthodox Churches no longer dominate on the Volga river banks. Beautiful Muslim mosques appear from time to time as you cruise down the Volga River and enter the Republic of Tatarstan. In the afternoon disembark from the Volga Dream to explore Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan and center of Tatar culture of Russia. Visit the white-walled Kazan Kremlin (citadel) where the famous mosque Kul-Sherif neighbours the old Peter and Paul Cathedral. Later this day enjoy a concert by a local Tatar folk ensemble and taste delicious local food cooked by your Volga Dream chef.
Day 7
Nizhniy Novgorod (formerly Gorkiy), once a wealthy commercial center poised on the trade routes to the East, became a closed city due to military activity during the Soviet era. Learn about the city’s history as a place of exile for political prisoners. Walk the ramparts of the 16th-century Kremlin with its spectacular views, and visit elaborately painted churches. Tonight, attend a concert by a local children folk group.
Day 8
This morning visit the oldest city on the Volga River, Yaroslavl, a World Heritage site. In the Spassky Monastery see the Transfiguration of the Savior, adorned with murals depicting St. John's apocalyptic visions, and the richly frescoed Church of St. Elijah the Prophet. There will be time to stroll the lively farm market before reboarding the Volga Dream in time for lunch. Later this day enjoy a private performance of Russian dance and songs by a local folk ensemble.
Day 9
We arrive this afternoon in Uglich, dating back to the 10th century. A walking tour of this Golden Ring city includes the Chapel of Dmitry on a Spilled Blood, a 17th-century treasure built on the site where Ivan the Terrible’s 10-year old son met his death. Visit the Church of the Transfiguration, noted for its beautiful iconostasis, and attend a concert of choral music.
Day 10
Begin your day with orientation tour of Moscow followed by a ride in the ornate Moscow metro. After lunch in a local restaurant proceed to the Old Tretyakov gallery to view its extraordinary collection of Russian art, ranging from 12th-century icons to 20thcentury paintings.
Optional: This evening enjoy opera or ballet performance at the famed Bolshoi Theatre (subject to the schedule of performances).
Day 11
This morning enter the Kremlin for a visit to the Armory 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. After lunch return to the awaiting Volga Dream and begin your sailing along the Russian Waterways. Gather for Captain's welcome reception and dinner as we begin our cruise.
Optional: Visit the new Tretyakov Picture Gallery to discover its outstanding collection of XX century masterpieces by artists including Chagall, Kandinky, and Malevich.
Day 12
This morning transfer back to the city
Upon arrival in Astrakhan, transfer to the deluxe M.S. Volga Dream. You may spend the rest of the day at leisure relaxing after the flight or exploring Astrakhan on your own.
Astrakhan is the world’s caviar capital and fishing capital of the Western Russia - set at the mouth of the Volga, where it flows into the Caspian Sea.
Day 2
In the morning proceed with a tour of a local fortress built in the reign of Ivan the Terrible and after lunch attend a lecture about famous black caviar followed by a private testing of this precious delicacy.
Day 3
Originally called Tsaritsyn, Volgograd has had three name changes in its tumultuous history. The site of epic battles during the Russian Revolution, it was known as Stalingrad from 1925 until 1961. The city’s heroic defense by the Russian people during World War II became the decisive battle of the eastern front. Visit the memorial on Mamayev Hill, where the struggle saw its bloodiest fighting, and Stalingrad battle panorama museum.
Day 4
Once home to a large German community, today Saratov is known for its connection to Russia’s first cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, who lived and studied here. Take a city tour, and visit Radishev State Art Museum - the first Russian picture gallery outside of St. Petersburg and Moscow. On the way back to the ship stop by at an open air museum of military weapons and take a picture of the Volga river from Saratov highest point.
Day 5
This morning rest on the Sun Deck as we sail by the Zhigulevskie mountains and approach the city of Samara. In Samara, visit Stalin’s Bunker, preserved exactly as it was at the end of World War II. Tour Cosmic Samara, the space museum, then stroll along the Volga esplanade and taste beer at the famous local brewery.
Day 6
This morning notice that Russian Orthodox Churches no longer dominate on the Volga river banks. Beautiful Muslim mosques appear from time to time as you cruise down the Volga River and enter the Republic of Tatarstan. In the afternoon disembark from the Volga Dream to explore Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan and center of Tatar culture of Russia. Visit the white-walled Kazan Kremlin (citadel) where the famous mosque Kul-Sherif neighbours the old Peter and Paul Cathedral. Later this day enjoy a concert by a local Tatar folk ensemble and taste delicious local food cooked by your Volga Dream chef.
Day 7
Nizhniy Novgorod (formerly Gorkiy), once a wealthy commercial center poised on the trade routes to the East, became a closed city due to military activity during the Soviet era. Learn about the city’s history as a place of exile for political prisoners. Walk the ramparts of the 16th-century Kremlin with its spectacular views, and visit elaborately painted churches. Tonight, attend a concert by a local children folk group.
Day 8
This morning visit the oldest city on the Volga River, Yaroslavl, a World Heritage site. In the Spassky Monastery see the Transfiguration of the Savior, adorned with murals depicting St. John's apocalyptic visions, and the richly frescoed Church of St. Elijah the Prophet. There will be time to stroll the lively farm market before reboarding the Volga Dream in time for lunch. Later this day enjoy a private performance of Russian dance and songs by a local folk ensemble.
Day 9
We arrive this afternoon in Uglich, dating back to the 10th century. A walking tour of this Golden Ring city includes the Chapel of Dmitry on a Spilled Blood, a 17th-century treasure built on the site where Ivan the Terrible’s 10-year old son met his death. Visit the Church of the Transfiguration, noted for its beautiful iconostasis, and attend a concert of choral music.
Day 10
Begin your day with orientation tour of Moscow followed by a ride in the ornate Moscow metro. After lunch in a local restaurant proceed to the Old Tretyakov gallery to view its extraordinary collection of Russian art, ranging from 12th-century icons to 20thcentury paintings.
Optional: This evening enjoy opera or ballet performance at the famed Bolshoi Theatre (subject to the schedule of performances).
Day 11
This morning enter the Kremlin for a visit to the Armory 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. After lunch return to the awaiting Volga Dream and begin your sailing along the Russian Waterways. Gather for Captain's welcome reception and dinner as we begin our cruise.
Optional: Visit the new Tretyakov Picture Gallery to discover its outstanding collection of XX century masterpieces by artists including Chagall, Kandinky, and Malevich.
Day 12
This morning transfer back to the city