Sunday, April 24, 2011

Russia - 13 Day Cruise Itinerary





We arrive a couple of days early to enjoy Moscow and then join the group on "Day 2" as day 1 is their travel day.
Map of

DAY 2, Tuesday - Arrive in Moscow


Arrive and transfer to your ship for embarkation. The port is approximately a 2 hour drive from the Moscow airport. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Wednesday - Moscow City Tour, Kremlin Tour

Enjoy a panoramic city tour of Moscow, the fabled capital of Russia. Traveling by coach, view the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Novodevichy or “New Maiden” convent, the former headquarters of the KGB, and many more historical sites. Explore Red Square, the most famous city square in Russia and visit GUM, a large department store that could easily be confused with a palace. This afternoon, continue on a tour of the Kremlin. Venture inside this former residence of the Russian czars on a guided walking tour. See the famous Czar Cannon, the 16th century Czar Bell, and Cathedral Square, home to three of Moscow's most elaborate cathedrals: the Cathedral of Assumption, the Cathedral of Annunciation, and the Cathedral of the Archangel. Enjoy time at leisure to explore the Kremlin grounds on your own before returning to the ship.
Optional: Kostroma National Folk Show (PM)*
Optional: Moscow Circus Performance (PM)*
Optional: Moscow by Night (PM)  PURCHASED
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4, Thursday - Day at Leisure in Moscow
Enjoy a day of leisure in Moscow
Optional: Tretyakov Gallery (AM)**
Optional: Excursion to Sergiev Posad (AM)**
Optional: Moscow Novodevichy Convent (AM)** PURCHASED
Optional: Moscow Small Boats Tour (AM)**
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5, Friday - Uglich City Tour

This afternoon, arrive in Uglich, one of Russia's oldest cities. Famous in Russian history for the dynastic crisis known as the Time of Troubles, which followed the suspicious death of Prince Dimitry (Ivan the Terrible's youngest son), Uglich is a popular stop when sailing the Volga due to its historic architecture and charm. Enjoy a tour of the city, including visits to the Transfiguration Cathedral and the Church of Prince Dimitry. This evening, enjoy dinner and the night at leisure on board.
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Saturday - Yaroslavl City Tour

Arrive this morning in Yaroslavl, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a tour of this historic city, one among many in Russia's famous Golden Ring. The tour includes sites such as the Church of St. Elijah the Prophet and a visit to the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. You will also have the opportunity to explore a local market. Dinner on board this evening.
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7, Sunday - Monastery of St. Cyril

Arrive in Goritsy, an old Russian town of rich historical and cultural heritage. Today, visit the Monastery of St. Cyril, one of Russia's largest monasteries. Established in 1397 on the bank of Lake Siverskoye, the monastery of St. Cyril was once home to the largest monastery church in Northern Russia, the Assumption cathedral, which still stands today. The monastery's fortifying walls, which measure 2400-feet-long and 22 feet thick, are an impressive sight, home to several towers including the Chasuble, the Vologda, and the Tent-like. Sail this afternoon for the island of Kizhi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Optional: Vodka & Blini Tasting Party (PM) PURCHASED
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8, Monday - Open Air Museum

This morning, arrive in Kizhi, a small island featuring one of the most impressive wooden structures ever erected, the Kizhi Church of Transfiguration. The Church is the island's most famous architectural landmark and largely responsible for making Kizhi one of the most frequented tourist attractions in Russia. It features 22 cupolas of striking intricacy and was built without using a single nail. Visit the Church and Open Air Wooden Architecture Museum. Enjoy dinner and the evening at leisure on board .
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Tuesday - Daylight Sailing

Enjoy daylight sailing and the morning at leisure on board. Stop in the romantic village of Mandrogi, whose name literally means "pine-trees on the bog," to enjoy time at leisure to explore the city. Rejoin the ship and continue sailing for St. Petersburg. This evening, celebrate your final night sailing at a farewell dinner and gala talent show
.Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Wednesday - St. Petersburg City Tour

Enjoy a morning city tour of St. Petersburg. This panoramic tour takes you to Palace Square, St. Isaac's Cathedral and Square, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood and many more sights along the way. In the afternoon visit the famous museum, the Hermitage, home to one of the largest and richest collections of Western art in the world. Among the museum's vast collection, which spans six buildings (the most famous being the Winter Palace), priceless works by artists such as Michelangelo, da Vinci, Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, and many others are displayed amid opulent architectural design. This evening, enjoy dinner and the night at leisure on board.
Optional: St. Petersburg Folk Show (PM) PURCHASED
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11, Thursday - Day at Leisure in St. Petersburg
Today is free at leisure to explore St. Petersburg on your own
Optional: Pushkin & Pavlovsk Palace & Park (AM) PURCHASED
Optional: Ballet Performance (PM)
Optional: St. Petersburg by Night (PM)
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12, Friday - Peterhof Park Tour

This morning, travel to Peterhof, located southwest of St. Petersburg, overlooking the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. You will have an opportunity to view the series of palaces and gardens, laid out on the orders of Peter the Great, and sometimes called the "Russian Versailles." Your tour includes a guided visit to the Lower Park and an outside view of the Palace. This evening, celebrate your final night abroad while dining onboard
Optional: Rivers & Canals in St. Petersburg (PM) PURCHASED
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13, Saturday - We have added a couple of extra days in St. Petersburg.
Meals: Breakfast

* The Kostroma National Folk Show and the Moscow Circus Performance will operate simultaneously.

** The Tretyakov Gallery, the Excursion to Sergiev Posad, the Moscow Novodevichy Convent and the Moscow Small Boats Tour will operate simultaneously.

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