MS Volga Dream 13 Day Journey from Moscow to St Petersburg

The MS Volga Dream is an elegant vessel designed with classic decor with a slight Russian touch and accommodating just 100 passengers.  It offers a truly intimate cruise experience and personalised service.  In addition to 6 nights hotel accommodation and 6 nights onboard this magnificent vessel, you can also experience 4 fascinating lectures by Russian professors about Russian history and politics, a diverse range of cultural activities aboard MS Volga Dream, visit to the Armory, Diamond Fund and Museum of Cosmonauts in Moscow, special early entrance to the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg and a visit to magnificent Faberge Museum and Catherine’s Palace in St. Petersburg.

DAY 1 : Moscow
Upon arrival in Moscow, transfer to the deluxe The St. Regis Moscow Hotel Nikolskaya, located in the historic city centre, within a 5 minute walk to the famous Red Square and Moscow Kremlin. In the evening gather for the warm-up meeting with your guide (available at the hotel lobby from 6pm to 9pm), or spend the rest of the day exploring central Moscow on your own.

Accommodation : St. Regis Moscow Hotel Nikolskaya (Superior Room) or Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow – None

DAY 2 : Moscow
9:30 am – 5:30 pm
This morning enter the Kremlin for a visit to the Armoury Museum to view its collection of opulent coronation finery, hand-forged armour and weapons, royal carriages and sleighs, and dazzling Faberge eggs. View the ornate gems of the Diamond Fund, including Catherine the Great’s diamond-encrusted coronation crown and the 190-carat Orlov Diamond, and continue to the Square of Four Cathedrals. After lunch walk around the famous Red Square and visit GUM – Moscow’s largest department store. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Moscow on your own or seek out a cultural performance at one of the city’s renowned venues.

Accommodation : St. Regis Moscow Hotel Nikolskaya (Superior Room) or Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow – Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 3 : Moscow
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Begin the day with an orientation city tour of Moscow and after visit the famous Novodevichy Cemetery which holds the tombs of Russian authors, musicians, playwrights, and poets, as well as famous actors, political leaders, and scientists.

After lunch, visit the Museum of Cosmonautics to learn about Yury Gagarin’s first flight in space and proceed to an outdoor Exhibition of Achievements of the People’s Economy – a truly remarkable footprint of Soviet Architecture and design. City tour includes: Red Square walking tour, St. Basil’s Cathedral (photo stop w/o entrance), GUM Department Store (entrance if time allows), Cathedral of Christ the Savior (entrance if time and availability allows), Novodevichy Cemetery (entrance).

Accommodation : St. Regis Moscow Hotel Nikolskaya (Superior Room) or Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow – Breakfast

DAY 4 : Moscow
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Check-out from the hotel and proceed to the Tretyakov Gallery, the first museum dedicated exclusively to Russian fine art. After lunch, explore Moscow’s Metro, known for its architectural splendor and transfer to the awaiting luxurious MS Volga Dream to begin sailing along the Russian waterways. Gather for the Captain’s welcome reception and dinner as you begin your cruise.

Volga Dream Experience: Bread, Salt and Vodka Welcome Aboard Ceremony.

Accommodation : Volga Dream (Standard Cabin) – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 5 : Uglich
After a full day of cruising through forested countryside, dock in the ancient trading town of Uglich, one of the spokes of Russia’s renowned Golden Ring. Explore the impressive Church of St. Dmitri-on-the-Blood, erected on the site where Dmitri, son of Ivan the Terrible, was murdered in 1591, and attend an enchanting concert of choral music at St. John’s Church.

Volga Dream Experience: Documentary Film ‘Construction of the Moscow Canal’.

Accommodation : Volga Dream (Standard Cabin) – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 6 : Yaroslavl
Founded in 1010, Yaroslavl is one of the oldest cities in central Russia and the Volga’s first port. In the Spassky Monastery see the Transfiguration of the Savior and admire the mosaics at the Church of Elijah the Prophet. Take part in a costumed reception at the governor’s house, and then re-board the MS Volga Dream in time for lunch.

Volga Dream Experience: Costumed Russian Tea Ceremony & Russian Cooking Class.

Accommodation : Volga Dream (Standard Cabin) – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 7 : Goritsy
In the tiny settlement of Goritsy, visit the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, founded in 1397, and now home to one of the best collections of Russian icons in the world. After a guided tour, continue cruising toward majestic Lake Onega.

Volga Dream Experience: Russian Dinner with Vodka Tasting.

Accommodation : Volga Dream (Standard Cabin) – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 8 : Kizhl
The Kareliya region, which spans the area from St. Petersburg to the Arctic Circle, is a vast wilderness of forest and water. Discover Lake Onega, fed by 58 rivers and home to 1,369 islands, including Kizhi. See a collection of ancient Russian wooden houses and windmills, and the famous Transfiguration church, built in 1714 without a single nail.

Volga Dream Experience: Piano Concert – pieces by Tchaikovsky and Rakhmaninov.

Accommodation : Volga Dream (Standard Cabin) – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 9 : SVIR River And The Village Of Mandrogi
While cruising along the 139-mile-long Svir River, appreciate the quiet understated beauty of a region that has long inspired artists and poets. The ship passes quaint riverside hamlets before reaching Lake Ladoga. Step ashore for a brief visit to the vacation village of Mandrogi to experience daily life in a quaint wooden village on your own.

Volga Dream Experience: Barbeque on the Open Deck.

Accommodation : Volga Dream (Standard Cabin) – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 10 : St Petersburg
9:30am – 5:30pm
Arrive in St. Petersburg via the Neva River and disembark MS Volga Dream. Enjoy a city tour of St. Petersburg and after lunch visit the Faberge museum which contains the world’s largest collection of works by Carl Faberge, including 9 Easter eggs commissioned by the Russian royal family.

After the tour, check-in to the deluxe Grand Hotel Europe. City tour includes: Split of Basil Island (walking tour), Spilled Blood Church (photo stop), Peter and Paul Fortress (entrance), St. Isaac Cathedral (photo stop), Nevskiy Prospekt drive.

Accommodation : Belmond Grand Hotel Europe (Deluxe Room) – Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 11 : St Petersburg
8:30am – 6:30pm
This morning enter the famed Hermitage Museum before hours to avoid heavy crowds. After lunch travel to the meticulously restored Peterhof, St. Petersburg’s most famous and spectacular Imperial estate, often cited as the Versailles of Russia. Visit the authentic Bath Cottage and stroll in the vast Lower Park with 176 fountains of various forms and styles and four cascades, majestic palaces and numerous gilded statues of ancient gods and heroes. Return to St. Petersburg by hydrofoil.

Accommodation : Belmond Grand Hotel Europe (Deluxe Room) – Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 12 : St Petersburg
9:30am – 7:30pm
This morning travel to Catherine the Great’s Palace, which houses the extraordinary Amber Room, its six tons of solid amber deftly carved and framed in gold leaf. 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.

After lunch in Podvorie, a restaurant in a traditional Russian log house, on the way back to St. Petersburg visit a ‘Russia in Miniature’ Interactive Museum. Done with a great care and attention to detail, this very realistic model of Russia will give you a great picture of this vast country full of stereotypes, generalizations and main attractions of every region. In the evening, board a small river boat for a sail around the numerous rivers and canals of St. Petersburg.

Accommodation : Belmond Grand Hotel Europe (Deluxe Room) – Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 13 : St Petersburg
This morning check out from your hotel and transfer to the airport for your return flight arrangements.

Accommodation : Breakfast

This magnificent journey is also available in reverse, St Petersburg to Moscow.

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