Not currently being offered  Winston Churchill once described Russia as a ‘riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.’ Though Mr. Churchill’s analysis still holds true in many ways, it is also true that we have more freedom now than at any time in living memory to explore these riddles, mysteries, and enigmas. We invite you to join us on a cruise between two of Mother Russia’s most historic and influential cities, and the many pastoral sites in between. We’ll be following the Volga River and a series of connecting lakes and waterways that allow travelers to enjoy the leisurely pace of river cruising while appreciating many of the sites and villages best viewed from the water.
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Day
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ARRIVE MOSCOW (D)
Travelers arriving from the USA today will be met at the airport and transferred to the M/S Kronstadt, our floating hotel for the next 10 nights. This evening's Get Acquainted dinner aboard ship will introduce us to the delicious cuisine that will be typical of our Russian Adventure.
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Day
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ACTIVITIES IN MOSCOW (B,L,D)
Moscow Capital of Russia Walk 10 km, rated 1+
Highlights of this morning's walk include the impressive Kremlin walls, Moskva River, enormous Cathedral of Christ our Savior, and Arbat pedestrian shopping zone. The afternoon guided coach tour of Moscow includes Red Square, with Lenin's Tomb and the colorful, multi-turreted Cathedral of St. Basil. After dinner, you'll have the option to attend Moscow's famous circus, a fun-filled window into the intriguing culture of the planet's largest nation.
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Day
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ACTIVITIES IN MOSCOW (B,L,D)
The day begins with a tour of the Kremlin–political, military, and spiritual heart of Russia. This afternoon, you'll have the option of touring the State Armoury, vast treasury of the czars. Aboard ship this evening, dinner is served while setting sail along the Moscow Canal and Volga River.
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Day
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PORT OF CALL–UGLICH (B,L,D)
Uglich Small Town Russia Walk 10 km, rated 2
A neighborhood of time-forgotten wooden homes across the Volga River provides the start for today's walk. We return through the 10th century town of Uglich, visiting the tiny, wedding-cake-looking Church of St. Demetrius of the Blood, erected where Ivan the Terrible's seven-year old heir was mysteriously murdered in 1591.
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Day
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PORT OF CALL–YAROSLAVL (B,L,D)
Yaroslavl Garden of Church Spires Walk 10 km, rated 1
Our walk through the 11th century, Volga town of Yaroslavl connects a busy downtown market, a charming island carnival to watch Russians at play, and the Savior Transfiguration Monastery to enjoy a concert of Russian hymns in a setting of acoustical perfection.
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Day
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PORT OF CALL–GORITSY (B,L,D)
Explore a typical Russian riverside village in Goritsy today, including a possible invitation into a Russian home. Numerous shipboard activities are available throughout the cruise including folklore and classical concerts; lectures on Russian language, history, and culture; aerobics; dance lessons; handicraft presentations; and more!
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Day
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PORT OF CALL–KIZHI ISLAND (B,L,D)
Kizhi Island Miracle Church Walk 10 km, rated 2
Combined with a lovely lakeside stroll through a traditional Russian community, tiny Kizhi Island offers the intriguing UNESCO World Heritage Open-Air Museum. The undisputed highlight is the 22-domed Church of the Transfiguration, all wood and built without nails!
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Day
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PORT OF CALL–MANDROGY (B,L,D)
A relaxing day cruising the Svir River and Lake Ladoga is punctuated by a stop at Mandrogy, a small village in the forest exhibiting various Russian arts and crafts. After a shashlik barbeque, we'll set sail for beautiful St. Petersburg on the Neva River.
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Day
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ACTIVITIES IN ST. PETERSBURG (B,L,D)
St. Petersburg Canals & Cathedrals Walk 10 km, rated 1
Today's walk passes St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Hermitage, the Church on Spilled Blood, the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, and a multitude of majestic St. Petersburg panoramas. Following dinner aboard ship, you'll have the option of attending an evening ballet performance.
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Day
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ACTIVITIES IN ST. PETERSBURG (B,L,D)
The first stop today is the flamboyantly baroque Catherine Palace, epitome of the excessive lifestyle of Russian royalty. This afternoon we stroll the expansive, Versailles-like gardens of Peter the Great's Peterhof before returning to the ship for our last night aboard.
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ACTIVITIES IN ST. PETERSBURG (B,D)
Housed amongst the opulent décor of Catherine the Great's Winter Palace, the State Hermitage Museum boasts one of the world's great art collections. After free time to further explore St. Petersburg, we'll transfer to our airport hotel for a Farewell Dinner. Later this evening, our final activity in Russia is an optional Grand Folklore Performance in the hotel theater, an extravaganza of 40 dancers and musicians.
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PETERSBURG–USA (B)
The Adventure draws to a close this morning with a transfer to St. Petersburg's Pulkovo II International Airport. What a priceless opportunity to gain firsthand understanding of this ancient land which continues to play a vital role in the story of our times!
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