St. Petersburg to Moscow with Volga cruise
This is a perfect trip for anyone wanting to explore both the Russian countryside and the treasures of Russia’s grandest cities. We have 3 night stays in deluxe hotels in both imperial St. Petersburg and cosmopolitan Moscow, and 6 nights on a deluxe cruise along the iconic Volga River. This trip is packed with sightseeing and inclusions and represents excellent value.
Come and join us – you’ll be so glad you did!
*Escorted from St. Petersburg to Moscow
Guaranteed SINGLE room throughout
Commencing 27 September, 2020
POSTPONED – new dates coming soon
Day 1 27 September, 2020 Arrive St. Petersburg Make your own way to St. Petersburg. Use your frequent flyer miles or we will find the best airfare for you and team you up with others in the group who may be on the same flight.
Upon arrival in St. Petersburg make your way to your hotel located in the historic city centre. Remainder of the day is at leisure. Accommodation: Belmond Grand Hotel Europe (or similar) 3 nights A cultural and culinary landmark, Belmond Grand Hotel Europe has played a central role in social, cultural, civic, and business life of St Petersburg for 140 years. Belmond Grand Hotel Europe is located in the very heart of the city centre, on the corner of Nevsky Prospekt and Mikhailovskaya Ulitsa. Positioned adjacent to the Arts Square, the hotel has strong associations with the worlds of theatre, music and ballet. Past guests include Peter Tchaikovsky, Dmitry Shostakovich, Ivan Turgenev, Johann Strauss, George Bernard Shaw, Luciano Pavarotti, crowned heads and world leaders. Today the hotel offers its guests 266 rooms. The hotel is home to four welcoming restaurants and bar of the highest international standards. A pearl of the hotel’s restaurants is the Caviar Bar, where guests can enjoy blini with caviar washed down by ice-cold vodka. Those who enjoy chocolate can make their dreams come true in the hotel’s in-house chocolate factory, where they can even order a chocolate grand piano. Located in the heart of the cultural capital of Eastern Europe, Belmond Grand Hotel Europe combines the charm and elegance of 19th century tsarist Russia with the contemporary comfort.
Day 2 28 September, 2020 St. Petersburg After breakfast we begin our orientation tour of St. Petersburg, which Peter the Great transformed from marshland into the vibrant city of islands, canals, bridges and pastel-coloured palaces. We enter Peter & Paul Fortress, the family shrine of the Romanovs. Afterwards return to St. Petersburg and spend the afternoon exploring the city at leisure.
Day 3 29 September, 2020 St. Petersburg After breakfast we start the day with the famed Hermitage Museum, whose four hundred rooms contain spectacular examples of nearly all schools of Western art, including one of the greatest collections of French Impressionist works. Following lunch visit the meticulously restored Peterhof Palace, St. Petersburg’s most famous and spectacular imperial estate, often cited as the “Versailles of Russia”. Visit one of the authentic Small Cottages and stroll in the vast Lower Park with its 176 fountains, 4 cascades, majestic palaces, and numerous gilded statues of ancient gods and heroes. Evening is at leisure. Lunch is included today.
Day 4 30 September, 2020 St. Petersburg After breakfast the morning is free to join one of the optional tours on offer, or just explore the city at your own pace. This afternoon you will drive to Pushkin, the Czar’s Village, for a specially arranged visit to Catherine’s Palace. See the exquisitely restored Amber Room and stroll the formal gardens. After this tour you will be transferred to the luxurious MS Volga Dream and begin your cruise along the Russian Waterways. Enjoy a Captain’s welcome reception and dinner as you begin your cruise. Dinner is included.
Day 5 01 October, 2020 Svirstroy The highlight of your day in Svirstroy is being invited into a local resident‘s home. Warm and welcoming Svirstroy villagers will offer tea with jam and pirozhki‖ (local pies). They will enthusiastically tell you all about Russian traditions, lifestyle and the attractions of Svirstroy village while proudly showing off their homes and kitchen gardens. After the tea, you will depart on a tour of the nearby town to see the monument of the WWII and visit a local primary school. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Svirstroy : is a small charming village of about 1000 residents located on the River Svir. The river connects two largest lakes in Europe-Lake Ladoga and Lake Onega. Wooden shops sell all sorts of Russian handicrafts and artwork. Needless to say the shopping in Svirstroy, is a lot cheaper than in the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg!
Day 6 02 October, 2020 Kizhi This afternoon explore the tiny, picturesque island of Kizhi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on Lake Onega. The open-air Museum of Architecture includes the Church of the Transfiguration, a unique onion-domed masterpiece built without a single metal nail and resembling something out of a Russian fairy tale. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Kizhi is a tiny island: it is 7 km long and 1,5 wide. It’s situated at the northern edge of the Onega Lake. The island first gained significance in the 14th century as a trade spot on the route between the White Sea and the merchant-dominated city of Novgorod. Some of the typical and most impressive examples of 19th-century peasant architecture, were collected all over the Karelian region and installed in Kizhy. The island is now the museum of wooden architecture. It contains more than 70 chapels, belfries, log-houses, mills, bath-houses, barns, smithies. The major structure is the magnificent Church of the Transfiguration built in 1714, with its 22 onion-domed cupolas. The composition represents three octagons of different size placed one on the top of the other. The work was performed by the carpenter Nestor. Next to the Church of the Transfiguration stands the Church of the Intercession (Pokrovskaya, built in 1764). Both churches’ interiors are richly ornamented with religious objects: the former has especially noteworthy iconostases, the latter – locally painted icons. The Church of Lazar of Murom is located nearby. It is the oldest monument of wooden architecture in Russia – the Church was built in the middle of the 14th century.
Day 7 03 October, 2020 Goritzy Early this morning you cross Lake Beloye, or the White Lake, formerly known as the “Czar’s fishing grounds”. Arrive in the peaceful village of Goritzy to tour the fortress-like Kirillov-Belozersky Monastery with its magnificent frescoes by Dionysius, one of the Russia’s most renowned icon painters. Return to the ship for a late lunch. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Goritzy: The pier and village of Goritzy can be found on the left bank of the River Sheksna at the foot of the Maura Hill. In the southern area of the village is the working Goritzy Convent of Resurrection. The Convent was founded in 1544. Subsequently, the monastery became the place of imprisonment for spouses and relatives of the nobles that fell into “disgrace” (Ivan the Terrible’s two wives, Boris Godunov’s daughter and some others). In 1932 the convent was closed and many nuns were banished, some of them took shelter in neighbouring villages. Recently the work of restoration has been undertaken. Other places of interest are the Monastery of St. Cyril on the White Lake and museum of icons. About 1,5 km west of the village is Maura Mountain. It is 185 m of height. A magnificent view opens up from it. The legend says that at the top of the hill saint Kirill had a vision of the place as the place to found the monastery. A stone with Kirill’s footprint may be seen there. Close to this stone, not so long ago, a Cross and the Chapel of Saint Kirill and Ferapont were erected. 7 km of Goritsy is located the town of Kirillov with one of the largest monastery in the northern Russia – Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery.
Day 8 04 October, 2020 Yaroslavl This morning visit the oldest city on the Volga River, Yaroslavl, a World Heritage site. In the Spassky Monastery see the Transfiguration of the Saviour, adorned with murals depicting St. John’s apocalyptic visions, and the richly frescoed Church of St. Elijah the Prophet. Participate in a costumed reception at the Governor’s House before reboarding the Volga Dream in time for lunch. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Yaroslavl: In 1010, Yaroslavl, son of the Kiev Prince Vladimir (later Yaroslav the Wise) founded a fortress at the place where the Kotorosl River enters the Volga. He named the fortress after himself. The story goes that a settlement of pagans was located in this place called Medvezhy Ugol (Bears Corner). Its inhabitants were engaged in hunting and fishing. Prince Yaroslav killed their sacred animal a Bear and subjugated the pagans. The legend about this event found its representing in symbol of the city. On a silver shield a bear is represented standing and holding a gold pole-axe in the left paw.
Day 9 05 October, 2020 Uglich Arrive this afternoon in Uglich, which dates back to the 10th century. A walking tour includes the Church of St. Dmitri-on-the-Blood, a 17th-century treasure built on the site where Ivan the Terrible’s 10-year old son met his death. Lastly you will attend a concert of choral music at St. John‘s Church. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Uglich: Uglich is an old town in the region of Yaroslavl and belongs to the Russian Golden Ring. The name of Uglich is a derivative of “ugol” (“a corner”). The Volga makes a sharp bend at this place, forming a corner, or “ugol”, hence the name. Founded as early as 937, it was first mentioned in chronicles only in 1148. A local legend says that the town existed in the days of Holy Princess Olga. The town served as the capital of the Uglich principality from 1218 till 1238 when it was ruined by the Mongols who killed most of its population. However by the 15th century the town prospered and even had its own money. After Ivan the Terrible’s death, his son Prince (Tsarevich) Dimitry, the last in the Rurik dynasty, was sent to Uglich with his mother and was killed here at the age of eight in 1591 under uncertain circumstances. The church of Dmitry is one of the landmarks of the town. A team of restorers has been working on the town’s historical center since 1952. According to the planning for Uglich’s development and construction, recently approved by the local authorities, its historical centre is under permanent conservation.
Day 10 06 October, 2020 Moscow Disembark at midday and begin the day with an orientation tour of Moscow before proceeding to the famous Novodevichy Cemetery, where well-known Russian authors, musicians, playwrights, and poets, are buried along with famous actors, political leaders, and scientists. Check-in at your hotel then the rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure. Accommodation:
St. Regis Hotel (or similar) 3 nights. The St. Regis Moscow Nikolskaya is an exquisite hotel located at the heart of Moscow just steps away from Red Square, the Bolshoi Theatre and St. Basil’s Cathedral. Enjoy unrivaled access to the historic landmarks and exclusive shops of Russia’s vibrant capital. Savour authentic Italian cuisine and memorable lunches at A Tavola, our signature restaurant. Our Iridium Spa and indoor swimming pool offer a tranquil retreat while our Rooftop Hall promises panoramic views of the Kremlin and the scintillating city centre. Sophisticated furnishings meet spacious interiors in each of our 210 guest rooms-including 44 suites. Each accommodation boasts captivating views of our Italian courtyard and marble bathrooms with signature Remède amenities.
Moscow: Moscow is the capital of the Russian Federation. With nearly 11 million inhabitants it is the largest city of Europe. Although Moscow is constantly under reconstruction, its unmistakable traditional character is there: the hills, the meanders of river Moskva, walls of the Kremlin, beautiful Metro and wide boulevards alternating with narrow inner city lanes. The history of Moscow has many chapters: more than 250 years of Mongolian aggression, wars against Poland and Lithuania, as well as Napoleon’s army, the Second World War in which the Germans didn’t succeed in conquering the city, the Soviet regime… Today it is the financial centre of the gas and oil industry, the epicentre of the modern show business and a mixture of all cultures of the huge Russian Federation. In 1935 first metro was opened. During this time under Stalin’s rule the complete reconstruction of the city was planned. Many architectural monuments were to be exchanged for the oversized symbols of Communist dictatorship. This process was only stopped by the Second World War.
Day 11 07 October, 2020 Moscow After breakfast you will enter the Kremlin for a visit to the Armoury Museum, with its collection of Czarist thrones, ceremonial crowns, coaches and gifts of state. Continue to the beautifully frescoed 15th century Assumption and Archangel Cathedrals. Walk through Red Square, with photo stops at St. Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Tomb and GUM department store. Afternoon and evening at leisure.
Day 12 08 October, 2020 Moscow This morning is free and early this afternoon you visit the renowned Tretyakov Gallery to view it’s collection of Russian art, ranging from 12th-century icons to 20th-century paintings. Afterwards explore the famous Moscow Metro, renowned for its architectural splendour and ornately decorated stations.
Day 13 09 October, 2020 Moscow Sadly our tour has come to an end after breakfast. We would be happy to assist with your onward travel arrangements.
Tour cost $8795 includes:
- *Services of an Australian tour escort from arrival at St. Petersburg until tour end in Moscow (*subject to minimum group size of 12)
- Services of local English speaking guides
- SINGLE occupancy for 3 nights in a 5 star, centrally located, hotel in St. Petersburg
- SINGLE occupancy for 3 nights in a 5 star, centrally located, hotel in Moscow
- SINGLE occupancy for 6 nights cruise in a standard river view cabin with porthole on Cabin Deck. If preferred, you may upgrade to a superior cabin with window on Main Deck for an additional $1200, or a deluxe cabin with window on Promenade Deck for an additional $1800.
- 12 breakfasts
- 7 lunches – including on-deck BBQ on board Volga Dream
- 6 dinners – including Russian dinner and vodka tasting
- House wines and soft drinks included with lunch and dinner (cruise only)
- Welcome and farewell cocktails
- Russian classical music concert, Russian cooking classes, Russian tea ceremony and Matryoshka painting classes
- Port Charges, Local Taxes & Fuel Surcharge
- Daily Supply of Bottled Water on board Volga Dream
- Free Tea & Coffee Station on board Volga Dream
- On-board Lectures with Guest Speakers
- Cultural Russian workshops
- Sightseeing in St Petersburg includes:
- City sightseeing
- Peter & Paul’s Fortress
- St Isaac’s Cathedral (photo stop)
- Church on the Spilled Blood (photo stop)
- State Hermitage Museum
- Peterhof: Lower Park & Small Cottage (inclusive of fountains)
- Return from Peterhof by hydrofoil
- Catherine’s Palace in Pushkin
- Cruise sightseeing includes:
- Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, Goritzy
- Church of the Transfiguration, Kizhi Island
- Spassky Monastery, Yaroslavl
- Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood, Uglich
- Moscow sightseeing includes:
- City Tour
- Red Square Walk
- GUM Department Store
- Kremlin and Armory Chamber
- State Tretyakov Gallery
- Novodevichy Cemetery Visit
- Metro Introduction Tour
Tour cost does not include:
- International airline tickets
- Air ticket taxes
- Visa for Russia (we will supply you with necessary Letter of Invitation and supporting documentation)
- Meals other than specified in itinerary
- Meals or visits not detailed on the itinerary
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Transfers at any time that differs from main group arrangements
- Anything not stated in ‘inclusions’
- Upgrade to superior cabin with window on Main Deck additional $1200
- Upgrade to Deluxe cabin with window on Promenade Deck additional $1800
Cruise cabin photos:
Please note: This tour involves services which are settled in a number of currencies and the exchange rate has been calculated on rates current at the time of uploading this tour onto our website. Should there be a fluctuation of exchange rates of more than 3% from this time to the time we receive payment, we reserve the right to pass on an exchange rate surcharge.