EXPERIENCE THE TREASURES OF IMPERIAL RUSSIA!
Explore Russia’s many imperial treasures and rich traditions with Scenic all-inclusive Russia river cruises. Sail the Volga, Europe’s longest river, and the grand canals between St. Petersburg and Moscow; cruise through Lake Ladoga, Europe’s largest lake, and visit famous Khizi Island; view the splendors of Peterhof Palace, St. Basil’s Cathedral, The Kremlin and Red Square.
Itinerary & Trip Highlights
Day 1 – St. PetersburgHighlights: Welcome Reception
Welcome to St. Petersburg. If you had a hundred years, you wouldn’t exhaust all the wonder on offer here.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2 – St. PetersburgHighlights: Peterhof Grand Palace
Freechoice: Explore Catherine’s Block and the fountains in the Lower Garden at Peterhof on a guided tour, or be seduced by the sheer extravagance of Peterhof’s Grand Palace, which was modeled on the Palace of Versailles. Alternatively, wander the incomparable Upper and Lower Gardens at Peterhof, including the Palaces’ majestic Fountains.
Enjoy a lunch in a local restaurant, followed by a guided tour of this uniquely beautiful metropolis.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – St. PetersburgHighlights: Hermitage
Freechoice: Visit magnificent St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the largest Russian Orthodox cathedral in the city. Or discover the Yusupov Palace, where Rasputin was murdered.
Following lunch in a local restaurant, visit the Hermitage, formerly the Winter Palace and home to the Tsars. Today it houses one of the world’s most magnificent art collections. Later this evening, please join the Captain for the official welcome dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – St. PetersburgHighlights: Private Ballet Performance
This morning visit Catherine’s Palace, famous for its grandiose white and gold façade and its elaborate gardens.
Enrich
Enjoy a highlight lunch at the old-world wooden ‘Podvorie’ restaurant. Here you’ll be offered traditional Russian cuisine where the delicious fare is actually home-grown at the restaurant owner’s private summer residence.
This afternoon enjoy some free time to yourself, to explore or relax as you please.
Enrich
Tonight you’ll be treated to a glass of sparkling wine, followed by a private Russian ballet concert at the majestic Palace of Prince Vladimir. The Palace was the last Imperial palace to be built in St. Petersburg and is an eclectic combination of architectural styles that will dazzle and amaze you.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – St. PetersburgHighlights: Canals & Bridges Cruise
This morning you’ll enjoy a cruise through the city’s canals and get to glide under some of the city’s 400 bridges. Tonight, join your fellow guests on the sun deck as your ship sets sail down the Neva River.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – MandrogiHighlights: Museum Village
Enrich
It’s all ashore to explore this charming museum village, which was reconstructed after WWII. Wander around the distinctive buildings and later try Shashlik, a traditional meal similar to shish kebab.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Kizhi IslandHighlights: Church of Transfiguration
This morning your ship docks at Kizhi Island – an open air museum with a precious collection of wooden churches and chapels. You’ll also get to view the magnificent Church of the Transfiguration with its 22 timbered onion domes. It is easily among the most magnificent examples of wooden architecture in Russia, and the world.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – GoritsyHighlights: Vodka Tasting
Explore the Kirillo-Belozersky monastery, built in 1397 and home to a wonderful collection of Russian Orthodox icons. As the ship sets sail, you’ll get to toast the occasion with a little vodka, a beverage integral to Russian culture for over 600 years.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 – YaroslavlHighlights: City Tour
Welcome to the fascinating and ancient city of Yaroslavl located on the mighty Volga River. In fact, dating back to the year 1010, it’s even older than Moscow. Acquaint yourself with its long and impressive history by taking an enjoyable guided tour of its most famous sights.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 – UglichHighlights: Golden Ring City
Part of the Golden Ring of cities surrounding Moscow, Uglich is well worth a long, deliberate examination and your guided walking tour will be just what the doctor ordered.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 – MoscowHighlights: Scenic Sundowners Cruise
Relax on board as you sail towards Russia’s mightiest city. Arriving after lunch, you’ll set out on an exploration that will acquaint you with such world-renowned sights as Red Square and the unusually beautiful Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Though now more accessible to travellers from around the world, these incredible world icons still exude much of the enigma that has always defined them.
Sundowners
Enjoy a refreshing drink during a cruise on the Moskva River, where you can admire Moscow’s fine sights and architecture from the waterways.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 – MoscowHighlights: Russian Circus
Start your day by seeing the city’s finest sights. Then, take an insightful ride on Moscow’s Metro, which is guaranteed to surprise you. In fact, it’s considered one of the best subway systems in the world.
After lunch in a local restaurant, enjoy some free time to explore this bustling city.
Tonight, you’ll attend an internationally renowned Russian Circus, where you’ll get to rediscover your sense of wonder all over again.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 – MoscowHighlights: Enrich Meet a Cosmonaut
Enrich
Visit the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics. Here you’ll have the opportunity to meet a real cosmonaut and learn about the history of space exploration, with original exhibits and models relating to space technology, history and art. It’s a beautiful and out-of-this-world experience that will have you seeing stars.
Enjoy a lunch in the local restaurant.
Freechoice: Visit the State Tretyakov gallery, a world-famous museum housing a unique collection of Russian art, or explore the Museum of the Armed Forces, where you’ll have an opportunity to see a vast collection of Russian military memorabilia.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 – MoscowHighlights: Kremlin
Your day begins with a visit to the Kremlin, the intriguing seat of the former Soviet Union. In the State Armory, you’ll see priceless weaponry, jewels, and ceremonial robes.
Tonight, witness a thrilling National Russian Show performed by fifty folk dancers.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15 – MoscowHighlights: Farewell
After breakfast, your cruise comes to an end, as all good things must, but it’s also the start of a lifetime of wonderful memories.
Meals included: Breakfast