Ship MS Volga Dream: St. Petersburg - Moscow, River Cruise 01 Jul 2010 - 11 Jul 2010

Route description:

Save vibrant Moscow for the end of your journey and start from magnificent St. Petersburg. This voyage willtake you from the Gulf of Finland to Lake Onega and then from the River Volga to the Moskva River.

Itinerary

Day 1	Arrival Arrival into St. Petersburg, where you will be met by your driver who will be waiting for you just outside of Customs, after you pick up your luggage. Transfer to the Volga Dream. Please note that, depending on your arrival time, your cabin may not be ready. You will be able to relax in the lounge or on deck while the boat staff prepares your cabin for check-in. Overnight on board the Volga Dream.
Day 2	St. Petersburg St. Petersburg is Russia's cultural and historical treasure, one of the world's most beautiful cities, and one of its top ten tourist destinations according to "The Forbes Traveler." It is known as the Venice of North thanks to its numerous canals and hundreds of bridges. It is sometimes called Russia's Versailles thanks to dozens of opulent palaces and royal estates. It can be rightly called a living museum - so many of its buildings are part of Russia's history. They say that if you were to spent three minutes by each of the exhibits in the Hermitage, it would've taken you three years to see the Hermitage. But don't worry - you will have an experienced guide, who will show you the best rooms and halls in just 2 hours. This day we will visit Hermitage, one of the world's biggest art galleries
Day 3	St. Petersburg This day is reserved for the trip outside of the city, to Peterhof - royal residence on the outskirts of the city where Russian Tsars spend most of their time during warm time of the year. Peterhof is located on the banks of Gulf of Finland most famous for its parks and fountains that mimic those of  Versailles. Peter the Great spent most of his time in this place because it was close to the wharfs where Peter was raising Russian navy. Peter build hundreds of fountains to entertain his noble guests, including you. Tour of Peterhof Parks  Bus city tour to St. Basil Island, The Building of Exchange, Peters and Paul Fortress (outside), Rostrum Columns, Nevskiy prospect, Isaac Cathedral (outside), Cathedral of Savior (outside)
Day 4	Mandrogi Mandrogi is the name of a small village that has no architectural wonders, giant castles or churches. You will, however, discover the unique style and architecture of the northern tribes that have occupied these lands for centuries.
Day 5	Kizhi Kizhi is the name of unique island located on the Lake Onega. In the center of the island stands the amazing Transfiguration Church. This wooden church and its 22 domes are built without a single nail. In fact, originally, the Transfiguration Church was located in another place. The Bolsheviks, who had little, if no, respect for religion, had some respect for its architectural value, so they decided to move this unique church as far from the major cities and people as possible, to distant Kizhi Island.
Day 6	Goritsy Goritsy is famous for the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery (1397). This monastery's strong walls and bastions were used by some nobles as a safe house during the Times of Trouble. The Polish armies stormed it, but never succeeded in capturing it. Unfortunately, the monastery was not so successful in repelling the attacks of other invaders four centuries later. The Bolsheviks closed the monastery in early 20th century and sent its monks to the prison camps.
Day 7	Yaroslavl By today standards Yaroslavl is small, but its place in Russia's history and culture cannot be underestimated. Before it was annihilated by the Mongols it was Russia's largest city, its economic, political, cultural and scientific center. It was rebuilt shortly after but was once again burnt to the ground. While the Mongols had been preoccupied with Yaroslavl, Moscow was able to harness enough power to overthrow the "Mongol yoke." During the Polish occupation of Moscow in the early 17th century, it was Yaroslavl once again that became the center of the national resistance to the occupation. One cannot know how many great works of art from ancient times were lost to fire. Some historians suspect that Yaroslavl could have been the most evolved European city of the times.
Day 8	Uglich Uglich is a small town located on the Volga River. Uglich was the best-defended fortress of Moscovy and it was burnt on number of occasions by Lithuanians, Tatars, and even the grand prince of Tver, the city which rivaled Moscow. Uglich is most famous for the tragic events that took place in 1591 when the 10-year old prince Dimitry, the last heir to the throne of the ancient Ruyrik dynasty, was killed here (as historians now agree, by Boris Godunov, advisor to Dimitry, who wanted the throne for himself). Dimitry's death plunged Russia into decades of political turmoil known as Time of Trouble. Various factions plunged into an all-out war that culminated in an invasion by Polish-Lithuanian armies. It was during the struggle against the invaders that the new king was born - Mikhail Romanov. The Romanovs ruled Russia for three centuries and at the peak of their power controlled 1/5 of the world and 10% of its population.
Day 9	Moscow This day is very special, as we will go inside the Kremlin - the ancient castle built to withstand the Mongol hordes. Throughout history, the Kremlin has been the center of political power in Russia and it remains a symbolic political center even today, as the official site of the inauguration ceremony of the Russian president (they don't actually live or work here). The Kremlin is a living museum of Russia's history. Its inside wasn't built overnight, rather various rulers added new pieces over time (and some, like Napoleon, plundered from it). This cultural and historical treasure has been so well preserved that it seems that you are traveling in time. You will see the most interesting places in the Kremlin as you follow our professional guide in the steps of some of the world's greatest leaders and its most terrible dictators.
Day 10	Moscow This day is very special, as we will go inside the Kremlin - the ancient castle built to withstand the Mongol hordes. Throughout history, the Kremlin has been the center of political power in Russia and it remains a symbolic political center even today, as the official site of the inauguration ceremony of the Russian president (they don't actually live or work here). The Kremlin is a living museum of Russia's history. Its inside wasn't built overnight, rather various rulers added new pieces over time (and some, like Napoleon, plundered from it). This cultural and historical treasure has been so well preserved that it seems that you are traveling in time. You will see the most interesting places in the Kremlin as you follow our professional guide in the steps of some of the world's greatest leaders and its most terrible dictators. Excursion of Kremlin and one cathedral Tour inside of Armory Chamber
Day 11	Departure Your incredible voyage in time is coming to an end. It is time to say farewell to this unique and beautiful country. It is time to say good-bye to your new friends. It is time to go home with a stock of fantastic experiences and unforgettable memories. Your driver will take you to the airport.