St. Petersburg - Moscow, 27 Sep 2012 - 08 Oct 2012

Your driver will pick you up at the airport. At the exit he will be waiting for you with your name on a sign, and from there he will take you to the Rossi hotel for check in. You may relax and overcome your jetlag in your room, visit a hotel bar, or start exploring St. Petersburg on your own.

On your first full day in St. Petersburg you will explore one of the most interesting palaces in the world, the Catherine's Palace.

Located in Tsarksoye Selo (Royal Village), Catherine’s Palace was a gift from Peter the Great to his wife Catherine I. The Palace is a striking example of baroque architecture with its gorgeous interiors that are more than spectacular. The so-called Golden Enfilade of state rooms, designed by Rastrelli, is particularly renowned and forms the focus of the palace tour. Catherine’s Palace is famous for its Amber Room which was looted during World War II by the Germans during their 300 day siege of St. Petersburg, so that it took more than 50 years to reconstruct the legendary room. (B)

Interesting facts:
* In Elizabeth's reign it took over 100 kg of gold to decorate the palace exteriors.
* Tsarskoye Selo is also associated with Russia’s greatest poet Alexander Pushkin, who studied in the town’s Lyceum from 1811 to 1817.

Optional: Russian Ballet or Opera at the Hermitage Theater 

Prior to your visit to Peterhof you will check out of the hotel. Your guide will meet you in the lobby and your luggage will be kept on the bus during the tour.

Today you will venture to the outskirts of St. Petersburg to visit Peterhof Palace, the summer residence of Russia’s royalty. Stroll in the vast Lower Park with 176 glorious fountains of various forms and styles, numerous gilded statues of ancient gods and heroes, including the famous Samson Fountain. Visit magnificent, beige and white Grand Summer Palace, lavishly decorated with the two white pavilions with gilded cupolas. While walking through its lavish parks and elegant rooms, be careful not to forget that you haven’t been transported to “the Russian Versailles”.

Optional: Opera or Ballet evening performance; St. Petersburg canals and bridges by night

You will have lunch in a local restaurant where delicious Russian food will be served.

Your driver will pick you up from the hotel in the afternoon to transfer you to the ship. You will stay overnight onboard the MS Tolstoi. (B, L, D)

Mandrogi is a small village that has no architectural wonders, castles, or impressive churches. This land seems to be immune to the flow of time, frozen in a relaxing period of carelessness and calm. Surrounded by the serenity of Mandrogi, you will have a traditional Russian picnic called Shashlik. This succulent meal has Middle Eastern roots, but has been slightly modified - beef is replaced with pork that is marinated for one night. (B, L, D)

Tip: bring a little bit of cash when you step ashore so you can buy a few hand-made souvenirs like authentic Russian matreshka dolls.

Kizhi Island on Lake Onega is home to the massive Transfiguration Church. With 22 domes that extend over this small yet picturesque island, there are two interesting facts that surround it. Despite all of its architectural wonders, not a single nail was used to build it. Also, its original location was on the mainland, closer to the people. The Bolsheviks, for all their hatred of religion, wanted to destroy the church, but did not dare to do so. They decided to transport the church to a deserted island where no one would be able to see it. That's why today it can only be reached by river cruise. You will spend this day exploring Kizhi Island and its amazing ensemble of wooden churches. (B, L, D)

Tip: bring a sweater or a light jacket. It gets a bit chilly in the evening, especially if you sail in May or September.

The town of Goritsy is home to the historic Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, built in 1397. During the Time of Trouble, Polish invaders stormed the monastery in attempt to purge Russia of its remaining nobles. Unsuccessful, they were forced out by the renewed Russian forces. You will visit the monastery of St. Cyril-on-the-White-Lake and a museum of icons. (B, L, D)

Located on the banks of the Volga River, Uglich presented itself as a perfect fortress of defense for the ancient Moscovy Kingdom. In 1591 the 10-year-old prince Dmitry of the ancient Ruyrik dynasty was murdered here by Boris Godunov before Godunov claimed the throne of Russia and was murdered himself. These events plunged Russia into three decades of political turmoil known as the Time of Trouble, leaving the lands devastated and open for a new dynasty: the Romanovs. We will visit the small but historically significant church of St. Dmitry-on-Blood, which stands on the location of the young prince’s murder. (B, L, D)

Tip: You can be a witness to these events by seeing the opera "Boris Godunov" in the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. This classic opera reveals the extraordinary events and perseverance of this distant but ever-present epoch in Russian history.

The heart of Moscow, the Kremlin, is located on the bustling Red Square. The Kremlin is the most recognizable symbol of Moscow. This ancient citadel was constructed in 1147 to defend the city from the Mongols and the Lithuanians. Moscow has since grown beyond the original walls, but the Kremlin has remained a representation of political power in Russia. Russian Emperors, Soviet rulers, and Russian contemporary leaders alike used the Kremlin for official ceremonies and  added their own personal touches by constructing new buildings, museums, churches, and galleries. (B, L, D - dinner during the evening cruise on Moscow River)

More about Moscow

Optional excursion: Moscow by night; Moscow Metro

Prior to your visit to the Novodevichiy Convent you will leave the ship and meet your driver who will take you to the Assambleya Nikitskaya hotel for check in.

The Novodevichiy Convent is one of the oldest monasteries in Moscow.  We have also prepared several optional tours for you today. In the evening you will meet at the hotel and your driver will take you to the cruise ship. (B, L)

Optional: Moscow Metro; Moscow by night

The Moscow Subway is located deep underground, a nuclear shelter and a museum of Soviet socialist art. It carries three million passengers daily through its palace-like terminals that will enchant you with their gorgeous frescoes and chandeliers. You will take a short ride to get a taste of life in Moscow.

Moscow is Russia's largest city, its political and economic capital. The town of Moscow was the center of Moscovy - a small principality that unified the Russian lands against the Mongols in the late 14th century and has ruled Russia ever since. As the Mongols burnt major cities across Russia, refugees fled to smaller principalities like Moscow, Tver and Nizhny Novgorod. Through bribes, diplomacy and coercion, Moscow overcame its two rivals to become "Russia's first city." Moscow's role was briefly challenged when Tsar Peter the Great moved Russia's capital to his new city, St Petersburg, on the shores of the Baltic Sea.

Today you will visit the Tretiakov Gallery, one of the most recognized art galleries in the world. Tretyakov Picture Gallery is Moscow's best collection of art and one of the best collections of Russian paintings in the world. The gallery started as a private collection of wealthy 19th century merchant Ivan Tretyakov, who donated his collection to the city.

Optional excursion for a day: Ballet or Opera in Bolshoi Theater. (B)

Your driver will take you to the airport. You will be leaving with a lifetime of memories. We hope you return to this enigmatic area of the world soon! (B)