A Private View of Moscow and St. Petersburg and a Cruise on the Magnificent

Transcription

1 A Private View of Moscow and St. Petersburg and a Cruise on the Magnificent August 20 to September 2, 2018 with Optional Extension to Berlin 3 nights at the deluxe Ararat Park Hyatt in Moscow 6 nights aboard MS Volga Dream 3 nights at the deluxe Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg 136 East 64th Street New York, NY Tel: (212) Fax: (212) amvorg@aol.com website: annemarievictory.com

2 ITINERARY Monday, August 20 Depart the US for Moscow. Tuesday, August 21 MOSCOW Arrival in Moscow, transfer to the deluxe Ararat Park Hyatt located in the historic city centre close to the Red Square and Moscow Kremlin. Welcome dinner at the hotel. Meals: D Wednesday, August 22 MOSCOW This morning enter the Kremlin for a visit to the Armoury Museum to view its collection of opulent coronation finery, hand-forged armour and weapons, royal carriages and sleighs, and dazzling Faberge eggs. View the ornate gems of the Diamond Fund, including Catherine the Great s diamond-encrusted coronation crown and the 190-carat Orlov Diamond, and continue to the Square of Four Cathedrals. After lunch walk around the famous Red Square and visit GUM - Moscow s largest department store. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Moscow on your own or seek out a cultural performance at one of the city s renowned venues. Meals: B, L St. Basil s Cathedral Moscow Kremlin Moscow Metro Thursday, August 23 MOSCOW Begin the day with an orientation city tour of Moscow and visit Novodevichy Cemetery, which holds the tombs of Russian authors, musicians, playwrights, and poets, as well as famous actors, political leaders, and scientists. After lunch, visit Museum of Cosmonautics to learn about Yury Gagarin s first flight in the space and proceed to an outdoor Exhibition of Achievements of the People's Economy a truly remarkable footprint of Soviet Architecture and design. In the evening attend an optional opera or ballet performance at the Bolshoi Theatre. Meals: B, L 2

3 Friday, August 24 MOSCOW Checkout from the hotel and proceed to the Tretyakov Gallery, dedicated exclusively to the Russian fine art. After lunch, explore Moscow s Metro, known for its architectural splendor and transfer to the awaiting luxurious MS Volga Dream to begin sailing along the Russian waterways. Gather for the Captain's welcome reception and dinner as we begin our cruise. Volga Dream Experience: Bread, Salt & Vodka Welcome Aboard Ceremony Saturday, August 25 UGLICH After a full day of cruising through the forested countryside, dock in the ancient trading town of Uglich, one of the spokes of Russia s renowned Golden Ring. Explore the impressive Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood, erected on the site where 10-year old Dmitry, the youngest son of Ivan the Terrible, was murdered in 1591; and attend an enchanting concert of choral music at St. John s Church. Volga Dream Experience: Documentary Film Construction of the Moscow Canal Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood, Uglich Sunday, August 26 YAROSLAVL Founded in 1010, Yaroslavl is one of the oldest cities in central Russia and the Volga s first port. In the Spassky Monastery see the Transfiguration of the Savior and admire the mosaics at the Church of Elijah the Prophet. Take part in a costumed reception at the governor s house, and then re-board the MS Volga Dream in time for lunch. Volga Dream Experience: Costumed Russian Tea Ceremony and Russian Cooking Class Church bells, Yaroslavl Monday, August 27 GORITSY In the tiny settlement of Goritsy, visit the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, founded in 1397, and now home to one of the best collections of Russian icons in the world. After a guided tour, continue cruising toward majestic Lake Onega. Volga Dream Experience: Russian Dinner with Vodka Tasting Kirillov Belozersky Monastery, Goritsy 3

4 Tuesday, August 28 KIZHI The Kareliya region, which spans the area from St. Petersburg to the Arctic Circle, is a vast wilderness of forest and water. Discover Lake Onega, fed by 58 rivers and home to 1,369 islands, including Kizhi. See a collection of ancient Russian wooden houses and windmills, and the famous Transfiguration church, built in 1714 without a single nail. Volga Dream Experience: Piano Concert pieces by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff Church of the Transfiguration on Kizhi Island Wednesday, August 29 SVIR RIVER AND THE VILLAGE OF MANDROGI While cruising along the 139-mile-long Svir River, appreciate the quiet understated beauty of a region that has long inspired artists and poets. The ship passes quaint riverside hamlets before reaching Lake Ladoga. Step ashore for a brief visit to the vacation village of Mandrogi to experience daily life in a quaint wooden village on your own. Volga Dream Experience: Barbeque on the Open Deck House in the Village of Mandrogi Thursday, August 30 ST. PETERSBURG This morning arrive in St. Petersburg and disembark the MS Volga Dream. Get familiarized with St. Petersburg during the tour of the city and stop at the fascinating Peter & Paul Fortress, founded in 1703 by Peter the Great. The Fortress Cathedral is the burial place of most of Russia's Tsars and Tsarinas from the eighteenth century onwards, including Peter the Great. After lunch visit the Faberge museum housing the world's largest collection of works by Carl Faberge, including nine Easter eggs commissioned by the Russian royal family. After the tour, check-in to the deluxe Grand Hotel Europe. End the evening with an optional opera or ballet at the renowned Mariinsky Theatre. Meals: B, L, Peterhof Palace, St. Petersburg 4

5 Friday, August 31 ST. PETERSBURG This morning enter the famed Hermitage Museum once home to the Russian Tsars before official working hours to avoid heavy crowds and see one of the greatest collections of art in Europe. After lunch travel to the meticulously restored Peterhof, St. Petersburg s most spectacular Imperial estate, often cited as the Versailles of Russia. Visit the authentic Bath Cottage and stroll in the vast Lower Park with 176 fountains of various forms and styles and four cascades, majestic palaces and numerous gilded statues of ancient gods and heroes. Return to St. Petersburg by hydrofoil. Meals: B, L St. Petersburg Canal Hermitage Museum Catherine s Palace Saturday, September 1 ST. PETERSBURG This morning travel to Catherine the Great s Palace, which houses the extraordinary Amber Room, its six tons of solid amber deftly carved and framed in gold leaf. Once deemed the eighth wonder of the world, the room was stripped by the Nazis in 1941, but majestically reconstructed in honor of St. Petersburg s 300th birthday. After lunch return to St. Petersburg and board a riverboat for a sail around the numerous rivers and canals of St. Petersburg. After lunch in Podvorie, a restaurant in a traditional Russian log house, on the return to St. Petersburg visit a Russia in Miniature Interactive Museum. Done with a great care and attention to detail, this very realistic model of Russia will give you a great picture of this vast country full of stereotypes, generalizations and main attractions of every region. In the evening, board a small riverboat for a sail around the numerous rivers and canals of St. Petersburg. Meals: B, L Sunday, September 2 ST. PETERSBURG Transfer to the airport for our flight to the U.S.; or as we highly recommend you may stay with us as we extend our adventures to the pleasures of Berlin. Meals: B Itinerary is subject to change. 5

6 BERLIN EXTENSION Sunday, September 2 Transfer to the airport for our morning flight from St. Petersburg to Berlin. Arrival in Berlin and transfer to the Adlon Hotel. Located near the Brandenburg Gate, it is known for its luxury, hospitality and outstanding service. Welcome dinner at the Michelin-starred restaurant Lorenz in the hotel. Monday, September 3 Today s city tour will start with a visit to the Brandenburg Gate with its vast history of Berlin and continue to Checkpoint Charlie to see what is left of the 13-foot high wall that extended to 96 miles. We will continue to the German and French cathedrals, Unter den Linden Boulevard, the Opera House, the Reichstag and much more. This evening we will attend a concert at the spectacular concert hall. Dinner after the performance. Brandenburg Gate Tuesday, September 4 Spend the day in Potsdam, a residence of the Prussian kings and the German Kaiser, until Reichstag Dome Potsdam is a picturesque city outside of Berlin, featuring some of the most extravagant palaces, fairy-tale gardens and churches. We will visit Cecilienhof where the Potsdam Conference was held in 1945, enjoy a walk in the park / gardens of Sanssouci Palace, learn about the forbidden sector of Potsdam that was used by the KGB. Visit the world-famous Pergamum Museum known for its Islamic and Middle Eastern collections. Our farewell dinner will be at the rooftop restaurant of the German Bundestag (restored Parliament building) with great views over the city of Berlin. Sanssouci Palace Wednesday, September 5 Transfer to the airport. Berlin Extension: total cost per person $2,950 single supplement $1,050. (This price does not include the airfare from St. Petersburg to Berlin). Itinerary is subject to change. 6

7 CABIN AND DECK PLAN CABIN CATEGORIES Price per Person, Double Occupancy Cabin # Price* Owner s Suite, Double Bed 300 $11,445 SUN DECK Deluxe Junior Suite, Double Bed $8,950 Superior State Room, Twin Beds , $7,145 PROMENADE DECK Deluxe Cabin, Double Bed $7,295 MAIN DECK Standard Cabin, Twin Beds $6,545 *Single Supplement 50% (Owner s Suite 100%) Rates above include Moscow and St. Petersburg package as outlined in the itinerary. 7

8 TERMS AND CONDITIONS RESERVATIONS: To reserve space, please send us the completed and signed reservation form, indicating your cabin number preference together with a 25% deposit. FINAL PAYMENT: Due no later than 120 days prior to departure. CANCELLATION POLICY: For cancellations received 120 days or more prior to departure, a full refund less a handling fee of $500 per person will be made. For cancellations received fewer than 120 days prior to departure, the cancellation fees per person are as follows: days prior to departure--50% of the total cost days or fewer prior to departure--100% of the total cost. All cancellations must be received in writing. No refunds will be made as a result of airline delays, labor or civil strife, acts of God, acts of war or other events over which we have no control. No partial refunds can be made. INSURANCE: We offer trip cancellation insurance at extra cost, which we strongly recommend. WHAT IS INCLUDED: Land arrangements in Moscow and St. Petersburg as outlined in the itinerary. Accommodations as selected on the MS Volga Dream. All meals on board, all wines and soft drinks with your meals, airport transfers if traveling with the group, all excursions and sightseeing, taxes and service charges. WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED: Air transportation, visa fees, and baggage/accident cancellation insurance. Tips to the crew on the MS Volga Dream. Items of a personal nature. 8

9 RESERVATION FORM Kindly print and complete this form and send it with your deposit to:, INC. 136 East 64th Street New York, NY Tel: (212) Fax: (212) Website: annemarievictory.com NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP HOME PHONE ( ) OTHER PHONE ( ) PLEASE INDICATE CABIN NUMBER IN ADDITION, I/WE WILL JOIN THE BERLIN EXTENSION Enclosed is my check (25% of total price) in the amount of U.S. $ payable to: The Annemarie Victory Organization If your cabin preference is sold out by the time your signed reservation request and deposit are received, you will be contacted regarding other options. I have read and understand the Terms and Conditions as set forth in this brochure, and I understand that the balance of payments will be due 150 days prior to departure. SIGNATURE DATE 9