M/S Nizhny Novgorod Cruise from Moscow to Astrakhan 13 days, 11 nights from 1425

Transcription

1 M/S Nizhny Novgorod Cruise from Moscow to Astrakhan 13 days, 11 nights from 1425 This 13 day cruise along Russia's longest river, the Volga, and the Don, is the perfect way to explore Russia's beauty. Leaving Moscow, you will sail through stunning landscapes and alight to explore the architecture and history of charming remote towns and cities. The Route

2 Your Itinerary DAY 1, ARRIVE IN MOSCOW FOR YOUR RUSSIAN RIVER CRUISE Welcome to the gorgeous capital of Russia - Moscow! Upon arrival your driver meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel. Optional: Dinner (pre-order) DAY 2, MOSCOW Today you have a 4-hour panoramic bus city tour around the most interesting Moscow sights, including Tverskaya street, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Historical Museum, GUM and Red Square (free time). After lunch at the city restaurant you have a guided tour to the Kremlin territory and visit one of its Cathedrals. After the tour you will visit the world-famous Tretyakov Gallery. Optional evening activity: Moscow by night city tour with a metro ride. DAY 3, MOSCOW, ZUZDAL, NIZHNY NOVGOROD Today you start your day by departing to Nizhny Novgorod by bus. On the way you will make a stop in Suzdal for lunch and an orientation city tour. Suzdal is one of the most popular destinations on the Golden Ring and the whole city is an open-air museum. You will explore trade rows and trade squade, Alexandrovsky monastery (inside visit), Intercession convent (inside visit), Kremlevskaya Street, Kremlin of Suzdal (territory and architecture), observation platforma and the Ilyinsky meadow. Your bus will then take you on to Nizhny Novgorod where the ship's crew will welcome you aboard with a cocktail reception and dinner. DAY 4, NIZNHY NOVGOROD At the confluence of the Oka and the Volga Rivers, Nizhny Novgorod (formerly named Gorky), founded in 1221, is the 3rd largest city of Russia is located. Although it dates back to the 13th century, the majority of its most interesting sights are from later periods. The first and foremost among these is the city s great, brooding Kremlin, built during the 16th century. Today Nizhny Novgorod is a large river port, trade and cultural centre. After the bus city tour you will visit Kremlin grounds. Optional: art museum. DAY 5, GORODETS After breakfast you depart for a little tour of Gorodets, small town, famous for it's samovar museum. If you are interested in history then both the samovars and the building (late 19th century) in which the museum is housed is well worth a visit. You will return to your ship for lunch. After Captain's Welcome Cocktail you will sail for Cheboksary. DAY 6, CHEBOKSARY The capital of the Chuvash republic in the Volga region, Cheboksary was founded in the middle of the 15th century. The city is full of ancient churches and monasteries. Optionals: Beer Museum + tasting, Ioshkar-Ola city tour.

3 DAY 7, KAZAN The capital of the Tatar Autonomous Republic (Tatarstan) is often called the Pearl of the Central Volga Region. Founded in the 13th century by the Mongols, who at that time occupied Russia, it served as the seat of the mighty Golden Horde or Tatar Empire. Presently, it is the city of 1 million inhabitants (half Russian, half Tatar) and absolutely charming with a unique blend of the Muslim and Christian cultures. Kazan is the birthplace of the Russian opera singer Fyodor Chaliapin and of the great ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev. DAY 8, SAMARA The history of today's 1.5-million resident city dates back to the 16th century. Founded in 1586 as a fortress to guard Russian lands against relentless nomadic forays. Samara was but a far-flung peripheral settlement until 1851 when the city became the center of the newly formed Samara gubernia (region).vibrant development of the city began in the second half of the 19th century with the construction of stonework mansions, banks, public buildings and industrial facilities. Most of them still stagger with the diversity of architectural styles and the elegance of shapes. It was then that Samara received its theaters, museums and the public library. Optional: Stulin Bunker. DAY 9, SARATOV Founded in 1590 by the Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible, Saratov is the boyhood home of Yuri Gagarin, the world's first cosmonaut. Enjoy the landmarks of the city - the 17thcenturyTrinity Cathedral, built in Moscow baroque style, the greenery of "Lime Tree Park" where one avenue was reserved for boys and the other for girls, the calm pedestrian Kirov street, lined with elms. A city of almost 900,000 inhabitants, Saratov is very lively and the atmosphere there is cheerful. Optional: Master-class of matryoshka painting DAY 10, VOLGOGRAD First called Tsaritsyn, then renamed Stalingrad and eventually Volgograd, the city has a unique geographic location on the crossroads of land and waterways which link together Europe and Asia. It was established in the 16th century to defend the strategic point where the Volga and Don rivers meet. Volgograd acquired its sinister notoriety during World War II at the time of the Battle of Stalingrad (winter of 1942) which was the turning point for the Russian resistance to Hitler, and for the war as a whole. Mamayev Hill, the site of the battle's fiercest fighting is now a memorial dominated by a 70-m (239-ft) statue of Russia the Motherland wielding a sword. Optional: 'Panoramic museum Stalingrad Battle'. DAY 11, ON BOARD Sit back and enjoy the onboard entertainment as you cruise towards the city if Astrakhan.

4 DAY 12, ASTRAKHAN From Moscow to Astrakhan 3000 km. With the completion of the impressive Moscow- Volga Canal in 1937, the capital was finally linked to the great system of waterways that runs from St. Petersburg on the Gulf of Finland all the way to Astrakhan on the Caspian Sea. As a result, it is possible today to follow the entire trade route along the Volga, from Moscow all the way to Astrakhan, the ancient capital of the Tatars. While cruising you will sail along almost the entire length of the Volga River to the edge of the Caspian Sea. Optional: Art Gallery, Volga Delta. DAY 13, ASTRAKHAN After breakfast you disembark your ship and your driver transfers you to the airport for your flight back home. ASTRAKHAN TO MOSCOW DAY 1, ASTRAKHAN On arrival, your driver will take you to the ship where you'll be welcomed with a social cocktail reception. DAY 2, ASTRAKHAN From Moscow to Astrakhan 3000 km. With the completion of the impressive Moscow- Volga Canal in 1937, the capital was finally linked to the great system of waterways that runs from St. Petersburg on the Gulf of Finland all the way to Astrakhan on the Caspian Sea. As a result, it is possible today to follow the entire trade route along the Volga, from Moscow all the way to Astrakhan, the ancient capital of the Tatars. While cruising you will sail along almost the entire length of the Volga River to the edge of the Caspian Sea. Optional: Art Gallery. DAY 3, ON BOARD Sit back and enjoy the onboard entertainment as you cruise towards the city of Volgograd. DAY 4, VOLGOGRAD First called Tsaritsyn, then renamed Stalingrad and eventually Volgograd, the city has a unique geographic location on the crossroads of land and waterways which link together Europe and Asia. It was established in the 16th century to defend the strategic point where the Volga and Don rivers meet. Volgograd acquired its sinister notoriety during World War II at the time of the Battle of Stalingrad (winter of 1942) which was the turning point for the Russian resistance to Hitler, and for the war as a whole. Mamayev Hill, the site

5 of the battle's fiercest fighting is now a memorial dominated by a 70-m (239-ft) statue of Russia the Motherland wielding a sword. Optional: 'Panoramic museum Stalingrad Battle'. DAY 5, SARATOV Founded in 1590 by the Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible, Saratov is the boyhood home of Yuri Gagarin, the world's first cosmonaut. Enjoy the landmarks of the city - the 17thcenturyTrinity Cathedral, built in Moscow baroque style, the greenery of "Lime Tree Park" where one avenue was reserved for boys and the other for girls, the calm pedestrian Kirov street, lined with elms. A city of almost 900,000 inhabitants, Saratov is very lively and the atmosphere there is cheerful. Optional: Master-class of matryoshka painting DAY 6, SAMARA The history of today's 1.5-million resident city dates back to the 16th century. Founded in 1586 as a fortress to guard Russian lands against relentless nomadic forays. Samara was but a far-flung peripheral settlement until 1851 when the city became the center of the newly formed Samara gubernia (region).vibrant development of the city began in the second half of the 19th century with the construction of stonework mansions, banks, public buildings and industrial facilities. Most of them still stagger with the diversity of architectural styles and the elegance of shapes. It was then that Samara received its theaters, museums and the public library. Optional: Stulin Bunker. DAY 7, KAZAN The capital of the Tatar Autonomous Republic (Tatarstan) is often called the Pearl of the Central Volga Region. Founded in the 13th century by the Mongols, who at that time occupied Russia, it served as the seat of the mighty Golden Horde or Tatar Empire. Presently, it is the city of 1 million inhabitants (half Russian, half Tatar) and absolutely charming with a unique blend of the Muslim and Christian cultures. Kazan is the birthplace of the Russian opera singer Fyodor Chaliapin and of the great ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev. DAY 8, CHEBOKSARY The history of today's 1.5-million resident city dates back to the 16th century. Founded in 1586 as a fortress to guard Russian lands against relentless nomadic forays. Samara was but a far-flung peripheral settlement until 1851 when the city became the center of the newly formed Samara gubernia (region).vibrant development of the city began in the second half of the 19th century with the construction of stonework mansions, banks, public buildings and industrial facilities. Most of them still stagger with the diversity of architectural styles and the elegance of shapes. It was then that Samara received its theaters, museums and the public library. Optional: Stulin Bunker.

6 DAY 9, NIZNHY NOVGOROD At the confluence of the Oka and the Volga Rivers, Nizhny Novgorod (formerly named Gorky), founded in 1221, is the 3rd largest city of Russia is located. Although it dates back to the 13th century, the majority of its most interesting sights are from later periods. The first and foremost among these is the city s great, brooding Kremlin, built during the 16th century. Today Nizhny Novgorod is a large river port, trade and cultural centre. After the bus city tour you will visit Kremlin grounds. Optional: art museum. DAY 10, GORODETS After breakfast you depart for a little tour of Gorodets, small town, famous for it's samovar museum. If you are interested in history then both the samovars and the building (late 19th century) in which the museum is housed is well worth a visit. You will return to your ship for lunch. Optional: Museum of Christmas tree ornaments. DAY 11, NIZNHY NOVGOROD, SUZDAL Today you start your day by departing to Suzdal by bus. Suzdal is one of the most popular destinations on the Golden Ring and the whole city is an open-air museum. You will explore trade rows and trade squade, Alexandrovsky monastery (inside visit), Intercession convent (inside visit), Kremlevskaya Street, Kremlin of Suzdal (territory and architecture), observation platforma and the Ilyinsky meadow. Your bus will then take you on to Moscow. On arrival you will check in to your hotel. DAY 12, MOSCOW Today you have a 4-hour panoramic bus city tour around the most interesting Moscow sights, including Tverskaya street, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Historical Museum, GUM and Red Square (free time). After lunch at the city restaurant you have a guided tour to the Kremlin territory and visit one of its Cathedrals. After the tour you will visit the world-famous Tretyakov Gallery. Optional evening activity: Moscow by night city tour with a metro ride. DAY 13, MOSCOW After breakfast you disembark your ship and your driver transfers you to the airport for your flight back home. If you wish, extra days in Moscow can be arranged. Get in touch with our destination managers for a quote.

7 M/S Nizhny Novgorod 3* Motorship Nizhny Novgorod is a comfortable four-deck vessel (type 301). Built in Germany in 1977, refurbished in 2011, the motorship is equipped with modern navigational facilities and exceeds the speed of 26 km per hour (around 17MpH). Length 125 m, Width - 16, 7 m, Immersion - 2, 8 m, Passenger capacity 237 (triple cabins for double accommodation). Vessel features: Restaurant bar Fitness Centre Conference hall Sauna Souvenir store Reading lounge Solarium Restaurant Medical room Coffee bar Panorama bar

8 SUITE 2 room cabin with separate bedroom and lounge area, around 30 square meters, equipped with private facilities, heating and ventilation system, 220 volt sockets, radio, 4 large opening scenic windows. Lounge area is furnished in a stylish way with a roomy wardrobe, occasional table, cushioned furniture, TV/video, refrigerator. Bedroom is furnished with a king-size bed, a wardrobe and a console-mirror. Suite can accommodate up to 3 people. Extra bed type sofa-bed. SINGLE One-bed outside cabin with a large opening scenic window, around 8 square metres in size, equipped with private facilities, heating and ventilation system, refrigerator, wardrobe, consolemirror, 220 volt socket, radio. Cabin is furnished in a practical style.

9 TWIN Two-bed outside single-staged cabin with a large opening scenic window, equipped with private facilities, heating and ventilation system, refrigerator, wardrobe, console-mirror, 220 volt socket, radio. Cabin is furnished in a practical style. Triple Three-bed single-staged cabin with two non-opening portholes, around 11 square meters in size, equipped with private facilities, heating and ventilation system, refrigerator, wardrobe, consolemirror, 220 volt socket, radio. Cabin is furnished in a practical style. Can be used for double accommodation as one of the beds is a foldaway bed.

10 M/S NIZNHY NOVGOROD 2017 Departures From 1425 per person, please click to book Moscow to Astrakhan 14 Sept - 26 Sept 2017 (13 days) Astrakhan to Moscow 26 Sept - 08 Oct 2017 (13 days) Booking Conditions All Packages Include: Guaranteed accommodation according to your reservation Guaranteed accommodation according to your reservation 1 transfer to the port and 1 transfer from the port only on embarkation/disembarkation days Luggage handling in river ports and on board the ship English/French/German/Spanish/Italian speaking board guides; services of guides speaking other foreign languages can be provided at additional cost On board entertainment including Russian language course and Russian songs lessons, live music concerts, dancing music in bars nightly, Captain s bridge tour, etc Excursion program detailed in the cruise itinerary (optional tours are available onboard) Use of cabin safe Visa support letter Full visa support Excluded from the price International flights Travel insurance Optional excursions (available on board) Gratuities Personal spendings Visa fees paid directly to the Consulate Please note that 10% non-refundable deposit is paid on this tour The full balance has to be paid 10 weeks prior to departure. You can pay via bank transfer, debit/credit card (addition fee may be applied) or cheque