RUSSIAN RIVER CRUISING - 2 FOR 1 OFFER! - LAST CHANCE R Travel on-board the river cruiser MS M.Rostropovich along the rivers, lakes and canals of Russia, between St Petersburg and Moscow. This is undoubtedly one of the best ways to view the fascinating sights of these two great cities and to discover the spectacular interiors of Russia. Ship Information This 5-star ship cruising the Russian waterways has been recently refurbished and offers guests an unmatched level of luxury, service, amenities and inclusions on these voyages. See Russia's greatest museums, landmarks and experience Russian life and culture on this incredible river cruise with extensive value inclusions. Book before 30 Apr 2015 to take advantage of this 2-for-1 offer. Hurry, places are selling fast! To order or download a brochure please click here PACKAGE INCLUDES 20 meals - Buffet Style breakfast and lunch / Thematic dinners with one glass of house wine Coffee Station 8 guided excursions Onboard English speaking attendants during the cruise Daily international entertainment on board: concerts, lessons, master classes, movies, welcome bread Luggage handling onboard the ship Visa Support Letter PACKAGE DETAILS ITINERARY Day 1 Arrive Moscow Arrive in Moscow. Make your own way to North River Terminal to embark M. Rostropovich, your home for the next 7 nights on our Russian River Cruise. Upon arrival there will be a welcome bread and salt ceremony and an information briefing on board. Enjoy your first evening aboard with dinner and entertainment in the bars. (D)
Day 2 Moscow After breakfast on board, begin your discovery of the capital city of Russia. Today join a panoramic city tour to see some of the iconic sights such as Red Square with St Basil s cathedral and the famous red brick walls of the Kremlin. Enjoy lunch in a city centre restaurant and continue to your afternoon exploration of the Kremlin the former residence of the Russian Tsars, discover the huge Tsar s Cannon and Bell and visit one of the magnificent cathedrals housed within Cathedral Square. Return to the MS Rostropovich for the Captain s Welcome Cocktail, dinner and entertainment in the bars. (BLD) Day 3 Moscow - Uglich After breakfast and morning entertainment on board the MS Rostropovich, your day will include a visit to the town of Uglich on the Volga River, first documented in 1148. The town s historical significance is due to the suspicious death of Dmitry Ivanov, son of Ivan the Terrible. Dmitry was exiled to Uglich after his father s death in 1584 but was found dead in questionable circumstances seven years later. The Church of St Dmitryon the Blood, built in his memory in 1690 on the spot where Dmitry had been murdered, it appears on the horizon with its red walls and blue domes as the ship sails north on the Volga. In the evening, enjoy a Ukrainian dinner and entertainment on board. (BLD) Day 4 Uglich - Goritsy After breakfast and morning entertainment on board the ship, arrival and disembark for a shore excursion to Goritsy, a tiny village settlement on the edge of the White Lake, home to the Resurrection Convent, standing at the shoreline. The main attractions in Goritsy are the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery and the Goritsy Nunnery. The Monastery of St. Cyril was founded in 1397 and is an impressive ensemble of priories, churches and historical references. The Goritsy Nunnery is much smaller than the Monastery and was founded later in 1544. Evening Russian style dinner and entertainment on board ship. (BLD)
Day 5 Goritsy - Kizhi After breakfast and morning entertainment on board, disembark to visit the Island of Kizhi located in Lake Onega. The island of Kizhi is home to the open-air museum of fascinating wooden architecture. Walking on the island, you can see old wooden churches, chapels, bell towers, peasant houses, granaries, barns, windmills, bathhouses which were all brought from around the Onega region to illustrate the architecture common to the Russian North.The focal point, referred to as the Kizhi Ensemble, comprises the aweinspiring 22-domed Transfiguration Cathedral (1714), the neighboring Church of Intercession (1774) and the bell tower between the two. Another significant structure is the modest Chapel of the Resurrection of Lazarus. Built in 1391, it is the oldest standing wooden church in Russia. The Island has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the highlight of any Russian river cruise. Return to the boat for a pirate themed dinner, followed by entertainment on board. (BLD) Day 6 Kizhi - Mandrogui Breakfast and the Captain s Farewell dinner are served on board today with a traditional Russian BBQ lunch taken in the historical village of Mandrogui, located to the north of St Petersburg on the shores of the River Svir. The village is a representation of traditional Russian life with wooden buildings, a vodka museum and craft centre. Visitors can also see local recipes being made, watch the artisans and craftsmen making matryoshkas (Russian nesting dolls) and visit the farms which are tended by the local villagers. Relax and enjoy your evening on board with the ship s Gala Concert. (BLD)
Day 7 Mandrogui - St Petersburg After breakfast on board, prepare to explore the wonderful city of St Petersburg on our panoramic city tour. The tour by coach will take in some of the most famous sights including the Exchange, Palace Square and the magnificent Winter Palace, St Isaac s Cathedral, Cathedral of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood and Nevsky Prospekt, the city s main thoroughfare. Included is a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress and also the world-renowned Hermitage museum. A magnificent collection of art is housed in the winter palace of Catherine the Great. One of the biggest museums in the world and founded in 1764, its collection includes over 2.7 million items, including masterpieces of Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, Rodin, Rembrandt, Rubens and the French impressionists. Take a chance to go for a stroll in the kingdom of fountains, that used to be a luxurious summer residence called Peterhof. Return to the ship for dinner on board. (BLD)
Day 8 St Petersburg Enjoy your final breakfast at leisure on board ship prior to disembarktion where your cruise concludes at the port in St Petersburg.(B)