MOSCOW (3 days) - UGLICH - YAROSLAVL - GORITSY - KIZHI - MANDROGUI

MOSCOW (3 days) - UGLICH - YAROSLAVL - GORITSY - KIZHI - MANDROGUI - SAINT PETERSBURG (4 days)

Itinerary: Moscow (3 days) – Uglich - Yaroslavl – Goritsy - Kizhi - Mandrogui - Saint Petersburg (4 days)
Dates: 31.05.22 (14:00) – 11.06.22 (09:00); 21.06.22 (14:00) – 02.07.22 (09:00); 12.07.22 (14:00) – 23.07.22 (09:00); 02.08.22 (14:00) – 13.08.22 (09:00); 23.08.22 (14:00) – 03.09.22 (09:00); 13.09.22 (14:00) – 24.09.22 (09:00)
Days/Nights: 12/11
Ship: «Nizhny Novgorod»
Class: Premium 4*
Departure place /Arrival place: Moscow / Saint-Petersburg

Day-by-Day Program

Day	Date	Parking place	Duration	Description
1	31 May 21 June 12 July 02 August 23 August 13 September Tuesday	Moscow Departure: 14:00		The ship’s crew will arrange for you welcome «bread and salt» ceremony – the old Russian tradition of meeting the guests - before the check-in. You will spend the evening getting to know your fellow travelers, sharing an exquisite dinner, which is served for you in the restaurants on board the ship. (*) In case the passengers come onboard after 14.00, the check-in can be done at any time. Kindly note, that on the embarkation day the service starts with dinner. In case the passengers arrive after 23.00 the boxed meal is provided instead of dinner. If the passengers come onboard earlier than 14.00 they can explore the ship and take a short rest in bars, on decks or other public places onboard until your cabin is ready.
2	01 June 22 June 13 July 03 August 24 August 14 September Wednesday	Moscow 00:00 - 00:00	24:00	Explore one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Get inside the renowned Kremlin to see the famous Tsar Canon and Tsar Bell and visit one of the Cathedrals. Red Square will amaze you with the grandness and the unique architecture of surrounding buildings. Use your free time to enter a colorful St. Basil’s Cathedral or a memorable department store – GUM. Main program: Kremlin Tour During the walking tour you will make a fascinating journey over the Kremlin and will see the magnificent ensemble of the ancient Cathedral Square and its famous cathedrals: you will enter the Dormition Cathedral (or the Archangel Cathedral or the Annunciation Cathedral). At Ivan Square you will meet a famous monument of the foundry art – Tsar Cannon and Tsar Bell, at Senate Square you will see the building of the Arsenal – rare monument of Moscow architecture of Peter the Great times. Additional program: Folk Show Concert, theatre performance
3	02 June 23 June 14 July 04 August 25 August 15 September Thursday	Moscow 00:00 - 17:30	17:30	You will have a wonderful opportunity to walk around Moscow on your own or go on one of the offered optional tours. We will help to choose a pastime for every taste! In the evening, we depart from Moscow. You’ll meet the ship’s crew at a delightful cocktail – a relaxing way to begin your river adventure! Main program: Sergiev Possad Tour St. Sergius Monastery or Laura in Sergiev Possad is one of a few Russia’s most important monasteries to which even the Tsars thought it honorable to make a pilgrimage on foot. The monastery territory has turned into a real museum of architecture. The picturesque complex of buildings of Trinity, which has organically blended with the lovely surrounding scenery, has been shaped in the course of several centuries. Within its walls there lived and worked medieval writers and philosophers, icon painters, carvers and jewelers. It was a major cultural center of Old Russia and the monasterical sacristy has accumulated priceless works of art donated by Moscow Grand Princes, Tsars and Boyars. Over the years of its existence, the museum has enriched the art collection by more than ten times. Now one of tourist attractions here is the market remarkable for wide choice of souvenirs made by local craftsmen, especially pieces of woodwork decorated in a variety of techniques. Additional program: Novodevichy Monastery & cemetery Bus and walking trip, religious sites. Novodevichy Convent is located in the southwest of Moscow, in a bend of the Moskva River. The Novodevichy Monastery, included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, is considered one of the oldest and most beautiful monasteries in Russia. The ensemble of the Novodevichy Monastery is an outstanding architectural monument of the XVI-XVII centuries. Novodevichy cemetery was founded at the end of the XIX century near the walls of the monastery. Subsequently, the burials of famous scientists and politicians, artists and outstanding compatriots were located here. Today it is the most famous necropolis in Moscow. Here are the graves of such figures as: Boris Yeltsin, Nikita Khrushchev, Viktor Chernomyrdin, Yevgeny Primakov, Vladimir Vernadsky, Alexander Scriabin, Sergei Prokofiev, Dmitry Shostakovich, Mikhail Bulgakov, Nikolai Gogol, Anton Chekhov, Vladimir Mayakovsky, Yuri Nikulin, Sergei Bondarchuk and others.
4	03 June 24 June 15 July 05 August 26 August 16 September Friday	Uglich 15:00 - 20:00	5:00	Uglich is a historic town in Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia, which stands on the Volga River. After spending morning enjoying the scenery from the ship’s board, arrive to the gem of Russia’s Golden Ring – a little ancient town Uglich with a brightly coloured architecture. Its Kremlin and the Church of St. Dmitry are particularly famous – the church’s fascinating history is tied to the life and death of Ivan the Terrible’s son. Main program: Walking city tour with the visit to the territory of Kremlin, Dmitry on the Blood Church, Transfiguration Cathedral Walking tour. This jewel of the Golden Ring of Russia dates back to 937 AD, and so is one of the nation’s oldest cities. Its gem-like architecture includes the gold and blue-domed Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood. This is the place to savour traditional Russian life, with a walking tour through the Kremlin and a visit to the striking Transfiguration Cathedral.
5	04 June 25 June 16 July 06 August 27 August 17 September Saturday	Yaroslavl 10:00 - 15:00	5:00	Yaroslavl is the unofficial capital of the Golden Ring of Russia and the oldest city on the Volga with a history of more than 1000 years. Discover the capital of the Golden Ring, Yaroslavl. Its architectural masterpieces, streets and green squares hold 1000 years of history. After a cocktail reception at the ex-Governor’s mansion, explore a unique beauty of the interior of the Church of St Elijah the Prophet, lavishly decorated with elegant mural painting, sophisticated woodcarving of the gilded iconostasis. Main program: Sightseeing bus tour, visit to the Church of Elijah the Prophet, free time at the market, interactive tour of the Governor's House (Art Museum) Bus and walking tour, religious sites, museums and art gallery. "Visiting the governor" Tourists will be met by the hospitable hostess of the house (guide). She will introduce the reception rooms, where the collection of Russian art of the XVIII – early XX centuries is comfortably located, will tell about the good traditions of the European secular salon. Tourists will discover the secrets of gallant courtship, the language of the fan and will have a unique opportunity to compose a floral message for their lovers. The reception ends with a dance salon.
6	05 June 26 June 17 July 07 August 28 August 18 September Sunday	Goritsy 11:00 - 15:00	4:00	Goritsy village is located in the Vologda region, on the left bank of the Sheksninsky reservoir. Today we are delighted to invite you on the tour to the Monastery of St. Cyril on the White Lake, which was one of the largest, richest and most famous monasteries in Russia in XV–XVII centuries. You’ll have a chance to walk around its territory, visit archimandrite’s chambers and worship ancient icons in the museum of icons Main program: Monastery of St.Cyril on the White Lake, museum of icons Bus and walking tour. Religious sites. The Monastery of St Cyril on the White Lake was one of the largest and most famous monasteries in Russia and was converted into a museum at the beginning of the 20th century. History tells us that one day a monk from Moscow named Cyril had a vision of a Blessed Virgin in which she told him to head north and to find a monastery. Thanks to Cyril it was not simply a monastery but it also served as a northern bastion which protected and defended the territory under Moscow’s control. Cooperating in this way with Moscow meant that the monastery not only received generous donations it also gained political influence. During the middle of the 18th century the monastery reached the zenith of its power and influence possessing 20,000 serfs 400 villages, huge amount of property and a salt mine. But greed, bad management and corruption led to its decline and fall at the end of 18th century. During the Civil War the monastery supported the White Guards in the hope of conquering the atheistic Bolsheviks. When the counterrevolution failed the monastery’s bishop was shot dead by the Red Guards. The new government placed the monastery under state control and opened a museum of Local History on its grounds in 1923. In 1969 the Soviets officially declared the monastery a museum and thus ensured that it will continue to receive financial support and undergo restoration.
7	06 June 27 June 18 July 08 August 29 August 19 September Monday	Kizhi 15:30 - 20:00	04:30	The main masterpiece and jewel of the wooden architecture of Russia, Kizhi Pogost is included in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Fund. Set foot on this unique island in the Onega Lake and begin your journey in the open-air museum of wooden architecture. The Architectural Ensemble of the Kizhi Pogost is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. The tour involves inspection of the Kizhi architectural ensemble including the chapel of the Archangel Michael, the church of the Resurrection of Lazarus, the Intercession Church and one of the peasant houses. Main program: Monastery of St.Cyril on the White Lake, museum of icons Kizhi is an island on Lake Onega in the Republic of Karelia, Russia with a beautiful ensemble of wooden churches, chapels and houses. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Russia and a World Heritage Site. The island is about 7 km long and 0.5 km wide and is washed by the Onega waters. Its elevated central part forms a ridge dividing the island into two, the wider and lower western and narrower eastern parts. It is mostly covered with meadows, a thin forest belt borders its shores; there are also marshes with willow bushes. Great elmtrees feature in the scenery. It is surrounded by about 5,000 other islands, most of which are very small—some of them are about 2x2 meters, though some are as big as 35 km long. In 1951 the island became an open-air museum of old Russian wooden architecture. Best wooden constrictions have been transferred here from nearby and distant villages. Noteworthy is St Lazarus’ Church which, according to the legend, was built by the monk Lazarus, the founder of the Murom Monastery. He died in 1391, which means that it is the oldest wooden church extant in Russia. It is very small: the nave is only 3 m long while the porch and altar part are simply tiny. Other relics of the past located here are two wooden houses, two windmills and traditional Russian bathhouses which stand on the shore.
8	07 June 28 June 19 July 09 August 30 August 20 September Tuesday	Mandrogui 11:00 - 15:30	04:30	The picturesque village of Verkhniye Mandrogui is located on the banks of the Svir River, between Lake Ladoga and Onega. In Mandrogui you will have an opportunity to enjoy a peaceful scenery and a picturesque landscape. Visit a traditional Russian village with typical wooden houses, numerous crafts exhibitions, Russian pancakes and pies houses, the Museum of Vodka (fee-paying entrance). Today’s lunch is an outdoor BBQ, where you have a chance to savor Russian shashlik (kebab). Main program: «Shashlik» in a tent ashore Inhabited by talented craftsmen, Mandrogui is a reconstructed village, built on the bank of the Svir River to illustrate the traditions and lifestyle of Russia’s past. Experience provincial Russian lifestyle, watch the artisans and craftsmen making matryoshkas (Russian nesting dolls), carving wood, sewing, and … visit the Vodka Museum, which boasts 2651 varieties of the national drink. A small village of Mandrogui is a romantic vision from the past. The village has been recently created by men of enterprise and artistic taste as tourist attractions. Their cosy log cabins designed in old Russian style attract visitors who can enjoy here the fanciful wood-carving, visit a museum of samovars, buy some souvenirs made by local craftsmen and have a good meal with Russian vodka or tea. The history of the place is not so romantic. There used to be a settlement of Veps (Karelian people). In the days of the last war it was occupied by the Germans, the population was interned never to return and the place became desolate. In the 1960s sand was obtained here but the workers left the village when the quarries were closed. Today the population is small, yet industrious and enterprising. The head of the community says there are some Veps (descendants of the natives) among them. Mandrogui means “pine-trees on the bog” in the Veps language. The local people are not cast down, they are working hard and feel hopeful about the future. Another attraction is the Museum of Vodka. This traditional alcoholic drink is made of grain. Many dishes of Russian cuisine can be washed down with vodka, like pan cakes and caviar. The museum exhibitions show the history of the drink and the process of its productions. There is a tasting bar where the visitors can taste best sorts of Russian vodka.
9	08 June 29 June 20 July 10 August 31 August 21 September Wednsday	Saint-Petersburg 08:00 - 00:00	16:00	Welcome to «the Northern capital» of Russia! During your bus city tour see celebrated sights including the Smolny convent, the Palace embankment, the Winter palace, the Spire of the Basil Island, the Bronze Horseman, buildings of the Senate and the Synod, the Nevsky prospekt. Visit the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Peter and Paul Cathedral, which served as a royal burial-vault. After lunch in city restaurant, get ready for a visit to the Summer residence of Emperor Peter the Great, the famous «Russian Versailles» sparkling with golden fountains in manicured gardens. Main program: Peterhof (lower park) Summer residence of Emperor Peter the Great, the famous «Russian Versailles» is located 36 km from St.Petersburg, at the Gulf of Finland. The focal point of the Lower is the magnificent Grand Palace. The original palace was built for Peter the Great in 1714-25 and in 1745-55 was remodeled to its present baroque glory by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the architect of the Winter Palace in downtown St. Petersburg. Despite all the damage done to the Grand Palace during WWII, its interiors have been carefully restored and are truly breathtaking. The excursion includes walking tour in the lower park enjoying the marvelous view: the Grand Cascade with the Samson fountain, Greenhouse, Roman fountains, Cascade "the Chessboard", amusement fountains (oaklet, umbrella, bench), palace Monplezire, the Gulf of Finland. Main program: St.Petersburg by night The tour St.Petersburg by night lasts from 11.30 pm till 2.00 a.m. St.Petersburg at night is as attractive as during the day. One of the most remarkable features of St.Petersburg is drawbridges, therefore the main aim of the tour St.Petersburg by night is observing the unique bridges. You will also be able to admire the griphons behind the Kazan cathedral, sphinxes, lions by the Admiralty. After the bridges start to be drawn the buses start going back to the pier, from the center of the city. That allows the guest enjoy the view of many drawbrigdes, as they are drawn one by one, the first being in the center of the city. The tour won't leave you indifferent.
10	09 June 30 June 21 July 11 August 01 September 22 September Thursday	Saint-Petersburg 00:00 - 00:00	24:00	Start your day with a visit to Hermitage museum. After lunch aboard spend your time on a Rivers and Canals tour or enjoy one of the most famous classical ballets (please contact the onboard staff to book these tours on board). Main program: Hermitage museum visit Winter Palace is the former residence of Russian emperors and now it is a suite of halls with the exhibition of the Hermitage treasures. After going up the Ambassador (Jordan) staircase and going through the ceremonial halls (the Field Marshal Hall, the Small Throne Hall of Peter the Great, the Armorial Hall), we get to the Military Gallery. The Military Gallery of 1812 was set in honor of the Russian victory over Napoleon. There are hundreds of portraits of famous Russian generals– the participants of the wars. Then there is the Great Throne (St. George) Hall, from which you can enter the Small Hermitage. In the Small Hermitage there are works of art of the 18th century. The special place of interest there is the extraordinary clock watch made in Great Britain in the 1770s; it still works and appears to be the only big automatic device of the 18th century. Also while the tour you will see the collections of Italian (Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Titian), Spanish (Ribera, Velazquez, El Greco, Murillo), French (Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso) and Dutch (Rembrandt) art. Main program: Rivers and canals tour St.Petersburg is famous for its numerous rivers and canals, as well as the bridges that span the magnificent palaces and churches on the banks. The bridges and the embankments are beautifully decorated with iron cast fences, lanterns and sculptures. You will enjoy the different perspective of St.Petersburg.
11	10 June 01 July 22 July 12 August 02 September 23 September Friday	Saint-Petersburg 00:00 - 00:00	24:00	Today we offer you a huge variety of optional tours: a visit of Pushkin and Pavlovsk cities with its wonderful palaces and parks, a Folk Cossack show or the Yusupov Palace – a place where the mysterious monk Grigory Rasputin was assassinated. Feel free to choose! Main program: Saint Isaac's Cathedral + Church of the Savior on Blood This excursion involves a visit to two unique architectural monuments. St. Isaac's Cathedral is the largest Orthodox Cathedral in St. Petersburg, one of the main symbols of the Northern capital. Made in the style of classicism, the cathedral is striking in its scale - its height is 101.5 meters. The building is decorated with 112 monolithic granite columns of various sizes. Church of the Savior on Blood is a memorial temple erected in the place where, as a result of the assassination, Emperor Alexander II was mortally wounded. The magnificent cathedral is made in the "Russian style", vaguely reminiscent of St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow.
12	11 June 02 July 23 July 13 August 03 September 24 September Saturday	Saint-Petersburg Check-out from 09:00		After a relaxing breakfast onboard, you’ll disembark from the Nizhny Novgorod. We hope you’ve had a wonderful journey on board with us, and we hope to see you again soon! (*) As for the disembarkation day, please be aware that check-out is to be done at 9.00 after the breakfast. Since this moment the passengers can expect for the transfer in bars, on decks or other public places onboard.

Attention! Moscow time is indicated.

The traffic schedule may be adjusted due to weather conditions, the instructions of dispatching services and other factors affecting the movement of the vessel.

Cruise price includes:

Accommodation in the booked stateroom category
Full board in the onboard restaurants:

Breakfast: buffet, water, tea/coffee (espresso and capuccino)
Lunch and dinner: served to the table, unlimited house wine (white, red, sparkling), beer, water

Water in staterooms
Coffee station available onboard
Excursion program
Headphones for the entire excursion programme
Entertainment program on board during the cruise
Onboard guides speaking English / French / German / Spanish / Italian
Visa support letter

Cruise price doesn't include:

Optional tours
Tipping and gratuities
Room-service
Hairdresser, sauna, massage, etc.;
Onboard purchases
Sports equipment rental