
Astrakhan to St. Petersburg
19 days – 18 nights
Day by Day

Airport transfer / Check-in aboard MS Volga Dream

Volga dream experience: Bread, Salt & Vodka Welcome Aboard Ceremony
Meals: Dinner

Visit a midieval city fortress / Black caviar degustation / Concert in a local Conservatory

Volga dream experience: Concert in a local Conservatory
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day of leisure

Our guest speaker presents an entertaining and informative lecture on the history and traditions of the places we pass.
Volga dream experience: Barbeque on the Sun Deck
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Mamayev Hill / Battle of Stalingrad Panorama Museum

Originally named as Tsaritsyn, this fortified city was used to defend the unstable southern border of the Tsardom of Russia from 1589.
Becoming the site of many epic battles during the Russian Revolution, the city was later renamed Stalingrad and was known as such between 1925 and 1961. This was done to commemorate Stalin's role in the successful defence against the White Movement.
The city is however, most famous for the people’s heroic defence of the area during World War II - which was eventually destined to become the place of a decisive battle on the eastern front.
During our stop in Volgograd, we will visit the imposing memorial on Mamayev Hill - which saw the bloodiest fighting of the war, and also pay a visit to the Battle of Stalingrad Panorama Museum.
Volga dream experience: Costumed Russian Tea Ceremony & Russian Cooking Class
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

City tour / Radishev State Art Museum

Volga dream experience: Piano Concert – pieces by Tchaikovsky and Rakhmaninov
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

City tour / Space Museum / Samara State Art Museum

We begin our stop in Samara with a city tour, which includes a visit to the space museum. Then relax as we stroll along the Volga esplanade towards the Samara State Art Museum.
Volga dream experience: Russian Dinner with Vodka Tasting
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

City tour / Kazan Kremlin / Kul-Sherif Mosque / Concert of traditional Tatar music

We will leave the Volga Dream for a while to explore Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan and the cultural centre of Volga Tatars. The white-walled Kazan Kremlin is where the famous Kul-Sharif mosque stands side by side with the ancient Peter and Paul Cathedral. Later in the day, a local ensemble will delight us with a concert of traditional Tatar music.
Volga dream experience: -
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

City tour / XVIth-century Kremlin / Folk concert

Volga dream experience: -
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leisure Day

Our guest speaker presents an entertaining and informative lecture on the history and traditions of the places we pass.
Volga dream experience: -
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

City Tour / Governor’s house

Volga dream experience: -
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Town of Uglich / Church of St. Dmitri-on-the-Blood

Volga dream experience: -
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tverskaya Street, Lubyanka Square, Kremlin embankment, Cathedral of Christ the Savior , Novodevichy Cemetery, Novodevichy convent & Moscow Metro Tour.

The orientation tour includes the magnificent Red Square and its famous landmarks. We drive by the Cathedral of Christ the Savior — one of Russia's most important cathedrals, demolished in the time of Stalin and fully restored in 1990.
Then we head for the famous Novodevichy Cemetery — the nation’s honored ground and final resting place for Russia's most renowned and influential people throughout history. Among them are noted Russian authors, musicians, playwrights and poets alongside famous actors, political leaders and scientists.
The tour continues in the spectacular Moscow Metro, famed for its architectural splendour. One of the USSR’s most pioneering projects – the Metro houses designs, statues and elements from Soviet Russia, and is truly akin to stepping back in time. A must-see during your visit to Moscow, and a tourist attraction in itself.
Late afternoon check-in at the five-star Ararat Park Hyatt Hotel ***** for two nights.
Volga dream experience: -
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

the Kremlin complex, Assumption and Archangel Cathedrals, the Armory, Red Square walking tour, St. Basil’s Cathedral, GUM Department Store and Tretyakov gallery

You will then proceed with a tour of The Armory Museum. This famous museum hosts an impressive collection of opulent coronation finery, hand-forged Armor and ancient weapons, royal carriages and sleighs. Next are the magnificent Red Square and its famous landmarks — notably the iconic St. Basil's cathedral (outside), a colourful multi-domed complex whose architects were supposedly blinded by Ivan the Terrible so that they would never again be able to recreate such splendour.
After a delicious lunch in one of our personal favourite restaurants, you will visit the Tretyakov Art Gallery — an extensive museum complex that houses the largest collection of Russian fine art – with examples from medieval icons to 19th Century “Golden Age” masterpieces. The gallery was established in 1856 and is now frequented by over a million visitors per year.
The rest of the day is left open for independent city touring. We recommend that you take a stroll to the new Zaryadye Park - walking distance from the Red Square.
Stay the night at the five-star Ararat Park Hyatt Hotel *****
Volga dream experience: -
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Holy Trinity Lavra, Transfer to Uglich

On the journey, we will take a stop at the charming ancient town of Sergiev Posad to go on a special guided city tour. The excursion is provided by one of the local monks who serve in the famous city monastery. On the tour you will visit the spiritual centre of the Russian Orthodox Church - the Holy Trinity Lavra of St.Sergius and its many architectural wonders, including the majestic Trinity Cathedral and unique Dukhovskaya church. Being protected by UNESCO, the Holy Trinity Lavra of St.Sergius and its cathedrals will impress with their immaculate and carefully preserved decorations and fascinating history.
After completing the tour of Sergiev Posad, we will continue our bus journey to Uglich to board MS Volga Dream. Once onboard, enjoy a delicious dinner as we continue onward to our next destination
Volga dream experience: -
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Alternative sightseeing for repeated visitors

Volga dream experience: -
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery

Volga dream experience: Barbeque on the open deck
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Kizhi Island / Lake Onega

Volga dream experience: Russian Dinner with Vodka Tasting
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Svirstroy village / Local resident’s home / Local primary school

Volga dream experience: Farewell dinner
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Check-out / Airport transfer

Volga dream experience: -
Meals: Breakfast
Pricing
The rates are set for a cruising season. The price is not dependent on the month within a selected year
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All prices are per person based on double occupancy.
All rates are per person, based on double occupancy.
Actual size of cabins can slightly differ within one category.