Itinerary

On arrival at Moscow airport, our driver will be waiting with a Go Russia sign ready to transfer you to the ship.

The approach to Uglich from the Volga River is one of the most beautiful we'll see on this cruise. Founded in 1148, this pretty provincial town is dominated by the Cathedral of the Resurrection and St. John's Church. We'll also visit the Kremlin, amongst the oldest buildings in town and the place where the seventh wife of Ivan the Terrible lived in exile in the 16th century.

Historic Kostroma is located where the Kostroma River joins the Volga, part of the famous Golden Ring around Moscow. It's the site of the Ipatievskiy Monastery where we will visit today, founded in the latter part of the 18th Century. We'll also go and see its interesting open air museum featuring myriad forms of wooden architecture from windmills to bath houses, churches to watermills brought from around the region.

Colloquially known as Nizhny, the fifth largest city in Russia is today's destination. It occupies a commanding position with views of both the Volga and the Oka Rivers. We'll tour its ancient Kremlin and take a stroll along the pleasant pedestrian promenade before reboarding the ship.

Kazan is the stop on today's itinerary, the centre of Tatar culture. Referred to as the Pearl of the Central Volga region, it dates from the 13th Century when it was founded by the Mongols. Later, it became the capital of the Khanate of Kazan, falling to the Russians under Ivan the Terrible in the 16th Century. This chequered history gives Kazan a unique blend of Muslim and Christian culture. We shall have an excursion to the city's Kremlin.

Ulianovsk was called Simbirsk back in 1870 when Lenin was born. He lived in homes in this town until 1887 which exist today for us to pay a visit. Lenin's real name was Vladimir Ulyanov, and in 1924, the town honoured its visionary former resident by changing its name.

Samara, where we'll enjoy a city tour today, is one of the largest cities in Russia and dates from the 14th Century. Renamed Kuybyshev in 1935, the city holds the distinction of being the place chosen to replace Moscow as the Soviet capital should the latter have fallen to the Nazis. Later, it became the base for the growing defense industry and as the number of such factories increased, so Kuybyshev became a closed city just like Saratov.

City Tour around Saratov

The boat docks in Volgograd, an honorary title bestowed for outstanding heroism in World War Two from this city, formerly known as Tsaritsyn and then Stalingrad. This is the site of the Battle of Stalingrad. Heavy German bombardment over two hundred days reduced the city to rubble. The casualties on both sides are estimated to be between one and two million, illustrating the ferocity of fighting. During our city tour, we will make a guided visit to Mamaev Kurgan and the Statue of The Motherland Calls.

We'll continue to sail along the Volga today, giving youths perfect excuse to sit back and relax as the scenery comes to you.

Disembarking the ship, today's sightseeing programme comprises a city tour of Astrakhan. First mentioned in the 13th Century, it was sacked by Ivan the Terrible and rebuilt as the modern city that has evolved into the one you see today, trading on the production of caviar.

We have a free day today enjoying the beautiful scenery from the ship as we cruise along the Volga River. Sit back and relax as you enjoy your surroundings.

Back in Volgograd, you'll have time on your own to explore the city. Alternatively there is the possibility of an optional excursion to the Military Cemetery in Rossoshki.

We'll continue to sail along the Volga today, giving youths perfect excuse to sit back and relax as the scenery comes to you.

Today we arrive into former Cossack stronghold and main area on River Don. Founded in 1593 Starocherkassk was Don Cossacks capital for two centuries. In its heyday in 18th century, Cherkassk was a busy city with a strong fortress. Since the 14th century the vast steppe of the Don region was populated by those people who were not satisfied with the existing social order, by those who did not recognize the power of the land-owners, by those who longed for freedom. The runaway serfs, paupers and other society’s lower class united community and were called "the Cossacks".

Our driver will meet you with a Go Russia sign board at the ship ready for your airport transfer.