ITINERARY (Prague to Budapest)

Day 1. Moscow – Embark.
CRUISE FROM MOSCOW TO ST. PETERSBURG. Upon arrival in Russia’s capital Moscow, board the elegant ms Tolstoy, your floating hotel for the next 12 nights. Enjoy the balance of the day at your leisure for you to get acquainted with the ship or start exploring on your own.

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Day 2. Moscow City Tour and Tretyakov Gallery.
Centred on the Kremlin, Moscow’s layout is marked by concentric rings, which chronicle the stages of the city’s growth. This morning’s tour includes the Red Square, St. Basil’s, the Lenin Hills and more of the city’s most famous sights. Later we take a ride on the Moscow Metro, where each station is a living museum of mosaics, marble statuary and crystal chandeliers. In the afternoon visit the Tretyakov Art Gallery, featuring the world’s best collection of Russian icons and pre-revolutionary Russian art. Tonight you may wish to attend an optional performance of the Moscow Circus or discover Moscow by Night.

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Day 3. Moscow, Kremlin and Armory.
Moscow has been Russia’s capital since the 15th century and at its centre is the enduring Kremlin. We visit the fortified enclosure with its distinctive red brick walls and tall towers and see the many gilded onion-domed cathedrals and palaces inside. A tour of the Armory features its spectacular and priceless collection of royal treasures including the jewels, crowns, thrones and royal armour of the Russian czars. The afternoon is free or perhaps stroll along pedestrian-only Arbat Street or visit GUM department store, a maze of imported and Russian goods. Tonight we bid farewell to Moscow. As we head for the Volga River, join the captain for a welcome reception and dinner to mark the beginning of your Russian Waterways cruise.

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Day 4. Cruising Volga River – Uglich.
GOLDEN RING CITIES. The scenic Volga, Europe’s longest river and Russia’s main artery, flows past medieval villages known as the ’Golden Ring’ cities, a world away from modern Moscow. As the ship approaches Uglich, one of the oldest and most beloved towns in Russia, we enjoy the lovely view of the town and its cathedral. It was here in Uglich that Ivan the Terrible’s son, Dmitry, was murdered in 1591 at the age of nine. Disembark for a city tour and explore the Transfiguration Cathedral and the Church of St.-Dmitry-on-the-Blood. After our tour, a special treat awaits: a home-hosted dinner at one of the local families. Meet and dine with the Russians in their own homes and make sure you taste the local home brew!

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Day 5. Kostroma.
Arrive in Kostroma, a cultural and commercial centre on the banks of the Volga, surrounded by rolling hills and forests. Founded in 1152, Kostroma played an important role in Russia’s history, which accounts for the art heritage that can still be found here today. Enjoy a city tour including the Ipatiev Monastery with its white walls and golden cupolas, founded in the 13th century. Kostroma is the only Russian city that has retained its original 18th-century street plan, with the main streets radiating from the centre like the spokes of a wheel.

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Day 6. Yaroslavl.
Go ashore at Yaroslavl, founded in the 11th century by Grand Prince Yaroslav the Wise of Kiev. A great mercantile centre during the 17th century, Yaroslavl was home to one-sixth of Russia’s wealthiest merchant families. Several buildings rank among the world’s greatest architecture. On our city tour, see the Transfiguration Monastery complex and the Church of Elijah the Prophet with its famous 13th-century fresco paintings, then continue cruising along the Volga.

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Day 7. Cruising White Lake – Goritsy.
We sail upriver into White Lake and stop at the little village of Goritsy with its relaxing and rural atmosphere. Our tour of the city includes the Monastery of St. Cyril on the White Lake and the Museum of Icons. Relax on deck as we make our way through the Volga-Baltic Canal, connecting the Baltic Sea with the Volga River via rivers, lakes and canals.

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Day 8. Lake Onega – Kizhi Island.
EUROPE’S LARGEST LAKES & KIZHI ISLAND. Cruise through Lake Onega before reaching Kizhi Island, one of the highlights of your cruise. Explore the open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture and marvel at two of the few remaining original wooden churches in Russia: the Church of the Transfiguration - with its walls and 22 aspen cupolas, constructed entirely without nails - and the adjacent Church of the Intercession.

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Day 9. Svir River – Mandrogi – Lake Ladoga.
Our ship follows the Svir River, which connects Lake Onega with Lake Ladoga, to quaint Mandrogi, where you enjoy free time. You may want to explore the village on your own enjoying its ancient Russian architecture or visit the unique Vodka Museum featuring over 250 varieties of Russia’s national drink! Cruise from Lake Ladoga, the second largest lake in Europe, to the Neva River, which flows into the heart of St Petersburg. Celebrate at tonight’s dinner and reception.

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Day 10. St Petersburg City Tour and Hermitage Museum.
Spectacular St Petersburg Peter the Great’s window on the West is a treasure trove of culture and history and is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. This morning, we take a tour of this fabled city of canals and northern lights. Highlights include Nevsky Prospect, Palace Square, St. Isaac’s Cathedral and more. In the afternoon we take a tour of the magnificent Hermitage Museum. It is estimated that one could spend days in the museum and still see only a fraction of the nearly 3 million artworks.

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Day 11. St Petersburg, Peterhof Palace.
This morning enjoy a visit to the gardens and fountains of opulent Peterhof Palace (Petrodvorets). The exquisite summer palace built by Peter the Great to rival Versailles, is sure to be a highlight! The palace stands on a natural terrace with its gardens sloping down to the Gulf of Finland. There are several palaces all set within gardens and magnificent parkland with an impressive array of fountains. In the evening, relax on board or join the optional Gala Folklore show excursion.

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Day 12. St Petersburg, Ballet Performance Hermitage Theatre.
Enjoy the morning at leisure to stroll along one of the many picturesque canals or join an optional excursion to lavish Catherine’s Palace in nearby Pushkin, where the Imperial family made their home from the time of Peter the Great. After free time this afternoon, we crown the day with a ballet performance at the Hermitage Theatre tonight. Originally the personal theatre of Catherine the Great, it continued as the private theatre of the royal Romanov family until the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution.

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Day 13. St Petersburg – Fly Home.
With wonderful memories of Russia, bid farewell to your fellow travel companions as disembark the ms Tolstoy after breakfast this morning.

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