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| Splendid Waterways of the Volga and Caspian Sea
A 13-Day tour starting from $2,949
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| About This Tour | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
World Traveler Small Ship Cruising
Day 1 - Moscow / Embarkation
Embark on board the MS Volga Dream to begin your journey on the Russian waterways. MS Volga Dream – Meals D Day 2 - Moscow The dynamic, fast-paced capital of Russia is filled with stunning monuments and treasures – the legacy of its rich history as the center of Russian power for centuries. Today, explore this beautiful city at your leisure. Meals B,L,D Day 3 - Moscow Enjoy scenic views of the Moscow – Volga man-made canal as the ship sails off from Moscow. Meals B,L,D Day 4 - Uglich Arrive in Uglich, a city dating from the 10th century. A walking tour of this Golden Ring city includes the Chapel of Dimitry, a 17th-century architectural treasure built on the site where Ivan the Terrible’s young son met his death. Visit the five-domed Church of the Transfiguration, noted for its beautiful iconostasis, and enjoy a concert of choral music and bell-ringing. Meals B,L,D Day 5 - Yaroslavl#WHS# Stretching for 25 kilometers on both banks of the Volga, Yaroslavl is an important Volga port with a population of 600,000. The oldest city on the Volga River, Yaroslavl was unharmed during World War II, and many churches from the 13th to 17th centuries are intact. See the Savior Transfiguration Monastery, adorned with murals depicting Saint John’s apocalyptic visions. Visit a newly opened museum of Russian applied art “Treasures of Yaroslavl”. Continue to the 17th century Church of Elijah the Prophet with its most prized asset – frescoes painted by renowned artists of ancient Russia. Visit a lively and colorful local food market before re-boarding the ship. Meals B,L,D Day 6 - Plyos Sail today to the lovely quaint town of Plyos, once known as the “artists’ paradise.” Founded in 1410, Plyos today retains its unhurried provincial character. Dock in the historic part of town and tour its quiet streets and the wide Volga embankment. Climb the Sobornaya Hill to visit the unique Travkin museum of primeval man, based on local archeological findings. Visit the art museum of Isaac Levitan, Russia’s greatest 19th century romantic landscape artist or witness the battle between Russian and Tatar 15th century warriors. There will also be an opportunity to buy local art and jewelry. Meals B,L,D Day 7 - Nizhny Novgorod Founded in 1221, this city was a famous meeting place where people from the Orient, Siberia and Turkestan came to barter and trade. Formerly named Gorky, it was later home of political exiles and therefore closed to outsiders for many years of the Soviet power. Nizhny Novgorod has only recently opened its doors for visitors, where many well preserved monuments from the 13th and 14th centuries are found. One of the most ancient chronicles of Russia was written there in Pechersky monastery in 1330. Of special interest is the ancient Kremlin with its Archangel Cathedral, built in 1624. Visit the ornate Nativity cathedral built in Stroganoff style in 1719. Stroll along the oldest pedestrian street with a stop at the apartment-museum of Maxim Gorky, a prominent Russian writer of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Time permitting, visit the town of Gorodetz, 70 kilometers away from Nizhny Novgorod. Founded in the 12th century, this town has retained its provincial charm thanks to lots of old houses with their beautifully carved wooden window frames. Meals B,L,D Day 8 - Kazan Kazan, the capital of the republic of Tatarstan, is often called “the Pearl of the Central Volga region.” Numerous masterpieces of architecture – the unique “Leaning Tower of Princess Suyumbike” – an analogue of the Pisa Tower, the Kremlin, Moslem mosques and minareths, magnificent Orthodox churches and cathedrals make this city of 1000 years a special attraction for visitors. Take a walk in the picturesque Bauman street and enjoy a concert by a local Tatar folk ensemble. Meals B,L,D Day 9 - Samara Founded in the 16th century, Samara today is an important industrial and cultural center of the region. Formerly known as Kuibyshev, the city played a big role in the peasant uprisings led by Stepan Razin in 1670 and again in 1773 by Emelyan Pugachev. Recently, Stalin’s bunker has been discovered there and opened to the public. Meals B,L,D Day 10 - Saratov A beautiful city surrounded by outlying villages, Saratov was settled by Germans in the 18th and 19th centuries. Yuri Gagarin, the world’s first cosmonaut studied there and was a member of the Saratov Pilot’s Club. Tour the city with its fine architectural ensembles, and stop at a lively farmers’ market. In the evening enjoy a classical concert at the local Philharmonic society, one of the best in Russia. Meals B,L,D Day 11 - Volgograd Stretching along the Volga River for 50 kilometers is Volgograd. This thriving center was established in 1589 with the building of the fortress of Tsaritsyn. After 1917 the name of the city was changed to Stalingrad; now, the city is a living monument to the valor and courage of the Russian people – defenders of Stalingrad during World War II, whose steadfastness created a major turning point of the war. Visit the main historic sites including the Stalingrad battle panorama museum and Pavlov’s House, concluded by a special visit to the Mamayev Hill memorial, sight of the fiercest fighting. You will be escorted by Russian war veterans on this visit. Before you depart from Volgograd, enjoy a concert by a local children’s group. Meals B,L,D Day 12 - Sailing the Volga River Today is spent cruising toward Astrakhan. Relax on deck, or join the onboard program of entertaining and informative activities. Meals B,L,D Day 13 - Astrakhan / Disembarkation Astrakhan is one of the oldest Volga ports. Standing on numerous islands, the city is often called the “Volga Venice.” Conveniently located at the mouth of the Volga delta, this city has always been an important trade post connecting the lands around the Caspian Sea with the lands of the Russian North. Disembark the ship and transfer by bus to the international airport for your flight home. Extend your stay in Moscow, or discover more of the world with our FreeStyle Travel. Meals B
World Traveler Small Ship Cruising
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| Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||