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| Russian Rhapsody 2008
A 16-Day tour starting from $4,383
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| About This Tour | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| This 16-day itinerary was created for those who want a more in-depth Russian experience—in addition to multiple days in Moscow and St. Petersburg. With multiple nights in Moscow, you will see far more of this vibrant city. Sail along the Lower Volga to encounter culture-rich cities including Stalingrad (known today as Volgograd), Samara and Kazan, and see memorials of World War II history. You are also introduced to the quaint riverside villages of Russia’s Golden Ring, places only accessible by river cruise. And with 3 hotel nights in St. Petersburg, you have more time to explore landmarks including the Hermitage and Pushkin. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The price of this Viking River Cruises vacation includes:
• All onboard meals • Shore excursions • 14 guided tours with tour headphones • Entertainment and activities Lunches and dinners in St. Petersburg are on your own.
Day 1 St. Petersburg
Welcome to St. Petersburg, former capital of Russia. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.* After check-in, the rest of the day is free to explore on your own. (D) Day 2 St. Petersburg After breakfast, travel to the Winter Palace and visit the Hermitage Museum. Your city tour features Nevsky Prospekt, St. Isaac’s Cathedral and the Peter & Paul Fortress, followed by the Peter & Paul Cathedral. Tonight, see a performance of traditional Russian ballet or opera. (B, L, D) Day 3 St. Petersburg This morning, visit Pushkin and tour the many halls of Catherine’s Palace. This elegant summer residence of the Russian Czars was named for Peter the Great’s widow, Catherine I. Tour its various halls, including the Amber Room, and see the ornate decor throughout. The rest of your day is free, or take an optional canal cruise through the city. (B, L, D) Day 4 Volgograd After breakfast, fly to Volgograd (formerly known as Stalingrad). Board your ship and enjoy a free afternoon. Lunch and dinner are served aboard. Remain docked overnight. (B, L, D) Day 5 Volgograd Today’s half-day city tour features Fallen Heroes’ Square and Lenin Square. Visit the historic Panorama Museum. You then travel to Mamayev Kurgan to see the statue of Mother Russia and Eternal Flame. Return to your ship for lunch and an afternoon departure. (B, L, D) Day 6 Saratov Arrive during breakfast in Saratov. Your city tour highlights Sobornaya Square and St. Trinity Cathedral. Then, take a walking tour of an open air museum of military history. Have lunch on board and cruise through the afternoon. (B, L, D) Day 7 Samara Cruise through lunch to Samara. Start in Kuybyshev Square with a guided tour of Stalin’s World War II Bunker. Then see the Square of Glory, Church of St. George and Lenin Street, lined with wooden houses. And, stop at the “Soyuz” spacecraft. Enjoy free time before returning to your ship for dinner and an evening departure. (B, L, D) Day 8 Ulyanovsk After breakfast, disembark for your city tour at this birthplace and home of Vladimir Lenin. See the Lenin House and Lenin Memorial Complex, housing more than 5,000 pieces of memorabilia. You have free time before returning to your ship for lunch. Cruise through the night. (B, L, D) Day 9 Kazan Today’s tour features a guided visit inside the “White Kremlin of Kazan.” This UNESCO World Heritage Site features the Annunciation Cathedral and Soyembika Tower. See the New Mosque and the twin-towered Peter & Paul Cathedral. Enjoy free time on Baumann Street. Lunch is served aboard during your departure. (B, L, D) Day 10 Volga River Spend a full, relaxing day cruising along the Volga River, taking in the riverside scenery. (B, L, D) Day 11 Kostroma & Yaroslavl After breakfast, tour Kostroma and the Ipatievsky Monastery, founded in 1330; depart just before lunch. Arrive this afternoon in Yaroslavl. Take a motorcoach to the Church of the Epiphany and Church of St. Elijah the Prophet, with its impressive frescoes and icons; you are treated to a choir performance. Spend free time in the marketplace before returning to your ship for lunch and departure. (B, L, D) Day 12 Uglich Here, you will see the former Kremlin of Uglich and visit the Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood, with free time to explore. Return to your ship for lunch and enjoy afternoon cruising along the Volga. Dine aboard and cruise through the night. (B, L, D) Day 13 Moscow Canal & Moscow Enjoy a morning cruise along the Moscow Canal, arriving in Moscow during lunch. Ride on the city’s famed Metro. Then, you see the Bolshoi Theater and St. Basil’s Cathedral with its colorful onion domes. Continue with a stop at Red Square and free time. Enjoy dinner followed by a performance of traditional Russian folkloric music. Remain docked overnight. (B, L, D) Day 14 Moscow After breakfast visit the Kremlin, a fortified enclosure of red brick walls, tall towers and many cathedrals and palaces. While here, visit the Armory, featuring a collection of royal treasures, including jewels, crowns and armor. Enjoy a traditional Russian lunch in a local restaurant. You then have free time or you can join an optional tour to the Tretyakov Gallery, national treasury of Russian art. The rest of your day is free; dinner is served aboard. (B, L, D) Day 15 Moscow You have a full day to experience Moscow on your own. Visit more of the city’s renowned sites or join one of our optional tours to the Golden Ring city of Sergiev Posad or the Kolmenskoje Museum. Lunch and dinner are served aboard. (B, L, D) Day 16 Moscow After breakfast, disembark and we will take you to the airport for your return flight.* (B)
• 13 guided tours
• Private motorcoach for excursions • Old World Highlights: Port lectures, traditional Russian tea, lectures on cultural history, current affairs and Russian Czars All tour Note: Prices are in U.S. dollars, per person, double occupancy in category F and include port charges. Limited singles are available, call for pricing.
St. Petersburg to Moscow Aug 18; Sep 11 Moscow to St. Petersburg Aug 9; Sep 2 |
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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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||