APT Tour 2011 – 12 Day Russian Waterways – Moscow to St Petersburg
APT-12 Day Russian Waterways – Moscow to St Petersburg for 2011
Overview
Moscow • Uglich • Yaroslavl • Goritsy • Kizhi Island • Svirstroy • St Petersburg
Tour Code EUW12
Itinerary Valid 1 Mar. 2011 – 31 Dec. 2011
Trip Duration 12 days
Accomodation Luxury Cruise Ship
Meals 32 meals included
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive Moscow
On arrival today in Russia’s capital city, Moscow, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your luxury river ship, the ms Amakatarina, moored on the Moscow Canal. After unpacking, the remainder of the afternoon is yours at leisure to spend as you choose. Perhaps go for a stroll along the canal, enjoy a drink at the bar or simply relax in your stateroom. This evening, get to know your fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception. Afterwards, enjoy the first of many delicious meals in your ship’s restaurant.
Eleven Night Stay: the ms Amakatarina
Daily meals included • Dinner
Day 2. Moscow Sightseeing
After breakfast, a tour of Moscow takes you to Red Square, where you’ll enjoy views of St Basil’s Cathedral. The tour also includes the famous GUM Department Store, New Maiden’s Convent, Tverskaya Street, Sparrow Hill and Lubyanka Square (KGB building). Afterwards, you’ll take a tour within the walls of the Kremlin, an historic fortified complex at the heart of Moscow that was once the royal residence of the Czars and main centre of the Russian Orthodox faith. After dinner on board, perhaps embark on an optional Moscow By Night tour to take in the city by night (own expense).
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 3. Moscow Sightseeing
After breakfast today, you’ll have the chance to ride the Moscow Metro, where each station is like a museum of mosaics, marble statues and crystal chandeliers. Afterwards, visit the Tretyakov Gallery, the foremost depository of Russian fine art in the world. This afternoon, enjoy lunch on a day boat as you cruise the Moscow River. The remainder of the day is then at your leisure to further explore the city or perhaps visit the Pushkin Museum (own expense).
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 4. Moscow Canal – Volga River – Uglich
Having cruised along the Moscow Canal into the Volga River, you’ll dock in the town of Uglich today. Founded in 1148, like all of Russia’s Golden Ring cities, Uglich is a place rich in history. On a guided sightseeing tour, visit the Chambers of Prince Dmitry and the Church of St Demetrios on the Blood, with its tragic story of dedication to Ivan the Terrible’s son. You’ll also enjoy a visit to the home of a Russian family for a meal and a unique glimpse into the local way of life.
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 5. Volga River – Yaroslavl
Today your river ship stops in another fascinating Golden Ring city, Yaroslavl, which stretches for miles along the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl Rivers. Founded by Prince Yaroslav the Wise in 1010, this is one of Russia’s oldest cities, tracing its roots back to the Vikings. Here, a tour will illuminate the city’s history through its glorious architecture, including a fortified 12th century monastery and the former residence of the Governor of Yaroslavl.
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 6. Goritsy – White Lake – Volga-Baltic Waterway
Today, dock in Goritsy, a small and peaceful farming town. Your guided sightseeing tour here includes a visit to the Monastery of St Cyril on the White lake with its Museum of Icons. Later, re-board your ship, and continue cruising onto the White Lake and the Volga-Baltic Waterway, linking the Volga River and the Black Sea, heading for Lake Onega and the remarkable island of Kizhi.
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 7. Lake Onega – Kizhi Island
Situated on Lake Onega, Kizhi is home to some of the most amazing wooden architecture in Russia. Explore the open-air museum of wooden architecture and marvel at two of the few remaining original wooden churches in Russia, including the Church of the Intercession, built in 1764 without a single nail. After this amazing experience, return to your ship which will then cruise towards the lovely Svir River.
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 8. Svir River – Svirstroy – Lake Ladoga
After cruising through the night, today dock in the tiny village of Svirstroy. On arrival here, enjoy time at leisure to look around and perhaps shop for handmade souvenirs. After ample time to explore, you’ll then re-board your ship as it heads for Lake Ladoga, Europe’s largest lake. Enjoy the rest of the day to relax on board.
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 9. Neva River – St Petersburg Sightseeing
Today enjoy breakfast on board before your ship will dock at its final port of call – the captivating city of St Petersburg. Here, a guided tour of Russia’s second largest city includes Nevsky Prospect, Palace Square, St Isaacs Cathedral and the battle-cruiser Aurora. After lunch, visit the Hermitage Museum in the Winter Palace, which houses Russia’s royal art collection of over three million works. Wander amid the huge display of jewellery, sculptures, art and antiquities before returning to your ship for dinner this evening.
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 10. St Petersburg Sightseeing
This morning during time at leisure, perhaps go walking along one of the many picturesque canals before enjoying a distinctly Russian-style lunch in a local restaurant. Or you might like to join and optional excursion to Pushkin for an exploration of Catherine’s Palace, the magnificent 8th century summer residence of the Russian Czars (own expense). This evening following dinner, enjoy a ballet performance at the Hermitage Theatre, the former private theatre of the Czars.
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 11. St Petersburg, Peterhof Palace
Today visit Peterhof Palace, nestled on the shore of the Gulf of Finland. Built by Peter the Great as a resting place for those en route to the Imperial naval base, the Czar soon planned a vast estate to rival Versailles. Absorb the beauty of the palace and its grounds, then return to your ship. After lunch, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure or take an excursion to the Peter and Paul’s Fortress and St Isaac’s Cathedral (own expense).
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 12. Disembark Ship, Depart St Petersburg
After breakfast, disembark your ship and transfer to the airport.
Daily meals included • Breakfast
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Europe