5* Volga River Cruise - St. Petersburg to Moscow - MS Mstislav Rostropovich

Known as the cultural capital of Russia St Petersburg allures people from all over the world by its enigmatic mixture of purely European architecture and typically Russian history. Disclose the secrets of St. Petersburg by visiting the Peter and Paul’s Fortress where the Romanov dynasty is buried, St.Isaak’s Cathedral, Smolny Cathedral and seeing the richest art collection of the Hermitage Museum. Take a chance to go for a stroll in the kingdom of fountains, that used to be a luxurious summer residence called Peterhof.

Excursion: St. Petersburg - Welcome to “the Northern capital” of Russia. During bus city tour see celebrated sights including Church of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood, Palace embankment, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Nevsky Prospect, etc. Visit the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Peter and Paul Cathedral which served as a royal burial-vault. After lunch in city restaurant, get ready for a visit to the State Hermitage Museum, which features one of the largest art collections in the world.

Inhabited by talented craftsmen, Mandrogui is a reconstructed village, built on the bank of the Svir River to illustrate the traditions and lifestyle of Russia's past. Experience provincial Russian lifestyle, watch the artisans and craftsmen mak­ing “matryoshkas” (Russian nesting dolls), carving wood, sewing, and ... visit the Vodka Museum, which boasts 250 varieties of the national drink.

Excursion: Mandrogui - Enjoy free time in Mandrogui - reconstructed village, built to illustrate the traditions and lifestyle of Russia’s past. Today’s lunch is outdoor BBQ, where you have a chance to savor Russian shashlik (kebab).

Situated to the northeast of Lake Onega, the island of Kizhi is home to the open-air museum of fascinating wooden architecture. Walking on the island, you can see old wooden churches, chapels, bell towers, peasant houses, granaries, barns, windmills, bathhouses which were all brought from around the Onega region to illustrate the architecture common to the Russian North.The focal point, referred to as the Kizhi Ensemble, comprises the awe-inspiring 22-domed Transfigu­ration Cathedral (1714), the neighboring Church of Intercession (1774) and the bell tower between the two. Another significant structure is the modest Cha­pel of the Resurrection of Lazarus. Built in 1391, it is the oldest standing wooden church in Russia.

Excursion: Kizhi - Set foot on this unique island in the Onega lake and begin your journey in open-air museum of wooden architecture. The Architectural Ensemble of the Kizhi Pogost is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site.

Welcome to the Northwest of Russia, the village of Goritsy, home to the Resurrection Convent, standing at the shoreline. From Goritsy a bus will drive you to the town of Kirillov, 8 kilome­ters away, to tour one of the major Orthodox strongholds of Old Russia, the Monastery of St. Cyril on the White Lake. Founded in the 14th century, the monastery has preserved its re­markable architecture and fascinates the visitors by its majestic churches enclosed within austere fortress walls. The monastery is also famous for its museum of icons some of them are the oldest in Russia.

Excursion: Goritsy - We are delighted to invite you on the tour to Monastery of St. Cyril on the White Lake, which was one of the largest, richest and most famous monasteries in Russia in XV-XVII centuries. You’ll have a chance to walk around its territory, visit archimandrite’s chambers and worship ancient icons in the museum of icons.

Uglich of today used to be the seat of princedom back in the 13th century. Uglich is the town where one of the most momentous events of the Russian history took place in the 16th century. It was then that the last member of the Ruirik dynasty, the young Tsarevich Dmitry was murdered. That dreadful event gave rise to what later became known as the time of trouble and only after 15 years the Romanov’s dynasty’s succeeding to the throne. Today’s Uglich does cherish its history and you can still see the relics of the past. That is the Church of St Dmitry on the spilt Blood. Built in 1690 on the spot where Dmitry had been murdered it appears on the horizon with its red walls and blue domes as one sails north on the Volga.

Excursion: Uglich - Enjoy walking tour along this ancient town with more than 1000 years of history. Visit Kremlin grounds Transfiguration Cathedral and Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood, which was built on the spot, where prince Dmitry, son of Ivan the Terrible, was murdered.

Welcome to the city that never sleeps, the third Rome, the place that does enjoy diversity, the capital of Russia – Moscow. Moscow is the largest city of the great country with almost 11 million inhabitants. During your stay in this heterogeneous metropolis you will get to know the history of the city and to visit the most prominent sights of Moscow- the breathtaking Red Square with the beautiful ensemble of St.Basil’s cathedral and GUM, the Kremlin and its famous insides, Tverskaya street and the Bolshoi Theatre. There is so much waiting for you in the city of Moscow.

Excursion: Moscow - During bus city tour you will have a chance to get acquainted with the most interesting sights of the capital of Russia. Explore the Kremlin, historic fortified complex which serves as the official residence of President of Russia, walk along the Cathedral Square and visit one of its Cathedrals. Relax and share your impressions with your fellow-travelers at dinner in the city restaurant.