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Schedules and Accommodations |
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Depart Home / Moscow, Russia
When you arrive in Moscow after your overnight flight. AVantage representative will greet you and arrange your transfer to the pier where you will embark the ms Nikolay Chernyshevsky.
m/s Nikolay Chernyshevsky (D) |
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Moscow
Today you begin your exploration of Moscow, the heart and soul of Russia. You’ll get an overview of the city on a tour highlighting Red Square, where you’ll view Lenin’s Mausoleum, the GUM shopping mall, the Kremlin, the flame for the unknown soldier, and the swirling, brightly colored onion domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral. Next, you’ll ride a few stops on Moscow’s famed metro. Known as “the people’s palaces,” you’ll find that Moscow’s metro stations are remarkably clean and attractive, even elegant. Many of Moscow’s subway stations are showcases for socialist artwork including paintings, sculptures, and mosaics. Step off the metro in one of Moscow’s best shopping districts, where you’ll have time for browsing and souvenir-seeking.
m/s Nikolay Chernyshevsky (B,L,D) |
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Moscow
You’ll enjoy another exciting day to experience all that Moscow has to offer. First enjoy an included half-day visit to Kremlin, the symbol of Russian might and repository of some of its most precious treasures. Later, enjoy a leisurely evening onboard the ship as we set sail to Uglich, gathering for the Captain’s Welcome dinner.
m/s Nikolay Chernyshevsky (B,L,D) |
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Cruising the Russian Countryside / Uglich
Despite the enormous changes that have occurred in Russia over the past 100 years, much of the rural landscape — idyllic settings celebrated by Tolstoy and other masters of Russian literature — remains untouched. Away from the cities, Russia is a land of villages, fields, forests, and lakes, all connected by the Volga River. The scenery is quite lovely — and you can take it all in from your ship. This evening you’ll take a walking tour of Uglich, a favorite destination of Russian travellers for both its beauty and its tragic past. Established in 1148, the city became a favorite of Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century. In fact, Ivan exiled his seventh wife to Uglich. When Prince Dmitry came to Uglich to stay with his mother, he was murdered in a plot to usurp the throne. The magnificent Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood was erected on the spot where the prince was murdered. You’ll see this intriguing landmark, and the Savior Transfiguration Cathedral on your included tour.
Next, you’ll have the extraordinary experience of visiting with a local family in their home. You’ll enjoy traditional food, observe the average Russian lifestyle, and share stories. You’ll learn firsthand about the unique challenges “your family” has faced before, and during, the transition from communism to capitalism, and hear about their dreams for the future.
m/s Nikolay Chernyshevsky (B,L,D) |
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Volga River / Yaroslavl
You’ll arrive in Yaroslavl and set out to explore its handsome, tree-lined boulevards and fascinating old city center. On your tour you’ll see the heavily fortified 12th-century Transfiguration Monastery, and the lovely Church of Elijah the Prophet, famed for its fine frescoes. During your tour of Yaroslavl you’ll also visit a food market to observe how the Russians bargain — and to get a feel for what their typical diet includes. Later, you’ll gain insight into Russia’s future during a shipboard roundtable discussion with Russian students.
m/s Nikolay Chernyshevsky (B,L,D) |
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Goritsy
You’ll arrive in the village of Goritsy this afternoon, located on the banks of the Volga. From here, an included tour takes you to neighboring Kirrilov, where you’ll visit the Monastery of St. Cyril, known for its remarkable collection of icons.
m/s Nikolay Chernyshevsky (B,L,D) |
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Cruising Lake Onega / Kizhi Island
Enjoy the view as your ship glides through scenic Lake Onega, perhaps attending an entertaining lecture as you cruise to Kizhi Island, home of the famed open-air Museum of Russian Architecture. Before you disembark in Kizhi, you’ll enjoy Afternoon Tea — served Russian style — with much pomp and ceremony. On shore, stroll among superb examples of traditional Russian architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration, an ornate structure of wooden “ribbons” and 22 domes in three tiers built entirely without nails! Instead, it is built with interlocking logs that are caulked at the seams by a combination of hemp or jute fiber and tar. The elaborate roof consists of octahedrons, stacked like a pyramid. In Russian Orthodox tradition, the many domes symbolize heaven — and when the sun hits the ash wood just right, the gilded colors that result rival the beauty of any cathedral in the world. Both the Church and the adjacent clock tower are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You’re sure to agree that this is the ultimate in Russian fairytale architecture.
m/s Nikolay Chernyshevsky (B,L,D) |
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Mandrogi
As we cruise the Russian countryside this morning, you’ll see many examples of the region’s vast forests and famous wooden architecture. Our destination is Mandrogi, where we'll disembark for a shashlyk (traditional Russian barbecue) lunch.
m/s Nikolay Chernyshevsky (B,L,D) |
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St. Petersburg
In 1703 Peter the Great created St. Petersburg to be his “Window on the West,” a dazzling baroque city of white, gold, and pastel. In the morning, tour the Peter & Paul Fortress, once a political prison. The dungeons here once held Peter the Great’s own son, Alexei, as well as the great Russian thinkers and writers Dostoevsky, Trotsky, and Gorky. Then continue on a panoramic city tour of St. Petersburg
After an included lunch, you’ll have the afternoon at leisure — a shuttle service with scheduled times between your ship and downtown St. Petersburg will be provided. If you like, join an optional tour to Yusopov Palace. Back aboard ship, share your day’s discoveries during dinner.
m/s Nikolay Chernyshevsky (B,L,D) |
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St. Petersburg
This morning you’ll be awed by the superb art collection of the czars at the Hermitage Museum, one of the preeminent art museums in the world, rivaled only by the Louvre. The Hermitage’s collections range far beyond Russia, encompassing works by most of the masters of Western European art — from Rembrandt to da Vinci — as well as Egyptian, Chinese, Greek, and Roman artisans. What’s more, the museum occupies what is perhaps the most dazzling of St. Petersburg’s many wonderful buildings, the huge and opulent Winter Palace — a gilded, 1,000-room residence that was home to six czars. A guide will show you the highlights on your tour.
Later, prepare to be dazzled with an included evening ballet performance at the Hermitage Theater, once the private theater of the czars. This was the birthplace of Russian ballet in 1738, and many believe, even today, that this is the best place to see this graceful art performed — this is your chance to see for yourself!
m/s Nikolay Chernyshevsky (B,L,D) |
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St. Petersburg
This morning we’ll tour Catherine I’s Palace, yet another landmark of the czarist era. Built for the wife of Peter the Great, the palace is surrounded by magnificent gardens. The exterior is a marvel, with a row of white columns crowned with gold gracing the 300-foot-long facade of brilliant turquoise. The afternoon is at leisure.
m/s Nikolay Chernyshevsky (B,L,D) |
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Disembark Ship / Return Home
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IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the unique circumstances of travelling in Russia, these itineraries have been designed to point out the highlights of your tour. However, the itinerary and its order of included features may change due to circumstances beyond our control.
During your tour, you will enjoy onboard entertainment, lectures, and demonstrations. Final information regarding these performances and lectures will be found in your onboard Daily Program. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included daily during your river cruise, either aboard ship, at restaurants ashore, or as a boxed lunch where indicated. Meals may vary from buffet to sit down service based on the ship’s itinerary and included sightseeing tours.
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