PACING: On this 12 or 13-day river cruisetour you’ll spend 11 nights cruising the mighty Volga River and taking in the glories of St. Petersburg and Moscow, In all you’ll visit seven cities and ports of call. This well-paced and comprehensive itinerary incorporates the perfect number of included sightseeing tours leaving you ample time to venture out on your own. You’ll find Moscow to be an awe-inspiring city with its large boulevards and buildings, but be warned: because of its size and number of people, Moscow is well known for its traffic jams throughout the day and night.

SHIP AMENITIES: While the ms Nikolay Chernyshevsky is one of the better ships in Russia, she does not provide as many amenities as the Vantage Deluxe River cruise ships in Europe. There is no elevator on board yet there are several stairways to negotiate. All cabins are outside with a view. Most cabins feature large scenic windows, while lower deck cabins have port holes. Each cabin has a private nautical-style toilet/shower combination, air conditioning, mini-refrigerator (not stocked), and 220V sockets. There are no televisions, safe deposit boxes, or telephones in the cabins. Personal valuables can be locked up at ship’s reception desk. No exchange facilities are available on board. You will find the currency for purchasing many items on board is Russian rubles, not US dollars. Please note: the ship is not wheelchair accessible.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: This itinerary is very active while in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Traffic conditions in both cities are highly unpredictable and there is a good deal of walking. Motorcoaches are used whenever possible to bring you as close to sites as allowed. Much of the walking on tours is over uneven terrain, cobblestone walkways, and flagstone paths, especially when visiting the Kremlin. You will be visiting several sites and museums in Moscow and St. Petersburg where there are multiple flights of stairs. You can expect a slower pace while cruising. Sightseeing tours use air-conditioned coaches whenever available.

CULTURAL FOCUS: Immerse yourself in Russian folklore, history, music, art and architecture as you travel the length of “Mother Volga” while enjoying Vantage’s wonderful “Cultural Connections” lecture on the history and culture of Russia, blini and vodka tastings, Russian language lessons, and folkloric performances. The splendors of Peter the Great’s “Window on the World” will captivate you, and you’ll discover the essence of Russia’s political heart at Moscow’s noble Kremlin. Most memorable, our river cruise takes you to the unspoiled Russian countryside, visiting history-rich towns that you simply could not access any other way. You’ll explore these out-of-the-way places that few Westerners have visited and mingle with the welcoming Russian people.