What to Expect
PACING: On this 14-day river cruisetour, you'll spend 7 nights cruising the mighty Volga River on the
ms Rostropovich, plus travel to St. Petersburg and Moscow, with hotel stays of 3 nights and 2 nights, respectively. In all, you'll visit 6 cities and ports of call. This well-paced and comprehensive Volga River cruise 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: All cabins are outside with a view. You will find the currency for purchasing many items on board is Russian rubles, not U.S. dollars.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: This itinerary is 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" lectures on the history and culture of Russia;
blini and vodka tastings; and Russian language lessons. When you travel to St. Petersburg, you'll explore the splendors of Peter the Great's "Window on the World," and, in Moscow, you'll discover the essence of Russia's political heart during a visit to the Kremlin. Most memorable, our Russian river cruise takes you to the unspoiled 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.
