Introduction to Russia Uncovered

Cruise the waterways between Moscow & St Petersburg on this Citiescapes tour.  Depart Moscow on your luxury river cruiser and cruise along the Neva, Svir and Volga rivers.  Explore Kizhi Island, Goritzy, Uglich and more.  This is a truly unique way of seeing Russia and will  be an experience to remember.

Itinerary

Day  1: Fly from Dublin to Moscow and board your cruiser.  Here you check in and enjoy your first dinner on board.

Day 2: Moscow: After breakfast you will have a city tour, which will include the Red Square, the views of St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Lenin Mausoleum, Bolshoy Theater, the Olympic Stadium and many other points of interest.

Day 3: Moscow: Your morning tour takes you to the Kremlin, the former seat of the Russian Government and a unique historical, architectural and artistic reserve. Visit one of the cathedrals situated on the grounds of the Kremlin at Cathedral Square. In the late afternoon, as your river cruise departs Moscow, join your ship’s captain in a welcome dinner with champagne.

Day 4: Uglich: Stop today at picturesque Uglich situated on the right bank of the Volga River. Visit the renowned green-domed Cathedral of Transfiguration perched at the water’s edge. Next, visit the Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood, built on the site where Dmitry, the son of Ivan the Terrible, was murdered.

Day 5: Yaroslavl: Yaroslavl, an important Volga port is the next port of call. On your city tour, visit the 17th century Church of St. Ilya the Prophet, an incredible structure filled with frescoes and classic Russian architecture and wander the grounds of the 12th century Savior-Transfiguration Monastery, one of the Volga’s oldest.

Day 6: Goritsy: The ship arrives in Goritsy, set in the beautiful countryside. Tour the grounds of the well-preserved 14th century Cyril-Belozersky Monastery, named in honor of its founder, the monk Cyril and one of the most honored saints in the Russian Orthodox Church.

Day 7: Kizhi: This morning sail the ship stops at the tiny island of Kizhi, located at the northern end of Lake Onega. Your visit of the island includes the open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture, housing a collection of restored 18th century Russian wooden buildings, including the breathtaking Church of the Transfiguration that provides a delightful glimpse of Russia’s past.

Day 8: Mandrogi: Today you visit the picturesque village of Mandrogi, located on the River Svir. Stop on the verdant river bank to enjoy the pleasant scenery and a picnic lunch.

Day 9: St Petersburg: This morning arrive and go on a bus city tour in the great city St. Petersburg, with its many palaces, once home to the Russian nobility. Drive along Nevsky Prospect, the main boulevard of St. Petersburg lined with shops and baroque buildings. Take a view down Kanal Griboedovea to the Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood. Pass the Gostiny Dvor (the city’s largest department store), the National Library and the monument to Catherine the Great.

Day 10: St. Petersburg: Visit the Hermitage Museum. The rival of the Louvre in Paris, the Hermitage contains three million exhibits and early collections dating back to Catherine II.

Day 11:

You will need to check out of your cabin after breakfast. You will be able to store your luggage onboard (subject to availability). You now have some free time to do some last minute shopping or sightseeing before your flight home.

Price inclusions

• Flight Dublin to Moscow via Amsterdam or Paris
• Transfer on arrival to the quay to Board your cruiser
• 10 nights onboard for 2 in a lower deck cabin.
• Meals on a full board basis.
• Entertainment on board.
• The services of a cruise director
• Transfer from the port to the airport.
• Return flight from St Petersburg to Dublin via Amsterdam or Paris
• Taxes of €220 per person
• Excursions (see below)

Included excursions

• Moscow City Tour
• Visit the Kremlin & a Cathedral
• Uglich: Transfiguration Cathedral & Church of Dimitri on the Blood
• Yaroslavl City Tour. Tour of Transfiguration Monastery and Church of Elijah the Prophet
• Goritsy City Tour with a tour of Cyril-Belozersky Monastery
• Kizhi Island Architecture Museum
• Walking tour of Mandrogi Island (with picnic lunch)
• St. Petersburg City Tour
• The Hermitage Museum

Booking remarks

• Inclusive of taxes and service charges as indicated
• Non refundable or transferrable booking deposit 10% per person
• Full payment due on confirmation
• 2% surcharge if balance is paid by credit or charge card
• Optional Insurance €36 (conditions apply)
• Single Supplement €270 (11 May) €320 (31 May – 19 Aug) €300 (08 Sep)
• Upper deck supplement €120 per cabin
• Junior Suite Supplement €48 per person per night
• Prices are correct at time of going to press, flight supplements may apply depending on availability of negotiated airfares
• Smoking is only allowed on deck.
• There are no phones on board.
• There is a small deposit box on board.
• We recommend that you bring mosquito agent.
• A Russian Visa is required and the Russian Embassy charge €60

Accommodation details

Description

MS Surikov was completely renovated with new decor and new furniture in 2007. The atmosphere is cozy and familiar with a friendly Russian service personnel. The ship’s Scandinavian tour leaders provide all information on board, and sees to it that our guests have a pleasant holiday.   This ship holds about 100 less passengers than most Russian ships of the same size,  therefore common areas onboard are more spacious.  All meals are taken in the ship’s restaurant serving local and tasty food, adapted to western people. There is entertainment on board several evenings during the cruise. MS Surikov also has a large lounge, bar, a small souvenir shop, laundry service and medical facilities. On the sun deck, there are chairs and tables.

Dates and Prices

Date	Price
11 May 2012	€1,729
31 May 2012	€1,929
20 June 2012	€1,929
10 Jul 2012	€1,929
30 Jul 2012	€1,929
19 Aug 2012	€2,059
08 Sep 2012	€1,859