Departs September 4, 2008.
14 nights, First Class, River Cruise from St. Petersburg to Moscow.

The opulence of Russia awaits with its imperial cities and grand treasures.  Beginning in glorious St. Petersburg, we will be mesmerized by the world-famous Hermitage, Catherine’s Palace in Pushkin, and thrill to the sites of the Hermitage Ballet.  We will discover Moscow with its ancient gold-domed monasteries, Red Square, the Kremlin (of course!), the Armory and St. Basil’s Cathedral.  Accommodations in a first class, outside stateroom means you only unpack once while experiencing the grand sweep of Russia of today and yesterday.

Itinerary:

September 4.  Depart from North America on overnight flight to St. Petersburg.

September 5.  Arrive St. Petersburg, transfer to ship. (D)

September 6 - 9.  We’ll spend four days in St. Petersburg exploring this magnificent city with a nice mix of escorted excursions and free time.  Highlights include:  Hermitage Museum, Catherine’s Palace and Park in Puskin, Hermitage Ballet, Palace Square.  (B/L/D)

September 10.  Mandrogi, a village that illustrates traditions of Russia’s past.  We’ll have a traditional Shashlik (Russian shish kabob) picnic. (B/L/D)

September 11.  Kizhi Island and Lake Onega, where we’ll visit the Open Air Museum and Church of Transfiguration. (B/L/D)

September 12.  Meet the locals of Kirillov and experience daily life of rural Russia.  Enjoy fresh brown bread and cranberry liquors. (B/L/D)

September 13.  Lake Rybinsk and Yaroslavl, heart of the Golden Ring, is considered one of Russia’s most beautiful cities. (B/L/D)

September 14.  Another Golden Ring city, Kostroma, is where we will visit the Romanov Museum and House of the Nobility. (B/L/D)

September 15.  Explore the historical blue-domed Church of Prince-Dmitry-on-the-Blood in Uglich where Ivan the Terrible’s son, Dmitry was murdered. (B/L/D)

September 16-18.  Three days to explore Moscow, the grand capital of Russia.  Again, we’ll enjoy a mixture of escorted excursions and free time to maximize experiences.  Highlights include:  Kremlin and Armory Museum, Moscow by night with boat cruise, Red Square and spectacular St. Basil’s Cathedral. (B/L/D)

September 19.  Transfer to airport for flight home. (B)

Price: $4,468

Prices are per person, based on double occupancy Category 4, all transfers and excursions as indicated in itinerary, guides’ services, outside stateroom on MS Litvinov, all meals on board, travel insurance, gratuities, port charges and taxes.  Airfare from other gateways quoted individually.