DAY 1 - UK/St. Petersburg
Depart on your flight to St. Petersburg. On arrival transfer to the MS Simonov for the start of your fabulous nine night cruise.
DAY 2 - St. Petersburg
Today there is an included tour of St. Petersburg, introducing you to the sights of this fabulous city. Founded by Peter the Great at the turn of the 18th century as the new Russian capital, St Petersburg is a splendid city of rivers and canals, broad avenues, ornate baroque palaces and magnificent cathedrals.
Our sightseeing begins with a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress, which was the first major building in the new city, designed to be a defence against advances from the Neva River. We will also see the magnificent Winter Palace with its lavish interiors, the main residence of the Tsars from Catherine the Great and her successors. The palace and four adjacent buildings lining the river bank house the vast art collections of the Hermitage Museum.
In the afternoon you can take an optional excursion to Peterhof, Peter the Great’s favourite residence with its collection of magnificent palaces, mansions, fountains, statues, and landscaped gardens, designed to rival Versailles (bookable onboard).
DAY 3 - The Hermitage
You will visit The Hermitage today, reputed to be the largest museum in the world, where some two million superb works of art are on display, including great painters like Picasso, Rembrandt and Matisse. This afternoon there will be a chance to visit one of the Royal family’s summer palaces, either the flamboyant Catherine Palace with its magnificent baroque façade at Pushkin or the countryside residence built for Catherine’s son at Pavlovsk (book onboard). Tonight the ship’s captain invites you for a welcome cocktail, before you set sail for Moscow.
DAY 4 - Lake Ladoga
This morning sees the start of a scenic cruise across Lake Ladoga, the largest freshwater lake on the European plain, then along the River Svir with free time to visit the riverside town of Mandrogy.
DAY 5 - Kizhi
The cruise reaches Lake Onega, Europe’s second largest lake, where you will visit the island of Kizhi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk up to the remarkable wooden Transfiguration Church and bell tower, constructed in 1714 without the use of a single nail. Take a look around the open-air museum at the inspiring collection of wooden structures rebuilt here.
DAY 6 - Goritsy
Today your cruise continues along the Volga-Baltic waterway, which links the Volga River and the Baltic Sea. On reaching the traditional Russian village of Goritsy, join an included excursion by coach to see the famous Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, founded by Saint Cyril in 1397. Once the largest monastery in Russia, this incredible site is home to a vast array of icons, many donated by visiting tsars.
DAY 7 - Uglich
Today you will cross the Rybinsk reservoir and cruise the Upper Volga, to Uglich, one of the oldest cities in Russia. Take a walking tour around the city, visiting the church of St. Dmitry-on-the-Blood, built on the spot where Dmitry, son of Ivan the Terrible, was murdered and see the former Kremlin of Uglich and its blue-domed cupolas decorated with gold stars. This evening, you are invited to the captains dinner.
DAY 8 - Moscow
Arrival in Moscow, founded in 1147 as a wooden fortress, which developed into the Kremlin as it is known today. It has grown into a city of immense contrasts with many historical buildings on the one hand and a lively modern city of over 8 million people on the other. Take a tour of the major sights of this incredible city, such as the red-brick Kremlin surrounded by huge battlements with its amazing Armoury, Red Square, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and St. Basil’s Cathedral with its eight colourful onion domes. Tonight you have the opportunity of attending a performance by the worldrenowned State Circus (bookable onboard).
DAY 9 - The Kremlin
Today you will visit the Kremlin, now the official residence of the Russian President, followed by a boat trip along the Moskva River, which runs through the centre of Moscow and enjoy lunch on board. The afternoon is then free for you to explore more of this fascinating city at your pace. Maybe visit the famous GUM department store, take a ride on the Metro to see the beautifully decorated stations, or join one of the optional excursions that will be available on board.
DAY 10 - Moscow/UK
Disembark the ship for your transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.