| | | | | Arrive | Depart |
| 11th11 | SepSep | 202121 | Saint Petersburg (ex Leningrad), Russia, embark on the MS Kronstadt | 18:00 | |
| Commissioned by Tsar Peter the Great (1672–1725) as "a window looking into Europe," St. Petersburg is a planned city whose elegance is reminiscent of Europe's most alluring capitals. Little wonder it's the darling of fashion photographers and travel essayists today: built on more than a hundred islands in the Neva Delta linked by canals and arched bridges, it was called the "Venice of the North" by Goethe, and its stately embankments are reminiscent of those in Paris. A city of golden spires and gilded domes, of pastel palaces and candlelit cathedrals, this city conceived by a visionary emperor is filled with pleasures and tantalizing treasures. With its strict geometric lines and perfectly planned architecture, so unlike the Russian cities that came before it, St. Petersburg is almost too European to be Russian. And yet it's too Russian to be European. The city is a powerful combination of both East and West, springing from the will and passion of its founder to guide a resistant Russia into the greater fold of Europe, and consequently into the mainstream of history. That he accomplished, and more. With a population of nearly 5 million, St. Petersburg is the fourth largest city in Europe after Paris, Moscow, and London. Without as many of the fashionably modern buildings that a business center like Moscow acquires, the city has managed to preserve much more of its history. Here, you can imagine yourself back in the time of the tsars and Dostoyevsky. Although it's a close race, it's safe to say that most visitors prefer St. Petersburg's culture, history, and beauty to Moscow's glamour and power. That said, St. Petersburg has begun to play a more active role in politics in recent years, as if it were the country's northern capital. It may be because of the affection the city holds in the heart of the country's political elite, many of whom are natives of the city. New high-speed trains now travel between Moscow and St. Petersburg, a new international airport and metro stations have just opened, and some crumbling parts of the city are undergoing reconstruction. St. Petersburg revels in its historic beauty but also embraces the new. Passengers are welcome to board our ship starting from 2:00 p.m. You'll be welcomed with a musical greeting. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll have dinner and spend the night on board. |
| 12th12 | SepSep | 202121 | Saint Petersburg (ex Leningrad), Russia | | |
| Commissioned by Tsar Peter the Great (1672–1725) as "a window looking into Europe," St. Petersburg is a planned city whose elegance is reminiscent of Europe's most alluring capitals. Little wonder it's the darling of fashion photographers and travel essayists today: built on more than a hundred islands in the Neva Delta linked by canals and arched bridges, it was called the "Venice of the North" by Goethe, and its stately embankments are reminiscent of those in Paris. A city of golden spires and gilded domes, of pastel palaces and candlelit cathedrals, this city conceived by a visionary emperor is filled with pleasures and tantalizing treasures. With its strict geometric lines and perfectly planned architecture, so unlike the Russian cities that came before it, St. Petersburg is almost too European to be Russian. And yet it's too Russian to be European. The city is a powerful combination of both East and West, springing from the will and passion of its founder to guide a resistant Russia into the greater fold of Europe, and consequently into the mainstream of history. That he accomplished, and more. With a population of nearly 5 million, St. Petersburg is the fourth largest city in Europe after Paris, Moscow, and London. Without as many of the fashionably modern buildings that a business center like Moscow acquires, the city has managed to preserve much more of its history. Here, you can imagine yourself back in the time of the tsars and Dostoyevsky. Although it's a close race, it's safe to say that most visitors prefer St. Petersburg's culture, history, and beauty to Moscow's glamour and power. That said, St. Petersburg has begun to play a more active role in politics in recent years, as if it were the country's northern capital. It may be because of the affection the city holds in the heart of the country's political elite, many of whom are natives of the city. New high-speed trains now travel between Moscow and St. Petersburg, a new international airport and metro stations have just opened, and some crumbling parts of the city are undergoing reconstruction. St. Petersburg revels in its historic beauty but also embraces the new. Located on the Neva River, discover the second largest city of Russia through its canals and rivers bordered with magnificent architectural palaces. We'll first explore this Venice of the North with a visit to the St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral, a major Baroque Orthodox cathedral. Afterwards, join us on a visit of the Peter and Paul Fortress and its cathedral, which contains the tombs of former Russian tsars. We'll then have lunch in town. In the afternoon, join us for a visit of the most famous museum in Russia located in the Winter Palace: The State Hermitage Museum. Sprawling across three massive buildings, this vast, chaotic, and incredibly rich collection is unquestionably the biggest draw for visitors to St. Petersburg. Afterwards, we'll have dinner and spend the night on board. Join us for the optional excursions proposed: Enjoy an evening of folklore entertainment OR visit Saint Petersburg by night and watch the raising of the draw bridges (this excursion can only be purchased on board). |
| 13th13 | SepSep | 202121 | Saint Petersburg (ex Leningrad), Russia | | |
| Commissioned by Tsar Peter the Great (1672–1725) as "a window looking into Europe," St. Petersburg is a planned city whose elegance is reminiscent of Europe's most alluring capitals. Little wonder it's the darling of fashion photographers and travel essayists today: built on more than a hundred islands in the Neva Delta linked by canals and arched bridges, it was called the "Venice of the North" by Goethe, and its stately embankments are reminiscent of those in Paris. A city of golden spires and gilded domes, of pastel palaces and candlelit cathedrals, this city conceived by a visionary emperor is filled with pleasures and tantalizing treasures. With its strict geometric lines and perfectly planned architecture, so unlike the Russian cities that came before it, St. Petersburg is almost too European to be Russian. And yet it's too Russian to be European. The city is a powerful combination of both East and West, springing from the will and passion of its founder to guide a resistant Russia into the greater fold of Europe, and consequently into the mainstream of history. That he accomplished, and more. With a population of nearly 5 million, St. Petersburg is the fourth largest city in Europe after Paris, Moscow, and London. Without as many of the fashionably modern buildings that a business center like Moscow acquires, the city has managed to preserve much more of its history. Here, you can imagine yourself back in the time of the tsars and Dostoyevsky. Although it's a close race, it's safe to say that most visitors prefer St. Petersburg's culture, history, and beauty to Moscow's glamour and power. That said, St. Petersburg has begun to play a more active role in politics in recent years, as if it were the country's northern capital. It may be because of the affection the city holds in the heart of the country's political elite, many of whom are natives of the city. New high-speed trains now travel between Moscow and St. Petersburg, a new international airport and metro stations have just opened, and some crumbling parts of the city are undergoing reconstruction. St. Petersburg revels in its historic beauty but also embraces the new. Today, enjoy time on your own to explore Saint Petersburg. OR this morning, join us for an optional visit of the Peterhof Palace. The utterly elegant Great Peterhof Palace is one of the supreme monuments of the 18th century and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We'll have lunch in town and return on board afterwards OR join us on an optional cruise along the canals of the city. We'll return on board and start cruising towards Mandrogi. We'll have dinner and spend the night on board. |
| 14th14 | SepSep | 202121 | Saint Petersburg (ex Leningrad), Russia | | |
| Commissioned by Tsar Peter the Great (1672–1725) as "a window looking into Europe," St. Petersburg is a planned city whose elegance is reminiscent of Europe's most alluring capitals. Little wonder it's the darling of fashion photographers and travel essayists today: built on more than a hundred islands in the Neva Delta linked by canals and arched bridges, it was called the "Venice of the North" by Goethe, and its stately embankments are reminiscent of those in Paris. A city of golden spires and gilded domes, of pastel palaces and candlelit cathedrals, this city conceived by a visionary emperor is filled with pleasures and tantalizing treasures. With its strict geometric lines and perfectly planned architecture, so unlike the Russian cities that came before it, St. Petersburg is almost too European to be Russian. And yet it's too Russian to be European. The city is a powerful combination of both East and West, springing from the will and passion of its founder to guide a resistant Russia into the greater fold of Europe, and consequently into the mainstream of history. That he accomplished, and more. With a population of nearly 5 million, St. Petersburg is the fourth largest city in Europe after Paris, Moscow, and London. Without as many of the fashionably modern buildings that a business center like Moscow acquires, the city has managed to preserve much more of its history. Here, you can imagine yourself back in the time of the tsars and Dostoyevsky. Although it's a close race, it's safe to say that most visitors prefer St. Petersburg's culture, history, and beauty to Moscow's glamour and power. That said, St. Petersburg has begun to play a more active role in politics in recent years, as if it were the country's northern capital. It may be because of the affection the city holds in the heart of the country's political elite, many of whom are natives of the city. New high-speed trains now travel between Moscow and St. Petersburg, a new international airport and metro stations have just opened, and some crumbling parts of the city are undergoing reconstruction. St. Petersburg revels in its historic beauty but also embraces the new. We'll spend the morning cruising towards Mandrogi. Take advantage of this morning cruise to admire the beautiful landscapes offered by the Ladoga and Onega Lakes. Enjoy lunch on board or join us for an optional traditional lunch in Mandrogi. Afterwards, you'll have some free time to enjoy a stroll through the village, founded over 16 years ago as an eco-stop. Artisans and craftsmen from all over Russia were invited to live and work here, creating the village's unique style. We'll have dinner and spend the night on board. |
| 14th14 | SepSep | 202121 | Mandrogi, Russia | | |
| 15th15 | SepSep | 202121 | Mandrogi, Russia | | |
| We'll cruise along Lake Onega before reaching Kizhi. Located at the heart of Lake Onega in the Republic of Karelia, Kizhi is one of Russia's must-see attractions. Join us for a guided tour of the island, a true open-air museum which houses a collection of amazing wooden structures from the past, including old chapels and houses, windmills and granaries as well as barns and racks for drying crops. The gem of this collection is the 22-domed Transfiguration Church (currently being renovated), covered with golden leaves and religious portraits and sitting next to the Church of the Intercession. Afterwards, we'll have lunch on board and continue our cruise on Lake Onega towards Goritsy. We'll have dinner and spend the night on board. |
| 15th15 | SepSep | 202121 | Kizhi Island, Russia | | |
| 16th16 | SepSep | 202121 | Kizhi Island, Russia | | |
| We'll spend the morning cruising towards Goritsy along the Sheksna River and Lake Beloye. After lunch, discover the authentic Russian way of life through a tour of the Goritsy School and a typical house. OR you can choose to join us on an optional visit of the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery. Founded in the 14th century by St. Cyril, this monastery used to be the largest and the strongest fortress in Northern Russia. This optional visit replaces the tours included in the stopover in Goritsy. We'll have dinner and spend the night on board. |
| 16th16 | SepSep | 202121 | Goritsy, Kirillovsky District, Russia | | |
| 17th17 | SepSep | 202121 | Goritsy, Kirillovsky District, Russia | | |
| We'll spend the morning cruising towards Yaroslavl, one of the Golden Ring cities funded in 1010. After lunch, join us for a visit of the Spassky (St Saviour) Monastery. Built in the 12th century, the monastery is home to the oldest building in the city: the monastery cathedral. You'll also be able to see St. Elijah the Prophet's Church. You can also choose to join in on an optional excursion to Rostov, one of the oldest cities of the Golden Ring. After a panoramic tour, we'll visit the Rostov Kremlin and the Assumption Cathedral erected in 1162. After our excursions, we'll have dinner and spend the night on board. |
| 17th17 | SepSep | 202121 | Yaroslavl, Russia | | |
| 17th17 | SepSep | 202121 | Rostov, Russia | | |
| 18th18 | SepSep | 202121 | Rostov, Russia | | |
| We'll cruise along the Volga River towards Uglich. Join us for a visit of the Uglich Kremlin which houses the Church of St Dmitry on the Blood and the Cathedral of the Transfiguration. The Uglich Kremlin was built during the 15th century and consists of seven buildings. The most majestic part is the five-domed Transfiguration Cathedral built in 1713. You'll also see the Church of St Dmitry on the Blood, the second oldest building in the Uglich Kremlin ensemble. It was painted red to remind people of the blood spilled in this place when the eight-year-old Prince Dmitry was found dead. We'll then enjoy a traditional concert of church music before lunch. We'll leave the Volga River behind to cruise along the Moscow canal through the impressive lock chambers built under Stalin. This evening, enjoy the Captain's dinner. We'll spend the night on board. |
| 18th18 | SepSep | 202121 | Uglich, Russia | | |
| 19th19 | SepSep | 202121 | Uglich, Russia | | |
| We'll spend the morning cruising towards Moscow, reaching it after lunch. We'll set out for a panoramic tour of the city, stopping by the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, rebuilt in 1995 as an exact replica of the 1883 version that had been demolished in 1931 by Stalin. We'll also discover the Donskoy Monastery, built out of wood in 1592 and truly conceived as a fortress whose goal was to defend the city from a Mongolian invasion. Rebuilt in the 17th century, it is today surrounded by gorgeous castellated ramparts as well as eight square and four circular towers with red-blood crowns. The monastery's necropolis houses the tomb of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. We'll have dinner and spend the night on board. Join us for an optional tour of the subway and city by night. The Moscow subway stations are some of the most beautiful in the world. With their sculptures, mosaics, lamps, and stained glass, the city's subway stations look more like lavish palace halls. We'll not only visit some of the stations but we'll also take a nighttime tour to see the city all lit up. |
| 19th19 | SepSep | 202121 | Moscow, Russia | | |
| 20th20 | SepSep | 202121 | Moscow, Russia | | |
| Join us for a panoramic tour of the Russian capital. We'll start our tour passing by the Red Square, a space cleared by Ivan the Great and reorganized by Ivan the Terrible, which is now the historical and political center of Russia. We'll also drive past the celebrated GUM State Department Store. After lunch in town, we'll visit the Kremlin, former residence of the tsars, and take a stroll around the Cathedral Square where we'll come across the most ancient monuments. We'll finish up with a visit of the wonderful Cathedral of the Dormition. Join us for an optional visit of the Kremlin Amoury. The museum houses collections based on the precious items that had been preserved for centuries in the tsars' treasury and the Patriarch's vestry: Royal garments, gold- and silverware, arms and armours, etc. The highest artistic level and particular historical and cultural value of the exhibits have made the Armoury a world-wide known museum. Visit of the Armoury subject to entry quotas set by the Kremlin Administrative Office. Must be booked 60 days prior to departure at the latest. Afterwards, we'll have dinner and spend the night on board. |
| 21st21 | SepSep | 202121 | Moscow, Russia, disembark the MS Kronstadt | | |
| Enjoy one last breakfast before disembarking in Moscow. End of our services at the North River Station. |
