| | | | | Arrive | Depart |
| 9th09 | MayMay | 202121 | Moscow, Russia, embark on the Scenic Tsar | | |
| Fly to Moscow from one of up to 10 UK airports. On arrival, you will be transferred to Scenic Tsar, where your journey through the heart of Russia will begin. |
| 10th10 | MayMay | 202121 | Moscow, Russia | | |
| Start your day by seeing the city's finest sights, before an insightful ride on Moscow's Metro, which is guaranteed to surprise you. After lunch in a local restaurant, you'll discover world-renowned sights such as Red Square and the stunningly beautiful St. Basil's Cathedral. Though now more accessible to travellers from around the world, these incredible world icons still exude much of the enigma that has always defined them. |
| 11th11 | MayMay | 202121 | Moscow, Russia | | |
| Your day begins with a visit to the Kremlin, the intriguing seat of the former Soviet Union. In the State Armory, you'll see priceless weaponry, jewels, and ceremonial robes. Tonight, witness a thrilling Russian folk show complete with traditional costumes and dances. |
| 12th12 | MayMay | 202121 | Moscow, Russia | | |
| Enrich Visit the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics, where you'll have the opportunity to meet a real cosmonaut and learn about the history of space exploration, with original exhibits and models relating to space technology, history and art. It's a beautiful and out-of-this-world experience that will have you seeing stars. |
| 13th13 | MayMay | 202121 | Moscow, Russia | | |
| Freechoice: Visit the State Tretyakov Gallery or explore the fascinating Museum of the Great Patriotic War commonly known as the World War II museum, where you'll have an opportunity to see a vast collection of Russian military memorabilia. |
| 14th14 | MayMay | 202121 | Uglich, Russia | | |
| Part of the "Golden Ring' of cities surrounding Moscow, Uglich is well worth a long, deliberate examination and your guided walking tour will show you the many highlights of this city. |
| 15th15 | MayMay | 202121 | Yaroslavl, Russia | | |
| Welcome to the fascinating and ancient city of Yaroslavl. In fact, dating back to 1010, it's even older than mighty Moscow. Today you'll have an opportunity to visit the Fine Art Museum, housed in the Governor's mansion, featuring the impressive collection of Russian paintings. |
| 16th16 | MayMay | 202121 | Goritsy, Kirillovsky District, Russia | | |
| Explore the Kirillo-Belozersky monastery, built in 1397 and home to a wonderful collection of Russian Orthodox icons. Toast the occasion with a little vodka, the beverage integral to Russian culture for over 600 years. |
| 17th17 | MayMay | 202121 | Kizhi Island, Russia | | |
| Dock at Kizhi Island, an open air museum with a precious collection of wooden churches and chapels. View the Church of the Transfiguration with its 22 timbered onion domes, easily amongst the most magnificent examples of wooden architecture in Russia, if not the world. |
| 18th18 | MayMay | 202121 | Mandrogi, Russia | | |
| Explore this charming museum village and its distinctive buildings and perhaps try shashlik, a traditional meal similar to shish kebab. |
| 19th19 | MayMay | 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. Start your day with a guided tour of this uniquely beautiful metropolis, followed by a lunch in a local restaurant. Then, visit the Hermitage, formerly the Winter Palace and home to the Tsars. Today it houses one of the world's most magnificent art collections. |
| 20th20 | MayMay | 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. Freechoice: Explore Catherine's Block and the fountains in the Lower Garden at Peterhof on a guided tour, or be seduced by the sheer extravagance of Peterhof's Grand Palace, which was modelled on the Palace of Versailles. Alternatively, wander the incomparable Upper and Lower Gardens at Peterhof, including the Palaces' majestic Fountains. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Freechoice: Visit magnificent St. Isaac's Cathedral, or Kupetz Eliseevs Food Hall where you will be treated to a gourmet tasting of local delicacies such as Caviar and Blini. Alternatively, tour Yusopov Palace and discover its link to Grigori Rasputin. |
| 21st21 | MayMay | 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. This morning visit Catherine's Palace, famous for its grandiose white and gold façade and elaborate gardens. Afterwards enjoy a highlight lunch at the old-world wooden Podvorie restaurant. This afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore or relax as you please. Enrich Tonight you'll be treated to a glass of sparkling wine, followed by a private Russian ballet concert at the majestic Palace of Prince Vladimir. The Palace was the last imperial palace to be built in St. Petersburg and is an eclectic combination of architectural styles that will dazzle and amaze you. |
| 22nd22 | MayMay | 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 you'll enjoy a cruise through the city's canals and get to glide under some of the city's 400 bridges. |
| 23rd23 | MayMay | 202121 | Saint Petersburg (ex Leningrad), Russia, disembark the Scenic Tsar | | |
| 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. After breakfast, transfer to St. Petersburg airport for yout return journey home. Travel to one of up to 10 UK airports. This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. |
