Cruising Russia - Land of the Czars

Already Walked for 2010!

St. Petersburg • Mandrogy • Kizhi Island • Goritsy • Yaroslavl • Uglich • Moscow

Winston Churchill once described Russia as a ‘riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.’ Though Mr. Churchill’s analysis still holds true in many ways, it is also true that we have more freedom now than at any time in living memory to explore these riddles, mysteries, and enigmas. We invite you to join us on a cruise between two of Mother Russia’s most historic and influential cities, and the many pastoral sites in between. We’ll be following the Volga River and a series of connecting lakes and waterways that allow travelers to enjoy the leisurely pace of river cruising while appreciating many of the sites and villages best viewed from the water.

Daily Itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVE MOSCOW (D)

Travelers arriving from the USA today will be met at the airport and transferred to the M/S Konstantin Korotkov, our floating hotel for the next 10 nights. This evening's Get Acquainted dinner aboard ship will introduce us to the delicious cuisine that will be typical of our Russian Adventure.

DAY 2: ACTIVITIES IN MOSCOW (B,L,D)
Moscow Capital of Russia Walk 10 km, rated 1+

Highlights of this morning's walk include the impressive Kremlin walls, Moskva River, enormous Cathedral of Christ our Savior, and Arbat pedestrian shopping zone. The afternoon guided coach tour of Moscow includes Red Square, with Lenin's Tomb and the colorful, multi-turreted Cathedral of St. Basil. After dinner, you'll have the option to attend Moscow's famous circus, a fun-filled window into the intriguing culture of the planet's largest nation.

DAY 3: ACTIVITIES IN MOSCOW (B,L,D)

The day begins with a tour of the Kremlin–political, military, and spiritual heart of Russia. This afternoon, you'll have the option of touring the State Armoury, vast treasury of the czars. Aboard ship this evening, dinner is served while setting sail along the Moscow Canal and Volga River.

DAY 4: PORT OF CALL–UGLICH (B,L,D)
Uglich Small Town Russia Walk 10 km, rated 2

A neighborhood of time-forgotten wooden homes across the Volga River provides the start for today's walk. We return through the 10th century town of Uglich, visiting the tiny, wedding-cake-looking Church of St. Demetrius of the Blood, erected where Ivan the Terrible's seven-year old heir was mysteriously murdered in 1591.

DAY 5: PORT OF CALL–YAROSLAVL (B,L,D)
Yaroslavl Garden of Church Spires Walk 10 km, rated 1

Our walk through the 11th century, Volga town of Yaroslavl connects a busy downtown market, a charming island carnival to watch Russians at play, and the Savior Transfiguration Monastery to enjoy a concert of Russian hymns in a setting of acoustical perfection.

DAY 6: PORT OF CALL–GORITSY (B,L,D)

Explore a typical Russian riverside village in Goritsy today, including a possible invitation into a Russian home. Numerous shipboard activities are available throughout the cruise including folklore and classical concerts; lectures on Russian language, history, and culture; aerobics; dance lessons; handicraft presentations; and more!

DAY 7: PORT OF CALL–KIZHI ISLAND (B,L,D)
Kizhi Island Miracle Church Walk 10 km, rated 2

Combined with a lovely lakeside stroll through a traditional Russian community, tiny Kizhi Island offers the intriguing UNESCO World Heritage Open-Air Museum. The undisputed highlight is the 22-domed Church of the Transfiguration, all wood and built without nails!

DAY 8: PORT OF CALL–MANDROGY (B,L,D)
A relaxing day cruising the Svir River and Lake Ladoga is punctuated by a stop at Mandrogy, a small village in the forest exhibiting various Russian arts and crafts. After a shashlik barbeque, we'll set sail for beautiful St. Petersburg on the Neva River.

DAY 9: ACTIVITIES IN ST. PETERSBURG (B,L,D)
St. Petersburg Canals & Cathedrals Walk 10 km, rated 1

Housed amongst the opulent décor of Catherine the Great's Winter Palace, the State Hermitage Museum boasts one of the world's great art collections. Our afternoon walk passes the Hermitage, the Church on Spilled Blood, the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, and a multitude of majestic St. Petersburg panoramas. Following dinner aboard ship, you'll have the option of attending an evening ballet performance.

DAY 10: ACTIVITIES IN ST. PETERSBURG (B,L,D)

Our first optional excursion today is the flamboyantly baroque Catherine Palace, epitome of the excessive lifestyle of Russian royalty. This afternoon we have the option to stroll the expansive, Versailles-like gardens of Peter the Great's Peterhof before returning to the ship for our last night aboard. Tomorrow we fly home, taking with us the memory of the history, beauty, and grandeur of the land of Russia!

DAY 11: DEPART ST. PETERSBURG (B)

The Adventure draws to a close this morning with a transfer to St. Petersburg's Pulkovo II International Airport. What a priceless opportunity to gain firsthand understanding of this ancient land which continues to play a vital role in the story of our times!

What's Included

Russia - Land of the Czars
September 8-18 l 11 Days

Air Package
The air package is out of New York on a space available basis.

Included

11 day/10 night river cruise from Moscow to St. Petersburg on the Volga-Baltic Waterway including the Moscow Canal, the Volga River, Rybinsk Reservoir, Lake Beloye, Lake Onega, the Svir River, Lake Ladoga (Europe's largest lake), and the Neva River
Accommodations on the Main Deck - all outside cabins (upgrades available)
All meals (29 in all)
Excellent walks in Moscow, Uglich, Yaroslav, Kizhi Island, and St. Petersburg*
Moscow walk includes Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, Church of Jesus Christ our Savior and lots more
St. Petersburg walk passes the Church on Spilled Blood, Winter Palace and Hermitage Museum, St. Peter & St. Paul's Cathedral, Neva River, and much more
Kremlin tour
A capella concert in Yaroslav cathedral
Visit to local home in Volga village of Goritsy
Visit to Church of the Transfiguration (with its 22 cupolas) on Kizhi Island
Hermitage Museum - St. Petersburg
Live band performing each evening
Piano performance each evening
Fascinating onboard discussions/lectures
Blini/caviar and vodka tasting
Piroshki and tea party

Optional Excursions
Pending schedule availability

Moscow Circus - Moscow
Russian Ballet - Moscow
Kremlin Armory Museum - Moscow
Catherine's Palace and Peterhof gardens and palace - St. Petersburg
Cossack show - St. Petersburg

*IVV Sanctioning is available for all walks; fees for walking credit are included.

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Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance
Walking Adventures has negotiated with an insurance carrier to provide travel insurance in the form of a Preferred Benefits™ policy. We are pleased to make this package available and believe that it will provide travelers with an important element of security at a reasonable price.

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Why We Walk

Why We Walk
Walking and travel are a natural combination! For over 20 years, our Walking Adventures International team has been offering walking programs around the world, and we’ve found that walking and motorcoach travel is the best way to tour. Our coach takes you efficiently from point to point with little wasted time, but walking lets you get off the bus, stretch your legs, and explore the "must see" highlights and off-the-beaten-track wonders. For more on Why We Walk, click here.

Walk Rating System.
As you can see in the itinerary below, we use a difficulty rating system ranging from 1 to 5:
1. An easy walk on pavement or well-maintained trail with no significant hills.
2. A moderately easy walk, may be on pavement or on trails. No significant difficulty with hills.
3. A moderate walk in any setting with some difficult terrain, one or two substantial hills and/or steps.
4. A more difficult walk. Most likely in a natural setting with poorly maintained paths and steeper or hilly inclines.
5. A very difficult walk. All in rough fields or woods. Many steep hills or high altitude trails, or very rough uneven terrain, steep or unstable inclines.

Volkssport
Some travelers like to keep track of their walks with a system known as volkssport. Click here if you’d like to know more about volkssport.

General Questions
And follow this link for more details on topics like: WAI’s approach to airfare, the number of people accepted on a tour, and finding a roommate!

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Map l Click to Enlarge

Dates & Pricing