Day 1:
Arrive in Moscow. You can pre-book a transfer from airport or rail station to the Ms Nizhny Novgorod, your home for the next 11 nights. This evening there will be a welcome information briefing on board. This will include details of all optional excursions on offer for your sailing and information on life on board. Enjoy your first evening aboard with dinner, maybe followed by drinks in the bar with live piano music. Our on-board cruise manager is is there to help and assist with all issues and does so calmly and with good humour. Available to our customers at all times, our cruise manager is there to ensure your cruise is both a success and memorable experience!

Day 2:

Moscow. After breakfast on board, begin your Russia river cruise with sightseeing in Moscow, the capital city of Russia. On a panoramic tour (no entrances included) take in some of the iconic sights, such as Red Square with St Basil’s cathedral and the famous red brick walls of the Kremlin. The tour will also pass by the Novodevichy Convent and will stop at Sparrow Hills to allow panoramic views over Moscow. Enjoy lunch in a city centre restaurant before continuing to explore within the Kremlin walls to see the former residence of the Russian Tsars, discover the huge Tsar’s Cannon and Bell and visit one of the magnificent cathedrals housed within Cathedral Square, returning to the Ms Nizhny Novgorod late afternoon. An optional evening excursion is available. Dinner on board.
Entrances today: Kremlin territory and a Kremlin Cathedral Saint Basil’s Cathedral

Day 3:

Optional tours. After breakfast this morning, either enjoy free time on board, explore at your leisure or enjoy one of the optional excursions, which you may purchase on board. Return to the ship for lunch. Later this afternoon the ship sets sail. After welcome cocktail and dinner, take part in the Getting to Know You Show.
Entrances today: Only optional excursions today (not included) Cathedral of the Annunciation

Day 4:

Uglich. After breakfast on board the Ms Nizhny Novgorod, morning activities might include a lesson on Russian traditional crafts, a Russian language lesson and Russian songs. After lunch, visit the town of Uglich on the Volga River, first documented in 1148. The town’s historical significance is due to the suspicious death of Dmitry Ivanov, son of Ivan the Terrible. Dmitry was exiled to Uglich after his father’s death in 1584 but was found dead in questionable circumstances seven years later. The Church of St Dmitry on the Blood, built in his memory, appears on the horizon as the ship sails towards the town and is one of the great sights to be seen in Uglich. The visit also includes a walking tour of the town, a visit to the territory, once the location of the former Kremlin and the Transfiguration cathedral. Return to the ship to continue sailing along the Volga River. Dinner on board will be followed by a folk concert.
Entrances today: Territory of the Kremlin, Church of St Dmitry on the Blood, Transfiguration Cathedral

Day 5:

Yaroslavl. After breakfast, disembark for an excursion to the ancient city of Yaroslavl, founded in 1010 by Yaroslav Mudri (Yaroslav the Wise). Enjoy a visit to the Fine Arts Museum, situated in the former Governor’s House, as well as visiting the main sights of the city during a panoramic bus tour. There will be time to visit the Church of St Nicholas the Wonderworker, built in 1620 and to have some free time exploring the local markets. Return to the boat before setting sail and enjoying lunch as you cruise. During the course of the afternoon, enjoy some of the on board activities which may include a Classical concert, a Russian Tea Party or take part in the dance class.
Entrances today: Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, interactive tour to former Governor’s House (Art Gallery). Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Day 6:

Goritsy. After breakfast, this morning enjoy more activities, for example blini and vodka tasting (optional extra) then disembark for a shore excursion in Goritsy, a tiny village settlement on the edge of the White Lake. The main attractions in Goritsy are the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery and the Goritsy Nunnery. The Monastery was founded in 1397 and is an impressive ensemble of priories, churches and historical references. The Goritsy Nunnery is much smaller than the Monastery and was founded later in 1544. Return to the Ms Nizhny Novgorod for lunch and then we are ready to set sail. Learn some new skills this afternoon in the Matryoshka painting lesson before dinner.
Entrances today: Monastery of St. Cyril on the White Lake, museum of icons Goritsy Monastery Walls

Day 7:

Kizhi. Activities this morning may include a classical concert, a Russian language lesson, a Captain’s Bridge tour before enjoying lunch. Disembark to visit the Island of Kizhi located in Lake Onega. The island has been made famous by its collection of wooden churches with the centrepiece, the 22 domed Church of the Transfiguration, built completely without the use of nails. The Island has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the highlight of any Russian river cruise. Return to the boat before setting sail for the evening. Dinner tonight, with a demonstration of Russian National costume.
Entrances today: Open-air museum of wooden architecture, Intercession Cathedral, izba (traditional wooden house) Kizhi Island

Day 8:

Mandrogui. Route information and a Q and A session will take place this morning before enjoying a visit to the historical village of Mandrogui, located to the north of St Petersburg on the shores of the River Svir. The village is a representation of traditional Russian life with wooden buildings, a vodka museum and craft centre. Visitors can also see local recipes being made and visit the farms which are tended by the local villagers. A traditionally Russian lunch of shashlik (barbequed kebabs), can be enjoyed before returning to the ship. There will be a Russian Language lesson in the afternoon and a film about the cruise before tonight’s Captains Dinner with a glass of champagne, followed by this evening’s talent show.
Entrances today: Free entrances at your leisure, except Vodka museum (local charge approx €5 -€6 p.p.) Mandrogi in the Summer.

Day 9:

St Petersburg. After breakfast on board, prepare for a full day of exploration of the wonderful city of St Petersburg. On our panoramic city tour by coach, take in some of the most famous sights including the Exchange, Palace Square and the magnificent Winter Palace, St Isaac’s Cathedral, Cathedral of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood and Nevsky Prospekt, the city’s main thoroughfare. Entry is included to the Peter and Paul Fortress today. Lunch in a restaurant in the city centre, before heading for an excursion to the world-renowned Hermitage museum. A magnificent collection of art is housed in the winter palace of Catherine the Great. One of the largest museums in the world and founded in 1764, its collection includes over 2.7 million items. Dinner on board, there will be the opportunity for eveing excursions such as a visit to a ballet or folk show, or St Petersburg by night.
Entrances today: Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Peter and Paul´s Cathedral, Hermitage museum Palace Square, St Petersburg

Day 10:

St Petersburg. Today an optional excursion is available to Catherine’s Palace at Pushkin and Pavlovsk. Located 29km south of St. Petersburg, the construction of a Palace for Empress Catherine started in 1717. The Palace is truly spectacular with rooms decorated with gold leaf, a portrait hall and the famous and painstakingly restored Amber room. Return for lunch on board the ship . Dinner on board this evening. Tonight there will be an opportunity to enjoy an optional evening excursion to the ballet.
Entrances today: Catherine’s Palace and Park, Palace of Paul 1st, Pavlovsk. Church on the Spilled Blood

Day 11 :

St Petersburg. A visit to the Lower Park at Peterhof (Petrodvorets) this morning to see the magnificent fountain cascades and views of the Grand Palace. Return to the Ms Nizhny Novgorod for lunch on board. Guests have the opportunity to transfer to the city centre to enjoy free time to explore. Your final dinner on board this evening, with your fellow travellers and new found friends. An optional rivers and canal cruise will be available for those who would like to explore St Petersburg from the water.
Entrance today: Peterhof Lower Park (NOT palace) Peterhof Grand Palace from Above

Day 12 :

After breakfast on board, check out and disembarkation. Onward transfer to the airport or rail station (not included, you may pre-book). For pre-and post-tour extensions in Russia or beyond, please ask us for suggestions and a quotation