Russian Waterways Cruises – 2006

St-Petersburg:
Spend unforgettable days in the capital of Russia and admire numerous treasures of its history and present days and enjoy its beauty.

Mandroga Green Stop.
In the village there are some structures built according to the Russian fine traditions of wooden architecture. Village dwellers meet the guests and organize something special for them. There is a museum of Russian Vodka where tourists can get acquainted with the history of Russian vodka industry, Remeslennaya Sloboda, walking in the picturesque woods.

Kizhi
Via the Volga/Baltic canal, our cruise takes us to the tiny island of Kizhi, located at the northern end of lake Onega. Renowned for its open-air Museum of Architecture assembled from various areas of the country and restored to form a glimpse of the past.

Goritsy
Goritsy is a tiny settlement seven kilometers from the Kirillo-Belozersky monastery. Visit what remains of the Nunnery of the resurrection on the banks of the Sheksna River in Goritsy, within a quarter of a mile of where the ship stop, will be interesting for any tourist with a real interest in Russian history.

Yaroslavl
Stretching for 18 miles on both banks of the Volga, Yaroslavl is an important Volga port with a population of 600,000. It was founded in the 11th century by Prince Yaroslav the Wise and today retains many noteworthy monuments of its colorful past. Of special interest is the magnificent 13th-century Spassky Monastery ensemble, a group of majestic 17th century cathedrals, an elegant rotunda and remnants of an ancient trading center. Loveliest of all is the Church of Elijah the Prophet, situated in the town?s central square. The frescoes on the walls and vaulting inside the church constitute a veritable museum of old Russian paintings.

Kostroma
One of the loveliest cities of the Golden Ring, Kostroma is certainly a highlight of the cruise. The pride of Kostroma is the museum at the former Ipatyevsky Monastery founded in the 14th century by the Zernov family, the forebearers of the Godunovs. The crypt of the Monastery became the Godunov burial vault. Kostroma is the only Russian city retaining the classical layout of the 18th/19th centuries, with streets and boulevards fanning out like the spokes of a wheel from a central square. Of special interest will be a visit to the outdoor museum village Berengevka.

Nizhny Novgorod
Founded in 1221, this city was a famous meeting place where people from the Orient, Siberia and Turkistan came to barter and trade. Formerly named Gorki, it was later home of political exiles and therefore closed to outsiders for many years.

Nizhny Novgorod has only recently opened its doors for visitors, where many well preserved memorials from the 13th and 14th centuries are found. Of special interest is the ancient Kremlin cathedrals, convents and the palace of the early ruling family.

Kazan
Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan which is often called the ?Pearl of the Central Volga region?. Numerous masterpieces of architecture ? the unique ?Leaning Tower of Princess Suumbike? ? an analog of the Pisa Tower, the Kremlin, Moslem Mosques and minarets, magnificent Orthodox churches and cathedrals make this city a special attraction for the tourists.

Samara
Founded in the 16th century Samara is today an important industrial and cultural center of the region. Formerly known as Kuibyshev, the city played a big role in the Peasant Uprising of 1670 under Styepan Razin and again in 1773 under Yemelin Pugachev. Recently Stalin?s bunker was discovered here and opened to the public.

Saratov
A beautiful city surrounded by outlying villages, Saratov was settled by Germans in the 18th and 19th centuries. Chernyshevsky, the famous Russian writer and democrat was born here and Yuriy Gagarin, the world?s first cosmonaut was a member of the Saratov Flying Club.

Volgograd
Stretching along the Volga River for 43 miles is Volgograd. This thriving center was built as a living monument to the valor and courage of the defenders of Stalingrad during World War II, whose steadfastness created a major turning point of the war.

Rostov ? on ?Don
The southernmost part of Russia?s Steppes was an 18th century Cossack outpost and trading center. Today this ?Gateway to the Caucasus? leads to the Ukraine and is an industrial and agricultural center. Its magnificent parks and beaches, theaters and museums, and unusual botanical gardens with vast collections of rare and beautiful plants make Rostov a most attractive city on the Don River.

The price includes:

• Accommodations in all outside cabins, each with private bathroom facilities, individual temperature control and large picture window.
• Three full meals daily, starting from the dinner on the day of arrival and finishes after Breakfast on the day of departure.
• Captain?s welcome Cocktail Reception.
• Gala farewell Dinner aboard.
• Full sightseeing programs in each of the ports of call.
• Guest lecturer.
• Russian language and song lectures.
• Nightly entertainment and dancing.
• Daily aerobics.
• Tour of the ship?s bridge.
• cruise director and staff.

The price does not include:

• Baggage: excess baggage, forwarding of baggage/ souvenirs.
• Insurance.
• Visas.
• Gratuities: gratuities for Cruise director, ship?s crew members, guides and drivers are not included and are at passenger?s discretion.
• Private transfers.
• Miscellaneous: Items of a personnel nature such as laundry, bar charges, beauty salon, telephone cable charges and medical services are not included.