Russian River Cruises from Exeter International

The MS Volga Dream was originally built for 200 passengers, but has been lavishly renovated to accommodate just 115. Cabins are spacious and luxurious, with individually-controlled air-conditioning and heating.

For more on why the Volga Dream is our favourite way to enjoy a Russian River cruise.

Guest accommodation is located across four levels, including deluxe cabins and suites on the two upper decks. All cabins have outside views, flat screen televisions, minibar, direct dial telephone, plus bathrobes, slippers, hairdryer, bathroom accessories, welcome fruit basket, bottled water and champagne.

The standards of service and cuisine on board the MS Volga Dream are outstanding. Complimentary wines are served with dinner, and there are two lounges, inside and outside bars plus sauna, fitness centre, hairdresser, library and boutique.

Russian River Cruises-The Itinerary

Day 1 - Saturday 22, Sept

LONDON – MOSCOW

Departure from London Heathrow at 13.25 on Aeroflot SU242. Arrival in Moscow at 20.15, (+3 hour BST) where you will be met by your private car and driver, who will be waiting for you just outside of Customs, after you pick up your luggage.

Transfer to the Volga Dream. Please note that, depending on your arrival time, your cabin may not be ready. You will be able to relax in the lounge or on deck while the boat staff prepares your cabin for check-in. The rest of the day is free for your own leisure, whether that be relaxing after your flight or exploring Moscow on your own.

Airport Transfer

Meals Included: Breakfast (in-flight meal), Lunch & Dinner (Volga Dream)

Day 2 - Sunday, 23 Sept

MOSCOW

The morning begins with an orientation tour of Moscow, taking in all the city centre sights, followed by a ride in the famous ornate Moscow metro.

This afternoon after lunch at a local restaurant we will meet our guide who will take us through the Tretyakov Gallery, which houses only Russian artists - from Andrei Rublev’s icons to famous 20th Century Russian painters. A must for the first time visitor, the vast gallery houses a fine collection of Russian art - icons, mosaics, paintings and sculpture dating from medieval times to the 19th century.

Optional: This evening enjoy opera or ballet performance at the famed Bolshoi Theatre (subject to the schedule of performances).

Full Day of Touring

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 - Monday, 24 Sept

MOSCOW

This morning meet your guide for an included tour of the Kremlin and its expansive grounds. Here you will see the largest bell in the world – as well as the largest canon. Neither was ever used due to their enormous size. Also on the grounds of the Kremlin are three very important churches and your guide will take you through all that are of interest. You will also see the Assumption Cathedral, where all Russian tsars were crowned.

Later, your guide will take you to the famed Armoury Museum, including its vast collection of Imperial Russian artwork. You will have the opportunity to see the Kremlin’s unique and intimate collection of Imperial Faberge Easter Eggs. Also in the Armoury are many of the most important Imperial thrones and crowns, including the most historic, Cap of Monomachus.

After lunch the Volga Dream will depart to begin your journey on the Russian waterways. Enjoy scenic views of the Moscow – Volga man-made canal as the ship sails from Moscow.

Optional: Visit the new Tretyakov Picture Gallery to discover its outstanding collection of XX century masterpieces by artists including Chagall, Kandinky, and Malevich. The tour is guided by a professor of fine arts.

Half Day of Touring

Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4 - Tuesday, 25 Sept

UGLICH

Today, upon arrival in Uglich we will enjoy a walking tour of this charming town. Founded in 1148, Uglich is one of the most beloved towns in old Russia. As we approach the town by river, the view of the town is especially lovely with the Cathedral of the Resurrection and St. John’s Church looming on the horizon. This delightful town retains much of its original charm in the form of historic wooden architecture and elegant cathedrals, including the famed Tsarevitch Church that was built in memory of Ivan the Terrible’s son, who died mysteriously on this site.

Half Day of Touring

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 - Wednesday, 26 Sept

YAROSLAVL

Yaroslavl is a large river port stretching along the banks of the Volga River. Yaroslav Mudry (the Wise) founded the city in 1010. It was a large centre of trade and crafts in the 17th century. It is famous all over Russia for its textiles in the old tradition. Yaroslavl belongs to the “Golden Ring” cities of Russia and it’s one of the largest centres of Russian architecture and arts of the 13th - 17th centuries. Today we will tour this city’s historical and architectural monuments.

Enjoy the evening entertainment onboard, which includes performances from Russian dancers and traditional folk singers.

Half Day of Touring

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 - Thursday, 27 Sept

NIZHNI NOVGOROD

This city contains the earliest preserved Kremlin in all of Russia, surviving numerous Tatar attacks. In later years, the Strogonovs who were the wealthiest merchant family in Russia chose Nizhni Novgorod as their base of operations. This resulted in many buildings throughout the city designed in the Stroganov style, which you will be able to view today.

A local children’s folk group will provide the evenings entertainment with song and dance.

Half Day of Touring

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - Friday, 28 Sept

KAZAN

The centre of Tatar culture, the official “third capital” of Russia, Kazan is famous for its ancient kremlin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is also known for Our Lady of Kazan, the mysterious icon invoked to thwart every major foreign invasion since the 17th century. A shipbuilding base for the Caspian fleet, Kazan celebrated its millennium in 2005.

Local Tatar folk groups will put on a performance for the evening’s entertainment, along side tasty local treats prepared by your chef.

Half Day of Touring

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 - Saturday, 29 Sept

SAMARA

This is the site of Stalin’s WWII bunker. Samara, then known as Kuybyshev, was designated to be the capital of the Soviet Union should Moscow fall to the Germans. Now an important economic and cultural centre, Samara has the most picturesque waterfront on the Volga, take a stroll and make sure to taste the beer at the famous local brewery.

Half Day of Touring

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 - Sunday, 30 Sept

SARATOV

Formerly a closed city, Saratov, the home of Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, was a crucial military manufacturing site, and a vital part of the Soviet space programme. Still a centre for space research, Saratov is a major Volga port and one of the largest cultural and scientific centres in European Russia.

Why not stop by the Open Air Museum of Military Weapsons, and here you can also take fantastic photographs of the Volga river from the highest point in Saratov.

Half Day of Touring

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 - Monday, 1 Oct

VOLGOGRAD

An outpost on Tsarist Russia’s unstable southern border, Volgograd (then known at Tsaritsyn) saw heavy fighting during the Russian Civil War. But it was not until Tsaritsyn was renamed Stalingrad that the city gained everlasting fame at the cost of its own destruction. For 200 days between 1942 and 1943, Soviet and Nazi forces engaged in the bloodiest battle in modern warfare, the decisive act of WWII. The Sword of Stalingrad, given to the city by King George VI, is displayed at the Battle of Stalingrad Museum. Motherland Calls is one of the tallest sculptures in the world, at 280 feet high, it memorializes the battlefield here in Volgograd.

Half Day of Touring

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 - Tuesday, 2 Oct

ASTRAKHAN

This afternoon the Volga Dream arrives in the city of Astrakhan – world’s caviar capital and fishing capital of Western Russia. Astrakhan is located on the Volga delta leading into the Caspian Sea.

Why not tour the local fortress, built in the reign of Ivan the Terrible and attend a lecture about famous black caviar followed by a private tasting session.

Half Day of Touring

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 - Wednesday, 3 Oct

ASTRAKHAN

This morning you will depart early for your visit to the Volga river delta to explore the unique flora and fauna of the region with a local naturalist.

Later today you will tour the city including its Kremlin and cathedrals, designed on the Baroque style. The city also features a monument to Peter the Great, who constructed a shipyard here for his aggressions against Persia

Day 13 - Thursday, 4 Oct

ASTRAKHAN – LONDON

Disembark the Volga Dream and meet your driver on the pier for your transfer to the airport for departure on SU712 to Moscow departing at 07.00, arriving 09:10. Connecting to SU 241 to London departing at 11:20, arriving at 12:30 local time.

Airport Transfer

Meals Included: Breakfast, In-flight Meal

Reverse Itinerary on 04 - 17 October 2012

For more information please call us on 020 8956 2756 or email us at enquiries@exeterinternational.co.uk