Volga Dream 2018 (St. Petersburg - Moscow - St. Petersburg) PLATINUM May 27 departure only

PLATINIUM CLASS
For the discerning traveller who prefers smaller group sizes, Platinum Class passengers stay in the finest, deluxe 5 star hotels in Moscow and St. Petersburg and undertake additional sightseeing tours in small groups (group size 15-18 passengers)

DAY 1 ST. PETERSBURG
Upon arrival in St. Petersburg, transfer to the MS Volga Dream. You may spend the rest of the day at leisure relaxing after the flight or explore St. Petersburg on your own. (D)

DAY 2 ST. PETERSBURG
This morning tour St. Petersburg, which Peter the Great transformed from marshland into the vibrant city of islands, canals, bridges and pastel-coloured palaces. Continue with an orientation tour of the city and enter Peter & Paul Fortress, the family shrine of the Romanovs. After lunch you will visit the Faberge Museum, which contains the world's largest collection of works by Carl Faberge. After this tour you will be transferred to the luxurious MS Volga Dream and begin your cruise along the Russian Waterways. Tonight enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner as you begin your cruise. (B, L, D)

DAY 3 SVIRSTROY
The highlight of your day in Svirstroy is being invited into a local resident‘s home. Warm and welcoming Svirstroy villagers will offer tea with jam and pirozhki‖ (local pies). They will enthusiastically tell you all about Russian traditions, lifestyle and the attractions of Svirstroy village while proudly showing off their homes and kitchen gardens. (B, L, D)

DAY 4 KIZHI
This afternoon explore the tiny, picturesque island of Kizhi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on Lake Onega. The open-air Museum of Architecture includes the Church of the Transfiguration, a unique onion-domed masterpiece built without a single metal nail and resembling something out of a Russian fairy tale. (B, L, D)

DAY 5 GORITZY
Early this morning you cross Lake Beloye, or the White Lake, formerly known as the “czar’s fishing grounds”. Arrive in the peaceful village of Goritzy to tour the Ferapontov Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its magnificent frescoes by one of the Russia's most renowned icon painters. Return to the ship for a late lunch. (B, L, D)

DAY 6 YAROSLAVL
This morning visit the oldest city on the Volga River, Yaroslavl. In the Spassky Monastery see the Transfiguration of the Saviour, adorned with murals depicting St. John's apocalyptic visions, and the richly frescoed Church of St. Elijah the Prophet. Participate in a costumed reception at the Governor's House before reboarding the Volga Dream in time for lunch. (B, L, D)

DAY 7 UGLICH
Arrive this afternoon in Uglich, which dates back to the 10th century. A walking tour includes the Church of St. Dmitri-on-the-Blood, a 17th-century treasure built on the site where Ivan the Terrible’s 10-year old son met his death. Lastly you will attend a concert of choral music at St. John‘s Church. (B, L, D)

DAY 8 MOSCOW
Disembark late morning and begin the day with an orientation tour of Moscow before proceeding to the famous Novodevichy Cemetery, where well-known Russian authors, musicians, playwrights, and poets, are buried along with famous actors, political leaders, and scientists. After a relaxed lunch, we continue with the New Tretyakov Gallery to see its collection of early 20th century works by world famous Russian avant-garde masters and Social Realism Art work. The tour is led by the specially invited museum Curator. (B, L)
Stay at
The St. Regis Moscow Hotel Nikolskaya (5 star) or Ararat Park Hyatt (5 star)

DAY 9 MOSCOW
Begin the day with a backstage tour of the historic and recently restored Bolshoi Theatre. Afterwards explore the famous Moscow Metro, renowned for its architectural splendour and ornately decorated stations. That’s followed after lunch by a visit to the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts to see its remarkable collection of French Impressionism, which includes works by Corot, Goya, Delacroix, as well as van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne, Matisse, and Chagall. (B, L)

DAY 10 MOSCOW
This morning enter the Kremlin for a visit to the Armoury Museum, with its collection of Czarist thrones, ceremonial crowns, coaches and gifts of state. Continue to the beautifully frescoed 15th century Assumption and Archangel Cathedrals. This will be followed by the tour of Moscow which including a walk through Red Square, GUM department store, photo stop at St. Basil's Cathedral. After a relaxed lunch, visit the renowned Tretyakov Gallery to view it’s collection of Russian art, ranging from 12th century icons to 20th century paintings. (B, L)

DAY 11 MOSCOW - ST. PETERSBURG
Today check out from your hotel, and transfer to the railway station for a 4 hour comfortable ride to St. Petersburg in a business class carriage. Upon arrival in St. Petersburg you will be transferred to your deluxe hotel located in the historic city centre near the Winter Palace and legendary Hermitage. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B, L)

Stay at
Kempinski Moika 22 Hotel (5 star)

DAY 12 ST. PETERSBURG
This morning you drive to Pushkin, the Czar’s Village, for a specially arranged visit to Catherine’s Palace. See the exquisitely restored Amber Room and stroll the formal gardens. Then onto the meticulously restored Peterhof Palace, St. Petersburg’s most famous and spectacular imperial estate, often cited as the "Versailles of Russia". Visit the Bathhouse and stroll in the vast Lower Park with its 176 fountains, 4 cascades, majestic palaces, and numerous gilded statues of ancient gods and heroes. Lunch is followed by a tour of Yusupov’s Palace, home to St. Petersburg once most wealthy aristocrats. On your tour of the Palace, you will hear the story about enigmatic monk Grigory Rasputin who was assassinated here, by Prince Felix Yusupov. (B, L)

DAY 13 ST. PETERSBURG
This morning enjoy an early entry to the famed Hermitage Museum, whose four hundred rooms contain spectacular examples of nearly all schools of Western art, including one of the greatest collections of French Impressionist works.

The next highlight will be enjoying a different view of this imperial city with a cruise along the city’s many canals.

Before lunch you will be able to enjoy a Russian Choral performance and the day ends with a visit to an authentic Russian home. This offers a unique opportunity to visit a real Russian Professor and his family, taste traditional home cooked Russian food, prepared by the hostess and, of course, ask anything about Russian life that you've been wondering about! The meeting will either be in a country house (dacha) or a family apartment in one of the famed, Stalin residential buildings of the early 20th century. (B, L)

DAY 14 ST. PETERSBURG
Your MS Volga Dream I cruise tour concludes after breakfast with a departure transfer for your onward journey. (B)