Luxury Cruise - Along The Volga: Moscow - Nizny Novgorod - Volgograd - Rostov - 12 Days (CR-61)

On arrival at Moscow airport, our driver will be waiting with a Go Russia sign ready to transfer you to the ship.

You might be reluctant to leave the comfort of the ship but enthralling Moscow awaits. The Russian capital is one of the most interesting cities of the world and we'll have a guided bus tour this morning before returning to the center of the city to see the famous Red Square.

Today we delve into Moscow's fascinating past, heading inside the famous Kremlin. Once the residence of the Tsars and Russian Orthodox Patriarchs, we'll set foot inside one of its uniquely beautiful Orthodox cathedrals. You will also be able to view the Byzantine splendor of St. Basil's multi-colored onion-domed cathedral, in nearby Red Square. We also offer an optional tour to the Pushkin Museum, as well as to the Kremlin Armoury Museum (optional), where the Tsar's spectacular jewels, crowns, thrones and royal armour are on display.

The approach to Uglich from the Volga River is one of the most beautiful we'll see on this cruise. Founded in 1148, this pretty provincial town is dominated by the Cathedral of the Resurrection and St. John's Church. We'll also visit the Kremlin, amongst the oldest buildings in town and the place where the seventh wife of Ivan the Terrible lived in exile in the 16th century.

Today's port of call is charming Yaroslavl. An important port with a history dating back to the eleventh century, there are a number of exciting historic buildings to explore. These include the 13th century Spassky Monastery complex and several beautiful 17th century cathedrals. We'll visit the Church of the Prophet Elijah as well as the city's other cultural highlights as we go ashore.

Colloquially known as Nizhny, the fifth largest city in Russia is today's destination. It occupies a commanding position with views of both the Volga and the Oka Rivers. We'll tour its ancient Kremlin and take a stroll along the pleasant pedestrian promenade before reboarding the ship.

We reach the Chuvash republic today and enjoy a city tour in historic Cheboksary. The fortress dates from 1555 but the place remained a sleepy backwater until the coming of the railway in 1939. During our visit you will enjoy a number of ancient churches and monasteries (among them Vvedensky cathedral (1657) and Saint-Trinity monastery (1566), as well as a view of a lovely bay beautifully situated in the middle of the city which has become a very popular gathering place for local residents.

Kazan is the stop on today's itinerary, the center of Tatar culture. Referred to as the Pearl of the Central Volga region, it dates from the 13th Century when it was founded by the Mongols. Later, it became the capital of the Khanate of Kazan, falling to the Russians under Ivan the Terrible in the 16th Century. This checkered history gives Kazan a unique blend of Muslim and Christian culture. We shall have an excursion to the city's Kremlin.

Samara dates from the 14th century and is one of the largest cities in Russia. Renamed Kuybyshev in honor of the Bolshevik leader Valerian Kuybyshev in 1935, it was chosen to be the capital of the USSR during the Second World War. Once it became clear that Moscow wouldn't fall to the Nazis, government functions were transferred back. Kuybyshev became an important city for the defense industry and like Saratov, a closed city during Soviet times. We'll visit its art gallery as part of our organized tour.

The name Saratov is thought to have originated from "Sary Tau" which means yellow mountain in the Tatar language, a reference to the sandy hills around the city. Once the home to the Volga Germans, exiled to Siberia in the war, it became a closed city during the Soviet era as a consequence of its role in military aircraft manufacturing. The city was also the home of the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin, and a vital part of the Soviet space program.

The boat docks in Volgograd, an honorary title bestowed for outstanding heroism in World War Two from this city, formerly known as Tsaritsyn and then Stalingrad. This is the site of the Battle of Stalingrad. Heavy German bombardment over two hundred days reduced the city to rubble. The casualties on both sides are estimated to be between one and two million, illustrating the ferocity of fighting. During our city tour, we will make a guided visit to Mamaev Kurgan and the Statue of The Motherland Calls.

We'll continue to sail along the Volga today, giving youths perfect excuse to sit back and relax as the scenery comes to you.

Our driver will meet you with a Go Russia sign board at the ship ready for your airport transfer.