Day 1 - ISTANBUL - St. PETERSBURG
Meet at Istanbul Airport, International Terminal, Turkish Airlines counter at 05:00. After check-in and passport procedures, depart for St. Petersburg on Turkish Airlines flight TK401 at 08:15. Arrival in St. Petersburg at 11:50 local time. Following this, we will have a complimentary panoramic city tour of St. Petersburg, where we will see the highlights including Moskovski Prospekt, Nevski Prospekt Street, Stroganov Palace, Palace Square, Winter Palace, St. Isaac's Cathedral, Anichkov Palace and Bridge, and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. After the tour, transfer to our hotel for check-in and room distribution. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2 - St. PETERSBURG (EMBARKATION)
After breakfast at the hotel and check-out procedures, guests wishing to participate can join the optional Hermitage Museum tour. As one of the most important art museums in the world, the Hermitage consists of five buildings. This complex of buildings, which hosts the magnificent collection of the art museum founded by Empress Catherine and has evolved over the years, is considered one of the finest museums in the world. After the museum visit, enjoy free time in the city center, where you can savor the atmosphere in the cafes on Nevski Prospekt. After the designated meeting time, we will transfer to our ship. After check-in and settling into our cabins, there will be an informational meeting regarding the ports we will visit, the waterways we will navigate, and the operating system of the pool levels. The ship will depart at 19:00. In the evening, meet the captain and crew during the "Welcome" cocktail. Dinner and overnight stay on our ship.
Day 3 - VALAAM
After breakfast on the ship, we arrive at Valaam. Located north of Lake Ladoga, the Valaam archipelago is known for its nature and historical monasteries, featuring extraordinary beauty. During our walking tour of Valaam, we will explore the historical structures from the 14th century and the island's magnificent natural landscape. Valaam holds a significant place in Orthodox Christianity and has witnessed many historical events. We will learn about the history of the island and the region, along with its monasteries and religious centers. After the tour, we return to the ship and set sail.
Day 4 - MANDROGİ
After breakfast on the ship, we arrive at Mandrogi at 10:30. Mandrogi is a green village filled with colorful Russian wooden houses, where you will have free time. Here, you can enjoy a walk in the open air among the greenery, visit the mini zoo, beautiful souvenir shops located in wooden buildings, and craft workshops. There is also a small vodka museum here (entrance fee required). After lunch, we set sail. As the ship navigates through the northern forests of Russia, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery. Tonight, you will be hosted at the Captain's Gala Dinner. Overnight stay on our ship.
Day 5 - KİJİ
After breakfast, you can participate in onboard activities or enjoy the beauty of Lake Onega. After lunch, we arrive at Kiji at 17:00. Located above the 60th parallel within Lake Onega, this island is an open-air museum and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During our free Kiji walking tour, we will see the wooden Church of the Transfiguration, built without nails and appearing like a fairytale with its 22 domes, along with traditional wooden houses, and learn about past village and island life. After the tour, you will have free time on the island. Following this, we return to the ship and set sail at 20:30. Dinner and overnight stay on our ship.
Day 6 - GORİTSİ / KİRİLOV
After breakfast, you can participate in various onboard activities and enjoy the beauty of the Volga River from the deck. After lunch, we arrive at Goritsi. Known as a picturesque and tranquil village in Russia, Goritsi has a small port along the riverbank. You will discover the charm of this quaint village and explore the medieval atmosphere. This area is also an important center for early Christian history in Russia and reflects the spiritual lifestyle of many monasteries and monks. Upon arrival, we will drive 10 km by bus to visit the monastery in the town of Kirilov. After our visit, we will return to the village. There will be free time to explore the village and shop. At the designated time, we will return to the ship and set sail. On the ship’s upper deck, you can sip coffee while admiring the picturesque views along the riverbank. Dinner and overnight stay on our ship.
Day 7 - UGLİÇ
After breakfast, you can participate in onboard activities and enjoy the beauty of the Volga River from the upper deck. After lunch, our ship arrives at Ugliç. In this charming city on the banks of the Volga, we will take a free walking tour of Ugliç, where we will see the Cathedral of the Transfiguration in the Old Kremlin Square and the Church of St. Demetrius on the Blood, built at the site where Ivan the Terrible’s son Dimitri was killed at the age of 9. The ship departs at 18:00. This evening, you will be hosted at the Captain’s farewell dinner. Overnight stay on our ship.
Day 8 - MOSCOW
After breakfast, you will have time for preparations before disembarking from the ship. Around noon, our ship arrives in Moscow. After disembarking, we will have a panoramic city tour of Moscow, where we will see Leningrad Avenue, Triumph Palace (one of the tallest buildings in Europe), Tverskaya Avenue, the Parliament building, Bolshoi Theatre, Lubyanka Square, KGB Headquarters, St. Basil's Cathedral, Red Square, GUM Department Store, Christ the Savior Cathedral, and the Parliament Building. During the city tour, guests can join an optional Kremlin + 2 Cathedrals tour. Afterward, we will transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 9 – MOSCOW
After breakfast at the hotel, we will check out and take our luggage as we leave the hotel. Those interested can join the optional Novodevichy, Metro + Arbat tour. After the tours, we will meet at the designated time to transfer to Moscow Airport by bus. After check-in and passport procedures, we will depart for Istanbul's New Airport on Turkish Airlines flight TK416 at 19:35. Arrival in Istanbul at 23:00 local time and the end of our tour.