Day 1 - ISTANBUL - St. PETERSBURG
Meeting at Istanbul Airport, International Terminal, Turkish Airlines counter at 05:00. After check-in and passport procedures, we depart for St. Petersburg at 08:15 on Turkish Airlines flight TK401. Arrival in St. Petersburg at 11:50 local time. We will have a free panoramic city tour of St. Petersburg, including; Moskovski Prospekt, Nevsky Prospekt Street, Strogonov Palace, Palace Square, Winter Palace, St Isaac Cathedral, Anichkov Palace and Bridge, and the Church of the 2nd Alexandr Kan. After the tour, transfer to our hotel, check-in and room assignment. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
Day 2 - St. PETERSBURG (BOARDING THE SHIP)
After breakfast at the hotel and check-out procedures, those who wish can join an extra tour of the Hermitage Museum. One of the most important art museums in the world, the Hermitage consists of five buildings. This complex hosts an amazing collection developed over the years, housing the Winter Palace, which once served as the residence of Russian czars and czarinas, as well as the museum founded by Empress Catherine. After the museum visit, you can enjoy some free time in the city center and relax in the cafes on Nevsky Prospect. After meeting at the specified time, we transfer to our ship. After check-in and settling into cabins, an informative meeting will be held regarding the ports to be visited, sailing routes, and the working system of the level pools. The ship departs at 19:00. Evening "Welcome" cocktail to meet the Captain and ship's crew. Dinner and overnight stay on our ship.
Day 3 - MANDROGİ
After breakfast, you can participate in various activities on the ship or enjoy the beauty of the Volga River from the deck. Our ship arrives in Mandrogi at 13:30. Free time in Mandrogi, a picturesque village with colorful Russian wooden houses. Here you can take a walk in the greenery outdoors, visit the small zoo, beautiful souvenir shops within wooden buildings, and the souvenir workshops. There is also a small vodka museum here. (Entrance fee is applicable) The ship departs at 18:30. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery as we navigate through Russia's northern forests. Tonight you will be hosted at the Captain's Gala Dinner. Overnight stay on our ship.
Day 4 - KIJI
After breakfast, you can participate in onboard activities or enjoy the beauty of Lake Onega. After lunch, we arrive in Kiji at 14:00. This island, located above the 60th parallel in Lake Onega, is an open-air museum and a UNESCO World Heritage site. During our free walking tour of Kiji, we will see the wooden Transfiguration Church with 22 domes, resembling a fairy tale without the use of any nails, and learn about the village and island life in past eras. After the tour, we will have free time on the island. Then we will return to our ship, departing at 18:00. Dinner and overnight stay on our ship.
Day 5 - GORİTSİ / KİRİLOV
After breakfast, participate in various activities on the ship or enjoy the beauty of the Volga River from the deck. After lunch, we arrive in Goritsi. Known as a picturesque and tranquil village in Russia, Goritsi has a small harbor along the riverbank. You will explore the simplicity of this charming little village and discover the medieval atmosphere. This area is also an important center of early Christianity in Russia, reflecting the spiritual lives of many monasteries and monks. Upon arrival at this beautiful village located on the riverbank, we will travel 10 km by bus to visit the Kirilov town. After our visit to the monastery, we return to the village. We will have free time to explore the village and shop. At the specified time, we return to our ship, which will set sail. You can enjoy the views of the riverside as you sip your coffee on the upper deck. Dinner and overnight stay on our ship.
Day 6 - MIŞKİN
This charming little town on the banks of the Volga River invites its visitors to a nostalgic Russian fairy tale where time flows slowly. Notable for its traditional wooden houses, stone streets, and warm atmosphere, Mışkin is also famous for its unique mouse museum. We will explore this town by foot, where mouse figures can be found at every corner. In the early afternoon, we will head to Moscow. After lunch, you can participate in activities on board or enjoy the beautiful views of the Volga River from the deck. Tonight you'll be hosted at the Captain's farewell dinner. Overnight stay on our ship.
Day 7 - MOSCOW
After breakfast, we will have time for preparations before disembarking. Our ship arrives in Moscow around noon. After disembarking, we will take a panoramic city tour of Moscow, which will include; Leningrad Avenue, Triumph Palace, one of Europe's tallest buildings, Tverskaya Street, the Parliament Building, the Bolshoi Theatre, Lubyanka Square, KGB Headquarters, St. Basil's Cathedral, Red Square, GUM Shopping Center, Christ the Savior Cathedral, and the Council Building. During the city tour, those who wish can join the Extra Kremlin + 2 Cathedrals tour. Afterwards, we will transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 8 - MOSCOW
After breakfast at the hotel, we will check out and collect our luggage before leaving the hotel. Those who wish can join the Extra Novodevichy, Metro + Arbat tour. After our tours, we will meet at the specified time and transfer to Moscow Airport by bus. After check-in and passport procedures, we depart for Istanbul Airport on Turkish Airlines flight TK416 at 19:35. Arrival in Istanbul at 23:00 local time, and the end of our tour.