1st Day - ISTANBUL - St. PETERSBURG
Meet at Istanbul Airport, Foreign Passenger Terminal, Turkish Airlines counter at 05:00. After check-in and passport procedures, depart to St. Petersburg with Turkish Airlines flight TK401 at 08:15. Arrive in St. Petersburg at 11:50 local time, then enjoy a free panoramic city tour including Moskovski Prospekt, Nevski Prospekt, Kont Strogonoff Palace, Palace Square, Winter Palace, St. Isaac's Cathedral, Anichkov Palace and Bridge, 2nd Alexander Nevsky Church. After the tour, transfer to our hotel, check-in, and room allocation. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
2nd Day - St. PETERSBURG (Cruise Embarkation)
After breakfast at the hotel and check-out, guests wishing can join an optional Hermitage Museum tour. The Hermitage is one of the world's most important art museums, comprising five buildings, including the Winter Palace, former residence of Russian czars, and the Palace of Catherine the Great, featuring a magnificent collection. After the museum visit, leisure time in the city center, enjoying cafes on Nevski Avenue. Meeting at the designated time, transfer to our cruise. Check-in, settle into cabins, and attend a briefing about ports of call, waterway crossings, and pool operation systems. The ship departs at 19:00. Welcome cocktail and introduction to captain and crew. Dinner and overnight on the ship.
3rd Day - LODEYNOE POLE
After breakfast on board, arrive at Lodeynoye Pole, a small city on the banks of the Svir River with a population of 20,000. Known for monasteries dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries and an important site in Russian Christianity. We will walk tour the city then return to the ship for lunch. The ship departs in the afternoon. You can enjoy the views of the northern Russian forests along the Svir River from the deck or participate in onboard activities. Dinner and overnight onboard.
4th Day - KIZHI
After breakfast, arrive at Kizhi Island. Located on Lake Onega above the 60th parallel, it is an open-air museum and UNESCO World Heritage site. During the free walking tour, see the 22-domed, fairy-tale-like, all-wooden Transfiguration Church built without nails, and authentic North Russian wooden village houses, learning about local lifestyle. Free time on the island before returning to the ship. In the afternoon, enjoy the scenery of Lake Onega from the deck or partake in onboard activities. Lunch, dinner, and overnight onboard.
5th Day - GORITZ
After breakfast, enjoy onboard activities and views of the Volga River. Arrive at Goritz, a picturesque and tranquil Russian village with a small riverside harbor, known as one of Russia's early Christian centers, featuring monasteries and hermitages. From here, we go 10 km to Kirilov, visit the monastery, then return to the village. Free time for exploration and shopping. Return to the ship, which departs during the evening. You can enjoy the river scenery from the upper deck with coffees and take in the picturesque views along the riverbanks. Dinner and overnight onboard.
6th Day - TUTAJEVO / RIBINSK
After breakfast, arrive at Tutaevo, a charming city on the Volga River with around 40,000 inhabitants. Explore the city on foot and return to the ship for lunch. Around 16:30, arrive at Rybinsk, near the Rybinsk Reservoir at the confluence of the Sheksna River and Volga. Established in the 11th century, Rybinsk is one of Russia’s oldest cities. Tour the historic center, see the monument of the Volga Burlaks (barge haulers), Old Market Square, and Transfiguration Cathedral. Return to the ship at the indicated time and depart. Dinner and overnight onboard.
7th Day - UGLICH
After breakfast, arrive in Uglich, once an important principality of Russia, with significant historical events. In the free walking tour, see the Old Kremlin Square and the church built on the site where Dmitry, Ivan the Terrible's son, died at 9 years old. Late morning, depart for Moscow. After lunch, participate in onboard activities, enjoying the scenic views of the Volga. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner hosted by the Captain. Overnight onboard.
8th Day - MOSCOW
After breakfast, disembark and have time for check preparations. Around midday, arrive in Moscow. A panoramic city tour includes Leningradsky Avenue, Triumph Palace (one of Europe’s tallest buildings), Tverskaya Street, Parliament Building, Bolshoi Theatre, Lubyanka Square, KGB headquarters, Saint Basil's Cathedral, Red Square, GUM Shopping Mall, Resurrection Cathedral, and the Parliament building. Guests can opt for an additional tour including the Kremlin and two cathedrals. Transfer to the hotel, dinner, and overnight stay.
9th Day – MOSCOW
After breakfast, check out and collect luggage. Those interested can join optional Novodevichy, Metro, and Arbat Street tours. After the tours, meet at the designated time and transfer to Moscow Airport. After check-in and passport control, Turkish Airlines flight TK416 departs at 19:35 to Istanbul New Airport. Arrive in Istanbul at 23:00 local time, marking the end of our tour.