Golden Ring: Moscow (Northern Port) - Moscow (Northern Port) - 12 Days and 11 Nights

Day 1

Moscow: Your journey begins as soon as you arrive in Moscow and board the ship. Moscow: Russia’s political capital and financial as well as cultural center. The city includes many must see attractions from the Kremlin and Red Square to the Assumption Cathedral. Moscow is the largest city in Europe complete with everything one can expect.

Day 2

Breakfast on board. A tour of the Moscow: You will be able to tour the city and all its historical sites throughout the entire day. This includes Red Square, museums, and others. Moscow:This tour is a great start to your trip and the best way to get acquainted with many of the city´s major highlights. Our professional guide will escort you on a route that includes Vorobyevi Hills where you will get an incredible view of the city from an observation point, you will proceed to Moscow State University which is an example of architecture from the time of Stalin, then on to the Novodevichiy Convent, the Diplomatic Village, Victory Park, the Triumphal Arch, Kutuzovsky Prospect, the Arbat and much more. Departure from Northern Moscow later in the evening after dinner is served on board.

Day 3

Arrival in Myshkin at 16:00, followed by a city tour including visit of Mouse’s Museum. Departure from Myshkin at 19:00. Myshkin: Myshkin literally means a Mouse´s town. The origin of the town´s name is very curious. It happened many centuries ago. An unknown prince stopped for the night in the woods and lay down on the grass. At night the prince was awakened by a mouse which had run across his face. This was not a very pleasant incident by it saved his life. A venomous snake lurking not far away could have bitten the prince. In honour of his lucky deliverance, the prince founded a chapel on this place, and in gratitude to his small rescuer he named this place Myshkin. In the XVIII century Myshkin achieved the status of a town according to Catherine II decree, and by the end of XIX century it became one of the richest and most prosperous small towns on the Volga river.

Day 4

Arrive in Yaroslavl at 08:00. Here you will have the opportunity to participate in another city tour and a tour of the Spassky Monastery. Departure from Yaroslavl at 20:00. Yaroslavl: Stretching for 18 miles on both banks of the Volga, Yaroslavl is an important Volga port with a population of 600,000. It was founded in the 11th century by Prince Yaroslav the Wise and today retains many noteworthy monuments of it’s colorful past. Of special interest is the magnificent 13th century Spassky Monastery ensemble, a group of majestic 17th century cathedrals, an elegant rotunda and remnants of an ancient trading center. Loveliest of all is the Church of Ilya the Prophet, situated in the town´s central square. The fresco on the walls and the vaulting inside the church combined constitutes a respectable collection of old Russian paintings. Optional tour: bus tour to Rostov Veliky with lunch at a local restaurant.

Day 5

Arrival in Kostroma at 8:00. A city tour, including the Ipatyevsky Monastery (by bus) will provide you with great sightseeing and informative lectures. Depart from Kostroma at 20:00. Kostroma: One of the loveliest cities of the Golden Ring, Kostroma is certainly a highlight of the cruise. The pride of Kostroma is the museum at the former Ipatyevsky Monastery founded in the 14th century by the Zemov family, the forbearers of the Godunov family. The crypt of the monastery became the Godunov burial vault. Kostroma is only one of a few Russian cities retaining the classical layout of the 18th/19th centuries, with streets and boulevards fanning out like the spokes of a wheel from a central square. Of special interest will be a visit to the outdoor museum village -Berengevka. Optional tour: excursion to the open air museum of wooden architecture.

Day 6

Arrival in Nizhny Novgorod at 15:00. Enjoy an informative tour of the city including the Kremlin. Departure at 21:00. Nizhny Novgorod: Founded in 1221, this city was a famous meeting place, where people from the Orient, Siberia and Turkistan came to barter and trade. Formerly named Gorki, it was home to political exiles and therefore closed to outsiders for many years. The city has only recently opened its doors for visitors, where many well preserved memorials from the 13th and 14th centuries are found. The ancient Kremlin cathedrals, convents and the palace of the early ruling family are especially interesting. Optional tour: excursion to the museum of Sakharov

Day 7

Arrival in Pavlovo at 08:00. Enjoy a walking city tour of the city including the Pavlovskiy Museum (museum of local lore) and then be transferred by bus to Murom at 11:00. All meals on board and departure at 21:00.

Day 8

Arrival in Gorodetsat 16:00.Enjoy an informative tour of the city including the exibition of Dymkovsky toys. Departure at 21:00. Gorodets: Gorodets is a small pleasant looking town, 50km northwest of Nizhny Novgorod. "Gorodets" means literary "very small town", and by the Russian standards this name is justified even now, after more than 830 years of Gorodets´ history. Gorodets was founded in 1152 by the Grand Prince Yury Dolgoruky. Just 5 years earlier (in 1147) Yury Dolgoruky founded Moscow. The people of Gorodets like to think that had the history taken a slightly different route, Gorodets rather than Moscow could be the national capital. The town is famous for various branches of the Russian folk art developed during the ages of Gorodets´ history. Especially famous are the Gorodets decorative paintings on wood. Also well known (as well as good tasting) are the Gorodets pryaniks (ginger bread).

Day 9

Breakfast provided on board in the morning upon arriving at Ples at 7:00. After a short city tour in Ples, you will depart for Vladimir. In Vladimir, you will see the exteriors of the Uspensky and the Dmitrievsky Cathedrals as well as the Golden Gate. Transfer to Suzdal, where another city tour awaits you. Excursions in Suzdal will concentrate on the exteriors of the Cathedrals and the Kremlin and will allow you to gain valuable information about the city and enjoy the memorable architecture and landscapes. Departure at 20:00.

Day 10

Arrival in Uglich at 17:00. Get ready to walk during another walking city tour, which includes the Kremlin. Depart at 19:00. Uglich: Founded in 1148, Uglich is one of the most beloved towns in old Russia. The view of the town as you approach it from the Volga River is especially lovely with the Cathedral of the Resurrection and St. John´s Church looming on the horizon. At the end of the 16th century, Maria Nagaya, seventh wife of Ivan the Terrible, lived in honorary exile in the Kremlin at Uglich. It was here in her garden that the Tsarevich Dimity met his death and where the Church of St. Demitrius of the Blood was built and still stands today. Within the Kremlin is the oldest building in Uglich, the Palace of Tsarevich Dimity.

Day 11

Breakfast on board as you arrive back in Moscow (north port). Take the rest of the day to explore the city, its shops, theaters and cafes. Enjoy as much time as you have in the unique capital!

Day 12

Moscow: Disembarkation.

• Accommodations in all cabins, each with a private bathroom, individual temperature controls, and windows
• Three meals daily
• Captain´s Welcome Cocktail Reception
• Gala Farewell Dinner Aboard
• Full sightseeing programs in each of the ports
• Guest lecturer: an eminent professor from one of Russia´s universities will conduct a series of lectures on Russia´s history, culture and economy.
• Russian language, dance and song lessons
• Nightly entertainment and dancing
• Souvenir shop on board
• Medical center on board
• Discos and bars on board
• Daily aerobics classes
• Special holiday meals and celebrations
• Group specials also offered, for example, romance or family tours. Contact us for more information)

• Forwarding of baggage/souvenirs
• Accident, baggage and trip cancellation insurance (we recommend you purchase insurance).
• Visas (for an additional cost we can help obtain one, see Full Visa Service).
• Gratuities for the cruise director, ship´s crew members, guides and drivers are not included and are at the passenger´s discretion.
• Private transfers if arriving or departing on other than embarkation/disembarkation days. Passengers must also pay for their own transportation to and from the pier (we can provide these transfers at an additional cost).
• All ships have an English speaking staff; however, tours at the ports may only by offered in Russian (guide services, who speak English and other languages, can be purchased at an additional cost).
• Items of a personal nature (laundry services, bar charges, beauty salon services, telephone and cable charges and medical services).
• Room service offered at an additional price.