By day tour description
Day 1

Arrival to Moscow
Arrival in Moscow
Welcome to the capital of Russia - the city of Moscow! Centuries-old history, sights of world importance and truly unique architecture. Moscow leaves only vivid impressions! It is a city of contrasts. Old courtyards and streets coexist with new business centers. Old quarters stand out against the background of modern high-rise buildings.
Day itinerary
- Get acquainted with Russian custom officers
- Comfortable car transfer from the outskirts Moscow to the city center
Day key points
- Meeting at the airport and fast passage of customs formalities
- Transfer to the hotel in a comfortable car
- Arrival at the hotel, accommodation and rest
Meals
Day 2

Москва. City Tour - Highlights of Moscow
Excursion to Moscow for a whole day (8 hours) with a guide
Begin the day with an orientation tour of Moscow. The city boasts unique diversity and variety in terms of building styles: classic, modern, empire and eclecticism amazingly sit alongside more monumental designs, such as Stalin’s towering skyscrapers from the mid-20th century. The architecture of the capital, though seemingly contradictory and contrasting, makes for a dazzling combination in a quite unique city.
Lunch is served in a restaurant on the top floor of one of Moscow’s skyscrapers offering spectacular city views. After lunch, visit the famous Novodevichi Cemetery, where well-known Russian authors, musicians, playwrights, and poets, are buried along with famous actors, political leaders, and scientists.
City tour highlights: Tverskaya Street, Lubyanka Square, Kremlin embankment and visit to St. Basil Cathedral. Novodevichy Convent (photo stop), and if time permits, a stop at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and Sparrow Hills.
Day itinerary
- To trace the complex centuries-old path of the history of Russia on the example of Moscow
- See Moscow from the height of the Stalin skyscraper
- Consider the iconic sights of architecture: St. Basil's Cathedral and the Cathedral of Christ the Savior
- Walk along the famous streets of Moscow - Lubyanka and Tverskaya
Day key points
- Breakfast at the hotel, meeting with the guide
- Excursion around Moscow with a personal guide and a car: Tverskaya street, Lubyanka.
- Lunch is served in a restaurant on the top floor of one of Moscow's skyscrapers.
- Novodevichy cemetery, Kremlin embankment and visit to St. Basil's Cathedral. Novodevichy Convent (stop), stop at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and Sparrow Hills
- Return to hotel, rest
Meals
- Breakfast in the hotel
- Lunch at a panoramic restaurant
Day 3

Moscow Through the Centuries. The Ancient Kremlin, the Treasures of the Armory Chamber and a Modern Park Zaryadye
Excursion to Moscow for a whole day (8 hours) with a guide.
The morning consists of a stroll through the famous Moscow Kremlin with its beautiful cathedrals and unique museums. The Armory hosts an impressive collection of opulent coronation finery, hand-forged armor and ancient weapons, royal carriages and sleighs.
After lunch, cross Red Square to visit GUM, Moscow’s largest department store. Then proceed with a leisurely walk through the newly designed park Zaryadye, a stone’s throw from the Kremlin and Red Square.
Day itinerary
- Visit the Kremlin
- Take a photo on Red Square
- See the Armory's opulent collection of weapons and royal outfits
- Walk along the Glass Bridge of Zaryadye Park
Day key points
- Breakfast at the hotel, meeting with the guide
- Excursion around Moscow (8 hours) with a personal guide and a car: Kremlin, Armory, GUM, Zaryadye
- Return to the hotel, free time
Meals
- Breakfast in the hotel
- Dinner
Day 4

Start of Sailing. Uglich - One of the Oldest Russian Cities
City tour of Uglich with a guide
After a full day of cruising through idyllic forested countryside, we tie up in the ancient trading town of Uglich, a key point in Russia’s renowned ‘Golden Ring’. Explore the impressive Church of St. Dmitri-on-the-Blood, erected on the site where Dmitri, son of Ivan the Terrible, was murdered in 1591. Then an enchanting concert of choral music performed in St. John’s Church.
Day itinerary
- Admire the Russian landscapes on board the ship
- Visit a real Russian tea ceremony
- Find out what Russian tea is
- See the Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood, erected on the site of the murder of Dmitry, the son of Ivan the Terrible
- Enjoy choral singing in church
Day key points
- The beginning of the cruise: Costume Russian tea ceremony
- Russian cooking lesson
- First stop. Excursion in Uglich: Church of St. Dmitry-on-the-Blood
- Concert of choral music in the Church of St. John
Meals
Day 5

Yaroslavl. The oldest port city on the Volga
Excursion around Yaroslavl with a guide
Founded in 1010, Yaroslavl is one of central Russia’s oldest cities and boasts the Volga’s first port. There is much to see: the Spassky Monastery houses the Transfiguration of the Savior and the Church of Elijah the Prophet and an impressive collection of mosaics. Take part in a costumed reception at the governor’s house before re-boarding the MS Volga Dream in time for lunch.
Day itinerary
- Consider the ancient temples of Yaroslavl
- See the ancient mosaic collection
- Feel like a noble at the Governor's reception
- Enjoy the best views of Yaroslavl from the boat
- A BBQ on the deck of the ship
Day key points
- Breakfast
- Excursion around Yaroslavl with a personal guide and car
- Lunch on board
- BBQ
Meals
Day 6

Nizhny Novgorod. City of Labor Valor
Excursion around Nizhny Novgorod with a guide
Nizhniy Novgorod (formerly Gorkiy), once a wealthy commercial centre poised on the important trade routes to the East, became a closed city due to military activity during the Soviet era. You will hear more about the city’s history as a place of exile for political prisoners. Walk the ramparts of the XVIth-century Kremlin with its spectacular views and visit elaborately painted churches. The evening’s highlight is a folk concert presented by a local children’s group.
Day itinerary
- See another monument to Minin and Pozharsky, learn about their role in Russian history
- Feel the spirit of the past in the 16th century Kremlin
- Enjoy a folklore concert of the children's group
Day key points
- Breakfast
- Excursion in Nizhny Novgorod: sightseeing, Kremlin
- Lunch
- Russian dinner with vodka tasting
Meals
Day 7

Kazan. The Third Capital of Russia
Guided visit to Kazan
Today, you will notice that the now familiar Russian Orthodox Churches no longer dominate the banks of the River Volga. Instead, beautiful Muslim mosques begin to appear as you cruise across the border into the Republic of Tatarstan.
We will leave the Volga Dream for a while to explore Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan and very center of Russia’s Tatar culture. The white-walled Kazan Kremlin or citadel is where the famous Kul-Sherif mosque stands side by side with the old Peter and Paul Cathedral. Later in the day, a local ensemble will delight us with a concert of traditional Tatar music.
Day itinerary
- Admire the famous Kul Sharif Mosque
- Walk around the Kazan Kremlin, one of the oldest in Russia
- Listen to the Concert of Traditional Tatar Music
- Enjoy plays by Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky on board
Day key points
- Breakfast
- Tour of Kazan
- Lunch on board
- Piano concert - pieces by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff on board the ship
Meals
Day 8

Samara. The History of Russian Province and the Great River Volga
Excursion around Samara with a guide
A great opportunity to relax on the Sun Deck as we sail past the Zhigulevskie mountains towards the city of Samara
We begin with a city tour, which includes a visit to the space museum, then stroll along the Volga esplanade to the Samara State Art Museum
Day itinerary
- Enjoy the view of the Zhiguli mountains
- Walk along the Volga embankment and try to see the opposite bank
- Visit the Museum of Cosmonautics
- Have a barbecue on the open deck
Day key points
- Breakfast
- Excursion in Samara: sightseeing, Museum of Cosmonautics
- Lunch
- Dinner
Meals
Day 9

Saratov. Fish and salt trade center
Excursion around Saratov with a guide
In the evening check-in at a hotel in the city center
Once home to a large German community, Saratov is better known today for its connection to the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin, who lived and studied in the city. Our city tour takes us to the Radishev State Art Museum, the first Russian picture gallery outside of St. Petersburg or Moscow.
Day itinerary
- Take a walk along the Cosmonauts embankment
- See the monument to Gorodovoy
- Admire Russian painting at the Radishchev Museum
- See one of the most beautiful churches in Saratov "Satisfy my sorrows"
Day key points
- Breakfast
- Excursion in Saratov: sightseeing, Radishchev museum, “Satisfy my Sorrows” church
- Lunch
- Dinner
Meals
Day 10

Volgograd. Tsaritsyn. Stalingrad.
Tour of Volgograd
Originally named Tsaritsyn, this remarkable city has had three name changes in its tumultuous history. The site of epic battles during the Russian, Revolution – between 1925 and 1961 it was known as Stalingrad. The people’s heroic defence of the city during World War II was destined to become the decisive battle of the conflict on the eastern front.
We will then visit the imposing memorial on Mamayev Hill, which saw the bloodiest fighting of the war, and Battle of Stalingrad Panorama Museum.
Day itinerary
- Climb the majestic Mamayev Kurgan and see the panorama of the Battle of Stalingrad
- Walk around the city and see the preserved ruins of the Battle of Stalingrad
- Take a walk along the longest promenade
Day key points
- Breakfast
- Excursion in Volgograd: Mamaev Kurgan, Pavlov's House, Museum - Panorama of the Battle of Stalingrad
- Dinner
- Farewell dinner on board
Meals
Day 11

Volgograd. Farewell to Russia
Transfer to the airport by the time of the return flight
Hurry up to buy souvenirs before you say goodbye to Russia! Matryoshka dolls and samovars, national hats and scarves, felt boots and mittens, caviar and honey - be sure to take a piece of Russia with you.
Day itinerary
- Time to buy souvenirs of Russia
- Admire the bird's eye view of the Volga from the porthole
Day key points
- Breakfast
- Transfer to the airport by the time of the return flight
Meals