Reverse Two Capitals 2011

Your driver will pick you up at the airport. At the exit he will be waiting for you with your name on a sign, and from there he will take you to the ship where dinner will be served. You may relax and overcome your jetlag in your cabin, the ship’s lounge, or the fully-stocked bar. 

Welcome to St. Petersburg, the city of royalty! Peter the Great built this city as a culmination of all the greatest European capitals. Canals from Venice, elegant palaces and parks from Versailles, monuments from London, and churches from Rome. You will begin by exploring the city via bus, giving you a solid orientation to the places you will be visiting. Such places include St. Basil's Island and the Building of Exchange, as well as the Rostum Columns, the Church of Spilled Blood, and the Hermitage. It is said that if you were to spend 3 minutes by each exhibit, it would take 3 years to see everything. With your experienced guide, however, you will see the best rooms and halls in merely a couple of hours. Optional excursions for the day include taking in a performance of the Russian folklore show.

Included in itinerary:
    * This day we will visit Hermitage, one of the world's biggest art galleries
    * Bus city tour to St. Basil Island, The Building of Exchange, Peters and Paul Fortress (outside), Rostrum Columns, Nevskiy prospect, Isaac Cathedral (outside), Cathedral of Savior (outside)

Optional tours:
    * Russian Folklore Show

With no prepared itinerary for today, it is yours to explore! Wander the ancient streets of St. Petersburg or drift down its canals. You could also take an optional tour to the outskirts of St. Petersburg and see many luxurious palaces. Most notable is Catherine's Palace in Tsarskoe Selo (Pushkin). The evening will bring a performance of the Russian Ballet in the Hermitage.

Included in itinerary:
    *In the evening you will have Russian Ballet at the Hermitage Theater.

Today you will venture to the outskirts of St. Petersburg to visit Peterhof Palace, the summer residence of Russia’s royalty. While walking through its lavish parks and elegant rooms, be careful not to forget that you haven’t been transported to Versailles. Optional excursions include touring the Peter and Paul Cathedral.

Optional tours:
    *Excursion Inside of Peter and Paul Fortress and St. Isaac's Cathedral.

Svirstroy is 100 miles from St. Petersburg with a population of only 1000 people. You will have some free time to stroll through this unspoiled Russian village and browse the irresistible handmade trinkets and souvenirs.

Kizhi Island on Lake Onega is home to the massive Transfiguration Church. With 22 domes that extend over this small yet picturesque island, there are two interesting facts that surround it. Despite all of its architectural wonders, not a single nail was used to build it. Also, its original location was on the mainland, closer to the people. The Bolsheviks, for all their hatred of religion, wanted to destroy the church, but did not dare to do so. They decided to transport the church to a deserted island where no one would be able to see it. Today it can only be reached by river cruise.

The town of Goritsy is home to the historic Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, built in 1397. During the Time of Trouble, Polish invaders stormed the monastery in an attempt to purge Russia of its remaining nobles. Unsuccessful, they were forced out by the renewed Russian forces. 

By today standards Yaroslavl is small, but its place in Russia's history cannot be underestimated. Before it was annihilated by the Mongols it was Russia's economic, political, and cultural center. The Mongols were so obsessed with defeating Yaroslavl that they did not notice the gradual rise of Moscow. Absorb the remaining richness of this city and let its lingering power enthuse you.

Located on the banks of the Volga River, Uglich presented itself as a perfect fortress of defense for the ancient Moscovy Kingdom. In 1591 the 10-year old prince Dmitry of the ancient Ruyrik dynasty was murdered here by Boris Godunov before Godunov claimed the throne of Russia and was murdered himself. These events plunged Russia into three decades of political turmoil known as the Time of Trouble, leaving the lands devastated and open for a new dynasty: the Romanovs. We will visit the small but historically significant church of St. Dmitry-on-Blood, which stands on the location of the young prince’s murder.

Russia’s largest city, political capital, and economic center, Moscow is a bustling hub of world affairs as well as cultural treasures. Its role was briefly challenged when Tsar Peter the Great moved Russia's capital to his new city, St Petersburg, on the shores of the Baltic Sea, but Moscow has held its ground as one of the most important cities in the country. Today will be dedicated to exploring such important cultural and historical centers as the Red Square, Leningradskaya and Tverskaya streets, the exterior of the KGB building, and the elaborate Cathedral of Christ the Savior. We will also take a shopping trip to the famous GUM department store. An optional trip for today is to the Tretyakov Gallery, a national treasury of fine Russian art.

Included in itinerary:
     * This day is dedicated to exploring Moscow on a bus city tour including sights: Red Square, Leningradskaya and Tverskaya streets, Novodevichiy Convent (exterior), KGB (exterior),GUM and Cathedral of Christ the Savior (all outside views)
 
Optional tours:
    * Moscow by night
    * Moscow Circus

Moscow’s subway carries 3 million passengers daily and acts as a nuclear shelter and a museum of Soviet socialist art. You will take a short ride on the Moscow subway to get a taste of what it is like to live and travel in Moscow. One of our stops will be at the Tretyakov Gallery, a national treasury of fine Russian art. 

Your voyage has come to an end. It is time to say farewell to this glorious section of the world and your new friends as you leave, taking with you unforgettable memories. Ask your travel specialist about available cruise extensions.