Luxury 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 your hotel.

Transfer to Marriott Aurora Royal Hotel.

Today is devoted entirely to the majesty of the Kremlin in Moscow. This ancient citadel of the Russian tsars was originally an outpost to fend off the barbaric Mongol hordes. It remains a center of political power, holding a number of presidential ceremonies in its elegant palaces. Its rooms tell the stories of the Russian dynasties and rulers of the past 400 years, a well-preserved UNESCO treasure that will give you chills as you traverse the same halls that once held Ivan the Terrible, Napoleon, Lenin, and Stalin.

• Excursion of Kremlin and one cathedral
  
• Tour inside of Armory Chamber

Moscow is Russia's largest city, its political and economic capital. The town of Moscow was the center of Moscovy - a small principality that unified the Russian lands against the Mongols in the late 14th century and has ruled Russia ever since. As the Mongols burnt major cities across Russia, refugees fled to smaller principalities like Moscow, Tver and Nizhny Novgorod. Through bribes, diplomacy and coercion, Moscow overcame its two rivals to become "Russia's first city." Moscow's 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.c

Today we will explore the Red Square of Moscow. Some of the most interesting sights in Moscow are located here, including the gloomy tomb of Lenin, the colorful St. Basil's Cathedral, the ancient citadel known as the Kremlin, and the buoyant merchant street Kitai Gorod.

You will have a lunch in one of the Moscow restaurants. This evening you will start your journey on MS Volga Dream.

• This day is dedicated to exploring Moscow on a bus city tour including sights: Red Square, Leningradskaya and Tverskaya streets, Novodevichiy Convent (exterior), Park of Fallen Idols,GUM and Cathedral of Christ the Savior (all outside views)
• Tour of Tretyakov Galery

In the evening you will embark Volga Dream. Transfer is organized for 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.

• You will discover the town on a walking tour with visit to the Kremlin, Transfiguration Cathedral, and church of St. Dmitry on the blood

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.

• You will explore this town on Volga river by bus with stops in St. Nikolas the Wonderworker, Governor's House art gallery, and Church of Elijah Prophet

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.

On your walking tour around the small town you will go inside of local Monastery of St. Cyril on the White Lake and exceptional museum of icons.

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.

• You will devote this day on the island to the open-air museum of wooden architecture

Mandrogi is a small village that has no architectural wonders, castles, or impressive churches. This land seems to be immune to the flow of time, frozen in a relaxing period of carelessness and calm. We will stop in the village for a traditional Russian picnic and a meal called "shashlik."

• You will have free time to stroll around the town and buy some souvenirs.

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. 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. .

• Tour of Peterhof Parks 
• 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)

Transfer to Angleterre Hotel.

The former residence of the Russian tsars, the Winter Palace is now home to the world renowned Hermitage Museum. 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.

• This day we will visit Hermitage, one of the world's biggest art galleries

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.


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