Luxurious Astrakhan - Moscow

Your driver will pick you up at the airport. He will be standing with your name sign at the exit gate. He will take you to the ship for the embarkation. Dinner will be served on the ship and after it, you can relax and rest in your cabin, the ship's lounge or bar. We recommend going to bed early to overcome your jet lag as we have an eventful program planned for tomorrow.

Astrakhan is located where the mighty the Volga meets the Caspian Sea, on the trade route from India to Persia. Astrakhan was the capital of Khazaria and then of the Golden Horde (the Mongols). Moscow took Astrakhan in 1556 and ruled it ever since. Today, you will tour the city including its Kremlin and cathedrals, designed on the Baroque style. The city also features a monument to Peter the Great, who constructed a shipyard here for his aggressions against Persia.

• You will visit Kremlin grounds of the city on a bus city tour

This day we will be cruising on the Akhtuba River. These lands are called "Black Soil Lands" for they produce most of Russia's vegetation. It is a perfect day to relax and read, to spend a day with friends while observing the banks of this ancient waterway. And, of course, the ship's crew is preparing an entertainment program for you.

Volgograd (former Stalingrad) is famous for the battle that unfolded here during the World War II. German forces attempted to cut off the Russian armies and their industrial production from their fuel supplies. To that end, they needed to take Stalingrad, situated on the western bank of the Volga River. Hitler sent his best armies and generals, including famous marshal Von Paulus to command the siege. The Battle of Stalingrad lasted for almost one year. The heroic defense of the city enabled the Russian army to prepare a counter attack and to surround the invading forces. This was a serious loss from which Hitler forces were never able to fully recover. This was not the victory for the allies yet, but it was in Stalingrad that the tide of war turned against the Germans. Volgograd has a giant memorial Rodina Mat (Motherland) commemorating those who fought and died here.

• You explore the city by bus and visit the infamous Mamayev Mound

Saratov was the northernmost colony of Greek Empire. In 512 BC it was completely annihilated by Persia and one millennium later, Ivan the Terrible established a colony on the ruins of the ancient city. Saratov used to have a large population of Germans, who migrated here during 19th century. When World War II erupted, they were relocated to Siberia and Kazakhstan. During the Cold War Saratov became the center of aircraft production and not surprisingly, Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, came from here.

• Saratov bus tour

Samara has long been Russia's diplomatic and economic link to the East. The growing bread trade in 19th-20th centuries turned this city into an important economic center in Russia. In World War II many of military factories were moved to Samara. The soviet leaders were even planning to move Russia's capital here had Moscow fallen to the German hands. Today, Samara is the third largest metropolitan area in Russia after Moscow and St. Petersburg and an important industrial center.

• During you city tour you will get to see the local Art Gallery

Kazan was the capital of Tatars, the allies of Mongols, who frequently pillaged Russian lands. Ivan the Terrible conquered Kazan in 1552 and forced its Muslim ruler to convert to Christianity. Ivan remodeled Kazan's castle to the Russian style and built St. Basil's Cathedral on the Red Square of Moscow in the celebration of his victory.

• You will have bus city tour and visit Kremlin grounds

Nizhny Novgorod was one of the newly founded towns that escaped Mongol devastation on account of its insignificance. The city, similarly to Moscow and Tver, attracted refugees from other cities pillaged by the Mongols and expanded rapidly during the period of the "Mongol yoke" that lasted for a little over 100 years. Moscovy incorporated the city in 1392 and soon thereafter the Tatars of Kazan burnt it down (1408). It took over one century to construct an enormous redbrick castle here which was soon of use when the Tatars tried to burn it again in 1520 and 1536. Today, just like 500 years ago, Nizhniy is one of the main commercial centers of Russia.

• You will have bus city tour and will go inside of local Kremlin

This day you will spend on the board of the ship, enjoying a great panoramic views offered by Volga.

By today standards Yaroslavl is small, but its place in Russia's history and culture cannot be underestimated. Before it was annihilated by the Mongols it was Russia's largest city, its economic, political, cultural and scientific center. It was rebuilt shortly after but was once again burnt to the ground. While the Mongols had been preoccupied with Yaroslavl, Moscow was able to harness enough power to overthrow the "Mongol yoke."
During the Polish occupation of Moscow in the early 17th century, it was Yaroslavl once again that became the center of the national resistance to the occupation.

• The Church of ElijahProphet
• Interactive tour of former Governor's House (Art Gallery)
• Local food market to buy delicious foods

Uglich is a small town on the Volga River. The best-defended fortress of Moscovy Kingdom, it was frequently attacked by the Lithuanians, the Tatars, and even the grand prince of Tver city-state that rivaled the Moscovy. In 1951 a 10-year old prince Dimitry, the last heir to the throne of the ancient Ruyrik dynasty, was murdered here in Uglich by Boris Godunov. Godunov proclaimed himself as the tsar of Russia, but was soon murdered himself. These events plunged Russia into three decades of political turmoil known as "Time of Trouble" that left the lands devastated and opened up a way for the new dynasty - the Romanovs. We will visit a small, but historically significant church of St. Dmitry-on-Blood, which is standing on the spot where Dimitry had been murdered.

• Territory of the Kremlin
• Church of St. Dmitry on the blood
• Transfiguration cathedral

This day is very special, as we will go inside the Kremlin - the ancient castle built to withstand the Mongol hordes. Throughout history, the Kremlin has been the center of political power in Russia and it remains a symbolic political center even today, as the official site of the inauguration ceremony of the Russian president (they don't actually live or work here).

The Kremlin is a living museum of Russia's history. Its inside wasn't built overnight, rather various rulers added new pieces over time (and some, like Napoleon, plundered from it). This cultural and historical treasure has been so well preserved that it seems that you are traveling in time. You will see the most interesting places in the Kremlin as you follow our professional guide in the steps of some of the world's greatest leaders and its most terrible dictators.

Later, your guide will take you to the famed Armory Museum, including its vast collection of Imperial Russian artwork. You will have the opportunity to see the Kremlin’s unique and intimate collection of Imperial Faberge Easter Eggs. Also in the Armory are many of the most important Imperial thrones and crowns, including the most historic, Cap of Monomachus.

• Excursion of Kremlin
  
• 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.

This day you will explore Red Square, the most famous square in the world located in the very heart of Moscow next to the Kremlin. Red Square together with the surrounding buildings is the most well known symbol of Russia. You will have a whole afternoon to explore this amazing place.

You will have a lunch in one of the Moscow restaurants.

• 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

Your voyage is coming to an end. It is time to say goodbye to this beautiful country, the crew and your fellow passengers. It is time to pack up and to go home bringing unforgettable memories with you. The airport transfer service is arranged for you.