COLLETTE
Worlwide Holidays

 *Enjoy a guided tour through the world-famous Hermitage Museum, the crown jewel of St. Petersburg, located in the Winter Palace.

* Visit the magnificent baroque style Catherine Palace, former home of Catherine the Great.

* Explore the incredible Kremlin and view the priceless collection of imperial treasures in the Armory Museum.

* Moscow sightseeing includes the world-famous Red Square with the spectacular view of the rainbow-coloured St. Basil’s cathedral.

* Cruising between Moscow and St. Petersburg, discover the unknown Russia, where daily life has remained unchanged for centuries.

 

10 Days ● 26 Meals: 9 Breakfasts ● 8 Lunches ● 9 Dinners

 

MONDAY: Arrive Moscow – Ship Embarkation
Today you arrive in Moscow, the grand capital of Russia and its most dynamic city. Transfer to the ship, your home for the next nine nights, where you will enjoy nightly entertainment and delicious local cuisine. This evening, spend time getting acquainted with your fellow passengers and the ship. Today dinner will be included.

TUESDAY: Moscow, Russia
Moscow is one of the largest cities in the world and home to more than nine million people. Enjoy a tour highlighting historic and famous landmarks including Red Square (UNESCO), St. Basil’s Cathedral and Tverskaya Street, Moscow’s grand boulevard, lined with shops and restaurants. The balance of your day is at leisure. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

WEDNESDAY: Moscow – Cruising
Take the Moscow Metro to visit the 15th century Kremlin. Known as the “Underground Palace,” each Metro station was designed by a Russian architect, sculptor or artist. At the incredible Kremlin (UNESCO), view the priceless collection of Imperial treasures in the Armory Museum, including the crown jewels. Set sail from Moscow through the countryside of Russia and enjoy nightly on-board entertainment such as a romance concert, a classical music concert, and even Russian dancing lessons! Tonight, enjoy a welcome cocktail reception, followed by the Captain’s welcome dinner. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

THURSDAY: Uglich
Approach the picturesque Golden Ring city of Uglich and soak in a lovely view of the magnificent architectural monuments from the deck. A walking tour features historic Transfiguration Cathedral, where a local choir brings the church’s acoustics to life during a brief demonstration. Also see the blue-domed Church of Prince Dimitry on the Blood. Visit a local handicraft market to view regional crafts and learn about the Chaika watches. Continue along the mighty Volga River through unspoiled forests and rural villages. While sailing, enjoy a unique sampling of local cuisine such as blini and caviar. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

FRIDAY: Goritsy
Enjoy breathtaking scenery as you sail south to Goritsy, a peaceful farming community. Later, sail in the vast White Lake, once known as the Tsar’s fishing grounds. As you continue cruising, enjoy one of the many daily on-board discussions. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

SATURDAY: Lake Onega – Kizhi Island
Cruise through picturesque Lake Onega, the second largest lake in Europe and one of the world’s purest. This morning arrive at Kizhi Island, at the northern end of Lake Onega. Kizhi is renowned for its open-air museum. Visit these fascinating buildings of northern wood architecture including the remarkable Church of the Intercession. This spectacular church has 9 domes in three tiers and is one of the ultimate examples of Russian fairytale architecture. Continue on your cruise, enjoying an authentic Piroshki tea party and learning about local tea traditions. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

SUNDAY: Svir River – Green Stop on Mandroghi or Svirstroy
Cruise through the 119-mile Svir River which connects Lake Onega with Lake Ladoga. Pause for a few hours in a quaint riverside settlement where you may explore various buildings which represent country life in Russia. This evening, enjoy a festive Captain’s dinner. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

MONDAY: St. Petersburg
Sail along the Neva River to St. Petersburg, Peter the Great’s magnificent creation and one of the loveliest of European cities. Your morning tour of this fabled city of canals will take you to Palace Square, the historic heart of St. Petersburg (UNESCO), and along Nevsky Prospect, the city’s main boulevard. See the monumental St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Admiralty Tower and other great buildings that stand as monuments to the extravagant splendours of Imperial Russia. This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour through the world-famous Hermitage Museum, the crown jewel of St. Petersburg. No museum rivals the Hermitage in size, grandeur and holdings, including masterpieces by Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Rubens, and Picasso. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

TUESDAY: St. Petersburg
Today, take an excursion to Tsarskoye Selo (formerly known as Pushkin) and tour the magnificent Catherine Palace. Marvel at the blazing robin’s egg blue of the exterior and tour its distinctive rooms. After your visit, enjoy lunch at a nearby folk restaurant featuring delicious local cuisine. The remainder of your afternoon is free to soak in the best of St. Petersburg. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

 

 

 

 

WEDNESDAY: St. Petersburg – Disembark Ship – Tour Concludes
Your tour ends, leaving you with many pleasant memories of a wonderful holiday. Today breakfast will be included.

PRICE PER PERSON                           £1999.00

Includes return flights from Manchester and airport transfers

 

Please Note:
The cruise line reserves the right to impose a supplement fuel charge. Should this occur, you will be notified of the additional charges.

 To complete your holiday, we include return airfaresport-to-hotel transfers when purchasing Collette airfare with your tour.  If you have arranged for your own air, we are pleased to provide you the option of purchasing these transfers.  Please note that all transfers will leave at pre-scheduled times.

Single accommodations are limited to two cabins and available on request only. Single cabins are not available on the Main Deck. Rate given applies to Upper or Boat Decks.

Child rates available on request only. Triple accommodations are not available.

All cabins on board your ship are outside cabins.

Collette offers standard, outside cabins of similar quality and size for main, upper and boat deck categories.

There are many trip highlights offered onboard throughout the cruise; however, these are scheduled at the sole discretion of the cruise line and may not take place on the exact day they are featured in the itinerary.

Optional shore excursions can only be purchased on the ship. Payment can only be CASH and only in Rubles, U.S. Dollars or Euros. It is highly recommended that you exchange money upon arrival in Russia (at the airport or during the city tour the following day). You should exchange enough money to pay for all the options you wish to purchase and also to tip the staff on the ship. Credit cards are not accepted for these expenses.

Please note: Cruise ships have a limited quantity of cabins available in each cabin category. We will make every effort to accommodate your cabin category preference at the time of booking. If the cabin category preferred is not available at the time of booking, the next closest category available will be offered and a surcharge may apply.

A visa is required for travel to Russia. The visa cost of approximately £160 GBP including handling fees per person is not included in the tour price. It is the passenger’s responsibility to obtain any required visa and/or documents prior to departure. Please allow a minimum of approximately 4-6 weeks for processing your Russian Visa. All clients should check with the appropriate foreign consulate for additional entry requirements. All document fees are at the expense of the traveler.

This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days and more leisure time. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, up stairs or on uneven walking surfaces should be expected.