Enjoy Premium River Cruising along Europe's wateways with Travelmarvel.
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60 11 Days Day 1. Arrive St Petersburg, Embark Ship Fly into St Petersburg this morning, Russia's extravagant cultural hub. Be met upon arrival at the airport and transfer to your river ship. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. This evening, enjoy a glass of champagne and traditional Russian folk music at a special Welcome Reception. 10 Nights: aboard your river ship, the ms Surikov. D Day 2. St Petersburg, Hermitage Museum Founded by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703 with the artistic flair of Italian architects, St Petersburg boasts a network of canals and baroque and neoclassical buildings which the city a distinctive European flavour. Be prepared to be dazzled today as you visit the State Hermitage to explore one of the oldest, largest and most impressive museums in the world. Housing over three million works in the magnificent setting of the Tsar's Winter Palace, the scale of the collection of artistic treasures on display is simply unrivalled. BLD Day 3. St Petersburg, Peterhof Palace Today, discover a world of opulence and excess on a guided tour of St Petersburg's imperial estate – Peterhof Palace. Described as the 'Russian Versailles', you'll inspect the Bath Block and majestic gardens, and see the lavish palaces that were the playground for Peter and Catherine the Great who ruled the Tsardom of Russia in the 1600s. Enjoy dinner back on board. BLD Day 4. Mandrogi Today, set off from St Petersburg and cruise down the Neva River. Along the way, you'll be treated to a Russian lesson on board, where you'll learn the essentials of this beautiful language. Arrive in Mandrogi, a tiny island that is more a living museum than a live-in village. During a guided tour through the quirky collection of old wooden houses you'll be given an enthralling insight into traditional Russian villages from the past. At the famous Vodka Museum, you'll learn all about the nation's signature tipple and see hundreds of brands on display. Enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch of Russian specialties and be sure to meander through the curious artisan shops filled with beautiful handmade gifts. Afterwards, re-board your ship and set sail along the peaceful stretches of the Svir River. BLD Day 5. Kizhi Island Absorb the picturesque Russian countryside as we cruise towards the tranquil waters of Lake Onega, Europe's second-largest lake. Then, watch in awe as we approach the spellbinding sight of Kizhi Island. Here, you'll set out on a guided walking tour through the Open Air Museum of Architecture, a renowned World Heritage-listed site. Marvel at the collection of well-preserved wooden houses, windmills and churches that date back to the 14th century. The island is dominated by the magnificent three-tiered Transfiguration Church, a 22-domed structure built in 1714 without a single nail. BLD Day 6. White Lake, Volga-Baltic Waterway, Goritsy Today, cruise across the ethereal White Lake and along the Volga- Baltic Waterway that connects the Baltic and Caspian seas. Arrive in Goritsy, a peaceful farming town. Here you'll enjoy a guided tour in which you'll visit one of the largest TREASURES OF RUSSIA CRUISE St Petersburg to Moscow St Petersburg n Mandrogi Kizhi Island n Goritsy n Yaroslavl Uglich n Moscow YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE INCLUDES ✓ 10 nights exploring Russia's waterways on an intimate river ship, the ms Surikov ✓ Services of a Travelmarvel Cruise Director and local guides ✓ 29 meals – 10 breakfasts (B), 9 lunches (L) and 10 dinners (D) ✓ Daily bottled water, tea and coffee, as well as soft drink, beer and wine at dinner on your cruise ✓ Explore up to 7 towns, villages and cities ✓ Transfers, port charges and tipping INSIDER EXPERIENCES Enjoy a glass of champagne at an elegant Welcome Reception accompanied by Russian folk music Take part in a riveting Russian language lesson on board Taste Russian vodka at a special Farewell Dinner