St. Petersburg & Moscow Cruise between RUSSIAN WATERWAYS 2020 Save a guaranteed £1,000 per couple Travel. It leaves you speechless and then turns you into a storyteller. Ibn Battuta Welcome We invite you to join Emerald Waterways as we discover the many remarkable charms of Russia on this insightful 12-day itinerary, which follows a captivating route between St Petersburg and Moscow. This journey of discovery uncovers a wealth of hidden wonders and authentic local experiences, as history and folklore play out beautifully on Russia’s proud waterways. Grand in scale, St Petersburg embodies Russia’s imperial might. The city is full of architectural highlights, including the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood, the Kazan, and Saint Isaac’s Cathedral. A visit to the Hermitage Museum, the former Winter Palace of the Tsars, offers yet more cultural immersion in the captivating ‘Venice of the North’. Travelling east, you will visit the village of Mandrogi on the banks of the Svir River. The landscape here is dotted with ‘izba’ houses, and you can admire the many local handicrafts which tell of the region’s rich folklore. Moscow, Russia’s inimitable capital, boasts some of Europe’s most significant heritage sights, reflecting 800 years of turbulent history. Walk the flagstones of Red Square, marvelling at St Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum, and the Kremlin. Or, visit the State Armoury to understand the military might of this proud country. Your ship for this outstanding journey, the MS Rossia, is a traditional Russian waterways cruise ship. On board you will enjoy both comfortable furnishings and generous inclusions. We are offering you the chance toenjoy generous savings of £1,000 per couple when you book your place on this very special itinerary. We look forward to exploring the magnificent charms of Russia with you. Contents Exceptional EmeraldVALUE 4 The MS Rossia 6 The Heart of Russia 8 The Imperial Charms of Russia 10 Exceptional EmeraldVALUE Our promise of exceptional EmeraldVALUE ensures complete peace of mind. All flights, transfers and tips are included in the price you pay, as well as delicious and diverse dining with complimentary drinks to accompany lunch and dinner and insightful excursions. Enjoy local cuisine EmeraldDISCOVERY Russia is a land unlike any other, with a rich history spanning more than a millennia. We’ve hand-crafted a range of included excursions, enabling you to immerse yourself in the lifestyle of vibrant cities and rural villages. Join our expert guides for inspirational tours of UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic sites, many of which have overlooked some of the most important events in Russian history. 4 State Armoury, Moscow Emerald PLUS Our EmeraldPLUS experiences have been specially curated to offer an introduction to Russia’s heritage and the abundance of art and culture that can be found around the country. Whilst in Moscow, you will be able to embark on a guided tour of the State Armoury, witnessing the splendour of detailed ceremonial garments, the largest collection of jewelled Fabergé eggs and lavishly decorated arms and armour. Included insightful excursions EmeraldEXCURSIONS Every day in Russia will be one of enlightenment as you enjoy one of our insightful excursions, handpicked by our journey planners to showcase the best of this illustrious nation. From a visit to the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg to a visit to Mandrogi village, a place famous for its traditional houses and handicrafts, you’ll have every opportunity to experience Russian culture first hand. 5 u eck oat eck er eck The MS Rossia The MS Rossia perfectly a eck encapsulates the traditional heart of Russia. Your specially-chartered ship for this incredible journey was built specifically to sail the iconic Russian waterways. A superb selection of on- board amenities await, situated across four decks, including the Tsar Bar, where you can Deluxe Suite 2 2 2 2 relax with your favourite tipple whilst catching Comfort Suite (12.4M ) Deluxe Suite (14.6M ) Suite (16.3M ) Panorama Suite (16.5M ) up with new-found friends. Conference hall Library Gym Souvenir kiosk Coffee station Medical office The on-board restaurant serves delicious Russian-influenced dining, along with European Restaurant WC Office Reception Smoking area Elevator favourites. You’ll also enjoy complimentary drinks served with lunch and dinner. The MS Rossia also boasts a small gym and a library, which offers a quiet space to relax and reflect. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the bar area, whilst each comfortable cabin comes with services including a television and refrigerator. Restaurant 6 Deck & Cabin Plans u eck oat eck er eck a eck Comfort Suite (12.4M2) Deluxe Suite (14.6M2) Suite (16.3M2) Panorama Suite (16.5M2) Conference hall Library Gym Souvenir kiosk Coffee station Medical office Restaurant WC Office Reception Smoking area Elevator A typical twin cabin A typical double cabin 7 The Heart of Russia A land suspended in time, Russia has a cultural heritage that is unrivalled and a rich history that can be traced back over the centuries. This enigmatic nation is truly a secret gem, where ancient cities harbour architectural wonders, just waiting to be discovered. The Kremlin, Moscow Moscow Eight centuries of thought-provoking history are yours to discover in Moscow, as we take you right to the heart of the city. Gaze upon the intricate beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed St. Basil’s Cathedral and explore monuments dedicated to Russia’s communist past. Every turn will unveil another architectural marvel, as spectacular onion domes decorate the remarkable skyline. 8 St. Petersburg St. Petersburg Once the imperial capital of the Russian Empire, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of St. Petersburg promises a lot in the way of ornate beauty, best discovered during your included tour of the Hermitage Museum, once the official residence of the Romanovs. Wander alongside historic canals, passing opulent palaces and lavish cathedrals as you explore a land frozen in time. Volga river The Volga River At over 2,000 miles long, the Volga River is the longest in Europe, flowing from the rural hills of central Russia all the way to the Caspian Sea. This symbolic waterway has been an inspiration for writers and artists from around the world for generations, leading to it being affectionately referred to as “Mother Volga” in Russian literature and folklore. The picturesque stretches of the river are best viewed from the Sun Deck of MS Rossia. 9 Russian Waterways Cruise from St. Petersburg to Moscow Russia is a mystifying riddle that this insightful itinerary will enable you to solve. Start your journey in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of St. Petersburg and venture to idyllic rural villages showcasing the traditions of ancient folk communities. St. Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow 10 Russian Waterways Cruise from St. Petersburg to Moscow 12-Day The Imperial Charms of Russia Day 1 UK – St. Petersburg Kizhi Day 2 St. Petersburg Day 3 St. Petersburg Day 4 St. Petersburg Mandrogi 11 Day 5 Mandrogi Day 6 Kizhi St. Petersburg Goritsy Day 7 Goritsy R Day 8 Yaroslavl Day 9 Uglich Yaroslavl Uglich Day 10 Moscow 11 Number of nights Day 11 Moscow River cruise Moscow Map is a guide only Day 12 Moscow – UK EmeraldDISCOVERY Highlights And of course, our exceptional unique to your itinerary EmeraldVALUE inclusions come EmeraldPLUS as standard ■ Return flights from Londow Heathrow Visit to the Museum of Cosmonautics ■ Airport transfers to and from your ship Visit to the State Armoury ■ 11 nights in a suite on board MS Rossia. ■ 32 meals: 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 11 dinners EmeraldEXCURSIONS including a Welcome Reception ■ 2 drinks per guest with lunch and dinner on board Guided coach tour of St. Petersburg ■ Complimentary tea & coffee on board at all times Tour to the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg ■ Complimentary bottled water in your suite Visit to Mandrogi restocked daily ■ Complimentary Wi-Fi on board Tour to the Open Air Museum of Architecture in Kizhi Island ■ First-class service from English-speaking crew and knowledgeable local guides. Visit to the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery ■ Earn EmeraldEXPLORER points Tour to Yaroslavl ■ Complimentary River Cruise Guarantee cover Visit to Uglich ■ All port charges, airport taxes and overseas transfers Guided tour of Moscow ■ ABTA and ATOL protected Visit to the grounds of the Kremlin Plus we include all tips and gratuities 11 Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood Peter the Great monument Day 3 St. Petersburg St. Petersburg Today, an abundance of art and culture is yours to discover with a visit to the Hermitage Museum. to Moscow Founded by Catherine the Great, this complex of six historic buildings is one of the largest art museums in Departing May – August 2020 the world. A guided tour will enable you to explore different Day 1 UK – St. Petersburg time periods and cultures as you peruse ancient Roman sculptures, mementos of traditional Asian Return flights from the UK are included in the price theatre and the works of legendary artists, including of your holiday. You will be met at the airport and Picasso, Matisse and Leonardo da Vinci. The portrait transferred to MS Rossia, where a warm welcome gallery of the Romanov dynasty is perhaps the most awaits you from your captain and crew. impressive collection, adorning the walls of what was Founded in the 18th century by Peter the Great, once their official residence, the Winter Palace. St. Petersburg was once the imperial capital of the Russian Empire. Ornate Baroque palaces lining the EmeraldEXCURSION streets appear to be suspended in time, and centuries of revolution are weaved into the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic district. Meals: Dinner Day 2 St. Petersburg The history of this illustrious city is yours to explore during a guided tour today, including many of St.