M/S Tikhy don Cruise from Moscow to Rostov-on-Don 19 days, 18 nights from £5,680 Cruise from Caspian to Baltic Sea on board of the comfortable M/S Tikhy Don. Travel along the magnificent waters of the Volga River, the largest river in Europe, and the Don River, explore the rich culture and learn the history of the ancient Russian cities built on its banks. The Route To Book Call +442076035045 or Send Enquiry to [email protected] www.into-russia.co.uk Your Itinerary Moscow to Rostov-on-Don DAY 1, ARRIVE IN MOSCOW FOR YOUR RIVER CRUISE Welcome to the gorgeous capital of Russia - Moscow! Today you board your cruise ship. Dinner is served onboard. DAY 2, MOSCOW The capital of Russia since the late 15th century, Moscow has always been a popular destination. During your stay, you will have an opportunity to see city‘s world renown attractions that include the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Today you will enjoy the sightseeing bus tour of this ancient Russian capital, including Tverskaya Street, Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, Bolshoi Theater and Moscow State University for a panoramic view. Lunch and dinner. DAY 3, MOSCOW Morning tour of the Kremlin. The Moscow Kremlin is former residence of Russian czars, an architectural ensemble of unique beauty, which took shape between the 15th and 20th centuries. The center of the Kremlin is the Cathedral Square that is a unique complex of masterpieces of medieval architecture. The architectural ensemble of the Cathedral Square consists of several cathedrals and palaces; one of them is the Assumption Cathedral – the oldest Moscow Kremlin church, and one of the most important ones in Russia. On Kremlin grounds there also are the famous Czar Cannon of the 16-th century and Czar Bell of the 18-th century. DAY 4, MOSCOW Day at leisure. You will have time on your own in this great city. Optional tours are offered aboard. DAY 5, UGLICH Uglitch is one of the oldest, and, probably, one of the most beloved Russian towns, and a place of a pilgrimage of Russian Czars. According to a local legend its origin goes back to back to 937. During the guided walking tour there will be a visit to magnificent five domed Transfiguration Cathedral and Church of Tsarevich Dmitry on the Blood. This church was built to commemorate the most famous event in the town's history – a mysterious death of the 7-year old Tsarevich Dmitry, the last scion of Dimitri Rurik dynasty. Uglitch Kremlin is also on the list. Those who wish will have the opportunity to explore the Flea Market. To Book Call +442076035045 or Send Enquiry to [email protected] www.into-russia.co.uk DAY 6, YAROSLAVL Stretching for 18 miles on both banks of the Volga River, Yaroslavl is an important Volga port with a population of 600,000. It was founded in the 11th century by Prince Yaroslav the Wise and today retains many noteworthy monuments of its colorful past. Of special interest is the magnificent 13th-century Spassky Monastery ensemble, a group of majestic 17th century cathedrals, an elegant rotunda and remnants of an ancient trading center. Loveliest of all is the Church of Elijah the Prophet, situated in the town‘s central square. The frescoes on the walls and vaulting inside the church make it really a museum of old Russian painting. DAY 7, KOSTROMA During a city tour today we‘ll visit Ipatyevsky Monastery; and other wonders of the city as well. Optional tour to Museum of Wooden Architecture is offered. And there also is an optional tour to another great historical city: Rostov Veliky. DAY 8, PLYOS Ples (Plyos) is a town and the administrative center of Privolzhsky District of Ivanovo Oblast, Russia, situated on the right bank of the Volga River some 70 kilometers (43 mi) north-east of Ivanovo. The town was founded in 1410 by Vasili I as a border post of Muscovy. You have the time on your own. Take a walk along the cobbled streets of this hospitable place; go up the Cathedral Hill, breathe the fresh air and take a look around… You will understand why famous artists have been coming here in search of inspiration that further led to masterpieces. Today it is also possible to take optional tour to Suzdal – beautiful and ancient city with reach history. DAY 9, NIZHNY NOVGOROD Some call Nizhny Novgorod a ‗third capital of Russia‘; but Kazan that is also in our itinerary claims this title as well. Nizhny is less cosmopolitan than Moscow and St.Petersburg, and it is obviously smaller. The city has great location in the picturesque place, and lies at the confluence of Volga and Oka rivers. Today there will be a tour to the Kremlin of Nizhny Novgorod. Time has been passing by, and this impregnable fortress has turned into historical monument, but one of the surrounding streets still strongly resembles fortification moat. DAY 10, CHEBOKSARY City tour is on the list today. In the middle of the city there is a very popular gathering place for locals – these are the shores of recently constructed Cheboksary Bay that also has beautiful fountain complexes. Because of the status of the city a lot of construction work has been going on recently: many of the city districts have modern appearance but cultural buildings are very well preserved. To Book Call +442076035045 or Send Enquiry to [email protected] www.into-russia.co.uk DAY 11, KAZAN "This city, no doubt, is the first in Russia after Moscow, - wrote Catherine the Great in 1763, - clearly, Kazan is the capital of a big kingdom". Kazan is the capital of Tatarstan Republic, it is very diverse, modern and ancient at the same time. It is among the seven largest cities of Russia. Kazan lies at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka Rivers in European Russia. In 2009 it was chosen as the "sports capital of Russia". During the city panoramic tour along the historical parts and places of interest in Kazan the main sights are visited: Kazan Kremlin that is the heart of the city, and mosque Kul-Sharif. DAY 12, ULYANOVSK Ask any Russian what Ulyanovsk‘s claim to fame is, and the most likely reply will be: ―Lenin was born there.‖ The city was a Soviet shrine for almost 70 years. The Lenin Memorial Complex includes the house in which he was born and other buildings associated with his life. The city of Ulyanovsk is also home to SUV maker UAZ and aircraft producer Aviastar. The city-tour is going to be quite extraordinary. In fact, Ulyanovsk is one of a handful of cities that has managed to preserve the atmosphere of an old Russian province. That is why the city‘s wooden architecture is the first thing that catches a visitor‘s eye. Visiting the Lenin Museum is on the list. DAY 13, SAMARA The city is large and very important port with deep historical background. Just as several ports of such significance that are included into our itinerary, Samara is located at the confluence of two rivers: here the Samara River flows into the Volga River. Well-developed cities of the past were often built where rivers merge, because it was easier to protect them and to trade successfully. Samara is a fusion of old trade town with well-preserved buildings, the features of Soviet period and the ones of present time. Historical center of Samara has remarkable architecture: Samara's Gorky Drama Theater is a unique teremok-building in Russian style; the House of merchant Kurlina is an example of Samara‘s art nouveau; Lutheran Church of St. George and Roman Catholic Church are of gothic style. The city-tour will offer to you more great sights. DAY 14, SARATOV The city was initially founded in the 16th century as a fortress to protect the southern districts of the Russian Empire. Saratov is the place where Yuri Gagarin the first man in space, has started his career, and has done his first air-flight. In Saratov there will be a city tour. There is a museum dedicated to Gagarin and his life. Saratov has a rich cultural life. Among its most famous sites are: the Conservatoire designed in a Neo-Gothic style; the Drama Theatre that is one of the oldest theatres in Russia; the Radischev Art Museum with more than 20,000 exhibits. To Book Call +442076035045 or Send Enquiry to [email protected] www.into-russia.co.uk DAY 15, VOLGOGRAD Formerly named Stalingrad, is the site of one of the most important battles of the WWII. Certainly, the two main monuments of the city are related to the war: the giant ―Motherland‖ sculpture and the panoramic museum dedicated to the famous Battle of Stalingrad. There are other monuments in the city as well, including the Kazan Cathedral, the ―Old Sarepta‖ – the museum of former religious colony. We are having city-tour today. A lot of time will be spent on enormous memorial complex Mamaev Kurgan. The word ‗kurgan‘ means ‗hill‘. During the Battle of Stalingrad Mamaev Kurgan saw saw particularly fierce fighting, because the control over this hill became vitally important. Optional program: This day also offers optional tours to Panorama Museum or military cemetery Rossoshka. DAY 16, CRUISING The journey to our next stop provides you with opportunities to enjoy the fresh air on outer decks and the passing by sceneries. It will be a nice day to recall what had already been seen, to have a bit of relaxation, to socialize with other travelers and to take part in activities of the daily cruise program.