Fly from your choice of 15 regional airports with KLM via Amsterdam or from London Heathrow with British Airways. You’ll be met at the airport by your Scenic Tours Representative and transferred* to your ship for a warm welcome from your crew. Celebrate your first taste of Russia and meet your travelling companions over dinner on-board tonight.
Next Fourteen Nights: Cruising
After breakfast enjoy an included tour of St. Petersburg. A highlight is St. Isaac’s Cathedral with its huge gilded dome, exquisite mosaics and icons. You’ll also view the baroque Winter Palace and Alexander Column in Palace Square. This afternoon you’ll visit the Hermitage. Formerly the Winter Palace and home of the Tsars, today it houses one of the world’s greatest art collections.
Your day starts at the Peter and Paul Fortress where Peter the Great and all the Russian emperors and empresses are buried. It’s then on to the magnificent summer residence of Russian royalty at Peterhof. Visit Catherine’s Wing and view the Grand Cascade’s waterfalls and fountains.
This morning, visit Catherine’s Palace, famous for its grandiose white and gold façade and elaborate gardens. SCENIC EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE - Enjoy a highlight lunch at the old-world wooden ‘Podvorie’ restaurant. Here you will be offered traditional Russian cuisine with all products and wine home-grown from the restaurant owner’s private summer residence. This afternoon enjoy time at leisure. SCENIC EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE - After dinner you will be treated to a glass of sparkling wine followed by a private Russian ballet concert, exclusive to Scenic Tours.
Today you’ll tour the 19th century Yusupov Palace, where Prince Yusupov murdered Grigory Rasputin, the most controversial figure in Russian history. After lunch, visit a children’s music school and meet the children eager to show you their knowledge of English. This evening join your fellow travellers on the sun deck as your ship sets sail along the Neva River.
Your ship arrives in the village of Svirstroy, between Lake Ladoga and Lake Onega. SCENIC EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE - It’s all ashore to visit the home of a local family who will serve authentic Russian tea and piroshky, a speciality of the region.
Tour the port city of Petrozavodsk and learn about the Soviet era at Kirov Square, Gagarin Square, and Lenin Square, where you’ll stop at the World War II memorial of the eternal flame. Return to the ship for lunch and then attend an included Karelian Folk Show which celebrates the music and costumes of Russia’s north.
This morning, your ship docks at Kizhi Island, one of the most ancient inhabited sites in Russia. You’ll visit the museum and its precious collection of wooden churches and chapels. You’ll also view the Church of Transfiguration, with its 22 timbered onion domes.
At the medieval village of Goritsy you’ll tour the Kirillo-Belozersky monastery, built in 1397 and home to an impressive collection of Russian Orthodox icons. As the ship sets sail this afternoon, sample the beverage that has been integral to Russian culture for over 600 years - vodka.
Take an included walking tour of historic Uglich, part of the Golden Ring of cities around Moscow. The town dates back to the 10th century and was used by the legendary Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century as a base for his attacks against the Tatars. As you cruise towards Moscow, enjoy a night of celebration with your fellow passengers at your Captain’s farewell dinner.
Relax on-board this morning as you sail towards Moscow. Arriving after lunch, you’ll set out on an exploration which includes Red Square, Tverskaya street, the KGB building and a ride on Moscow’s Metro - considered one of the best subway systems in the world.
SCENIC ENRICH This morning travel to the Cosmonaut Training Centre at Star City. Inside the training facility is a full-size mock-up of the Mir Space Station. Here you will have the opportunity to meet with a real cosmonaut and see space simulators that prepare cosmonauts for lift-off before lunch at the venue. Tonight you’ll attend the internationally acclaimed Moscow Circus.
Your day starts with expansive views of Moscow from the Sparrow Hills. Then visit Novodevichy Cemetery, where Anton Chekhov and former President Boris Yeltsin are buried. SCENIC ENRICH This afternoon enjoy a tour of the most well known icon in Russia, St Basil’s Cathedral.
After breakfast, you’ll tour the Kremlin, seat of the former Soviet Union’s intrigue. In the State Armory, you’ll see priceless weaponry, jewels, Fabergé eggs and ceremonial robes. After your tour enjoy free time to explore the bustling city of Moscow on your own. This evening you’ll witness a thrilling National Russian Show performed by fifty folk dancers^.
After breakfast, you transfer* to the airport for your flight to the UK, either directly with British Airways to London Heathrow, or via Amsterdam with KLM to one of 15 regional UK airports.
*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
Brochure: IS/ERC/GBP1213
Tour code: IRRC.1