Russia’s Royal Riverways

Day 1 London – St. Petersburg
We begin with Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service® to London Heathrow Airport and an early morning direct, scheduled British Airways or indirect Swiss International Airlines flight to St Petersburg. On arrival, we transfer to MS Litvinov, with time to settle in before dinner onboard.

Days 2-3 St. Petersburg
St Petersburg is a city of haunting magnifi cence; an imperial capital that seems to have been built as a monument to its own passing. The city has witnessed so many dramatic events that one may find it hard to believe that St Petersburg is a mere 300 years old. Founded in 1703 to be the most European city of Russia, it remains Russia’s ‘Window to the West’ – just as Peter the Great envisioned it to be. Whist here, we will visit the extraordinary Hermitage Museum, one of the largest and most respected art museums in the world, containing works by Da Vinci, Rembrandt and Michelangelo. There will also be an orientation tour of the famous sites, including Palace Square. An optional excursion to the Peterhof Gardens, built by Peter the Great to impress European royalty will also be available. Here, over 175 fountains dominate the gardens, including the Great Cascade, in front of the palace that commemorates the Russian victory over the Swedes in 1709 and in the evening we set sail from St Petersburg.

Day 4 Mandrogi
Today, we visit Mandrogi, a reconstructed village, built on the shore of the Svir River to illustrate the traditions and lifestyle of Russia’s past. Inside the wooden houses are many craftsmen working to make matrushkas, lace, ceramics, and other souvenirs. This afternoon, you cruise the Svir River, connecting Lakes Ladoga and Onega.

Day 5 Kizhi Island
The Kizhi Open Air Museum of Architecture is located on ancient land, where heathen rites were held. Here, we explore 18th century wooden churches, built without a single nail, and a wooden octagonal clock tower. This afternoon, we cruise Lake Onega, the second largest lake in Europe and one of the world’s purest.

Day 6 Goritsy
An afternoon arrival in Goritsy, a peaceful farming community, where your cruise stops for a few hours. Whilst here, we will visit the vast Kirillo- Belozersky Monastery, built in 1397 on the banks of the Sheksna River and once the largest monastery in Northern Russia.

Day 7 Yaroslavl
After sailing Lake Rybinsk, we arrive in Yaroslavl, known as the ‘Russian Florence’, founded nearly half a century before Moscow in 1010. On our city tour, we visit the Church of Elijah the Prophet, an incredible structure fi lled with 17th century frescoes, and the 12th century Transfi guration Monastery, with murals depicting St John’s apocalyptic visions.

Day 8 Uglich
The approach to Uglich is one of the most memorable sights of your cruise along the Volga. From the river, the view of the town with the Cathedral of the Resurrection and St John’s Church looms on the horizon. Despite Uglich’s incredible beauty, it has had a disturbing history and, in 1591, Ivan the Terrible’s son, Tsarevich Dmitry was murdered here. On our walking tour, we will explore the Church of St Dmitry of the Blood, built on the spot where his body was found.

Days 9 – 10 Moscow
Moscow, the capital of Russia, was founded in 1147 by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky as a fortress on the banks of the Moskva River. During its 850-year history, it has witnessed times of glory and darkness, growing into the centre of Russian political, cultural and economical life. An orientation tour includes the famous historical centre of Moscow, Red Square; see the fairytale St Basil’s Cathedral in its colourful Byzantine splendour and shop in GUM, the largest department store in Moscow. We will also take a tour to the Kremlin, the oldest, most characteristic part of the Russian capital, and the symbol of Russian and Soviet power. As an optional excursion, you may like to visit the Armoury Museum, located inside the Kremlin. It was built in 1851 as a factory for making weapons and armour and today it houses a museum in which an enormous collection of Soviet national treasures are displayed, including the famous Faberge Eggs, as well as spectacular jewels. Or perhaps visit the stations of Moscow’s Metro, that have often been called the ‘people’s palaces’, for their incredible, elegant designs and lavish use of natural stone materials, mosaics and chandeliers.

Day 11 Moscow – London
The morning is at leisure, before we transfer to the airport for our direct return flight to London Heathrow Airport. On arrival, our staff will greet you and transfer you to Titan transport for your journey home to your own front door.

IMPORTANT TOUR INFORMATION

Please note: Outbound flights to St Petersburg may have an early morning check in. We recommend that those living any distance away from the airports consider the option of our “Easy Rider Service”. Those choosing a connecting flight should be aware that they may also be required to travel down the night before. This tour requires a reasonable level of mobility in order to enjoy it fully.
One should note Russian vessels should not be compared with the more modern ships on European rivers. Cabins are relatively small, with wet-rooms in cabins. Please note that MS Furmanov is not equipped with wheelchair access or a lift and does not have extensive soundproofing so there may be some noise from air-conditioning and other machinery onboard experienced at any time.

Titan Travel have a reputation for innovative and enthralling escorted holiday itineraries, and through the guidance of their founding principles, “quality, service and value” which have remained unchanged since the 1970′s, their expertise and experience are second to none.

Titan Travel strive to ensure that aspect of their holidays whispers quality, before you fly, you get to appreciate a comfortable, chauffeur-driven transfer from your front door to the airport with our peerless VIP Home Departure Service, check-in assistance and complimentary porterage. All international flights are with world-renowned scheduled airlines and cruises with acclaimed operators. Touring holidays are expertly designed by the product team to present a comprehensive, imaginative introduction to the destination of choice yet still offer plenty of time for relaxation. The services of a tour manager or cruise manager are included throughout. When you return to the UK, you are met in the arrivals hall of the airport and shown to your VIP Home Departure Service vehicle, waiting to return you to your front door.

Our Opinion
“Titan Travel’s guiding principles of customer service, quality of product and value for money are undoubtedly a contributing factor to them being voted, on many occasions, the UK’s best tour operator.”