Two weeks might not seem like enough time to explore a country with as rich and varied a culture as Russia, but a cruise down the Volga and Svir Rivers aboard a Viking Cruises ship will provide not only a wonderful introduction to a complex nation but the chance to see some of Europe's most storied cities in all their glory.
The 13-day Waterways of the Tsars cruise begins in Moscow, where passengers spend a few days exploring Russia's capital. Among the highlights are a visit to the famous Bolshoi Theater and a stop by Red Square with plenty of time factored in to take the perfect shot of the iconic and colorful St. Basil's Cathedral. Also on tap for passengers' first full day in Moscow is a visit to the GUM Department Store - famous for once being the State Department Store under communism - and an evening folkloric show.
Days 3 and 4 extend the exploration of Moscow with time for personal exploration or an optional morning tour to the Tretyakov Gallery, home to more than 170,000 works by Russian artists, followed by an afternoon spent at the Cosmonaut Museum. Other optional tours include the Jewish Moscow tour and the Moscow by Night tour.
Before setting sail on Day 4, passengers have the chance to visit the Kremlin, where they can see the Tsar's Canon and Tsar's Bell on display.
After sailing through the night and into the morning, passengers will spend the afternoon on their fifth day exploring the provincial village of Uglich, one of the Golden Ring cities. Among the highlights are visits to the former Kremlin of Uglich and the Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood. Later that afternoon, passengers can enjoy tea at the home of a local family.
Next on the itinerary is Yaroslavl, another Golden Ring city, and home to a variety of markets, offering everything from tasty food to handcrafted souvenirs. The morning is free to explore before returning to the ship for lunch and departure.
It's on to Kuzino on Day 7. This village offers a fantastic introduction to typical Russian life. Passengers can take a guided tour of the town and then have the chance to visit a local children's school or merchant house. That afternoon set sail down the Volga-Baltic waterway, a system of canals that links the Volga River with the Baltic Sea.
The eighth day of the journey brings passengers to the island village of Kizhi, where they will take a walking tour of the Open Air Museum of Architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its collection of wooden houses, windmills and churches. From there, it's on to the museum village of Mandrogy. Passengers can spend their free time exploring the Vodka Museum or go native and try out a "banya," a traditional Russian bathhouse.
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That afternoon and evening, passengers will continue sailing the Svir River across Lake Ladoga on their way to the Neva River, which will bring them into St. Petersburg. Days 10 and 11 afford ample time to take in St. Petersburg's legendary sites, including the Winter Palace, Hermitage Museum and the Catherine Palace, the 18th-century Rococo summer residence of the Tsars.
The final two days offer passengers the chance to explore St. Petersburg at their leisure before returning home or continuing their journey with a post-adventure to Helsinki.
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