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May 23, 2008
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Litvinov

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Celebrate Russia’s magnificent past and promising future
The opulence of Russia awaits your arrival with its imperial cities and grand treasures, spectacular art and architecture, and vast political changes. From the glittering imperial cities of St. Petersburg and Moscow to the timeless towns along the Golden Ring, you’ll experience Russia in all of its glory and splendor.

Discover the soul of Russia along the shores of the Volga
Sail along the “Mother Volga,” as it has often been referred to in Russian folklore because it is said to flow in the heart of every Russian. Start your journey in glorious St. Petersburg, conceived by Peter the Great to take Russia from the “Dark Ages” into the “Enlightened Age.” With art-laden galleries and museums, including the world-famous Hermitage, and the elegant Catherine’s Palace in Pushkin, St. Petersburg will leave you mesmerized.

Before you reach the grand city of Moscow, you sail through history along the mighty Volga River and visit some of the most captivating cities of the Golden Ring – Uglich, Yaroslavl and Kostroma. Visit Kizhi Island with the spectacular Church of Transfiguration constructed entirely out of wood without a single nail. Step back in time to get a taste of the Russian countryside in Mandrogi, where you’ll enjoy a traditional shashlik lunch, and experience daily Russian life in Kirillov.

The perfect ending of a delightful cruise
Discover Moscow with its ancient gold-domed monasteries, Red Square, the Kremlin, the Armory and St. Basil’s Cathedral. Take a ride on the Moscow Metro and be amazed by its unique stations elaborately decorated with art work ranging from mosaics to sculptures to stained glass, and stroll through GUM, the great department store, with over 350,000 customers a day.

There is so much to see and do, and with Uniworld’s native Russian Cruise Managers, you’ll get inside tips on history, culture and contemporary Russia. Experience the grand sweep of Russia of today and yesterday as you cruise the Volga on a rewarding and enlightening journey into the glorious cities of Imperial Russia.

Who will enjoy this cruise: Travelers looking to experience a grand tour of Russia with some of the world’s finest art and distinctive architecture, the opulence of St. Petersburg and Moscow, and tucked-away villages with old world charm and warm friendly people.

Note: Cruising in Russia is a wonderful experience and while the MS Litvinov is a friendly, Russian-style ship that offers comfortable amenities, it doesn’t have the same amenities as a Uniworld company-owned ship.

DAY 1: Depart Home Gateway City to St. Petersburg

DAY 2: St. Petersburg (embark)
Arrive in St. Petersburg where you’ll be greeted by a representative and transferred to the ship. (D)

DAY 3: St. Petersburg
Featured Excursion: St. Petersburg city tour. Irresistible Optional Tour: Hermitage Ballet. Your tour of this fabled city of canals and northern lights takes you to Palace Square, the historic heart of St. Petersburg, and along Nevsky Prospect, the city’s main boulevard. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: St. Petersburg
Featured Excursion: Hermitage Museum. Irresistible Optional Tour: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, and travel via Hydrofoil to the magnificent Peterhof Gardens. Enjoy a guided tour of the world-famous Hermitage Museum, the crown jewel with nearly three million pieces of art. (B, L, Captain’s Welcome Dinner)

DAY 5: St. Petersburg
Featured Excursion: Catherine’s Palace and Park in Pushkin. Irresistible Optional Tour: St. Petersburg contrast tour with Yussupov Palace, the Dostoevsky Museum and the Alexander Nevsky Necropolises, or a canal cruise. Explore the lavish Catherine‘s Palace and Park, a magnificent imperial palace and masterpiece of Russian baroque architecture, in nearby Pushkin. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: St. Petersburg
Irresistible Optional Tour: Peter & Paul Fortress or St. Isaak’s Cathedral. Enjoy free time on your own in this glorious city. (B, L, D)

DAY 7: Mandrogi, Cruising the Svir River
Featured Excursion: Shashlik picnic ashore. Mandrogi, a reconstructed village situated where the village of Verkhnie Mandrogi was founded in the 18th century, illustrates the traditions, architecture and lifestyle of Russia’s past. A highlight of your visit to Mandrogi is a traditional Shashlik picnic ashore. (B, L, D)

DAY 8: Kizhi Island, Cruising Lake Onega
Featured Excursion: Kizhi Open Air Museum. Arrive in the morning at Kizhi Island on Lake Onega where you’ll visit the famous Open Air Museum, including the spectacular Church of Transfiguration constructed entirely out of wood without a single nail. (B, L, D)

DAY 9: Goritsy (Kirillov)
Featured Excursion: Daily life in Russia close-up. Meet the locals in Kirillov and experience daily life in this part of the world. Enjoy typical treats such as fresh brown bread and cranberry liquors. (B, L, D)

DAY 10: Cruising Lake Rybinsk, Yaroslavl
Featured Excursion: Yaroslavl, heart of the Golden Ring. Yaroslavl, considered one of Russia’s most beautiful cities is the heart of the Golden Ring cities. It’s also home to the exquisite Church of Elijah the Prophet, which you’ll see up close on your guided tour. (B, L, D)

DAY 11: Kostroma
Featured Excursion: Romanov Chambers and local art gallery. A jewel in the circle of the Golden Ring cities, and home to noble families and legendary dynasties. Your tour includes a visit to the House of the Nobility and former Romanov Museum. (B, L, D)

DAY 12: Uglich
Featured Excursion: Uglich and Church of Prince-Dmitry-on-the-Blood. It was here in Uglich that Ivan the Terrible’s son, Dmitry, was murdered in 1591. On your walking tour, explore the historical blue-domed Church of Prince-Dmitry-on-the-Blood, as well as the 18th-century Transfiguration Church. (B, L, D)

DAY 13: Moscow
Featured Excursion: Moscow city tour with Red Square. Cruise through the 80-mile long Moscow Canal in the morning and reach Moscow, the grand capital of Russia and its cultural and emotional heart, in the afternoon. On your panoramic tour, you’ll see many historical and famous landmarks from the world-famous Red Square to the spectacular rainbow-colored St. Basil’s Cathedral to the impressive Tverskaya Street. (B, L, D)

DAY 14: Moscow
Featured Excursion: Kremlin and Armory Museum, lunch at a local restaurant, ride on Moscow Metro and shopping time on Arbat Street. Irresistible Optional Tour: Catch a glimpse of Moscow by night with a boat ride*. A highlight of your stay in Moscow is a visit to the 15th-century Kremlin and Armory Museum, a self-contained city of palaces, armories, cathedral and medieval fortress. Take a ride on the unique Moscow Metro and visit Arbat Street. (B, L, D) *During summer months when it gets dark very late, Optional Moscow by Night may be substituted with a different tour.

DAY 15: Moscow
Irresistible Optional Tour: Take a tour to Zagorsk or visit Tretyakov Gallery. Enjoy an entire day at leisure in this grand city. (B, L, Captain’s Farewell Dinner)

DAY 16: Moscow (disembark), transfer to airport
Disembark the ship and transfer to Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport for your flight home.

EXTEND YOUR VACATION WITH THIS EXCITING POST-OPTIONAL EXTENSION

6-Night Baltic Capitals - Rich in history, graced with beautiful landscapes, and filled with warm, friendly people, a visit to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia is perfect addition to your Russian holiday.

Day 1: St. Petersburg - Tallinn - Disembark in St. Petersburg and transfer to Tallinn. Dinner and overnight in Tallinn. (B,L,D)
Day 2: Tallinn - Take a tour of Tallinn's UNESCO Old Town, and then visit Ethnographical Park and the Museum "Rocca al Mare." (B,D)
Day 3: Tallinn - Riga - Enjoy the seaport town of Tallinn, the Sigulda castle ruins and Paernu. (B,L)
Day 4: Riga - Tour Riga and then visit the resort town of Jurmala. (B,L)
Day 5:  Riga - Vilnius - Scenic motorcoach ride to Vilnius with visit of Rundale Palace, lunch at a local restaurant and Kaunas sightseeing tour on route. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Vilnius - Morning Vilnius City tour, afternoon visit of Trakai Castle. (B,D)
Day 7: Vilnius - Transfer to Vilnius airport. (B)

The 6-Night Baltic Capitals includes:

• 2 nights each in Tallinn, Riga & Vilnius at First Class, centrally-located hotels

• Breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 4 dinners

• Sightseeing with many special excursions

• English-speaking local guides and all entrance fees

• Touring by private, deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoach

• Cruise Tour Manager throughout your trip

• All transfers

Hotel:

• Vilnius: First Class Reval Lietuva Hotel or similar

• Riga: First Class Hotel Reval Latvija Riga or similar

• Tallinn: First Class Reval Park Hotel or similar

Only $1,499 per person (single supplement $299)
Note: This extension is available on Grand River Cruises that end in St. Petersburg.