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Apr 26, 2008
Sep 18, 2008*

Litvinov

1-888-942-3301

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Fascinating history and amazing scenery
Rostov-on-Don, at one time a Greek colony, later a Turkish settlement, and finally the capital of the Don Cossacks, is your gateway for this one-of-a-kind cruise to a world of exotic history, beautiful traditions and breathtaking scenery. From the ancient capital of the Tartars, you’ll travel along the Don River, a vital artery in Russian history since the days of Peter the Great. Stop in Volgograd, formerly Stalingrad, and view the site of one of the greatest battles of WWII. Discover exotic Kazan, present capital of the Tartar Republic, and stop in ancient Nizhni Novgorod, the former home of political exiles.

Russia – off the beaten track
See another side of Russia with its pastoral landscapes, vast lakes, remote forested islands, and tiny houses. The Golden Ring Cities—Kostroma, Uglich and Yaroslavl—provide perfect examples of life in the country, as well as illustrate grand Russian architecture, old churches made of white stone, and gorgeous monasteries. Your final stop is Moscow, the emotional and cultural heart of Russia. Explore many of its world-famous landmarks: the familiar onion-domed St. Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square, the Kremlin and the Armory Museum. Land of the Cossacks is the perfect cruise for those who wish to venture farther into Russia and its southern borders.

Who will enjoy this cruise: Those thirsting to understand this incredible world power from its very beginnings – cities and towns that were once Turkish, Mongol, and Tartar encampments and strongholds. Visit Stalin’s bunker and Lenin’s house, as well as sites of military battles and testaments to the vast political changes over the centuries.

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 all the same amenities as a Uniworld company-owned ship.

DAY 1: Depart Home Gateway City to Moscow

DAY 2: Moscow – transfer to hotel
Arrive at Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport where you’ll be greeted by a representative and transferred to your hotel. (D)

DAY 3: Moscow, fly to Rostov-on-Don (embark)
Fly from Moscow to Rostov-on-Don and be transferred to your ship. (B, D)

DAY 4: Rostov-on-Don, Starocherkassk
Featured Excursion: Rostov city tour and Cossack Museum in Starocherkassk. An important river port, Rostov-on-Don was founded by the Russians in the mid-18th century and was granted official city rights in 1796. We’ll start our tour with a panoramic drive through Old Town, where we’ll see the Cathedral of the Virgin’s Nativity and the Market Square. During the afternoon, our ship will cruise to Starocherkassk, capital of the Don Cossacks, where we will visit the Cossack Museum and learn about the rich history of the city and the fabled Cossacks during our walking tour. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: Cruising the Don River
We spend the day cruising the Don River, one of the major rivers of Russia. It rises near Tula, southeast of Moscow, and flows for a distance of about 1,220 miles to the Sea of Azov. (B, L, Captain’s Welcome Dinner)

DAY 6: Volgograd
Featured Excursion: Volgograd city tour and Panorama Museum. Our tour passes by St. John’s Church before making its way to the central square of the city. We will visit the Memorial Tree, Lenin’s Monument, Pavlov’s House, and the Mamayev Kurgan war memorial. We’ll visit the Panorama Museum, with its eight exhibition halls, more than 3,500 exhibits and a unique portrait gallery of Soviet military leaders and commanders taking part in the Stalingrad battle. (B, L, D)

DAY 7: Saratov
Featured Excursion: Saratov city tour. A combination of a bus tour and walking tour, you’ll see Saratov’s major sights, including the 17th-century Trinity Cathedral, followed by a stroll through the historic part of the city, seeing the stunning renaissance architecture all around. (B, L, D)

DAY 8: Samara
Featured Excursion: Samara city tour and Stalin’s bunker. We’ll start our city tour with a visit to Stalin’s WW II bunker. We’ll then board buses for an enlightening tour of the city, taking in Iversky Monument and stopping at the replica of the Soyuz spacecraft. (B, L, D)

DAY 9: Simbirsk
Featured Excursion: Simbirsk city tour and Lenin’s home. Vladimir Lenin, key to so much of Russia’s history, lived here in Simbirsk, and today you’ll see the house where he grew up. We’ll then visit downtown Simbirsk and walk along Novy Venets Boulevard. (B, L, D)

DAY 10: Kazan
Featured Excursion: Kazan city tour including Kremlin and Mosque. Visit the Tartar settlement before continuing on to the baroque Peter and Paul Cathedral. Our next stop is the Kazan Kremlin, the only surviving Tartar fortress in Russia. We’ll visit the largest mosque in Russia, the Qol Sharif Mosque, and Annunciation Cathedral. We’ll cap off our tour driving by Kazan University, ending up in the pedestrian area of Bauman Street. (B, L, D)

DAY 11: Nizhni Novgorod
Featured Excursion: Nizhni city tour and Gorky’s House. Our tour of the city takes you to the Kremlin, viewing the Archangel Cathedral, Annunciation Monastery and the Eternal Flame, dedicated to Russian victory in World War II. Next, we’ll visit the home of the writer Maxim Gorky, the founder of socialist realism. (B, L, D)

DAY 12: Kostroma
Featured Excursion: Romanov Museum and Chambers. Our sightseeing tour includes a visit to the Romanov Chambers with museum and exhibition. (B, L, D)

DAY 13: Yaroslavl
Featured Excursion: Yaroslavl city tour with visit to the church of Elijah the Prophet
Visit the exquisite Church of Elijah the Prophet, a masterpiece of local architecture, and the ancient 12th-century Transfiguration Monastery grounds with murals depicting St. John’s apocalyptic visions. (B, L, D)

DAY 14: Uglich
Featured Excursion: Uglich walking tour. Your walking tour includes a visit to the historical Transfiguration Cathedral, with its exhibition of valuable icons, and the blue-domed Church of Prince Dmitry-on-the-Blood as well as the 18th- century Transfiguration Church. (B, L, D)

DAY 15: Moscow
Featured Excursion: Moscow city tour with Red Square. Irresistible Optional Tour: Visit Tretyakov Gallery, housing an outstanding art collection of Russian and international art, and/or the Moscow Circus. Enjoy an afternoon tour of Moscow. You’ll see many historical and famous landmarks from the world-famous Red Square to the spectacular rainbow-colored St. Basil’s Cathedral, impressive Tverskaya Street and more. (B, L, Captain’s Farewell Dinner)

DAY 16: Moscow
Featured Excursion: Kremlin and Armory Museum. Irresistible Optional Tour: Visit Pushkin Fine Arts Museum, home to an incredible collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings. Visit the 15th-century Kremlin, a self-contained city with palaces, armories, cathedral and a medieval fortress. We’ll explore the priceless collection of imperial treasures of the Kremlin’s Armory Museum. (B, L, D)

DAY 17: Moscow (disembark), transfer to Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport
Disembark the ship and transfer to Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport for your flight home.