Along the riverside in Russia

Upon your arrival at Moscow International Airport, your private transfer will take you to the dock for embarkation on the Victoria ship of the cruise line Uniworld. Settle in slowly and if you need anything, your dedicated butler will be happy to help.

Your immersion in the Russian cultural universe will begin in Moscow. You will see all the important sites, from the Basilica of the Blessed Cathedral to the Kremlin, with your local guide. Founded in 1156, Moscow is the economic and national capital of Russia.

Choose from one of the following two excursions to discover almost all of the city’s secrets: Panoramic city tour or Do like the locals do.

In the evening, the captain will receive you for a welcome dinner.

Your day is yours: you explore at your own pace and according to your tastes. The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, the mansions where the famous Tolstoy lived or the walk along Kuznetsky Most Street for a little shopping, free to you. A free shuttle will take you there.

We will sail through the Moscow Canal to reach the Volga River and then plunge into the Moscow countryside. We will reach in the early afternoon the pretty and picturesque town of the Golden Ring, Uglich.

You will opt for one of the following excursions: Do like the locals or Discover the city on foot.

A UNESCO protected site, we will reach the pretty town of Yaroslavl, created in the 16th and 17th centuries by the Skripin family, on the shores of Lake Rybinsk. Your excursion today will allow you to visit the Orthodox Church and the local market.

As soon as we return on the boat, you will enjoy picturesque views of Russian Florence as we call it as we sail at the confluence of the Volga and the Kotorosi River.

Today, we will have the chance to make two stops at rural villages renowned for centuries for their artistic sides: Goritsy and Kirillov. We will be happy to share their daily lives.

In the morning, choose from the following excursions: visit the Saint-Cyrille-du-lac-Blanc monastery or visit the village of Goritsy.

Later, we will sail on the second largest lake in Europe, Lake Onega, flow by 58 rivers. The lake is home to more than 1,300 islands including the famous Kiji Island where we will dock tomorrow.

The incredible spectacle of the appearance of the wooden cathedral of the Transfiguration will be one of your fondest memories as we approach the island of Kiji. The wooden cathedral was built without any nails! You can descend to the dock to explore the island’s 89 traditional wooden houses.

Your choice of excursions today: visit the open-air wooden architecture museum and the Transfiguration Cathedral or a nature hike on the island.

Let’s travel back in time today as we visit the village of Mandroga on the shores of Lake Lagoda, a small reconstructed village on the edge of the forest and showcasing Russian traditions and artisans.

Choose your activity: hike in the village and picnic, admire the work of the village craftsmen at work or hike around the village.

With its Italian architecture, St Petersburg is a city of canals, palaces and cathedrals.

You will see the most beautiful sites from your boat and later, on foot, exploring the city. Built by Peter the Great, St Petersburg is built on 42 islands on the Neva Delta. The Tsar brought in the best Italian architects, the greatest painters and decorators. The results make St. Petersburg an extraordinarily beautiful city.

In the evening, you will have the chance to attend a ballet.

Your excursions: panoramic city tour and canal cruise or Do like the locals with a canal cruise and visit the Saint-Sauveur-sur-le-Sang-Versé cathedral.

You will visit Catherine Palace and Pushkin Park. For dinner, we will go to a local restaurant to taste the traditional cuisine. The rest of the day will allow you to make discoveries at your own pace.

Depending on your mood, you can see the complete collection of Fabergé eggs at the eponymous museum or visit Saint Isaac’s Cathedral.

You’ll get a private guided tour of the legendary Hermitage Museum, the former residence of the Czars and one of the most beautiful museums in the world. You will see there the most famous collection of the museum, that of the French impressionists.

In the evening, the captain awaits you for the farewell supper.

Your culinary, historical and cultural adventure on the Volga ends today.

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Montreal.