Imperial Jewels of Russia River Cruise & Ukraine
(19 days, St Petersburg - Kiev, 2012)
This 19 day adventure begins in St. Petersburg where you will spend four days exploring this amazing city including visits to St Isaac's Cathedral, the Winter Palace, the Alexander Column in Palace Square, and the Peter and Paul Fortress where Peter the Great and all the Russian emperors and empresses are buried. At Catherine's Wing you will view the Grand Cascade's waterfalls and fountains, and you will also lunch at the old-world wooden 'Podvorie' restaurant before a private Russian ballet concert, exclusive to Scenic Tours.
On your final day in St. Petersburg you will tour the 19th Century Yusupov Palace, where Prince Yusupov murdered Grigory Rasputin, the most controversial figure in Russian history. From St. Petersburg you will travel to Svirstroy and visit the home of a local family who will serve authentic Russian tea and piroshky, a specialty of the region. Next are Petrozavodsk, Kizhi Island and Goritsy for Lenin Square and the World War II Memorial of the Eternal Flame, the Church of Transfiguration, with its 22 timbered onion domes; and the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, built in 1397.
En route to Moscow you will take a walking tour of historic Uglich, part of the Golden Ring of cities around Moscow. The town dates back to the 10th Century and was used by the legendary Ivan the Terrible in the 16th Century as a base for his attacks against the Tatars. Finally, your ship will dock in Moscow where you will explore Red Square, Tverskaya Street, the KGB building and take a ride on Moscow's Metro, which is considered one of the best subway systems in the world. You will also tour the Kremlin, the State Armory and experience a thrilling National Russian Show performed by fifty folk dancers. And finally, to top off a perfect tour, you will attend the internationally-acclaimed Moscow Circus.
From Moscow you will travel to Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. You will discover the World Heritage-listed St. Sophia Cathedral and Andreevsky Descent, often referred to as the ‘Montmartre of Kiev’. You will also visit the Monastery of the Caves, an active, functioning monastery compound containing restored churches and towers, plus printing works and miles of maze-like underground tunnels where ancient crypts hold ecclesiastical treasures.
- Exclusive private charter sailing on board the ms Scenic Tsar
- All Inclusive guided sightseeing tours and events
- All meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner included daily on cruise
- Personal audio headsets on all shore excursions
- Return airport transfers
- Services of a Scenic Tours Cruise Director
- Exclusive services of 6 Program Directors
- Shipboard commentary during cruising
- Complimentary wine, beer and soft drink served with dinner
- ALL TIPPING and GRATUITIES INCLUDED
- Traditional Russian Highlight Lunch at the old-world wooden ‘Podvorie’ restaurant, offering exclusive home-grown produce and wines from the restaurant owner’s private summer residence
- Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine before a Russian ballet performance in a private venue. Exclusive to Scenic Tours
- Taste authentic Russian tea and piroshky in a Russian home-hosted visit
- Meet a real cosmonaut on your included guided tour of Star City space training centre followed by lunch
- Guided tour of the renowned St Basil’s Cathedral
- 48 superb meals including 18 Full Breakfasts - hot and cold buffet selections (FB), 1 Highlight Lunch - buffet and daily à la carte selections (HL), 13 Lunches - buffet and daily à la carte (L), 1 Highlight Dinners - three course table d’hôte (HD) and 15 Dinners - three to four course table d’hôte (D)
- Exclusive private charter sailing onboard the ms Scenic Tsar
- Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner
- City Tour of St Petersburg including St Issac’s orthodox cathedral
- Visit to the Hermitage Art Museum, former Winter Palace to the Tsars
- Marvel at Catherine’s Palace and elaborate gardens
- Tour the 19th-century Yusupov Palace
- Visit a Children’s Music school and meet the children eager to show you their knowledge of English
- Enjoy an afternoon at the royal summer residence, Peterhof
- Sample of the age old tradition – Vodka
- Guided walking tour of Kizhi Island, view the Church of Transfiguration
- Visit Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery and its collection of Russian Orthodox icons
- Tour of the historic Golden Ring city Uglich
- Russian language lessons on board
- Sightseeing in Moscow including Red Square, Tverskaya street and the KGB building
- Take a ride on the famous Moscow Metro considered one of the best in the world
- See priceless jewels and Faberge eggs on a tour of the Kremlin and the State Armory Museum
- Witness a thrilling National Russian Show performed by fifty folk dancers^
- Enjoy an evening performance at the famous Moscow Circus
- Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner
- Guided city tour of Kiev
- Excursion to Monastery of the Caves
- Step back in time to the land of the Cossacks on a visit the open air museum, Mamayeva Sloboda
Next Fourteen Nights: Cruise
Four Night Stay: Kiev
After breakfast this morning in the hotel you will be transferred* by your Scenic Tours Representative to Kiev International Airport for your onward or homebound flight.
*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
