Aerial view of Kirillo Belozerskiy Monastery, Goritsy, Volga Dream Cruise, Russia

River Cruise from Moscow to St Petersburg

TAILOR-MADE

Duration

13 Days

Prices Start from

£2,200 (ex. flights)

Gently cruise the beautiful scenery of the Volga River aboard the Volga Dream. It is possible to see so much more of Russia on a river cruise. Uncover the treasures of Moscow and St Petersburg as well as taking in far less visited traditional towns, hamlets, lakes and islands of the Golden Ring.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Moscow Kremlin and river in morning, Russia

Cities of Contrast

Cruise between the two contrasting cities of Moscow and St Petersburg, ‘the heart and the head’ of Mother Russia.

Cathedral of Assumption, Yaroslavl, Golden Ring, Russia

The Golden Ring

Explore in a small group, with guided excursions to the historic and traditional towns and hamlets of the Golden Ring.

The Volga Dream

A hassle-free way to travel, the Volga Dream is one of the smallest and most comfortable ships cruising the Volga River.

Russian Since 1989

Our roots lie in Russia which is where it all began for us. As such, we have a wealth of knowledge and passion for this vast country.

Why we like it

By making use of the numerous waterways of the area, you can cruise seamlessly and gently through the beautiful countryside enjoying a comprehensive programme of guided excursions, and the camaraderie of a smaller vessel. This is a ‘tried and tested’ suggestion that takes any of the hassles or worry out of a visit to Russia. After all, we should know, Russia was where we started all that time ago in 1989!

Explore our suggested itinerary

Map View List View

Days 1-4
Moscow
Day 5
Uglich
Day 6
Yaroslavl
Day 7
Goritsy
Day 8
Kizhi Island
Day 9
Svir River
Days 10-13
St Petersburg

Days 1-4

Moscow

Russia’s largest city and it’s capital, Moscow is a modern metropolis with a medieval core.

Day 5

Uglich

Explore the ancient churches and monasteries of this traditional Russian town.

Day 6

Yaroslavl

250km north-east of Moscow, Yaroslavl is a quiet old town that was founded in 1010 and is one of the oldest cities in central Russia.

Day 7

Goritsy

In the tiny settlement of Goritsy, visit the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, founded in 1397 it is home to one of the best collections of Russian icons in the world.

Day 8

Kizhi Island

Kizhi, home to a collection of charming wooden houses and windmills plus the ancient Transfiguration Church which was famously built-in 1714 without using a single nail.

Day 9

Svir River

Church of Elijah, Suzdal, Golden Ring, Russia

Before arriving in St Petersburg cruise the 139-mile-long Svir River, a peaceful and picturesque stretch of water.

Days 10-13

St Petersburg

Extolled by many great Russian poets and artists, St Petersburg was the capital of Russia before the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution and is today regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Modern Moscow

The city of Moscow is the focal point of modern Russia and everything that it has come to represent. It is a city where history unfolds around every corner, whether in the shape of the magnificent golden-domed cathedrals or the historic and instantly-recognisable Kremlin. Enjoy an orientation tour to the Red Square, the GUM department store, now full of designer shops rather than Russian goods but with stunning architecture, St Basil’s Cathedral and the Novodevichi Cemetery home to the tombs of Russian authors, musicians and poets, as well as famous political leaders and scientists. There is plenty of time to also explore at leisure.

Cruise the Russian Waterways

Spend five days exploring The Golden Ring aboard the Volga Dream, one of the smallest ships cruising the river with just 100 passengers. Traverse lakes, canals and numerous locks that wind through ancient cities lying north-west of Moscow and by virtue of its ancient monuments, monasteries and the wealth of folk art, golden.

Explore the church of St. Dmitri and attend a choral concert at St. John’s Church in the trading town of Uglich. In Yaroslavl, the Spassky Monastery plays host to the Transfiguration of the Saviour and the Church of Elijah the Prophet boasts marvellous mosaic work. In the tiny settlement of Goritsy, visit the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, founded in 1397 and home to one of the world’s best collections of Russian icons. Do not miss the riverside hamlets and wooden houses found on the islands of Lake Onega.

Hermitage, St Petersburg, Russia — St Petersburg, Russia

Alexander Column in front of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia — St Petersburg, Russia

The splendour of St Petersburg from the Neva River

Cruise the Svir River, a picturesque stretch of water, and visit the village of Mandrogi to learn about traditional crafts, before arriving in St Petersburg where you disembark aside the Neva River. Once the capital of Russia and extolled by many great poets and artists, the city is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world. Enjoy the art collection at The Hermitage, The Faberge Museum and the beautiful cathedrals of the city, not forgetting some of the finest palaces in the world located a short distance away.

MS Volga Dream, Owners Suite, Russia — Volga Dream River Cruise, Moscow, Russia

The Volga Dream River Cruise

The Volga Dream is a family-owned and operated vessel with a delightfully relaxed atmosphere. It has a high level of service, comfortable cabins, 60 crew members to look after you, and small group sizes for shore excursions.

Volga Dream offers three slightly different cruise programmes – Gold, Platinum or Imperial. The difference between the three is the sightseeing inclusions. The Platinum includes luxury add-ons, and the Imperial consists of some excursions not normally available to the general public. This holiday idea is based on the Gold cruise programme. Please ask us for more details.

Jewels of St Petersburg Tour

Join Katya Galitzine to explore a very different side of St Petersburg on the Jewels of St Petersburg Tour departing 26th February 2020. Absorb the splendour of the Tsars with a focus on some of the jewels and treasures of pre-Revolutionary Russia. Accompanied by Princess Katya Galitzine, this tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the highlights of St Petersburg and gain a personal insight into the countries fascinating history through the Galitzine family experiences. Katya’s expertise and insight will open doors and your eyes to a very different side of St Petersburg.

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we recommend you stay on your journey.

Volga Dream River Cruise £££££

One of the smallest ships cruising the Volga River, the Volga Dream was rebuilt in 2007 and converted from a 200 to a 100 berth ship. As a result, the cabins on board are spacious and comfortable. The 56 cabins are spread over 4 decks and include standard cabins through to deluxe staterooms all of which have either a window or a porthole to the outside as well as all modern comforts. The 60 crew members are attentive and friendly and with fewer passengers on board this also means that the on shore excursions are based on small groups with a maximum of 25 people.

View Boat

Hotel Astoria £££££

Russia
City

Part of the Rocco Forte portfolio, the Hotel Astoria is a glorious five-star hotel. The hotel is an icon of stylish design and St Petersburg elegance. Located in the heart of the city overlooking St Isaac’s Cathedral, the main shopping street, Nevsky Prospekt is just a five-minute walk away. Facilities include a top-class spa and gym. Guests of the hotel can also use the facilities of the adjacent Angleterre hotel, which includes an indoor swimming pool. The signature restaurant, Davidoff is one of the finest places to dine in the city serving traditional Russian haute cuisine.

View Property

Angleterre Hotel £££££

Russia

Located opposite St Isaac’s Cathedral and next door to the Astoria, its sister hotel, the Angleterre has one of the best views in the city. The Angleterre has had the interior fully refurbished and offers a smart and good value option for a stay in St Petersburg. The hotel has a small swimming pool and leisure facility including a spa and fitness area, Borsellino restaurant serving Italian cuisine and an in-house art cinema.