Cruise - Along The Volga: Rostov-on-Don - Volgograd - Moscow - 14 Days (CR-55)

On arrival at Rostov-on-Don airport, our driver will be waiting with a Go Russia sign ready to transfer you to the ship.

Modern Rostov-on-Don was established in 1749 to regulate the trade with Turkey. Once the Volga-Don shipping canal was constructed in 1952, the city could handle trade from five seas: the Black Sea, Sea of Azoy, Caspian Sea, White Sea and finally the Baltic.

We have a free day today enjoying the beautiful scenery from the ship as we cruise along the Volga River. Sit back and relax as you enjoy your surroundings.

The boat docks in Volgograd, an honorary title bestowed for outstanding heroism in World War Two from this city, formerly known as Tsaritsyn and then Stalingrad. This is the site of the Battle of Stalingrad. Heavy German bombardment over two hundred days reduced the city to rubble. The casualties on both sides are estimated to be between one and two million, illustrating the ferocity of fighting. During our city tour, we will make a guided visit to Mamaev Kurgan and the Statue of The Motherland Calls.

Today's destination on the banks of the River Volga is Saratov. Interestingly, Germans settled here in the 18th and 19th centuries but with the start of hostilities in World War Two, many were exiled to far flung Siberia and Kazakhstan, many choosing not to return. Thought to take its name from Sary Tau meaning Yellow Mountain in the Tatar language, it was a closed city until 1991, a military aircraft manufacturing site. It's other claim to fame is as the home of Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space.

Samara, where we'll enjoy a city tour today, is one of the largest cities in Russia and dates from the 14th Century. Renamed Kuybyshev in 1935, the city holds the distinction of being the place chosen to replace Moscow as the Soviet capital should the latter have fallen to the Nazis. Later, it became the base for the growing defense industry and as the number of such factories increased, so Kuybyshev became a closed city just like Saratov.

While most people have heard of Lenin, few know that he was born Vladimir Ulyanov in what was then Simbirsk. There was once an old wooden fort and a cluster of historic churches but few of what's now Ulyanovsk's heritage buildings remain. Fortunately the houses where Lenin grew up between 1870 and 1887 have been preserved. There's also a museum dedicated to Russia's great leader and we'll pay a visit.

Kazan is the stop on today's itinerary, the centre of Tatar culture. Referred to as the Pearl of the Central Volga region, it dates from the 13th Century when it was founded by the Mongols. Later, it became the capital of the Khanate of Kazan, falling to the Russians under Ivan the Terrible in the 16th Century. This chequered history gives Kazan a unique blend of Muslim and Christian culture. We shall have an excursion to the city's Kremlin.

Colloquially known as Nizhny, the fifth largest city in Russia is today's destination. It occupies a commanding position with views of both the Volga and the Oka Rivers. We'll tour its ancient Kremlin and take a stroll along the pleasant pedestrian promenade before reboarding the ship.

Historic Kostroma is located where the Kostroma River joins the Volga, part of the famous Golden Ring around Moscow. It's the site of the Ipatievskiy Monastery where we will visit today, founded in the latter part of the 18th Century. We'll also go and see its interesting open air museum featuring myriad forms of wooden architecture from windmills to bath houses, churches to watermills brought from around the region.

Later we reach the port of Yaroslavl, strung out along both banks of the Volga. It takes its name from its founder, Prince Yaroslav the Wise who based himself here in the 11th Century. An undisputed highlight of the city is its 13th Century Spassky Monastery. Hosting several cathedrals, a rotunda and the remains of an ancient trading centre, this is a fascinating complex to explore. Our tour takes in the Church of the Prophet Elijah and many other cultural highlights, including a visit to Spaso-Preobrazhenskiy Monastery.

The approach to Uglich from the Volga River is one of the most beautiful we'll see on this cruise. Founded in 1148, this pretty provincial town is dominated by the Cathedral of the Resurrection and St. John's Church. We'll also visit the Kremlin, amongst the oldest buildings in town and the place where the seventh wife of Ivan the Terrible lived in exile in the 16th century.

Today we reach the Russian capital, a city of leafy boulevards and majestic squares, its streets and gardens bisected by the Moscow River with towering granite embankments. Our bus tour takes us to a variety of sites including the Sparrow Hills observation platform, the Poklonnaya Hills World War Two monument, the Bolshoi Theatre and of course iconic Red Square, the setting for the colourful domes of the glorious St Basil's Cathedral.

Today we will visit the Kremlin, the former residence of the Tsars and Russian Orthodox Patriarchs, and now the base of the Russian president. We will also see the Byzantine splendour of St. Basil's multi-coloured onion-domed cathedral in Red Square. You can take an optional tour to the Kremlin Armoury Museum, where you'll be able to admire many of the treasures of the Tsars, including spectacular jewels, crowns, thrones and royal armour.

Our driver will meet you with a Go Russia sign board at the ship ready for your airport transfer.