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Swan Lake Cruise from Moscow to St Petersburg
Overview
Embark on a spectacular 6-night cruise on the legendary ‘Swan Lake’ motor cruise ship between Russia’s two most famous cities, Moscow and St Petersburg. Start in the Russian capital of Moscow, passing through spectacular locations around Karelia including Kizhi and Vaalam, before arriving at Russia’s elegant second city, St Petersburg. If you enjoy cruises and have always wanted to see the areas surrounding Moscow and St Petersburg, then look no further. This 7-day experience crosses from Moscow to St Petersburg, taking in many unique activities along the way including walking tours of the kremlin in Uglich, the Monastery of St. Cyril in Goritsy, The UNESCO Heritage site of Kizhi, and the mysterious island of Valaam.
7 days aboard the popular Swan Lake motor ship
Excursion to Valaam Island
Monastery of St Cyril in Goritsy
Open air museum in Kizhi
Walking tour of the Kremlin in Uglich
Itinerary
Moscow
Russia’s official capital, Moscow, is the political and religious heart of the country. The city has the highest density of billionaires, is the world’s most populated inland city and boasts six out of Europe’s ten tallest buildings. It continues to be a major tourist destination in Europe growing year on year with famous attractions including Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral, and the Kremlin.
Day 1
Departure from Moscow
Welcome on board the Swan Lake cruise ship! After boarding the ship and acquainting yourself with your cabin and facilities, you will depart from Moscow for Uglich
Dinner
Onboard activities
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Travel to
Myshkin
Located on the left banks of the Volga River in Yaroslavl Oblast, Myshkin is a small town known for its characteristic 19th century architecture. The town can trace its origins back to the 15th century and was granted town status in 1777. It was later demoted in status during the Soviet era and later re-established as a town in 1991. It is frequently visited as a cruise ship destination and is home to several ethnographic museums including the unique Mouse Museum and the Museum of Valenki.
Day 2
Walking tour around the Uglich Kremlin
After breakfast, you will start your trip with a walking tour around the historic Kremlin and Transfiguration Cathedral of Uglich known for its ornate wall of icons. You may also get the chance to visit other sites close by, including the Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood with its vivid frescoes memorialising the death of Ivan the Terrible’s son.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Uglich Kremlin
Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood
City tour of Myshkin
Museum of Russian Valenki
Onboard activities
Travel to
Kizhi
A remote island located in the centre of Lake Onega in the Republic of Karelia, Kizhi, is a popular tourist destination known for its intrinsic beauty and remarkable architecture. Kizhi has a long history dating back to the 15th century and is known for its open-air museum which features over 80 historical wooden buildings including the 18th century UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kizhi Pogost.
Day 3
Visiting the Monastery of St Cyril
After breakfast, you will be taken on an excursion to the Monastery of St. Cyril and museum of icons in Goritsy.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
St Cyril’s Monastery
Religious Buildings & Monuments
Museum of icons
Scenic Surrounds
Onboard activities
Day 4
Excursion around Kizhi
After breakfast, you will have the chance to take part in a series of activities and masterclasses onboard the ship before lunch.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Onboard activities
Kizhi Museum-Reserve
UNESCO World Heritage Site – Kizhi Pogost
Prominent Landscape
Republic of Karelia
Travel to
Mandrogi
Situated on the northern shore of Lake Lagoda, Mandrogi is typically seen as a stop-off point for cruise ships passing between Moscow and St Petersburg. The village is known as a live-in museum with its collection of wooden houses resembling a traditional Russian village from the past. Founded in the 17th century, it was burned down in World War II as a Russian heritage site. Mandrogi is best known for its Vodka Museum, which contains around 2800 different brands.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Onboard activities
Mandrogi village
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
Travel to
Valaam Island
Valaam is a small island archipelago situated in the Northern part of Lake Ladoga. The island is known for its tranquil scenery and is also home to the 14th century Valaam Monastery that is permanently inhabited by monks and families. It has been an area of dispute for many centuries starting from the Novgorod princes in the 12th century, and later being occupied by Sweden, Russia and Finland successively.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Valaam Island
Republic of Karelia
Religious Buildings & Monuments
Onboard activities
Travel to
St Petersburg
The pinnacle of art and culture in Russia, St Petersburg, is one of the country’s most visited destinations and former capital city. Nicknamed the ‘Venice of the North’ due to its elaborate system of canals, the city lies on the Neva River. It is popular with tourists and includes several of Russia’s most famous attractions including the Hermitage Museum, Catherine Palace and the Peterhof.
Breakfast
Final destination
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More information
What’s included
All meals on board the cruise- All tours are COVID-19 secure and offer flexible booking options. Visit our Covid-19 information page to find out more
- Excursions and activities as part of the tour
- On-board entertainment
- Reserved cabin of your preference
What’s not included
Alcoholic drinks- Bicycle rental
- International train / plane tickets
- Minibar
- Personal costs (souvenirs, additional snacks etc)
- Surcharges for additional / activity alterations
- Tips for drivers/guides/in restaurants
- Travel / medical insurance
- Visa processing
Travel Tips
All travellers are asked to check the vaccination requirements before travel. Visit our Vaccines and Health page to find out more- Any dietary or allergy requirements will need to be disclosed before the start of the tour
- Carrying a water bottle with you is recommended
- Medication should always be taken with you and kept on your person
- Please ensure that you keep any personal documents and valuables on your person at all times
- WIFI will be available at most of the hotels, although mobile coverage may vary in rural areas
- Your local guides will recommend stops where you can go souvenir shopping during your tour
Special notes
There are no special notes for this tour.
Suggested reading
Enrich your travel experience with our list of top recommended books from specialist travel guides to compelling novels. Whether you are looking for something to pass the time on the train, or want to get to grips with the local history, reading is essential to turning your trip into a fully-fledged experience.
Moscow, St Petersburg & the Golden Ring
The ultimate guidebook to the Golden Ring that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Moscow, St Petersburg and the Golden Ring is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to these three spectacular regions including the best places to eat, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips about key attractions such as the Moscow Kremlin, the Peterhof and the many monasteries and cathedrals of the Golden Ring cities, this guide includes regional maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
Moscow: A Traveller’s Reader
A masterful anthology documenting Moscow’s turbulent growth through the lives of its people from the bloody reprisals of Peter the Great to the literary greats of the 19th century. The city spent much of its early life in turmoil from being the subject to much greater empires including the Tatars, to being burnt down numerous times, yet rising from the ashes twice as magnificent each time. Kelly’s compelling narrative covers all of Moscow’s major milestones over 700 years in engaging detail. A must-read for anyone interested in the history of Russia.
Russia: Lonely Planet
The ultimate guidebook to Russia that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Russia is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to this vast country from how to get around, the best places to eat in its most popular cities, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights, currency and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips about key attractions such as the Moscow Kremlin, Lake Baikal and the Romanov sites, this guide includes detailed maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
Visa Information
