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The luxury of a river cruise is perhaps one of the best ways to discover this mysterious and magical country.
These highly informative voyages, help you to get the most out of a country which is steeped in history and political power of a bygone era.
The scale of Moscow with its wide avenues, famous Red Square and huge administration buildings are in stark contrast to the gloriously gilded finials and vibrantly decorated buildings that so define 300 year old St Petersburg.
Numerous rivers, lakes, inland seas and canals make it possible to travel great distances absorbing the timeless Russian countryside with its medieval kremlins, fortified monasteries and churches and providing access to the other cities, which make up the famous Golden Ring.
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| PLACES OF INTEREST |
Kizhi
The island of Kizhi is small and narrow, measuring only 6 by 1 km. The most interesting facets of this island are the myths which surround it. A visit to the island is reputed to have a very positive influence on one's existence, by healing illness and bringing happiness and wealth.
Yaroslavl
One of the seven cities on the "Golden Rings". Yaroslavl lies on the upper reach of the Volga to the west of the reservoirs and was founded in the early 11th century by Yaroslavl the Wise. For a short period in the 17th century, Yaroslavl became the capital of Russia and in the 19th century.
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is one of the world's most beautiful cities and has been called by writers "The Venice of the North". It is built on 44 islands at the mouth of the River Neva in the Gulf of Finland. More than 65 river arms and canals separate these islands, which are linked by over 300 bridges. The city of a million people was built in 1703 by Peter the Great.
Uglich
The city was founded in the 10th Century and is one of the oldest cities on the upper Volga. Several buildings survive from previous centuries, such as the Church of St. Demetrius, which can be seen from the river and which witnessed the murder, in 1591 of Dmitri, the youngest son of Ivan the Terrible.
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Moscow
The city was founded in 1147 by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Moscow regained its title as capital of Russia in 1918 and since then it has increased in stature. In the 1930's, the character of the city changed completely. Many churches, historic buildings and dwellings were pulled down to make way for a city of wide avenues, huge administrative buildings and blocks of flats. The remaining churches and monasteries look like relics of a bygone age.
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