Russia river cruises

Travelling the immense course of the Volga, experience the vast scale of Russia’s serene countryside, and visit charming villages such as Mandrogi, Kizhi and Goritsy, where welcoming locals hold-true to a traditional way of life centuries in the making.Throughout your journey, special EmeraldPLUS opportunities help you experience more of this fascinating and enigmatic country, introducing rare cultural insights that define this proud nation.

The great Volga River offers immersive passage through the vast wilds of Russia, where lakes the size of inland seas help to sustain traditional villages, centuries of years old. Between St Petersburg and Moscow, you’ll visit a string of these typical Russian communities, from Mandrogi with its charming wooden ‘izba’ houses and traditional handicrafts, to Goritsy and Kirillo-Belozersky, a Russian Orthodox Church founded in 1397.

In Uglich, an ancient town of Old Russia forming part of the Golden Ring of Moscow, 1,000 years of history is yours to discover, from a tour of the Cathedral of Transfiguration to the Church of St Dmitry, where Ivan the Terrible’s son was reputedly murdered. The ancient city of Yaroslavl boasts an equally colourful past, and a walking tour promises an array of heritage wonders, including the Church of St Ilya the Prophet, a triumph of Russian architecture and ornate frescoes.

Our Imperial Charms of Russia itinerary gives you the chance to:

• Explore Moscow and St Petersburg, as well as a string of traditional towns and villages on the banks of the Volga
• Visit Moscow’s Cosmonaut Museum with EmeraldPLUS
• Stroll around the grounds of the Kremlin, then enjoy a trip to the State Armoury which houses priceless weaponry, jewels and royal artefacts

Moscow wears its storied heritage proudly, with every building, chapel and cobbled plaza ingrained in the history of the capital. From Saint Basil’s Cathedral, commissioned by Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century, to Red Square, where you can almost hear the boots of the Red Army marching on the flagstones; there are few European cities whose history is quite as prevalent in the present day as Moscow.

Of all periods in Russian history, the Soviet era conjures the most intrigue, and nowhere is this heritage more evident than Moscow. Visit the final resting place of Vladimir Lenin at Lenin’s Mausoleum, walk the grounds of the authoritative Kremlin, marvel at the socialist architecture of the GUM department store, and talk to real cosmonauts about Russia’s role in the great Cold War Space Race. Throughout your Moscow city tour, expert local guides are on hand to provide additional information and insights, helping you unravel the enigma of this impressive city.