Step beyond Russia’s sprawling cities, and a land of rich tradition and folklore, dotted with charming heritage towns, is revealed. The Volga coils through vast landscapes where local people stay true to a traditional way of life, transporting you from the Golden Ring of Moscow – home to cities such as Yaroslavl – to curious rural villages including Mandrogi, which rely on the region’s immense lakes and reservoirs for their survival.
One of the most fascinating heritage destinations on your Russian river cruise itinerary is Kizhi, a small island located on the vast inland sea of Lake Onega. Here, a cluster of ancient wooden houses offers a fascinating glimpse into local life in Russia’s most rural backwaters, and you’ll enjoy an immersive walking tour in the town’s Open Air Museum of Architecture, which showcases buildings preserved since the 18th century.
Traditional Russian life is also wonderfully captured in the typical village of Goritsy, where a visit to the 13th-century Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery allows you to delve into the legacy of Ivan the Terrible, a former Russian Tsar who is thought to have sought refuge in the monastery’s ancient Assumption Cathedral.
From St Petersburg to Moscow and everywhere in between, our Volga river cruise itineraries bring the traditions, customs and culture of Russia to life, so you’re guaranteed authentic travel experiences you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
