Volga Dream Cruise

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Moscow with Aeroflot. Transfer to the Ararat Park (or similar) for 3 nights. (N)

Morning tour of Moscow, including Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral and the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. Continue to Novodevichy cemetery, the final resting place for a number of great cultural and political figures, including Chekhov and Shostakovich. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Morning visit to the Kremlin. The tour includes Cathedral Square and the Armoury Museum, which houses an opulent collection of treasures collected by the Russian state and church. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Morning at leisure. Afternoon visit to the Tretyakov Gallery, the largest collection of Russian art in the world. Continue to the Moscow metro, known for its architectural splendour. Board the Volga Dream for a 6-night cruise. (B, D)

Walking tour of Uglich, including the Chapel of Dmitry and Church of Transfiguration. (B, L, D)

Explore the oldest city on the Volga and visit the Saviour Transfiguration Cathedral in the Spassky monastery and the Church of Elijah the Prophet, which features intricate frescoes. (B, L, D)

Stop in the town of Goritsy to visit the enormous 17th-century Kirillov-Belozersky monastery and its magnificent frescoes and icons. (B, L, D)

Explore the Unesco world heritage site of Kizhi island. Visit the open-air museum of history and architecture, and the Transfiguration Cathedral. Featuring 22 carved domes, it is made entirely from wood, without a single nail. (B, L, D)

Stop at the small village of Svirstroy and enjoy a traditional tea including jam and pirozhkie (local pies) with the local residents. (B, L, D)

Disembark and transfer to the Belmond Grand Europe for 3 nights. Morning tour of St Petersburg to view the Peter and Paul Fortress and Nevsky Prospekt. (B, L)

Morning tour of the Hermitage. Lunch is followed by a tour of the Peterhof to view the exterior of Peter the Great’s Summer Palace, the Bath Cottage and stunning gardens. (B, L)

Morning at leisure to join one of the optional tours or explore St Petersburg at your own pace. Afternoon tour of Catherine Palace at Pushkin, including the Amber Room. (B)

Morning at leisure. Early afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London. (B)