Cruise
on the Volga, from Moscow to Saint Petersburg
Summer 2008
August 23 ~ Sept. 6
This is a marvelous
introduction to Russia; both old and new.
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| Dockside
musicians will entertain you at every
port. |
Day
1
USA - Moscow
Your exciting holiday begins with a transatlantic flight, via Finnair, to Moscow,
the grand capital of Russia.
Day
2
Moscow
Upon arrival check into your floating
hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure to relax, get acquainted with the
ship, the cruise staff and meet your fellow
passengers.
Day
3
Moscow
Enjoy a morning city tour and
see the famous landmarks and major sights of Russia’s most dynamic city. See the venerable Bolshoi Theater and the
impressive Moscow University. Drive to Lenin Hills for a splendid view of the
river Moskva and the city below. Explore Red Square - the name alone evokes
so many political and historical associations - and marvel at the sinister
Kremlin walls and the flamboyantly-colored onion domes of St. Basil’s
Cathedral. The afternoon is free. Take an optional tour of the famous Moscow
Metro, where each station is a living museum of marble statuary, mosaics and
crystal chandeliers. Walk on Arbat Street, a pedestrian-only street lined with
souvenir shops. In the evening, a performance of the Moscow State Circus provides
an exhilarating complement to an exciting day.
Day
4
Moscow
This morning visit the Kremlin
and its incomparable Armory Palace Museum. A walk within the Kremlin provides
a fascinating view of the lavish government
(formerly Czar’s) palaces and splendid cathedrals. See three of the most
important cathedrals in all of Russia - the Assumption Cathedral, the traditional
investiture place of the Czars; the Annunciation, with its nine golden domes;
and St. Michael’s the Archangel, the internment place of the Russian rulers
until the time of Peter the Great.
Inside
the Armory, see the priceless collection
of imperial treasures, including an extraordinary
assemblage of imperial travelling
carriages and the renowned Fabergé eggs. The afternoon is free to explore
Moscow on your own or you may choose an optional visit to the Pushkin Museum
of Fine Arts. The museum contains a wealth of works ranging from ancient Egyptian
to the Impressionists, including works by Cézanne, van Gogh, Gaugin
and Matisse. This evening enjoy a rousing performance of a famous Russian folklore
ensemble.
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| Colorful
onion domes are everywhere |
Day
5
Moscow
Free day to explore on your own. You can visit Tretyakov Art Gallery, recently
reopened after a nine-year remodeling project.
Or you
can take an optional excursion to Sergiev
Posad, the seat of the Patriarch of the Russian
Orthodox
Church. This delightful excursion, about one and a half-hours each way, takes
you to this enchanting medieval town, formerly known as Zagorsk, buried in
the greenery of many parks and gardens. Its Trinity Monastery, founded 600
years ago, is absolutely breathtaking and possibly the grandest of all Russian
monasteries.
Your cruise
leaves Moscow at 5:30 pm. View the lushly
wooded landscape as you sail through the
spectacular
Moscow Canal, which connects the Moskva
River and the city of Moscow with the Volga River. Enjoy a welcome cocktail
and a gala dinner aboard.
Day
6
Uglich
A relaxing day aboard as you cruise along the Volga, Europe's longest river.
Enjoy shipboard activities, including lectures on Russian history and Russian
language lessons. After lunch arrive in the historic town of Uglich. As you
approach this picturesque Golden Ring city, be prepared for a lovely view of
its Cathedral and St. John’s church looming on the horizon. Founded in
1148, Uglich is one of the oldest and most beloved towns in Russia. Infamous
for being the site of the mysterious death of Ivan the Terrible’s son,
Dimitry, the town now hosts a commemorative church - Church of St. Dimitry
on the Blood - on the site where the body of the young Prince was found. A
walk through this enchanting town is a delight. Among the magnificent architectural
monuments you’ll see are the Kremlin, the Palace of Czarevich Dimitry
and the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior. Continue cruising in
the evening. Dance the night away in the Main Lounge or watch a performance
in the concert hall.
Day
7
Yaroslavl
At 9:00 am arrive in Yaroslavl, another Golden Ring city, founded
in 1010 by Grand Prince Yaroslav the Wise of Kiev. Yaroslavl has always been
considered
one of Russia’s most beautiful cities with its wide tree-lined streets
and attractive parks. Several buildings here rank among the world’s greatest
architecture. On your sightseeing tour, see the exquisite Church of Elijah
the Prophet, a masterpiece of local architecture, richly adorned with precious
frescoes, and the 12th century Transfiguration Monastery with murals depicting
St. John’s apocalyptic visions. Here, "The Lay of Igor’s Host",
one of Russia’s greatest literary treasures was discovered. In the afternoon
continue your journey northward, cruising through the vast Rybinsk Lake.
Day
8
Goritsy
Enjoy breathtaking scenery as you sail north through the White Lake, once known
as the
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| Your
cruise ship at dock. |
“Czar's
fishing grounds”, and through the
Volga-Baltic Canal. At 11:00 am arrive
in Goritsy, a peaceful farming community
where your cruise pauses for a few hours
for a tour ashore and a visit to the well-preserved,
fortress-like Kirill Belosersk Monastery.
In the afternoon continue northward. In
the summer the days are long here and the
sun is up well after 10:00 pm.
Day
9
Lake Onega and Kizhi Island
Cruise through Lake Onega, the
second largest lake in Europe and one of the world’s purest. In the afternoon (at 5:00 pm) arrive on Kizhi Island,
an enchanting place and one of the highlights of your waterway journey. Here
the magnificent Church of the Transfiguration is more than a match for the
colorful splendor of Moscow’s St. Basil’s. Its 22 shimmering domes
in three tiers are the ultimate in Russian fairy-tale architecture. A walking
tour will encompass some splendid examples of 18th century Russian architecture
including typical wooden churches, houses and a windmill. Visit the spectacular
Transfiguration Church before sailing in the evening.
Day
10
Svir River and Svir Stroy
Cruise through the 139-mile Svir River which connects Lake Onega with Lake
Ladoga. Pause for a few hours (1:00 pm to 4:00 pm) in Svir Stroy, a quaint
riverside village, dotted with stone cottages, a perfect "green stop" to
wander ashore for a close look at a typical rural settlement. Continue cruising
along the southern shores of Europe’s largest lake - Ladoga - before entering
the Neva River. Enjoy the captain’s gala farewell dinner tonight.
Day
11
St. Petersburg
Early morning (8:00 am) arrival in one of the loveliest of European cities,
St. Petersburg. After breakfast, disembark for a city tour of this fabled city
of canals and Northern Lights. Drive along the Nevsky Prospect, the city’s
main boulevard lined with smart shops and restaurants. Explore the Palace Square,
the historic heart of St. Petersburg. See the spectacular St. Isaac’s
Cathedral, the Bronze Horseman, the Admiralty Tower and the sinister Peter
and Paul Fortress, the Bastille of Czarist Russia, built on a small island
in the Neva River. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to nearby Pushkin,
formerly known as Czar’s Village, to see the magnificent Catherine’s
Palace. The evening is free for an optional cultural performance.
Day
12
St. Petersburg
Spend the morning exploring the extraordinary Hermitage Museum, located in
the former Czar’s Winter Palace, without doubt one of the greatest treasure
houses of the world. You’ll be dazzled by its fabulous art collection.
The afternoon is free to explore Peter the Great’s magnificent city on
your own. Revisit the Palace Square and marvel at the Royal Palace, or wander
inside the Peter and Paul Fortress to see its extravagant Baroque interior
containing the tombs of the majority of the Romanov dynasty. The remains of
the last Czar and his family were recently buried there. Crown the day with
an evening performance. Passengers aboard the m.s. Litvinov will enjoy a ballet
or folklore performance in another theater.
Day
13
St. Petersburg
A wonderful day, free for individual pursuits. Revisit the art inside the Hermitage
Museum, with more time to view paintings by Raphael, Rembrandt, Picasso, or
your favorite impressionists. Take an optional excursion to the splendid Peterhof
Palace, built by Peter the Great to rival Versailles. The Palace stands on
a natural terrace with its formal gardens sloping down to the shores of the
Gulf of Finland. Marvel at its spectacular Grand Cascade fountain before returning
to St. Petersburg for your last evening aboard.
Day
14
St. Petersburg - USA
Today your fascinating "Waterways of the Czars" Grand Cruise through
Russia comes to an end. It is time to say goodbye to your newly made friends
and fly home.
Details
and Cost
Your holiday
includes:
* Roundtrip flight to Russia
* 14-Day (12-night) cruise on board the ms Litvinov in an outside cabin
* All meals aboard: Full buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Coffee or
tea with each meal. Early riser's coffee each morning
* Captain's Welcome and Farewell cocktail and dinner
* Russian Blini tasting onboard
* Entertainment and activities onboard
* Guest lecturer
* Comprehensive sightseeing:
* In Moscow: City tour. Tour of the Kremlin and Armory Museum.
* In St. Petersburg: City tour. Tour of the Hermitage Museum. Excursion to
Pushkin. 
* All shore excursions: Guided sightseeing in every port visited
* Evening performances:
* In Moscow: Moscow circus and concert by a famous Russian folklore ensemble
* In Yaroslavl: concert by a local folklore ensemble
* In St. Petersburg:
ms Litvinov cruises – ballet or folklore concert. ------ *Uniworld
Cruise Director plus Uniworld onboard English-speaking guides
* Arrival and departure transfers, for passengers on Uniworld group flightsIncluded
shore excursions:
* Moscow - City tour including the Bolshoi Theater, Red Square and St. Basil’s
Cathedral
* Moscow - Evening performance of the Moscow State Circus
* Moscow - Tour of the Kremlin and Armory Palace Museum, with its priceless
Fabergé eggs
* Moscow - Evening performance of a Russian folklore ensemble
* Uglich - Walking tour * Yaroslavl - City tour
* Goritsy - City tour
* Kizhi Island - Walking tour
* St. Petersburg - City tour, including Nevsky Prospect, Palace Square, St.
Isaac’s Cathedral, and the Peter and Paul Fortress
* St. Petersburg - Excursion to Pushkin and Catherine’s Palace
* St. Petersburg - Tour of the Hermitage Museum
* St. Petersburg - Evening of ballet or folklore performance in theater.
Costs:
$4199 Including
flight from New York City.
(double occupancy) for
cabin on Main Deck. $600 single cabin
supplement.
Note: main deck cabins availability is limited. Once
they are gone there is a supplement for each higher
deck.
Cost includes...
Cruise, all meals, tours and admissions,
air fare from New York.
Extras: (the foloowing
are last year's prices) Visa fees from Russian consulate:
$100, (we will send
you
application
sheets) US air departure tax of $225 and Russian Port
charges of $98.
Cabin upgrades
are available. $100 more, per person, for
each deck you go up.
$3098, cost of twin
cabin on main deck (catagory 5)
Upper deck, standard
twin: add $100 (catagory 4)
Boat deck: add $200
(catagory 3)
Sun deck: add $300
(catagory 2)
There are
a few single cabins: add $600.
Single
occupancy in twin cabin: add 50% of cruise
cost.
Enroll,
by credit card, deposit is $600, Call 239-395-2191
About the
Boat
The beautiful Litvinov is one of the best
ships in Russia. Built in 1991, she is the last and
most modern of the German-built river cruise ships.
The Litvinov is the only ship in Russia with cabins
on the Sun (top) Deck. She has two restaurants, allowing
one seating dining. All cabins are outside, spacious,
with many amenities, including a large picture window,
refrigerator, and private bathroom with shower.
The Litvinov was completely refurbished in 2002. The
ship is provisioned with Western-style amenities, and
the crew and experienced Cruise Director are trained
to cater to the needs of American travelers. You'll
appreciate the convenience of English language only,
onboard and during shore excursions. The Litvinov is
non-smoking, except for the Sun Deck and outside walkways.
There is
a luxurious sauna onboard, continuously available
for your pleasure, at no charge.
Staterooms
Inside the pleasantly-furnished staterooms of the Litvinov, you'll find many
amenities and comforts, including:
*
Two twin beds. During the day, your cabin turns into a dayroom; one bed folds
up and the other becomes a sofa
*
Ample closet space
*
A refrigerator and telephone
*
A large picture window that opens
*
Private bathroom and shower
Litvinov staterooms are non-smoking, with panoramic views. Deluxe cabins (junior
suites) are twice the size of a standard cabin, and have two picture windows
and hotel-style beds which can be positioned separately as two twins or together
as one large double bed. The two suites onboard are extra spacious - three
times the size of a standard cabin - and have three picture windows, a dayroom
with a TV, a wet bar and refrigerator, and a separate bedroom with one king-size
bed.
Technical Data
Inaugurated: 1991
Refurbished: 2001/2002
Length: 129 m (393 ft)
Width: 16.7 m (51 ft)
Draft: 3.2 m (9.7 ft)
Max. Passengers: 220
Voltage: 220v
Terms and Conditions:
Tour is organized by and purchased from
Uniworld Travel, of Encino, CA ( visit Uniworld.com
for full tour information.)
Travel terms and conditions are those
of Uniworld.
Prices: Unless otherwise noted,
prices shown in the brochure are per person,
based on two persons sharing a cabin or hotel
room. Prices listed are in effect at time of
printing and are subject to change without
notice. Uniworld reserves the right to change
prices at its discretion.
Reservations and Payments: Reservations are not confirmed until a deposit of
$400 per person is received in our offices. Reservations not deposited within
72 hours will be subject to cancellation. Final Payment (the remaining balance
after deposit) -- is due 90 days prior to departure date. Reservations will
be cancelled and space resold if Final Payment is not received by the due date.
Payments: Deposit and Final Payment may be made by Check, Visa, MasterCard,
Discover, and American Express. All payments made by Check should be made payable
to Uniworld, and sent to: Uniworld, 17323 Ventura Boulevard, Los Angeles ,
California 91316.
California Seller of Travel Law: Uniworld Inc. is a registered seller of travel
in the State of California, CST #1015818-50 and is a participant in the Travel
Consumer Restitution Fund. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute
an approval by the State of California. A complete explanation of your rights
under the California Seller of Travel Law can be found on our website at www.uniworld.com.
Documents: A document packet is sent 21-30 days before departure. If you request
that your documents be sent earlier, there is a $50 handling charge to cover
the cost of extra processing plus additional mailing costs.
Cancellation policy: All cancellations must be received in writing and are
effective the date of receipt. If you cancel your tour after you have received
your air tickets from Uniworld, you must return the complete set of final documents,
including the unused air tickets, to Uniworld before we can process any refund
due to you. There is no refund for unused services or if portions of the tour
are missed.
Cancellation charges, per person,
based upon receipt of notice are as follows:
Notice Received Cancellation Charges
*
Greater than 121 days before departure $100
*
120 - 90 days before departure 10% of land/cruise price
*
89 - 60 days before departure 35% of land/cruise price
*
59 - 30 days before departure 50% of land/cruise price
*
Less than 30 days before departure 100% of land/cruise price
*
No Show 100% of land/cruise price
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