Enjoy a spectacular voyage through the heart of Russia along its colorful and historic waterways. Explore bustling and excitement-packed Moscow, then cruise north and visit the enchanting Golden Ring cities of Uglich, Kostroma and Yaroslavl. Continue along the Volga-Baltic Waterways and through Europe’s two largest lakes, Onega and Ladoga to St. Petersburg, one of the world’s most beautiful cities, spread over 101 islands and 66 canals

The beautiful Tolstoy, named after the famous Russian author Leo Tolstoy, is the most luxurious and most comfortable cruise ship ever built for Russian Waterways. She was built in Austria at a cost substantially higher than other ships, which were built in former East Germany. High-ranking Soviet officials once used it for their holidays and to host foreign dignitaries.

Today, the Tolstoy is still the best ship in Russia. The ship's décor is more luxurious and the cabins are larger and better appointed than on any other ship in Russia. An excellent crew takes great pride in their beautiful ship and maintains it impeccably. The Tolstoy accommodates a maximum of only 145 guests, compared to 250 or more on other ships of similar size. This ensures a more intimate ambiance aboard, plus everything - from the public rooms to the cabins - is much more spacious.

Your holiday includes:

• 14-Day (12-night) cruise onboard the in an outside cabin
• All meals onboard: 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: Nightly live music, including evening concerts and folklore show. Various activities, including Russian language and song lessons and more.
• Guest lectures on Russia’s history, culture and economy
• Comprehensive sightseeing:
  * In Moscow: City tour. Tour of the Kremlin grounds and Armory Museum.
  * In St. Petersburg: City tour. Tour of the Hermitage Museum. Excursion to Pushkin to visit the Baroque Catherine Palace
• All shore excursions: Sightseeing in every port visited with local guides
• Amadeus Cruise Director plus Amadeus onboard English-speaking guides
• Arrival and departure transfers for passengers on Amadeus group flights

Detailed Itinerary

DAY DESTINATION ACTIVITIES 1 Depart Overnight flight to Russia 2 Moscow Transfer to the ship and free time 3 Moscow City tour, Red Square and Metro Afternoon visit to Tretiakov Gallery Evening options: Moscow by night, Bolshoy Theater (when open), Circus or Folklore show 4 Moscow Kremlin and Armory Museum tour Optional tours: Pushkin Museum, or Novodevichy Monastery 5 Uglich City tour, Transfiguration Cathedral, Church of Dmitry on the Blood 6 Kostroma City tour, Ipatiev Monastery, Museum of Wooden Architecture 7 Yaroslavl City tour, Transfiguration Monastery Church of Elyjah the Prophet 8 Goritsy Monastery of St Cyril on the White Lake, Museum of icons 9 Kizhi Museum of wooden architecture 10 Mandrogui Free time 11 St Petersburg Morning city tour and free time Evening Ballet performance at the Hermitage Theatre 12 St Petersburg Morning free or optional Pushkin Afternoon tour of Hermitage Evening optional folklore show 13 St Petersburg Excursion to Peterhof 14 St Petersburg Transfer to the airport