June 13-27, 2008 (15 days) From approx. $3,495 pp/do, plus airfare and taxes

Begin a fantastic Russian journey with four days in St. Petersburg, a legendary cultural center steeped in Russian history and tradition. A weeklong Volga River cruise aboard the three-star M.S. Ivan Bunin takes passengers deep into Russia’s culture. While navigating the gentle waterways, experience the countryside’s sites and sounds, revealing a land of splendid palaces, extraordinary museum collections, and architectural treasures. Among the ports of call are Valaam on Lake Ladoga, the largest lake in Europe. Valaam is home to the famous Valaam Monastery, a prominent center of amazing spiritual significance dating back more than 1,000 years. While learning more about Russia’s culture and its people, journey to the small island of Kizhy and visit the fantastic Church of the Transfiguration. The wooden church — with 22 domes — was built in 1714 during the reign of Peter the Great. You’ll then tour the village of Goritsy, the Golden Ring city of Yaroslavl, and medieval Uglich, one of the most beloved towns in Old Russia. Disembark for three days in dynamic Moscow, revered for its world-renowned architecture and performing-arts culture. You’ll bask in a luxurious, centrally located hotel in close proximity to Red Square, one of Moscow’s most famous locations and a symbol of Russia’s rich history. The tour also will take you to beautiful Cathedral Square — located in the heart of the Kremlin — where visitors marvel at buildings decorated with golden cupolas and treasures from the era of the czars. As an exceptional bonus, you’ll receive special entry into the historic Kremlin, the center of Russian government. You’ll end your whirlwind tour with general public access to the Armory Museum, home to Russia’s most prominent national treasures from its royal past and the world’s-largest collection of Fabergé eggs.

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