Vacation Spotlight: Little Tour of Russia

Little Tour of Russia

Included Features

• First class hotels, rooms with private facilities
• Service charges and hotel taxes
• Breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 3 dinners
• Airport transfers
• Touring by modern motor-coach
• Professional Tour Director
• Luggage handling
• Headsets will be provided for included sightseeing tours, so you can easily hear your guide's commentary

Sightseeing

• Moscow
• Novgorod
• St. Petersburg

Hotels

• Moscow, Marriott Grand
• Novgorod, Park Inn Veliky Novgorod
• St. Petersburg, Holiday Inn

Please note - a visa is required for travel into Russia.

What to see in Novgorod, Russia

Considered one of the most important historic cities in Russia, Novgorod is unbeatable in the variety and age of its medieval monuments. There are now some fifty medieval and early modern churches scattered throughout the city and its surrounding areas. Some of these were bombed by the Nazis, but have been subsequently restored. Three can't miss sites in Novgorod are the Kremlin, Yaroslav Court and St. Sophia Cathedral.

Novgorod Kremlin
Novgorod Kremlin (also Detinets) stands on the left bank of the Volkhov River in Veliky Novgorod about two miles north of where it empties out of Lake Ilmen. The compound was originally the site of a pagan burial ground upon which the first bishop of Novgorod, Ioakim Korsunianin built the Cathedral of Holy Wisdom upon his arrival in the area in 989 or so. Thus the compound was and remained largely an ecclesiastical site, although many Novgorodian boyars built their houses in the southern part of the Detinets.

Yaroslav Court
Yaroslav's Court was the princely compound in the city of Novgorod the Great.

St. Sophia Cathedral
The Cathedral of St. Sophia (the Holy Wisdom of God) in the Kremlin (or Detinets) in Veliky Novgorod is the cathedral church of the Archbishop of Novgorod and the mother church of the Novgorodian Eparchy.The 38-metre-high, five-domed, stone cathedral was built by Vladimir of Novgorod between 1045 and 1050 to replace an oaken cathedral built by Bishop Ioakim Korsunianin in the late tenth century (making it the oldest church building in Russia proper and, with the exception of the Arkhyz and Shoana churches, the oldest building of any kind still in use in the country).

Travel to Russia with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Visit a Banya

The banya, or bathhouse, is a cultural tradition in Russia that dates back to the 12th century, but became popular in the 17th century when communal bathing was the only way for many Russians to stay clean. Today it is still believed to have therapeutic benefits. It is also a great place to relax and socialize. And is often looked at as the Russian's take on the golf course - a great place to do business. Visiting a banya is often one of the highlights of vacations in Russia.

Visiting a banya is an invigorating experience with temperatures exceeding 200 degrees F and self-flagellation with wet, dried branches alternating with a good dunk in a bucket of icy water. The banya is not only invigorating, it is said to have many health benefits. Excessive heat stimulates sweating, thus removing unwanted materials from the blood and improving the work of the kidneys. Sweating also releases excess water and salt from the body and opens the skin pores, cleaning it and making it softer and fresher. A host of additional health benefits come from visiting a banya including the release of endorphins due to an increase in cardiovascular activity.

Steps to visiting a banya: 1. Check in.  2. Sweat it out for 10-15 minutes. 3. Engage in some healthy self-flagellation with a bunch of soaked veniki, or birch twigs. 4. Cool Down in the pool, barrel or bucket of icy water provided. 5.  Grab a beer (or a glass of water) in the antechamber before repeating the process.

Other Info: Before checking into a banya make sure you do not have low or high blood pressure, a heart ailment or any other health issue. Pregnant women and asthma sufferers are advised to do the same. A banya hat, a special felt hat, is often used to protect the head from the intense heat. Bring along a towel and flip-flops.

Visiting a banya is often one of the highlights of vacations to Russia. Travel to Russia with Celtic Tours World Vacations.

St. Petersburg, Russia

There are not many cities in the world that can match the grace of St. Petersburg. When Peter the Great founded the city in 1703, he hired Europe's best architects, craftsmen and artists to build and decorate it. Spread over 100 islands linked by over 600 brides, it is often referred to as "Venice of the North". There is so much to see and do when traveling to St. Petersburg, here are a couple musts:


Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia
The collection of the State Hermitage includes more than three million works of art and artefacts of the world culture. Among them are paintings, graphic works, sculptures and works of applied art, archaeological finds and numismatic material.

Peterhof Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia
The Peterhof Palace is a series of palaces and gardens located in Saint Petersburg, Russia, laid out on the orders of Peter the Great. These Palaces and gardens are sometimes referred as the "Russian Versailles". The palace-ensemble along with the city centre is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Folklore Performance
Folklore performances in St. Petersburg, Russia are celebrated the world-over. Catching one is  a must-do.

Catherine's Palace
The Catherine Palace is a Rococo palace located in the town of Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin), 25 km south-east of St. Petersburg, Russia. It was the summer residence of the Russian tsars. The residence originated in 1717, when Catherine I of Russia engaged the German architect Johann-Friedrich Braunstein to construct a summer palace for her pleasure.

Shopping
St. Petersburg has a growing number of stores offering a variety of goods and services including everything from hand-made arts, crafts, and souvenirs to fresh fruits and vegetables. Shopping along the city's festive main thoroughfare, Nevsky Prospekt makes you feel more like a native Piterbyrzhets (Petersburger), and offers the best variety of stores in the city. Bolshoi Prospekt on Vasilyevsky Island also offers a comparatively good selection of stores.


There are many things to see and do while visiting St. Petersburg, Russia. Travel to Russia with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Top Reasons to Go to Moscow

Russia's cosmopolitan capital, Moscow, exudes prosperity and vigor. From Stalin's carved marble metro stations to ultra-modern nightlife, Moscow is an eclectic mix of ancient aristocratic splendor and popping modern culture.

Top Reasons to Go to Moscow

Red Square at Night
The heart of Russia is transformed at night by the glowing red stars atop the Kremlin towers and the lit-up fairy-tale domes of St. Basil's Cathedral. With all-night night-life ranging from historic theaters and edgy art galleries to intriguing underground clubs.

Tapping Into the Arts Scene
From Chekhov and Tchaikovsky to the fresh modern art scene of the contemporary culture, it is not hard to tap into Moscow's thriving art scene. Choosing from the many options is the hard part. Catch a play at the Moscow Art Theater, opera and ballet at the Bolshoi Theater or take in an art show at one of the cities many galleries. Whatever your art preference, you won't leave Moscow without a bit of culture.

The Food
Foodies delight! Mystery and intrigue is riddled throughout the history, art and architecture of this ancient/modern city and has found its way into the foods as well. Blini and borscht, dumplings and drinks --- travelers to Moscow will delight in time-old dishes and new takes on the old alike. Foodies can be found flocking to wine bars, coffee bars and even sushi bars.

Hidden City
Russia laid hidden behind the Iron Curtain for decades, travelers find the remnants of the bygone years as they meander through the intricate side streets on the capital city. Accidentally bump into architectural wonders or find a quiet square, perhaps a pond. Some off the beaten path sites that travelers enjoy: Melnikov House, Krivoarbatsky pereulok and Patriarch's Pond.

Cathedrals and Choirs
Picture Russia and intricately detailed cathedrals, historic monuments, age-old treasures and romantic landscapes come to mind. Do take a moment to explore the dozens of cathedrals throughout Moscow. Stop and listen the the Church Choir echoing throughout the amazing structures. It is not hard to see how these ancient cathedrals have provided and oasis of serenity in the hard times.


Travel to Moscow with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Moscow - Art, History and All-Night Beer Bars

A land that lay hidden behind the Iron Curtain for decades, Russia has long held mystery and intrigue. The ancient capital city, Moscow, has long been a haven for history buffs. From the red-brick towers of the Kremlin to churches and monuments that remember fallen heroes and victorious battles; and hidden treasures of the Soviet state are scattered all around the city such as Stalin's carved marble metro stations. Above the taste of mystery and intrigue, Moscow cities pulses with a techno vibe, bursting with creative energy, evident in all aspects of contemporary culture.

 Former factories and deserted warehouses have been converted into edgy art galleries and intriguing underground clubs. Foodies flock to wine bars, coffee bars, sushi bars and even beer bars, while night owls enjoy a dynamic scene of exclusive nightclubs, bohemian art cafes, underground blues bars and drink-up dives.

Whether looking for an all night party or a breadth of art and history, travelers to Moscow, Russia's capital city, will not be denied. Travel to Russia with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Little Tour of Russia - Escorted Tour of Russia

Included Features

• First class hotels, rooms with private facilities
• Service charges and hotel taxes
• Breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 3 dinners
• Airport transfers
• Touring by modern motor-coach
• Professional Tour Director
• Luggage handling
• Headsets will be provided for included sightseeing tours, so you can easily hear your guide's commentary

Sightseeing

• Moscow
• Novgorod
• St. Petersburg

Hotels

• Moscow, Marriott Grand
• Novgorod, Park Inn Veliky Novgorod
• St. Petersburg, Holiday Inn

Travel to Russia on this amazing escorted tour where you will see the major attractions of Moscow, Novgorod and St. Petersburg. Check it out: www.celtictours.com/stw/STWProduct.aspx?&Theme=CELTIC&ProductCode=RU-KO11-LTOR

Tour 14th Century Sergiev Posad

Tour out into the Russian countryside with Celtic Tours, to the town "Sergiev Posad" (formerly Zagorsk). Sergiev Posad was founded in the 14th century and grew around the greatest of Russian monasteries, the trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, one of the finest examples of the early Russian architecture. It grew in the course of several centuries and survived through the Communist era as a religious center. It has played an important role throughout the history of Russia and the development of Russian Orthodox religious art and culture.

Learn more about this amazing town and monastery on your next Russian River Cruise with Celtic Tours.

Summer Departures Available for our 12 Day Russian River Cruise

Tour Russia on Celtic Tours 12 Day Russian River Cruise and enjoy this wonderful itinerary:

DAY 1, Friday - Depart the USA
Depart the USA for Russia. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey

DAY 2, Saturday - Arrive in St. Petersburg
Arrive and transfer to your ship for embarkation. The port is approximately a 2 hour drive from the St. Petersburg airport. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Sunday - St. Petersburg City Tour
Enjoy a morning city tour of St. Petersburg. This panoramic tour takes you to Palace Square, St. Isaac's Cathedral and Square, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood and many more sights along the way. In the afternoon visit the famous museum, the Hermitage, home to one of the largest and richest collections of Western art in the world. Among the museum's vast collection, which spans six buildings (the most famous being the Winter Palace), priceless works by artists such as Michelangelo, da Vinci, Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, and many others are displayed amid opulent architectural design. This evening, enjoy dinner and the night at leisure on board
Optional: Rivers & Canals in St. Petersburg (PM)
Optional: Ballet Performance (PM)
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4, Monday - Day at Leisure in St. Petersburg
Today is free at leisure to explore St. Petersburg on your own. Long considered Russia's most opulent city, St. Petersburg is today the country's second-largest city after Moscow, and former capital of the Romanov Czars. This evening, enjoy dinner on board and get to know the crew and staff of the MS Russ
Optional: Pushkin Palace & Peterhof Park (AM)
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5, Tuesday - Daylight Sailing
Enjoy daylight sailing and the morning at leisure on board. Stop in the romantic village of Mandrogi, whose name literally means "pine-trees on the bog," to enjoy time at leisure to explore the city. Rejoin the ship and continue sailing for Kizhi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Wednesday - Open Air Museum
This morning, arrive in Kizhi, a small island featuring one of the most impressive wooden structures ever erected, the Kizhi Church of Transfiguration. The Church is the island's most famous architectural landmark and largely responsible for making Kizhi one of the most frequented tourist attractions in Russia. It features 22 cupolas of striking intricacy and was built without using a single nail. Visit the Church and Open Air Wooden Architecture Museum. Enjoy dinner and the evening at leisure on board
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7, Thursday - Monastery of St. Cyril
Arrive in Goritsy, an old Russian town of rich historical and cultural heritage. Today, visit the Monastery of St. Cyril, one of Russia's largest monasteries. Established in 1397 on the bank of Lake Siverskoye, the monastery of St. Cyril was once home to the largest monastery church in Northern Russia, the Assumption cathedral, which still stands today. The monastery's fortifying walls, which measure 2400-feet-long and 22 feet thick, are an impressive sight, home to several towers including the Chasuble, the Vologda, and the Tent-like
Optional: Vodka & Blini Tasting Party (PM)
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8, Friday - Yaroslavl City Tour
Arrive this morning in Yaroslavl, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a tour of this historic city, one among many in Russia's famous Golden Ring. The tour includes sites such as the Church of St. Elijah the Prophet and a visit to the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. You will also have the opportunity to explore a local market. Dinner on board this evening
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Saturday - Uglich City Tour
This afternoon, arrive in Uglich, one of Russia's oldest cities. Famous in Russian history for the dynastic crisis known as the Time of Troubles, which followed the suspicious death of Prince Dimitry (Ivan the Terrible's youngest son), Uglich is a popular stop when sailing the Volga due to its historic architecture and charm. Enjoy a tour of the city, including visits to the Transfiguration Cathedral and the Church of Prince Dimitry
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Sunday - Moscow City Tour
Arrive to Moscow just after lunch today, and enjoy a panoramic tour of the fabled capital of Russia. Traveling by coach, view the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Novodevichy or “New Maiden” convent, the former headquarters of the KGB, and many more historical sites. Explore Red Square, the most famous city square in Russia and visit GUM, a large department store that could easily be confused with a palace. Enjoy dinner and the evening at leisure on board
Optional: Moscow by Night
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11, Monday - Kremlin Tour
Today's tour takes you to one of the best-known monuments in Russia, the Kremlin. Venture inside this former residence of the Russian czars on a guided walking tour. See the famous Czar Cannon, the 16th century Czar Bell, and Cathedral Square, home to three of Moscow's most elaborate cathedrals: the Cathedral of Assumption, the Cathedral of Annunciation, and the Cathedral of the Archangel. Enjoy time at leisure to explore the Kremlin grounds on your own before returning to the ship. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner on board
Optional: Moscow Novodevichy Convent (PM)*
Optional: Excursion to Sergiev Posad (PM)*
Optional: Kostroma National Folk Show (PM)**
Optional: Moscow Circus Performance (PM)**
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12, Tuesday- Depart for the USA
This morning, disembark and transfer to the airport for your departure flight. The Moscow airport is approximately a 2 hour drive from the port
Meals: Breakfast

Summer Departures are still available for this amazing Russian River Cruise. Please visit Celtic Tours to learn more about this and other European River Cruises

12 Day Russian River Cruise: St. Petersburg to Moscow (MS RUSS)

Discover the impressive capitals of St. Petersburg and Moscow and the Russian landscape of traditional towns and villages during this fascinating cruise. Highlights in Moscow include Red Square with the spectacular St. Basil's Cathedral, additional options include the Moscow Circus and the Kostroma National Folk Show. In St. Petersburg, an excursion to the incomparable Baroque grandeur of the Catherine Palace.

Russian River Cruise Package Includes

• 10 nights Tourist Class river cruise on MS Russ
• All transfers
• 29 meals: 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 10 dinners
• Shore excursions per itinerary
• Entrance fees per itinerary
  

Special Features

• St. Petersburg City Tour
• Hermitage Museum
• Monastery of St. Cyril
• Moscow City Tour
• Kremlin

Learn more about Celtic Tours River Cruises