Road Scholar : Home
Russian River Voyages between Moscow and St. Petersburg

Program Number: 14304RJ
Start and End Dates:
8/8/2012 - 8/22/2012; 7/17/2013 - 7/30/2013; 8/28/2013 - 9/10/2013; 5/21/2014 - 6/3/2014; 7/2/2014 - 7/15/2014; 7/23/2014 - 8/5/2014; 8/13/2014 - 8/26/2014; 9/3/2014 - 9/16/2014;
Duration: 14 nights
Location: Russia
Price starting at: $3,791.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Adventure Afloat Study Cruise; River Boats
Meals: 36; 13 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 13 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Immerse yourself in the vast country of Russia and its people through the prism of life along its waterways. Learn of the Russian Imperial past in St. Petersburg and experience the Volga region's villages. Learn about the dynamic center of Moscow during informal talks and walks addressing Russia's history, architecture and current issues.




Activity Particulars

Please note that the cruise operator reserves the right to subsitute the vessel with a sister ship. Walking up to two miles a day and standing in museums. Program cost excludes one lunch to enjoy on your own.



Itinerary At-a-Glance

St. Petersburg (Russia), 2 nights, aboard vessel, 10 nights; Moscow, 1 night.



Day 1: Overnight flight from the U.S.A.




Days 2-6: St. Petersburg (Russia):

Focus on the history of St. Petersburg and the Romanov dynasty during narrated visits to Catherine's Palace in Tsarskoye Selo and Peterhof. Discuss modern Russia with an expert. Attend a national dance and music performance. An art professional leads you through the Hermitage Museum.



Day 7: Mandrogy:

Stroll through this quaint riverside village and enjoy lake and river vistas. Engage in an expert led onboard discussion on Russian national customs and traditions. Enjoy an evening concert on board.



Day 8: Kizhi:

A narrated excursion presents the wooden architecture, featuring the spectacular Church of the Transfiguration, on this UNESCO-designated fairy-tale islands on Lake Onega. Attend a lecture and enjoy onboard activities.



Day 9: Goritsy:

With a local expert, explore the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery in the village of Goritsy. A narrated excursion takes you through the monastery grounds and the local museum featuring a collection of rare icons. Attend an onboard evening performance.



Day 10: Yaroslavl:

Admire this historic river city's medieval architecture featuring 17th-century cathedrals during the city excursions. Hear about the events of Russia's turbulent medieval history and the "Time of Troubles," which took place in the town of Yaroslavl, from an expert speaker onboard. Enjoy on board activities.



Day 11: Uglich:

During a walking excursion view the ancient Kremlin walls of Uglich, see the Cathedral of Resurrection and St. John's Church. Hear about the Rurick dynasty of the Russian Tzars which ended here. Enjoy the Captain's farewell dinner.



Days 12-15: Moscow / disembark / departure:

Focus on modern Russia and the dynamic life of Moscow's citizens. Visit the legendary Kremlin compound and the Armory Chamber housing famous Faberge eggs. Hear a lecture on US-Russia relations. Attend an evening performance.



Zasima Shashkov

The Zasima Shashkov was built in Germany in 1985, was completely refurbished in 2002. It is 129 meters in length and can hold up to 296 passengers. All cabins are outside with large (except lower deck) scenic windows, equipped with private facilities, air-conditioning, refrigerators and 220 volt sockets.


Russia

Russia developed under the influence of intellectuals, peasants, tsars and demagogues. Byzantine origins meld with Christianity in vibrant architecture, while religion, folkways and revolution inspired artists from Stravinsky to Chagall. Oppressive regimes helped to create the Iron Curtain, but the late 20th century ushered in glasnost, perestroika and a democratic nation of billionaires, ongoing reforms and an integral role in modern geopolitics.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Violeta Alexeyeva
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Park Inn Pulkovskaya Hotel
  St. Petersburg, Russia 2 nights
   MS Vodohod/RUSS
  St. Petersburg, Russia
Various ports of calls, Russia
Moscow, Russia		 10 nights
   Cosmos Hotel
  Moscow, Russia 1 night
   In Flight
  In Flight 1 night
 Park Inn Pulkovskaya Hotel
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: The international class Park Inn Pulkovskaya Hotel is a conference style hotel, convenient for both, tourists and business related guests. It is located 3 miles away from the Pulkovo airport. about 5 miles to the heart of St Petersburg, and next to the Metro station. The hotel is located in 2 Buildings and has 840 guesrooms rooms and suites.
  Ship Information: n/a
  Contact info: 1 Pobedy Square
St Petersburg
RF,  196240 Russia
phone: +7 (81274) 039-00
web: www.parkinn.com/hotelpulkovskaya-stpetersburg
  Room amenities: Standard guestrooms are spacious and air conditioned, all have telephone and TV, they are nicely furnished, have a small refrigerator in rooms, all have private baths and standard amenities including hair dryers. No WiFi service available in standard rooms
  Facility amenities: The Park Inn Pulkovskaya Hotel has a pleasant newly updated lobby in the main Building, excellent conference facilities, a business center with Internet access, 3 restaurants, several bars, a theater desk, a nice spa and fitness center with solarium, sauna, swimming pool and a beauty salon. It offers various services, employs English speaking staff and has 24 hour security. All guest rooms for this program are reserved in Building 2.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: not avaialble Additional nights (if available) should be reserved independently by participants. Please note: All rooms for this program are reserved in Building 2 (of the hotel).

 MS Vodohod/RUSS
Type: Cabin
  Description: For 10 nights your floating hotel/study site will be your river cruiser. The ship, MS Vodohod/RUSS, built in Germany in 1986, was completely refurbished in 2002 and 2010 freshly painted, with new carpeting installed in cabins and in all public areas, and new furniture in the restaurants and bars. This ship and all cabins are updated every travel season. The all-Russian crew and cruise staff are trained to service western travelers.
  Ship Information: Ship Type – a 4 passenger deck vessel. Length – 129 m. Width – 16,7 m. Draft – 2,9 m. Speed – 25,5 km per hour (approx.15 mph). Passenger capacity – 288. The ship has two suites (not offered for this program),120 standard twin cabins (approx.129 sq. feet) and 10 single cabins (approx.100 sq. feet). These are all outside cabins with large windows located on the 2nd, 3d and 4th decks. For this program we have reserved cabins with 2 twin lower beds on 2nd and 3 decks only. Same type of cabins are used for Single use. The ship is equipped with the latest navigational system and satellite phones. Communication: radio and mobile phones (used for emergencies only).
  Contact info: St Petersburg River Station. Utkina Zavod
Oktyabrskaya Naberezhnaya
St. Petersburg,  RF Russia
phone: +00 0000-000-0000
web: www.vodohod.com
  Room amenities: All outside cabins (129 sq. feet) with 2 lower beds, located on 2nd and 3decks; they are air conditioned with large windows, have private facilities, a built-in wardrobe,a table, a small refigerator. Cabins are clean and pleasant but modest by western standards. Bed linen is changed every 3 days, and towels are changed daily. No hairdryers are provided in cabins.
  Facility amenities: There is ample sun deck space, a reception area, a hair salon, a gift shop, a reading lounge, a meeting/lecture room, two restaurants, two bars, and recreation lounges. The ship is fully air-conditioned. It must be remembered that this ship is comfortable, but it is a river cruiser, not a luxury ocean cruise ship. The ship will serve the needs of sailing along the rivers and canals with frequent stops for shore excursions along the way. The ship has medical facilities and a medical specialist on board.
  Smoking allowed: No

 Cosmos Hotel
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: Cosmos Hotel is modern complex on the north side of Moscow, a 25-story comfortable tourist class hotel, located next to the VDNKH exhibit compound and the Soviet Space Monument. Built by the French in 1980 for the Moscow Olympics, it is located about a 2-hour drive from DME or SVO airports and about 30 minutes drive from Red Square. VDNKH Metro station is next door, 6 stops to the Red Square area.
  Contact info: 150 Prospect Mira
Moscow
Moscow,  RF Russia
phone: +011-7-495-234-1000
web: www.hotelcosmos.ru
  Room amenities: Standard rooms are spacious, have 2 twin beds TV, Telephone and all modern amenities; however, no hairdryers are provided in bathrooms in standard rooms.
  Facility amenities: The Cosmos Hotel offers various services, including a currency exchange office in the hotel lobby, a beauty salon, post office, theater ticket desk, bars and restaurants. There is a fitness center and a well-equipped business center with access to the Internet. All common areas are air-conditioned. It has 24-hour security and English-speaking staff.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes

 In Flight
Type: Cabin
  Contact info: x
x, NY 000 USA
phone: 000-000-
  Smoking allowed: No


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Day 2: Room check-in starts at 3:00pm. 6.00pm Meet at hotel lobby for RS registration. You will be staying at Park Inn Pulkovskaya Hotel that night.
  End of Program:
Day 15: 10.00am. Check out is 12:00noon You will be staying at In Flight the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Not applicable
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
  Train or bus availability: To St. Petersburg and out of Moscow, scheduled trains or bus or ferry service is available from/to various European destinations.
To Start of Program
  Location:  St. Petersburg
  Nearest city or town:  St.Petersburg
  Nearest airport:  LED Pulkovo
  Transportation to site: Arrival Transfers are provided for all participants who purchased air tickets from the Road Scholar Travel Services. Independent travelers may join the group transfer bus free of charge if arrival schedule allows it. Detailed transfer information with private transfer request forms to fill out (if desired) will be provided in the ETC informational materials.
  From End of Program
  Location:  Moscow
  Nearest city or town:  Moscow
  Nearest highway: n/a
  Nearest airport:  SVO Sheremetyevo
  Transportation from site: Departure Transfers are provided for all participants who purchased air tickets from the Road Scholar Travel Services.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Departure from the USA to St Petersburg, Russia
(Wednesday, August 8)

Note: Travel overnight, arriving the next day
   
 Depart From: Depart USA via overning flight to St Petersburg. 2meals are served in flight.

Day 2: Arrivals in St. Petersburg/Dinner at hotel/ Group orientation meeting
(Thursday, August 9)

Note: All who purchased airtickets from the Road Scholar Travel Services will be met and transferred to the program hotel. Independent travelers are welcome to join group transfer bus, subject to space availability. Look for the Road Scholar sign in the Arrival hall.
   
 Afternoon: Arrival in St. Petersburg Pulkovo airports. Transfer to thePark Inn Pulkovskaya hotel. Rest.
 Dinner: Dinner at hotel.
 Evening: Group meeting. Introductions. Meet your group/study leader and the fellow program participants.
   
Accommodations: Park Inn Pulkovskaya Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 3: Overview of the history of St Petersburg and the Romanovs Dynasty/ Tsarskoye Selo/ the Memorial museum dedicated to the Defenders of Leningrad/ evening performance
(Friday, August 10)

Note: Walking in the park and in the museum. Comfortable shoes are a must. Rest areas are available.
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast in hotel's restaurant.
 Morning: Theme of the day: ?The Romanov Dynasty.. En route to Tsarskoye Selo and during the visit learn about the history of St Petersburg and the Romanov royal family who ruled Russia for over 300 years ( from 1613 to 1917). Enjoy an expert led field trip to Tsarskoye Selo-Pushkin (now a subburb of St. Petersburg) and see. a summer residence - Catherine's Palace -- an elaborate baroque Palace built in 1752 by Tzarina Elizabeth to honor the memory of her mother and first wife of Tzar Peter I, Katarina. This palace later was rebuilt to become the main summer residence of Tzarina Catherine (the Great). Here see the eighth wonder of the world-- the extraordinary Amber Room -- decorated with six tons of solid amber, carved and framed in gold leaf. The original room was stolen by the Nazis during WWII and lost, never found, and finally, meticulously reconstructed in 2003 by a team of the Russian restorating artists.
 Lunch: Group lunch.
 Afternoon: In the afternoon participate in an Expert led visit to the Memorial Museum dedicated to the defenders of Leningrad. See the museum collection of old documents and photographs and hear the story of the 300 day seige during WWII. Free time at hotel before the evening event.
 Dinner: Dinner
 Evening: Transfer to an Evening performance. Return to hotel for overnight.
   
Accommodations: Park Inn Pulkovskaya Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Visit to Peterhof/ free time / transfer to ship/evening free
(Saturday, August 11)

Note: Walking up to 2 miles in the park in Peterhof. Rest areas are available.
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at hotel.
 Morning: Continue exploration of the summer residences of the Romanovs. This morning drive to Peterhof, the stunning summer residence of the Tzar Peter the Great on the Baltic Sea. Have an expert led walk in the park and enjoy the famous fountains. Learn about the history of Peterhof, the Mon Plaisir Palace, the Grand Palace, and other buildings in Park (see the exterior only), all information is presented by a licensed expert. (note: Excursions to the Grand Palace and other museums on site are not part of the visit). Free time in the park.
 Lunch: Time for Lunch on your own
 Afternoon: Transfer to the ship. Check in.
 Dinner: Dinner in ship's restaurant
 Evening: Ship's Orientation, meet on board representative. Evening free on board
   
Accommodations: MS Vodohod/RUSS
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: City's architectural highlights/ Hermitage museum/ free evening
(Sunday, August 12)

Note: For all city excursions we use airconditioned motorcoaches(whenever possible), with no facilities on board. Rest stops are made. At the Hermitage: walking up to 2miles and standing in the museum can be unavoidable.Rest areas are available.
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast on board the ship
 Morning: Theme of the day: ?The history and architecture of St. Petersburg?. This morning take an xpert led motor coach excurion and learn about the city's architectural and cultural highlights. Stops are made by major architectural sites: the Peter and Paul Fortress and Cathedral ? the birthplace of the city, and the burial place of the Romanovs, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Bronze Horseman statue, the Summer Garden, St. Petersburg University and other places. Drive along the glamorous Nevsky Prospekt and pass by splendid palaces, numerous statues, and elegant bridges over rivers and canals before returning on board the ship.
 Lunch: Lunch in city's restaurant
 Afternoon: This afternoon enjoy a Field trip to the Hermitage Museum, one of world?s greatest art galleries. Take pleasure viewing the dazzling collection of the Old Masters and French Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, as well as numerous items of all eras, including various newly revealed collections of masterpieces now on display (2, 5 hours with a licensed expert).
 Dinner: Dinner in ship's restaurant
 Evening: At leisure to enjoy the activities on board
   
Accommodations: MS Vodohod/RUSS
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Free time in the city center/ Lecture on board SET SAIL
(Monday, August 13)

Note: For all city excursions we use airconditioned motorcoaches(whenever possible), with no facilities on board. Rest stops are made.
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast on board
 Morning: Transfer to the city center. Morning free in Nevsky Prospekt. Time for independent discoveries and independent museum visits.
 Lunch: Lunch in ship's restaurant
 Afternoon: This afternoon attend a Lecture on board:" Russia Today": an overview of current issues of nationalities, ethnicity, religion and modern social issues. (presented by a university professor). Q&A ****************************************** Program on board. Welcome reception. Meet the crew and on board staff. SET SAIL
 Dinner: Dinner in ship's restaurant
 Evening: At leisure to enjoy the on board activities.
   
Accommodations: MS Vodohod/RUSS
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Mandrogy Village / Lecture on board
(Tuesday, August 14)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in ship's restaurant.
 Morning: Arrival in Mandrogy village. This morning enjoy the Lake region and beautiful nothern forest. During free time ashore take a stroll in Mandrogy- a quaint riverside village dotted with wooden cottages ( a reproduction of a typical rural Russian settlement). Later cruise the 139-mile long Svir River and then along the southern shores of the Lake Onega, which is the second largest lake in Europe, and one of the world’s purest, then along the Lake Ladoga, Europe’s largest lake. Both lakes are more like inland seas and can experience waves as high as 3-4 feet during inclement weather. Take time to admire along the way the sandy and rocky beaches and beautiful shores overgrown with graceful willows, tall alder trees, and stately pines.
 Lunch: Lunch in ship's restaurant
 Afternoon: This afternoon participate in the presentation dedicated to various aspects of life and corrent politics in "Russia today". Q&A session.
 Dinner: Dinner in ship's restaurant
 Evening: On-board entertainment
   
Accommodations: MS Vodohod/RUSS
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Wooden architecture of the island of Kizhi/On board program
(Wednesday, August 15)

Note: extensive walking
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast in ship's restaurant.
 Morning: Arrival in Kizhi This afternoon take an expert-led walking excursion of the open-air museum and wooden churches, led by a licensed expert. Kizhi Island ? one of 1650 islands on Lake Onega. The fairytale-like structures found on this island represent a superb example of traditional Russian wooden architecture. Most spectacular is the Transfiguration Church, with 22 domes built in 1714 without a single nail, and which is also famous for its icons and iconostasis. This Island has been declared a major site for preservation by UNESCO.
 Lunch: Lunch in ship's restaurant
 Afternoon: Enjoy various activities on board.
 Dinner: Dinner in ship's restaurant
 Evening: On-board entertainment.
   
Accommodations: MS Vodohod/RUSS
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Talk on famous Russians of the Volga and Lake region/excursion in Goritzy
(Thursday, August 16)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at ship's restaurant
 Morning: Attend a presentation on the famous Russians whose lives and work were connected to the Volga and Lake region.
 Lunch: Lunch in ship's restaurant
 Afternoon: Arrival in Goritzy. A walking excursion of the village. Learn of the history of these old settlements. Visit the monastery. All led by a licensed expert. Goritsy ? a small, picturesque village located about 4 miles from the famous Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, which is famous for its collection of rare icons. Goritsy is also known for its convent, a place of exile for politically unpopular ladies of nobility, including Maria Nagaya [see story about Uglich], who was sent there by Boris Godunov, the notorious ruler of Russia in the late 16th-early 17th centuries.
 Dinner: Dinner in ship's restaurant
 Evening: On-board activities
   
Accommodations: MS Vodohod/RUSS
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: On board discussion/ Excursion of Yaroslavl
(Friday, August 17)

Note: Excursion by motor coach and by foot.
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at ship's restaurant
 Morning: This morning attend a Lecture on: "Medieval Russia: The reign of the Ruricks"(presented by an expert) Q&A.
 Lunch: Lunch in ship's restaurant
 Afternoon: Arrival in the ancient town of Yaroslavl. This morning take a motorcoach excursion of the city and the Spassky Monastery. Stretching along both banks of the Volga, Yaroslavl is an important river port with a population of 600,000. It was founded in the 11th century by Prince Yaroslavl the Wise and today retains many noteworthy monuments of its rich history. Of special interest are the 13th-century Spassky Monastery ensemble, a group of 17th-century cathedrals, an elegant rotunda, and remnants of an ancient trading center. Loveliest of all is the Church of Elijah the Prophet in the town?s central square. The frescoes on the walls and vaulting inside the church represent a valuable collection of old Russian paintings. The second-largest city in Russia in the 17th century, Yaroslavl was the de facto capital of Russia during the Polish occupation of Moscow in 1612 (the so-called Time of Troubles?).
 Dinner: Dinner in ship's restaurant.
 Evening: On board concert
   
Accommodations: MS Vodohod/RUSS
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Excusion of Ouglich/ Captain's farewell dinner/ on board program
(Saturday, August 18)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in ship's restaurant
 Morning: Arrival in the town of Ouglich. Walking exursion of the town of Uglich and cathedrals. Founded in 1148, Uglich is one of the most beloved towns in old Russia. The view of the city from the Volga River is especially lovely, with the blue-domed Cathedral of the Resurrection and St. John?s Church looming on the horizon. At the end of the 16th century, Maria Nagaya, the seventh wife of Ivan the Terrible, lived in exile in the Kremlin [fortress] at Uglich. It was here that Tsarevich Dmitry, son of the deceased Ivan the Terrible, met his ?mysterious? death in 1591and where the Church of St. Dmitry on the (Spilled) Blood stands today. Located within the Kremlin (fortress) walls is the oldest building in Uglich, the Palace of Tsarevich Dmitry.
 Lunch: Lunch on board.
 Afternoon: On board program.
 Dinner: Captain's Farewell dinner to celebrate the last sailing night on board the ship before arrival in Moscow.
 Evening: on board program
   
Accommodations: MS Vodohod/RUSS
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: On board discussions/ Moscow's architectural highlights/ Free evening
(Sunday, August 19)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast in the ship's restaurant
 Morning: On board program: Informal round table discussion on "Russia today" , Q&A session
 Lunch: Lunch on board.
 Afternoon: Arrival in Moscow . Theme of the Day: History and Architecture of Moscow: Explore Moscow's cultural and historical treasures. Enjoy a motorcoach excursion with stops at major architectural and historic sites: Moscow University, Manezh Square, Novodevichi Convent (see the exterior only), the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, and other important sites. All to be presented by a licensed expert.
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship.
 Evening: Evening free for independent discoveries.
   
Accommodations: MS Vodohod/RUSS
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Visit to the Kremlin compound/ Lecture on US-Russia relations.Evening free
(Monday, August 20)

Note: Walking up to 2 miles.
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast in ship's restaurant
 Morning: Participate in a field trip to the legendary Kremlin compond. An expert-led visit to the Kremlin grounds: Learn of the Medieval history of Moscow and see the medieval fortress in tact, its cathedrals and the palace. Take pictures of the legendary Tzar Cannon and Tzar Bell. Explore the Kremlin grounds and admire the Cathedral of the Annunciation and other cathedrals inside the Kremlin walls. Transfer back to the ship.
 Lunch: Lunch on board the ship
 Afternoon: Lecture on board: "US-Russia relations" Q&A.
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship.
 Evening: Evening free.
   
Accommodations: MS Vodohod/RUSS
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: The Armory Chamber/ Free time in central Moscow / Evening performance
(Tuesday, August 21)

Note: Expected walking up to 2miles.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship .
 Morning: Check out. Transfer to the city center. Participate in an expert led visit to the Armory Chamber located inside the Kremlin compound. Explore the unique collection of arms and armaments used through the ages, admire the Russian royal jewels and other treasures on display including the famous Faberge eggs.?
 Lunch: Time for lunch on your own
 Afternoon: Free time in the city. Take a Moscow Metro ride (if desired). Explore the UNESCO-listed Krasnaya Ploshchad (Red Square), where all rulers of Russia left traces of their reign. Admire the ancient Kremlin wall, the striking Kremlin Clock Tower, Lenin's Mausoleum, and see the exterior of the ornate, multi-colored architectural grandeur of the 16th century - St Basil?s Cathedral - commemorating Russia?s victory over the Tatars. Enjoy this politically-charged architectural wonder reflecting the mysterious Russian soul. Transfer to the Cosmos hotel.
 Dinner: Early Group Dinner
 Evening: Attend Evening performance.
   
Accommodations: Cosmos Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 15: Program ends. Departures.
(Wednesday, August 22)

Note: All who purchased air tickets from the Road Scholar Travel Services will be transferred to airports. Independent travelers are welcome to join the group transfer bus.
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at hotel restaurant. Departure transfers.
   
Accommodations: In Flight
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


A Traveller's History of Russia


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Description: An impressively compact, lively survey of Russian history from the coming of the Slavs to the collapse of the Soviet Union.



Catherine the Great


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Description: Eager readers of Massie's Nicholas and Alexandria or the Pulitzer Prize-wining Peter the Great will not be disappointed by this latest, an old-fashioned tale of politics, power and 18th-century Europe, drawing effectively from the ambitious Catherine's own memoirs.



Catherine the Great, A Short History


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Communism, A History


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Description: This short, fiercely critical history of communism provides a compelling overview, from the ideas of Karl Marx to the end of the 20th century.



Crime and Punishment


Author: Fyodor Dostoevsky, David McDuff (Translator)


Description: Dostoevsky's thriller of murder and redemption is redolent of St. Petersburg’s atmosphere. A cornerstone of Russian literature, and one of the greatest detective stories ever told.



Culture Smart! Russia


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Description: A concise, no-nonsense guide to local customs, etiquette and culture with a short overview of the land and people along with practical travel advice.



Eyewitness Guide Moscow


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Description: This outstanding guide covers Moscow's culture, history and attractions with maps, site plans and hundreds of color photographs.



Eyewitness Guide St. Petersburg


Author: Eyewitness Guides


Description: With excellent local maps and site plans, this outstanding visual guide introduces the culture, history and attractions of St. Petersburg.



Land of the Firebird, The Beauty of Old Russia


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Lenin's Tomb


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Description: A gripping eyewitness tale of the collapse of the Soviet Union. Remnick, the Washington Post reporter on the scene, combines fine historical scholarship with great storytelling.



Moscow Map


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Description: A handy, folding map of Moscow.



Odyssey Guide Moscow, St. Petersburg & The Golden Ring


Author: Masha Nordbye, Patricia Lanza (Photographer)


Description: A comprehensive guide to the art, culture and history of two great Russian cities, filled with maps and fine color photographs.



Peter the Great, His Life and World


Author: Robert Massie


Description: In this Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, Massie portrays the giant of history who transformed Russia from backwater tsardom into a major empire.



Romanov Riches, Russian Writers and Artists Under the Tsars


Author: Solomon Volkov


Description: Volkov effortlessly unwinds the twisted relationship between art and the royal family from the rise of the Romanovs in 1613 to their downfall in 1917, including a chapter on Catherine the Great and her era.



Russia from St. Petersburg to Moscow Map


Author: Falk Maps


Description: A detailed map of northwest Russia at a scale of 1:750,000, well-suited for a river cruise between St. Petersburg and Moscow. It covers all but the northernmost extent of the route.



Russia of the Tsars


Author: Peter Waldron


Description: Waldron recounts the exploits of Peter the Great and the Tsars and the splendor of their capital city, St. Petersburg, in this lively, well illustrated and compact overview of the largest and most diverse empire of its day.



Russia, A Concise History


Author: Ronald Hingley


Description: Well-known scholar Hingley sketches Russia's multiple transformations from her illiterate, pagan, Slavic roots to a multi-ethnic empire in this highly readable, well-illustrated brief history.



Russian Short Stories


Author: Robert Chandler (Editor)


Description: This fine collection of tales captures the sweep and soul of Russian literature, including works by Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Chekhov and Tolstoy along with lesser-known greats.



Russka


Author: Edward Rutherfurd


Description: In this absorbing, complex novel Rutherfurd transforms Russian history into an epic saga. The bestseller follows the fate of interconnected families over 800 years. Catherine the Great, Tolstoy, Pushkin and Rasputin all make appearances.



Speak, Memory


Author: Vladimir Nabokov


Description: Nabokov's richly imagined memoir wonderfully evokes cultural life among the well-to-do in turn-of-the-century St. Petersburg.



St. Petersburg Map


Author: Berndtson & Berndtson


Description: A detailed, laminated city plan of St. Petersburg, with street index inset. Place names are in transliterated English.



Sunlight at Midnight: St. Petersburg and the Rise of Modern Russia


Author: W. Bruce Lincoln


Description: A wonderfully written, informative portrait of St. Petersburg, focusing on the city's development in the 18th and 19th centuries as Russia's "window on the West." Highly recommended for travelers with an interest in the character and significance of the city and its monuments.



The Art and Architecture of Russia


Author: George Hamilton, Judith Gordon


Description: An elegantly written introduction to the art and architecture of Russia. Published in 1954, it's a good handbook for the traveler that goes beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg. Includes 314 black-and-white illustrations.



The Hermitage: A Journey in Time and Space


Author: Kultur Video


Description: This 116 minute documentary, directed Vladimir Ptashchenko and accompanied by orchestral music, showcases the extraordinary collections, Originally established as the private collection of the Russian Empress Catherine the Great.



The Ransom of Russian Art


Author: John McPhee


Description: McPhee tackles a rather unusual topic for him: the story of suppressed Russian art and the man who brought it to America.



The Winter Queen


Author: Boris Akunin, Andrew Bromfield (Translator)


Description: Akunin sets a suspected murder among the glitterati of late 19th-century Moscow in this first book in the series of clever detective novels starring the rascal Erast Fandorin, wildly popular in Russia. The series continues with: The Turkish Gambit (RUS263), set during the 1877 Russo-Turkish War; Murder on the Leviathan (RUS225), an homage to Christie; and The Death of Achilles (RUS291), back in Moscow. Fandorin is deputy to the governor-general of czarist Moscow in Special Assignments (RUS371), facing a serial murder and a swindler.



Vodka, A Global History


Author: Patricia Herlihy


Description: A professor of history at Brown, Patricia Herlihy tracks our fascination with this most versatile of spirits from its mysterious 14th Century Slavic origins to today's global dominance in this throughoughly entertaining, erudite and illustrated short history. A volume in the lively Edible History Series, which also includes the ideal companion: Olives, A Global History.





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