This tour is conducted at a medium-fast pace. Some long travel days may be required to complete this itinerary and you will typically spend two nights at each destination, with some one night stays required. This trip includes a mix of sightseeing and free time to explore at your own pace. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage.
A portion of this tour runs as a group tour where you will be escorted by an expert tour leader. Another portion is self-guided, whether conducted by rail, cruise or land, and you will travel between destinations on your own, with free time to explore at your own pace.
River cruises are a relaxed, informal way to travel - there are fewer passengers on board compared to an ocean cruise, which means ample opportunity to make lifelong friends. You will pass through the world's most loved cities and towns; disembark and enjoy a shore excursion or two, or simply wander around and explore on your own.
✓ Travel with Travelmarvel
✓ Three nights in spectacular Helsinki
✓ 10 nights exploring Russia’s waterways on the premium river ship, the MS Rossia
✓ Services of a Travelmarvel Tour Director, Cruise Director, Entertainment
✓ Activities Coordinators, and local guides
✓ 32 meals - 13 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 10 dinners
✓ Daily filtered water, tea and coffee
✓ Soft drink, beer and wine during dinner on your cruise
✓ Explore eight towns, villages and cities
✓ Discover the grand palaces and incredible architecture of St Petersburg
✓ Marvel at the impressive three-tiered Transfiguration Church on Kizhi Island
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Fly into Helsinki today, Finland’s vibrant capital. Situated on a picturesque archipelago, the coastal city of Helsinki offers an enchanting combination of natural, cultural and historical attractions. On arrival, check in to your hotel.
Join your local guide for a tour of Helsinki, where the heart of the city is its spectacular harbour. Then, should you choose, enjoy the rest of the day exploring the city at your own leisure. Perhaps you would like to dine on delicious Finnish specialties during dinner at a local restaurant tonight.
Today, enjoy a day at leisure in Helsinki, or perhaps you would like to set off on an optional trip to Porvoo, one of the six medieval towns in Finland that is home to many Finnish artists (own expense).
Transfer to the station for your journey to Russia aboard the high-speed Allegro train bound for St Petersburg. Traverse the Finnish countryside before entering Russia. For your convenience, all visa and customs controls are carried out during the journey. Arrive in opulent St Petersburg and transfer to your river ship. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
This morning, enjoy a tour of one of the most beautiful cities in the world, St Petersburg. See Nevsky Prospect, the University quarter, Palace Square and tour the Bath Block. Admire the ornate fountains and gardens in Peterhof Park. This afternoon, you might like to take a guided tour of Peterhof Palace, once home to Peter and Catherine the Great (own expense).
Founded by Tsar Peter the Great, St Petersburg boasts a network of canals as well as baroque and neoclassical buildings which give the city a distinctive European flavour. Be prepared to be dazzled today as you visit the State Hermitage to explore one of the oldest and most impressive museums in the world.
Today, cruise down the Neva River and arrive in Mandrogi, a tiny island village that is a living museum. Wander through the quirky collection of old wooden houses and see the famous Vodka Museum before a relaxing picnic lunch. Afterwards, re-board your ship and set sail along the peaceful Svir River.
Insider Experience: Be treated to a Russian language lesson on board, where you’ll learn some essential phrases.
Absorb the picturesque Russian countryside as you cruise towards Lake Onega, Europe’s second-largest lake. Then, watch in awe as you approach the spellbinding sight of Kizhi Island. Marvel at the island’s impressive collection of wooden houses, windmills and churches. The island is dominated by the three-tiered Transfiguration Church, a 22-dome structure built in 1714 without a single nail.
Insider Experience: Enjoy a guided walking tour through the Open Air Museum of Architecture, a renowned World Heritage-listed site on Kizhi Island.
Today, cruise across the ethereal White Lake and along the Volga-Baltic Waterway, which connects the Baltic and Caspian seas. Arrive in Goritsy, and enjoy a tour to one of the largest medieval abbeys in Russia, the Monastery of St Cyril. Today the monastery remains an important part of Russia’s spiritual history, and features an intriguing collection of ancient artefacts.
Today, discover the pearl of the Golden Ring cities, Yaroslavl. Founded by Prince Yaroslav the Wise, this is one of Russia’s oldest cities and dates back to the age of the Vikings. Explore the World Heritage-listed historic centre, adorned with classical architecture and golden-domed churches, and visit a 12th-century monastery.
Watch idyllic rural life unfold along the banks as your ship cruises to Uglich. Here, disembark for a tour that allows you to embrace olden-day Russia. See the former Kremlin of Uglich and visit the colourful Church of St Demetrios on the Blood, built on the site where Ivan the Terrible’s son Demetrios was mysteriously killed in 1591. This afternoon, set sail along the Volga River towards Moscow.
Cruise into Moscow, Russia’s capital. On arrival, explore some of the city’s landmarks and uncover 860 years of history on a tour with a local guide. See the Kremlin, a fortified complex that was once the royal residence of the Tsars. Here, visit the Armoury Museum, which boasts a staggering collection of Tsarist artefacts, priceless jewellery and impressive armour.
Today in Moscow, enjoy a tour of Russia’s most iconic monuments and legendary palaces as you head to Red Square, where you’ll admire the ornate beauty of the onion-domed St Basil’s Cathedral. Take in the famous GUM Department Store, Sparrow Hill and Lubyanka Square and see the city’s intriguing past play out through its striking imperial and Soviet architecture. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board and share a toast to new friends with a glass of Russian vodka.
After breakfast, you’ll disembark your ship and be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
Candy cane spires and rural scenery slide by during a Russia river cruise on the MS Rossia. Sit back as you glide along grand canals, explore imperial cities and discover romantic wooden villages between St Petersburg and Moscow.
Take in Russia’s picturesque scenery as you cruise the Volga, Svir and Neva rivers on a journey aboard the MS Rossia.
Onboard Features
To know more about your ship, please click HERE.
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Booking On Request
COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard.
Single Supplement
Please follow the 'book now' prompts and select 1 passenger to view the single supplement cost.
Triple Share
Not Available
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including, e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
Group size varies from package to package. Depending on the services provided, the group size might range from private 2 person experiences up to coaches of 50 people depending on your selected holiday.
Children
Children must share a room with parents at all times and are charged the same price as adults.
For all international voyages, it is the traveller's responsibility to ensure that they have a valid passport and they meet the visa requirement. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.
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