This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
This tour features a combination of escorted and independent travel. Part of your journey will be enjoyed as a group experience, led by expert tour leaders or local guides. The remainder is self-guided—whether by rail, cruise, or overland—allowing you the freedom to travel between destinations independently and 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
✓ 2 nights in Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn and 3 nights in Helsinki
✓ 10 nights exploring Russia’s waterways on the premium river ship, the MS Rossia
✓ Services of a Tour Director, Cruise Director and local guides
✓ 41 meals - 19 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 13 dinners
✓ Daily filtered water, tea and coffee
✓ Soft drink, beer and wine during dinner on your cruise
✓ Explore 14 towns, villages and cities
✓ Enjoy a tasting of Black Balsam in Riga
✓ Visit the Secret Soviet Bunker in Ligatne
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 Vilnius, Lithuania’s enchanting capital, and be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for a Welcome Reception.
This morning, embark on a guided tour of Vilnius. Then, venture to Trakai Island Castle, a magnificent stone castle built in the 14th century. Tonight, enjoy a traditional dinner at a local restaurant.
Travel to Siauliai where you’ll visit the awe-inspiring Hill of Crosses. Later, farewell Lithuania, crossing the border into Latvia and continuing on to its capital, Riga. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Today, join a local guide for a tour of historic Riga, taking in the Germanic art nouveau architecture of the Old Town. The afternoon is at your leisure.
Insider Experience: Head to Black Magic Bar to enjoy a tasting of Black Balsam, a traditional Latvian herbal liqueur.
Enjoy your Insider Experience today in Ligatne. Then cross the border into Estonia. Continue to Cesis and enjoy time to explore before arriving in Tallinn.
Insider Experience: In Ligatne, a town on the Gauja River, visit the Secret Soviet Bunker, a Cold War bomb shelter.
Today, set out on a guided tour of Tallinn. Visit the Kadriorg district, a throwback to the time when Estonia was ruled by the Russian Tsars. You’ll also pass by the Song Festival Grounds, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Town Hall Square.
Farewell Estonia as you embark on a ferry crossing over the Gulf of Finland into Helsinki. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Join your local guide for a tour of Helsinki, including its spectacular harbour. Then, during free time, perhaps explore the Temppeliaukio Church, a magnificent structure with an interior constructed out of solid rock.
Today, enjoy a day at leisure in Helsinki. Or perhaps set off on an optional trip to the medieval town of Porvoo (own expense).
After breakfast, board the high-speed Allegro train bound for Russia. Arrive in St Petersburg and transfer to your river ship.
This morning enjoy a tour of St Petersburg to see Nevsky Prospect, the University quarter, Palace Square and tour the Bath Block. This afternoon, perhaps take a guided tour of Peterhof Palace (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, enjoying your Insider Experience and some time to unwind. 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. Enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch and be sure to meander through the curious artisan shops filled with beautiful handmade gifts. Afterwards, re-board your ship and set sail along the peaceful Svir River.
Insider Experience: Take part in a Russian lesson on board, where you’ll learn some essential phrases of this wonderful language.
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.
Insider Experience: On Kizhi Island, set out on a guided walking tour through the Open Air Museum of Architecture, a renowned World Heritage-listed site. 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.
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 of 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. Enjoy free time to explore Moscow this afternoon. Back on board this evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner and share a toast to new friends with a glass of Russian vodka.
After breakfast, 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.
Russia is a place of mystery and intrigue, full of contrasts and culture on a grand scale. But, when is the best time to go? Russia will wow you with its opulence and humble you with its traditions. From the palatial buildings and teeming streets of its cities, to picturesque villages and epic landscapes, there's a my...
From what to pack and how to pay, to what to drink and how to drink it – here’s all you need to know about your first trip to Russia It’s safe There’s always a nervousness that comes with being in a foreign land, however, apart from a bit of petty crime and the universal themes of scamming and overcharging tourists,...
Wondering what to do on your visit to Moscow? Whether you’re into history, politics, ballet or flea markets, here are 10 Moscow must-dos: 1. St. Basil’s Cathedral There is no sight more Muscovite than St. Basil’s Cathedral. Its cluster of colourful onion-shaped domes was built in the 1500s and intended to resemble th...
From soups and sweets to salads and fish, the Russian staples you must try The clichés about Russian food range from caviar to empty shelves and bread queues, but in reality, the country has a rich culinary tapestry reflecting its position as a crossroads between Europe, Central Asia and the Far East as well as its rol...
Australia
New Zealand
United States
Canada
