Grand Volga River Cruise from Moscow to Astrakhan

• Yaroslavl: One of the most celebrated cities of Russia’s Golden Ring, Yaroslavl has so much to see. Admire the incredible artistry of the Spassky Monastery and take part in a costumed reception at the Governer’s House

• Nizhniy Novgorod was a once-wealthy city with a strategic position on the Eastern trade route. During the Soviet era, it was used as a place of exile for political prisoners and outsiders were forbidden. Now open to visitors once again, it boasts spectacular views from the ramparts of its 16th century Kremlin

• By Day 7, Orthodox churches no longer dominate the landscape. Instead, the beautiful minarets of Islamic mosques pierce the sky as we enter the Republic of Tatarstan, where we disembark to discover the unique Tartar culture of the Republic’s capital, Kazan

• Sail past the Zhigulevskie mountains towards Samsara. Our tour of the city includes a visit to the space museum and stroll along the Volga esplanade to the Samara State Art Museum
• Discover the world-changing WWII history of Volgograd, a 16th-century city that shot to notoriety as the site of the Battle of Stalingrad, the largest and bloodiest battle in the history of warfare
• Tour a fortress built during the reign of Ivan the Terrible in Astrakhan before flying back home.

Russia’s most significant settlements share one essential geographic detail – their connection to the Volga River, the cultural, agricultural and industrial lifeline for the country's largest population centres. What better way to take in Russia’s beautiful rural landscapes, spectacular old-world architecture and picturesque historical townships than an intimate experience sailing the waters of the mighty Volga herself. From the chaotic modern metropolis of Moscow to fairytale medieval villages and the ancient kingdom of the Tartars, this is a river cruise with few equals, offering variety and splendour on a scale that exists simply nowhere else.

Our cruise begins at the Moscow Canal ferry terminal, the city’s gateway to the Volga River. From Moscow, we’ll sail north to the fascinating Medieval city of Uglich and on to Yaroslav, one of the most iconic cities on Russia’s historic Golden Ring circuit. Next, we’ll follow the lower reaches of the Volga River to the south-east, watching the local architecture change from Tsarist cathedrals to exotic Muslim mosques as we temporarily leave Orthodox Russia and enter the Republic of Tatarstan. Finally, we’ll sail past the Zhigulevskie mountains to Samsara,  Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad), one of the single most important battlefield locations in the history of modern warfare, and then on to our departure point - Astrakhan, known for the Astrakhan Kremlin, an expansive fortress built in the 1500s.

Your luxury vessel on this eye-opening journey is the MV Volga Dream, a renovated boutique cruise ship with classic décor and distinctive Russian touches. Accommodating just 100 passengers in 50 staterooms, the Volga Dream is the perfect choice for travellers seeking an intimate experience and personalised service. Soak up the panoramic views from the elegant lounge or the spectacular sundeck and enjoy a mix of fine Russian and international fare, buffet breakfasts and four-course dinners in the restaurant. Life onboard is as laidback or action-packed as you prefer. Between trips ashore, enjoy a diverse range of activities including Russian language lessons, cooking demonstrations, matryoshka painting classes, documentary films, educational talks from our passionate guest speakers, live musical entertainment and a traditional costumed Russian dinner with vodka tasting.