Fly from London to St. Petersburg and transfer to your ship. After boarding, you have free time to relax before dinner.

Today’s excursion goes to Pushkin. Visit Catherine’s Palace, the elegant rococo 18th-century summer residence of the Russian Tsars named for Catherine I (widow of Peter the Great). Tour its various halls, including the storied Amber and Agate Rooms, and see the ornate decor throughout. Return aboard for lunch. The rest of the day is at leisure to further explore St. Petersburg. Enjoy an evening performance of traditional Russian ballet or opera followed by a late dinner aboard.

This morning, proceed to the Winter Palace to visit the legendary Hermitage Museum, where you marvel at the vast collection of art, antiquities, jewellery and sculptures. After a picnic lunch, see some of St. Petersburg’s other landmarks, including St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Peter and Paul Fortress and Nevsky Prospekt. Dine aboard and enjoy an optional Russian folkloric performance this evening.

You have most of today free to see the sights that interest you. Visit one of the many palaces, churches or museums. You can take the optional morning tour to Peterhof Palace, with its landscaped gardens, beautiful fountains and French Gothic interiors. Lunch and dinner are served aboard; your ship departs in the early evening.

Spend a full relaxing day cruising across Russia’s intricate waterways. Sail on the Neva River and cross Lake Ladoga, Europe’s largest lake. Cruise the Svir River to the Mandrogy where you have free time to explore this model Russian community. Visit the Vodka museum or shop for handmade Russian crafts. Continue sailing the 139-mile “Blue Route” as it takes you north-easterly to Lake Onega.

As you cruise through the early morning, admire the tranquil waters of Lake Onega, Europe’s second largest lake. Arrive during breakfast at the island village of Kizhi. Set out on a walking tour through the Open Air Museum of Architecture. Here, you’ll see a range of wooden houses, windmills and churches representing ancient Russian architecture, highlighted by the famous three-tiered Preobranzhenskaya (Transfiguration) Church. This fairy-tale structure was built in 1714 without a single nail. Depart in the late-morning and cruise through the night.

Continue cruising along the Volga-Baltic Waterway. This system of rivers and canals, spanning 229 miles and 7 locks, links the Volga River with the Baltic Sea. Arrive at lunch time in Goritzy, a typical Russian village. From here, you’ll visit the renowned Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, founded by St. Cyril in 1397. Your guided walk takes you through the historic grounds, seeing many small wooden chapels, the Assumption Cathedral and a museum. Return to your ship for an afternoon departure.

Arrive mid-afternoon in Yaroslavl, one of the Golden Ring cities. Our excursion takes us along the banks of the Volga and to the church of the Epiphany. Then, visit the Church of St. Elijah the Prophet, featuring wonderful frescoes and icons. Here, you’ll be treated to a choral performance. Take free time and shop for handcrafted souvenirs before returning to your ship for dinner. Evening departure.

After breakfast, disembark for your walking tour through the provincial village of Uglich, another city in Russia’s Golden Ring. See the former Kremlin of Uglich and visit the Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood, built on the site where Ivan the Terrible’s son Dmitry was mysteriously killed. Lunch will be served aboard; cruise through the night.

This morning, you cruise along the Moscow Canal and approach Moscow during lunch. Disembark for your half-day tour of Moscow. You’ll see the famed Bolshoi Theatre and stop at Red Square for a view of the colourful onion domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral. You’ll also get the chance to experience the city’s stunning Metro. Stay in the city centre and enjoy a meal prepared by the ship’s chef so you can enjoy an evening performance of traditional Russian folkloric music.

Today you have a full day to further explore Moscow’s many buildings, parks and monuments. Or you may choose from several optional experiences – a full-day excursion to Sergiyev Posad, a Golden Ring city named for the greatly venerated St. Sergius of Radonezh, to see one of the four most important Russian Orthodox monasteries in Russia; a morning tour to Tretyakov Gallery,the world’s foremost museum of Russian fine art; an afternoon tour of the Military Museum; or an afternoon tour of Novodevichy Convent, Moscow’s best-known cloister and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch is served aboard, or included in your full day optional excursion. Dine aboard, then relax – or take an optional Moscow by Night tour.

The morning is free to relax and explore - you may wish to make your way to Red Square and visit the famous GUM Department Store or Lenin’s Tomb. This afternoon, you tour the world-famous Kremlin. See its many tall towers and elegant palaces, and tour inside one of the brightly coloured cathedrals. Return aboard for a farewell dinner.

After breakfast, disembark and transfer to Moscow airport for your return journey to London.