A Private View of Moscow and St. Petersburg and a Cruise on the Magnificent

Transcription

1 A Private View of Moscow and St. Petersburg and a Cruise on the Magnificent May 24 to June 6, 2017 with Optional Extension to Berlin 3 nights at the deluxe Ararat Park Hyatt in Moscow 6 nights aboard MS Volga Dream 3 nights at the deluxe Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg 136 East 64th Street New York, NY Tel: (212) Fax: (212) amvorg@aol.com website: annemarievictory.com

2 Wednesday, May 24 Depart the U.S. for Moscow. ITINERARY Thursday, May 25 MOSCOW Arrival in Moscow, transfer to the deluxe Ararat Park Hyatt located in the historic city centre close to the Red Square and Moscow Kremlin. Welcome dinner at the hotel. Meals: D Friday, May 26 MOSCOW This morning enter the Kremlin for a visit to the Armoury Museum to view its collection of opulent coronation finery, hand-forged armour and weapons, royal carriages and sleighs, and dazzling Faberge eggs. View the ornate gems of the Diamond Fund, including Catherine the Great s diamond-encrusted coronation crown and the 190-carat Orlov Diamond, and continue to the Square of Four Cathedrals. Proceed to the Red Square to see its famous landmarks Lenin's Tomb and St. Basil's Cathedral. After lunch visit privately the official residence of Russian president The Great Kremlin Palace, closed to the general public. Today Grand Kremlin Palace is used for state and diplomatic receptions and official ceremonies such as the inauguration of the Russian President. Welcome reception and dinner at one of Moscow s finest restaurants. St. Basil s Cathedral Moscow Kremlin Moscow Metro Saturday, May 27 MOSCOW Begin the day with an orientation city tour of Moscow and visit Novodevichy Cemetery, which holds the tombs of Russian authors, musicians, playwrights, and poets, as well as famous actors, political leaders, and scientists. After lunch see a remarkable collection of French Impressionists and Old Master paintings housed in the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts and then proceed with a specially arranged tour of the Bolshoi Theatre showing the most sacred areas of this world famous landmark. In the evening attend an optional opera or ballet performance at the Bolshoi Theatre. Meals: B, L 2

3 Sunday, May 28 MOSCOW Checkout from the hotel and proceed to the Tretyakov Gallery, dedicated exclusively to the Russian fine art. After lunch, explore Moscow s Metro, known for its architectural splendor and transfer to the awaiting luxurious MS Volga Dream to begin sailing along the Russian waterways. Gather for the Captain's welcome reception and dinner as we begin our cruise. Volga Dream Experience: Bread, Salt & Vodka Welcome Aboard Ceremony Monday, May 29 UGLICH After a full day of cruising through the forested countryside, dock in the ancient trading town of Uglich, one of the spokes of Russia s renowned Golden Ring. Explore the impressive Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood, erected on the site where 10-year old Dmitry, the youngest son of Ivan the Terrible, was murdered in 1591; and attend an enchanting concert of choral music at St. John s Church. Volga Dream Experience: Documentary Film Construction of the Moscow Canal Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood, Uglich Tuesday, May 30 YAROSLAVL Founded in 1010, Yaroslavl is one of the oldest cities in central Russia and the Volga s first port. In the Spassky Monastery see the Transfiguration of the Savior and admire the mosaics at the Church of Elijah the Prophet. Take part in a costumed reception at the governor s house, and then re-board the MS Volga Dream in time for lunch. Volga Dream Experience: Costumed Russian Tea Ceremony and Russian Cooking Class Church bells, Yaroslavl Wednesday, May 31 GORITSY In the tiny settlement of Goritsy, visit the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, founded in 1397, and now home to one of the best collections of Russian icons in the world. After a guided tour, continue cruising toward majestic Lake Onega. Volga Dream Experience: Russian Dinner with Vodka Tasting Kirillov Belozersky Monastery, Goritsy 3

4 Thursday, June 1 KIZHI The Kareliya region, which spans the area from St. Petersburg to the Arctic Circle, is a vast wilderness of forest and water. Discover Lake Onega, fed by 58 rivers and home to 1,369 islands, including Kizhi. See a collection of ancient Russian wooden houses and windmills, and the famous Transfiguration church, built in 1714 without a single nail. Volga Dream Experience: Piano Concert pieces by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff Church of the Transfiguration on Kizhi Island Friday, June 2 SVIR RIVER AND THE VILLAGE OF MANDROGI While cruising along the 139-mile-long Svir River, appreciate the quiet understated beauty of a region that has long inspired artists and poets. The ship passes quaint riverside hamlets before reaching Lake Ladoga. Step ashore for a brief visit to the vacation village of Mandrogi to experience daily life in a quaint wooden village on your own. Volga Dream Experience: Barbeque on the Open Deck House in the Village of Mandrogi Saturday, June 3 ST. PETERSBURG This morning arrive in St. Petersburg and disembark the MS Volga Dream. Get familiarized with St. Petersburg during the tour of the city and stop at the fascinating Peter & Paul Fortress, founded in 1703 by Peter the Great. The Fortress Cathedral is the burial place of most of Russia's Tsars and Tsarinas from the eighteenth century onwards, including Peter the Great. After lunch visit the Faberge museum housing the world's largest collection of works by Carl Faberge, including nine Easter eggs commissioned by the Russian royal family. After the tour, check-in to the deluxe Grand Hotel Europe. End the evening with an optional opera or ballet at the renowned Mariinsky Theatre. Meals: B, L, Peterhof Palace, St. Petersburg 4

5 Sunday, June 4 ST. PETERSBURG This morning enter the famed Hermitage Museum once home to the Russian Tsars before official working hours to avoid heavy crowds and see one of the greatest collections of art in Europe. After lunch travel to the meticulously restored Peterhof, St. Petersburg s most spectacular Imperial estate, often cited as the Versailles of Russia. Visit the authentic Bath Cottage and stroll in the vast Lower Park with 176 fountains of various forms and styles and four cascades, majestic palaces and numerous gilded statues of ancient gods and heroes. Return to St. Petersburg by hydrofoil. Later this day attend a specially arranged master-class on painting on porcelain at the famous Imperial Porcelain Factory a wonderful opportunity to create your own masterpiece to take back home in commemoration of your visit to Russia! Meals: B, L St. Petersburg Canal Hermitage Museum Catherine s Palace Monday, June 5 ST. PETERSBURG This morning travel to Catherine the Great s Palace, which houses the extraordinary Amber Room, its six tons of solid amber deftly carved and framed in gold leaf. Once deemed the eighth wonder of the world, the room was stripped by the Nazis in 1941, but majestically reconstructed in honor of St. Petersburg s 300th birthday. After lunch return to St. Petersburg and board a riverboat for a sail around the numerous rivers and canals of St. Petersburg. This evening before dinner attend a specially arranged performance by a Russian Army Choir then celebrate a memorable journey at our farewell dinner at one of St. Petersburg s finest restaurants. Tuesday, June 6 ST. PETERSBURG Transfer to the airport for our flight to the U.S.; or as we highly recommend you may stay with us as we extend our adventures to the pleasures of Berlin. Meals: B 5

6 BERLIN EXTENSION Tuesday, June 6 Transfer to the airport for our morning flight from St. Petersburg to Berlin. Arrival in Berlin and transfer to the Adlon Hotel. Located near the Brandenburg Gate, it is known for its luxury, hospitality and outstanding service. Welcome dinner at the Michelin-starred restaurant Lorenz in the hotel. Wednesday, June 7 Today s city tour will start with a visit to the Brandenburg Gate with its vast history of Berlin and continue to Checkpoint Charlie to see what is left of the 13-foot high wall that extended to 96 miles. We will continue to the German and French cathedrals, Unter den Linden Boulevard, the Opera House, the Reichstag and much more. This evening we will attend a concert at the spectacular concert hall. Dinner after the performance. Thursday, June 8 Spend the day in Potsdam, a residence of the Prussian kings and the German Kaiser, until Potsdam is a picturesque city outside of Berlin, featuring some of the most extravagant palaces, fairy-tale gardens and churches. We will visit Cecilienhof where the Potsdam Conference was held in 1945, enjoy a walk in the park / gardens of Sanssouci Palace, learn about the forbidden sector of Potsdam that was used by the KGB. Visit the world-famous Pergamum Museum known for its Islamic and Middle Eastern collections. Our farewell dinner will be at the rooftop restaurant of the German Bundestag (restored Parliament building) with great views over the city of Berlin. Brandenburg Gate Reichstag Dome Sanssouci Palace Friday, June 9 Transfer to the airport. Berlin Extension: total cost per person $2,750 single supplement $800. (This price does not include the airfare from St. Petersburg to Berlin). Itinerary is subject to change. 6

7 CABIN AND DECK PLAN CABIN CATEGORIES Price per Person, Double Occupancy Cabin # Price* Owner s Suite, Double Bed 300 $11,445 SUN DECK Deluxe Junior Suite, Double Bed $8,950 Superior State Room, Twin Beds , $7,145 PROMENADE DECK Deluxe Cabin, Double Bed $7,295 MAIN DECK Standard Cabin, Twin Beds $6,545 *Single Supplement 50% (Owner s Suite 100%) Rates above include St. Petersburg and Moscow package as outlined in the itinerary. 7

8 TERMS AND CONDITIONS RESERVATIONS: To reserve space, please send us the completed and signed reservation form, indicating your cabin number preference together with a 25% deposit. FINAL PAYMENT: Due no later than 120 days prior to departure. CANCELLATION POLICY: For cancellations received 120 days or more prior to departure, a full refund less a handling fee of $500 per person will be made. For cancellations received fewer than 120 days prior to departure, the cancellation fees per person are as follows: days prior to departure--50% of the total cost. 89 days or fewer prior to departure--100% of the total cost. All cancellations must be received in writing. No refunds will be made as a result of airline delays, labor or civil strife, acts of God, acts of war or other events over which we have no control. No partial refunds can be made. INSURANCE: We offer trip cancellation insurance at extra cost, which we strongly recommend. WHAT IS INCLUDED: Land arrangements in Moscow and St. Petersburg as outlined in the itinerary. Accommodations as selected on the MS Volga Dream. All meals on board, all wines and soft drinks with your meals, airport transfers if traveling with the group, all excursions and sightseeing, taxes and service charges. WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED: Air transportation, visa fees, and baggage/accident cancellation insurance. Tips to the crew on the MS Volga Dream. Items of a personal nature. 8

9 RESERVATION FORM Kindly print and complete this form and send it with your deposit to:, INC. 136 East 64th Street New York, NY Tel: (212) Fax: (212) Website: annemarievictory.com NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP HOME PHONE ( ) OTHER PHONE ( ) PLEASE INDICATE CABIN NUMBER IN ADDITION, I/WE WILL JOIN THE BERLIN EXTENSION Enclosed is my check (25% of total price) in the amount of U.S. $ payable to: The Annemarie Victory Organization If your cabin preference is sold out by the time your signed reservation request and deposit are received, you will be contacted regarding other options. I have read and understand the Terms and Conditions as set forth in this brochure, and I understand that the balance of payments will be due 150 days prior to departure. SIGNATURE DATE 9