In navigation there are summer cruises that stand apart due to their amazing routes, the abundance of stunning historical and natural attractions along the way, the opportunity to see the main "gems" of the North-West of the country. These are circular cruises Moscow - St. Petersburg - Moscow.
This year, the Sozvezdie cruise company invites tourists to cruises on the motor ships Severnaya Skazka (June 3-17), Swan Lake (June 29-July 12) and Moonlight Sonata (July 21-August 3).
The routes of these cruises overlap in many ways. In 14-15 days you will visit Uglich, Cherepovets, Vytegra, Kizhah, see Petrozavodsk, Mandrogi, Staraya Ladoga, spend two days in St. Petersburg, and then stop in Shlisselburg, visit Valaam, Lodeynoye Pole, Svirstroy, Goritsy, Kuzino and Kalyazin.
Cute town with a submarine
A picturesque green town in the Vologda region - Vytegra, as if asking for a painting of a painter. He is so cozy and cute. And all the more unexpected is the submarine standing here on the shore and inspiring respect for its dimensions and glorious combat past.
In Vytegra, tourists are offered a choice of walking tours around the city - with a visit to the museum "/>
You can see the aforementioned submarine B-440 from the inside as part of an optional excursion. This black giant was launched in 1970 and has served on combat missions for over 30 years. The boat ended up in Vytegra in 2005, where it acquired the status of a museum: sailors' cabins, suits, galley, wardroom, periscope - everything has been preserved. A bright soundtrack will complement the effect of a combat ship.
Energy of wood and purity
Kizhi - a truly unique place, a heritage included in the UNESCO list. Russian wooden architecture has survived here due to its special climate. The Kizhi Pogost is perhaps the most striking example. Every detail of the churches of the churchyard is made of wood and without a single nail. Today Kizhi is trying in every possible way to attract tourists, creating new excursions, master classes and entertainment.
Tourists can choose between two excursions: a walk through local villages and a sightseeing tour of the island with a visit to architectural masterpieces.
Until now, only two of the 14 previously existing villages have survived on the island - Yamka and Vasilyevo. Travelers will visit both.
As additional excursions, you will be offered a thematic program "Secrets of Restoration", during which tourists get acquainted with the complex and fascinating process of working with 300-year-old material.
The second alternative is the excursion "Kizhi Harbor". You will see historic boats - from the oldest dugout ships to the famous chanterelle; learn about the secrets of master boatmen. They will also tell you about the intricacies of ship management, the technique of making fishing nets on an old spinning wheel-netting.
Karelian motives
In the capital of Karelia - Petrozavodsk a walking tour of the city, a walk along the Onega embankment, which in the past few years has become the center of the city's cultural life.
In addition, the program includes an acquaintance with the Baltic-Scandinavian architecture of the National Theater of the Republic. It is the only professional theater in the world where performances are staged in Russian, Vepsian, Karelian and Finnish.
After a walk through the park, travelers will find themselves in the historic center of the city and see the famous ensemble of the Round Square, which was designed in the 18th century “by the compass”. It has retained its shape to this day, and a grandiose museum complex is located around it.
As additional excursions, a visit to the Shungite House and an excursion to the second largest flat waterfall in Europe, Kivach, will be offered. A beautiful legend about two sister rivers is connected with it: Suna and Shuya. They were friendly, they wanted to be together all the time, but one day, when Suna woke up, she saw that Shuya had fled far ahead. Trying to catch up with her sister, Suna broke through the rocks that stood in her way. This is how the waterfall appeared …
Close to nature
The cruise program provides for a "green parking" in the village Verkhniye Mandrogi on the banks of one of the most beautiful rivers in the North-West of the country - the Svir. Here, on the site of an ancient Russian settlement, a unique project is being implemented to recreate a national village.
An incredible atmosphere of peace and quiet is combined with the fabulous nature and hospitality of the locals.
Guests will be offered to find themselves in the old interiors of the village hut, as well as a program of outdoor activities, including taking part in a walking or horse-drawn sightseeing tour of the village and its environs, visiting a mini-zoo with a bear bug, a quail farm, geese, pheasants and rabbits. Guests will be able to continue communicating with animals in the only elk nursery in the northwest.
The program also includes the Museum of Russian Vodka, Crafts Sloboda, where you will be introduced to traditional Russian crafts: painting and wood carving, weaving and pottery, lace making.
New parking lot in Staraya Ladoga
Staraya Ladoga - a new 2018 cruise anchorage on the cruise route. According to legend, it was here that the ancient capital of Russia was located. Archaeological research carried out in Staraya Ladoga proves the close contacts of the Slovens, Finno-Ugric peoples and Varangians in this area in the 9th-10th centuries. According to the Novgorod Chronicle, the grave of Prophetic Oleg is located in Ladoga (according to the Kiev version, his grave is located in Kiev on Mount Schekovitsa).
Here you will visit the Staraya Ladoga Museum-Reserve or you can choose one of the additional excursions - to the city of Tikhvin or go by bus to Volkhov.
Historic city center Tikhvin has changed little since the 19th century, and one of its main adornments is the five-domed Assumption Cathedral of the early 16th century, the prototype of which was the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.
The monastery contains the icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God, revered by the Orthodox, which is also called the Hodegetria (traveler). The miraculous icon sailed from Constantinople and was kept for centuries in the Tikhvin monastery. After the revolution, she ended up in the United States and returned to the monastery only 60 years later.
On the second excursion, you will get to know the city Volkhov … You will have an excursion to the PhosAgro-Metachim Museum and Exhibition Complex. Here they will tell about the industry developing in the city.
Two days in the northern capital
On St. Petersburg the route has two days, there will be free time for independent walks around the city.
The choice of tourists - included in the price of a bus sightseeing tour of the historical center of the city with a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress and Palace Square or excursion "Orthodox churches of the Northern Capital".
From St. Petersburg, the ship will go to a new stop this year - Shlisselburg, where an interesting excursion to the Oreshek Fortress, which will turn 700 years old in 2023, is provided. Founded by Novgorodians, it belonged to Sweden for almost 100 years, but was conquered by Peter I. Having lost its strategic importance, the fortress turned into a political prison.
Later, she played an important role in the history of Russia in the twentieth century. The heroic deed of the defenders of the fortress did not allow the Nazis to close the blockade ring around Leningrad from the east and destroy the Road of Life, which saved the inhabitants of the besieged city.
Today Oreshek is a branch of the State Museum of the History of St. Petersburg, which will be interesting for both children and adults.
Beautiful Balaam
V Valaam a walking tour of the sketes awaits tourists. It starts from the western part of the island, from Nikonovskaya Bay, and will pass next to picturesque lakes. The most famous and revered skete is the Resurrection skete, where, according to legend, the history of Orthodox Karelia began about 2,000 years ago. Also, tourists will climb to the observation deck of the Gethsemane Skete, from where a view of Nikonovskaya Bay and Lake Ladoga opens.
Another travel option is an excursion to the Central Estate of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery. It starts with a walk to the foot of Mount Tabor, on which the sacred cathedral was built. Tourists will climb to it along the old stairs, past the lush monastery garden. The program will end with a visit to the monastery farm near Lake Sisiajärvi.
“During the long northern journey, your path will run along six rivers - the Volga, Sheksna, Kovzha, Vytegra, Svir and Neva and three lakes - White, Ladoga and Onega. Long flights start from Moscow, but if you do not have the opportunity to spend 14-15 days on a cruise, there is an option to go on a trip for 7-8 days from St. Petersburg to Moscow, or vice versa,”notes Brand Manager of the Cruise Company "Sozvezdie" Valeria Sokova.
