Russian River Cruising

14 Jun 2010 at 14:01

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Cruises

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Hello, congratulations you have found IntouristUK's new blog! If you are interested in Russian travel or are looking to travel to Russia soon give us a call on +44 (0) 8448754026 or take a look at our homepage for fantastic deals on Russian holidays.

When you think of Russian River Cruises you are most likely to think of the well travelled route from Moscow to St Petersburg. Now Intourist have introduced more cruising routes and ships for you to enjoy! From Kiev to Istanbul and Rostov-On-Don to Moscow, we’ve got it covered.

However, we can’t mention Russian River Cruising without referring to our most popular cruises. The Peter the First Luxury Cruise ship is said to be one of the finest and most unique on the market. This cruise vessel is equipped with a range of spacious cabins all with en suite bathrooms giving the feeling that you are travelling on a floating hotel! Prepare to be greeted on board with a welcome cocktail which makes the experience just that little bit more enjoyable. Our Peter the First cruise is so popular with clients that availability for 2010 is limited and we have even started to take booking for 2011!

Another of our favourite Moscow to St Petersburg cruises can be taken on board the M/S Griboedov. This is a larger cruise vessel than Peter the First but you can still expect the same greeting and farewell with a glass of Crimean champagne or Russian vodka and a captain’s farewell dinner. The ship has an open air solarium and two restaurants for you to enjoy as well as lectures on Russian art, orthodoxy and history included as part of your cruising experience.

Our new range of Russian River Cruises include the Palaces by the Water, M/S Nizhny Novgorod and M/S Russ; all of which travel down the traditional Moscow to St Petersburg route. These have been introduced in order to suit a range of clientele in the way of budgets and cruising expectations. Some may look for comfort and luxury whereas others may look for modest accommodation but seek exciting and unusual excursions. To look at our full range of cruises, both new and old, follow this link to the cruising section of our newly revamped website:

http://www.intouristuk.com/grouplist.php?grp=2

Our Cruising the Black Sea tour is another of our old favourites as you travel from Kiev to Istanbul on the Taras Shevchenko. This cruise helps to provide a memorable experience as you travel down another of our most popular routes in style. On board you can enjoy drinks at the Sky Bar with friends or even soak up some rays on the sun deck, this cruise truly helps you to relax in style. From Kiev you travel to well known destinations such as Sevastopol, Yalta, Odessa and Istanbul. However, this cruise also gives you the opportunity to visit the lesser known destinations of Zaporozhye, Kherson and Constanta and improve your knowledge of their cultures and ways of life.

The Anton Chekhov can be described as an ideal cruise for those who are looking to steer away from the traditional Russian River Cruising route of Moscow to St Petersburg. This cruise route gives you a chance to explore more of Russia and make the most of the cruising experience. One of the highlights of this ship is the bar with swimming pool and glass roof, the ideal place for relaxation! The range of cities that are visited while cruising is extraordinary with Volgograd, Samara, Kazan and Yaroslavl all included. The departure date for this cruise in 2010 is the 29th April.

The Furmanov vessel travels from Moscow to Perm and offers the opportunity to relax, do some sightseeing and become familiar with the varying cultures that you are likely to come across. Highlights of this tour include visits to various working Monasteries and traditional favourites the Moscow Kremlin and Church of Elijah the prophet. The cruise vessel itself was built in 1983 and boasts a restaurant, three bars and a sun deck. Departure dates for this tour are 13th September and the 3d of May.

A round tour on the Lena River is just what you need to make the most of your Russian River Cruising experience as it gives you the chance to float down one of the longest rivers in the world. This small ship gives you the ultimate cultural appreciate and sightseeing programme helps you to get an insight into Russian holidays and the Russian way of life as you explore extraordinary museums and taste local delicacies. One of the departures dates is already fully booked however there is still time to guarantee a place on the 3rd August departure.

The Lake Baikal Cruise allows you to explore the oldest freshwater lake on Earth while being surrounded by towering mountains. The area is often described as a buzzing hub of nature with many different species of animals and fish that are unique to the area. This cruise can also be added onto your Trans Siberian adventure and can make for a memorable trip. There are four departures dates for this cruise; July 12th, 25th and August 7th, and 20th.

If you would like more information on Russian River Cruising and all of our other products please visit our website www.intouristuk.com . Our website shows fixed itineraries, accommodation details, departure dates, prices and general information about us and our products. If you would like further information on any of our tours or products please do not hesitate to call one of our friendly travel consultants on 0141 204 5809 or 0207 727 4100. We look forward to hearing from you!

Our Trans Siberian Holiday In Russia

14 Jun 2010 at 13:52

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Trans Siberian

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The journey taken on the Trans Siberian is one of the most fascinating that you will ever take in your life. Passing through a wealth of countries and spanning many time zones and cultures this is the voyage for the ultimate adventurer! Often taking such a trip like this can seem daunting but with the help of Intourist and their friendly travel consultants it felt smooth and easy.

We chose to travel in a group of six because we thought that it would be the most exciting way to travel, and sharing an experience like that with your friends and loved ones is something that you will never forget! We all chose to travel on the Trans Siberian because we thought that it would make for an unusual Russian holiday and it was something that was new to each of us, and we all finally had time off to do it as a group.

Our Trans Siberian journey started in our hometown of Birmingham and Intourist helped us to arrange regional flights to connect to London Heathrow for our flight later that day to Moscow. It was easier for Intourist to arrange these connecting flights for us as it meant one less thing for us to organise as a group and made the whole experience simpler. Upon arrival to London Heathrow we transferred for our flight to Moscow in plenty of time. We then boarded the flight to Moscow and arrived as scheduled in the Russian capital.

We then transferred to the hotel Cosmos which was recommended by Intourist; this hotel is located on one of Moscow’s main boulevards and is one of the largest in the country. It had everything you would expect from such a large hotel (plus a nightclub and bowling alley!). We chose to dine at the hotels restaurant before retiring to prepare for a day of sightseeing. In the morning we took an excursion to the Novodevichy Convent before relaxing and embarking on some independent sightseeing. On the third day of our trip we had the opportunity to visit the world famous Kremlin grounds and the monstrous Armoury Museum. This concluded our final day in Moscow and later had our first experience with the Trans Siberian railroad as we boarded the train for Irkutsk. We had time on the train to relax and view the beautiful nature that surrounded us. One thing we were all taken aback by was our fellow passengers who were from a variety of cultures and backgrounds, it was interesting socialising with them and hearing their previous Trans Siberian tales.

On day 7 we arrived in Irkutsk and started our stay here with a city tour. This allowed us to get a feel for the city and see the main sights that the city had to offer. Irkutsk is a city that is very different from Moscow in that although both are cosmopolitan; Irkutsk is less well known but equally as mysterious and beautiful. After the city tour we had the chance to see the Open Air Ethnographic Museum which holds a unique collection of monuments dating back to the 17th century. We then transferred to the Legend of Baikal Hotel where we could relax after our long day of sightseeing. On day 8 our sightseeing adventure in Irkutsk continued as we visited the Limnological Museum in Listvyanka. Because we decided to take our Trans Siberian journey during the summer period we had the chance to take a short cruise by motorboat. This helped to bring a little fun into the trip and my friend Cassy had the time of her life! It was something that only the more adventurous members of our group had done before (and that certainly doesn’t include Cassy or me!).

From here we left Irkutsk and boarded the train for Vladivostok. This journey took a few days and we ended up in Vladivostok. This city was so breathtaking and it felt like there was a mix of Asian and European cultures which could be seen in the hotels, architecture and people. After transferring to the hotel we visited the Oceanarium and took a city tour which allowed us to see the city in all of its splendour and glory.

On our final day of our Trans Siberian adventure we were given breakfast before transferring to the airport for our flight back to the UK. We just wanted to write this to show our gratitude to Intourist for helping us to organise this adventure of a lifetime. The customised service that we received from Intourist felt personal and they always gave us their time and advice. If we can organise this adventurous trip then so can you! We have already recommended it to our other friends and family and are looking to go on a Trans Mongolian railway trip in the next few years so that we can visit Beijing. Thanks again Intourist, excellent as always!

Russian City Breaks

13 Apr 2010 at 10:51

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City Breaks, Moscow

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Russian City Breaks are becoming an increasingly popular way to spend your time off. With fantastic destinations such as Moscow and St Petersburg becoming ever more accessible to the public we decided to combine these two Russian greats and embark on a splendid two centre holiday.

Intourist offer the holiday of a lifetime with their ‘Classic Russia’ tour. Starting off in Moscow this tour took us round the cities greatest sights as we visited the breathtaking Kremlin Grounds and the famous Armoury. Travelling with a tour guide and group made us feel right at home, so much so that we really didn’t want to leave! Before going to Moscow my friend and I always knew that there was so much to be discovered, boy did we underestimate this magnificent capital! A city tour threw us straight into the heart of the action on our second day as we toured round the splendid domes and architecture that remain dominant characteristics of Moscow. Keeping us entertained was easy as we transferred to the Tretiakov Art which contains over 100,000 works of art. From here we visited the Moscow State Circus. Before travelling to Russia I had never been to the circus and truly didn’t know what to expect, in the end I was blown away! The performers were so talented and varied and it made for such an enjoyable night! After the second day we already knew that we would be returning for another one of Intourist’s great Russian City Breaks!

The third day could be described as the ultimate in Russian City Breaks as we had the opportunity to tour the almighty Kremlin grounds and on top of this a visit to the Armoury as well. Both my friend and I were astounded by the amount of beautiful artefacts and precious paintings that were on display to the public. It was so thrilling to see the Moscow Kremlin so close up as it is one of many iconic images synonyms with Russia architecture. After doing this we had some free time on our hands and decided to explore Moscow independently, this gave us the chance to have a thorough look around Moscow’s famous Red Square where the buildings seemed to burst through the sky! On our final day in Moscow we visited some of Moscow’s famous Metro Stations that are known for their intricate architecture, half of the time it was hard to believe that we were actually in a metro station as opposed to a museum! After spending some time shopping in the Arbat district we then moved onto St Petersburg and travelled by overnight train.

St Petersburg is so unique from Moscow and it was hard to accept that we were still in the same country! When you think of St Petersburg you should think of stunning architecture, beautiful waterways and sheer elegance, because that is what this city embodies. After transferring to our Hotel Moskva and enjoying a well needed rest during breakfast our travels began again as we embarked on a city sightseeing tour. This is the perfect way to get to grips with life in St Petersburg and lets you see all of the most famous sights in one afternoon! This was enough to satisfy us for one day and we returned to the hotel for a rest, so that we were ready to take on our next day in this wonderful city.

On day six of our Classic Russia tour the Hermitage Collection was on the itinerary. This colossal museum holds over three million exhibits from all around the world. From here we were also blown away by the Peter and Paul Fortress which was once used to defend St Petersburg, the history behind this attraction is truly overwhelming and has been everything from a fortress to a prison and is now a tourist attraction!

Our penultimate day in St Petersburg took us to the pretty Pushkin Palace which has the most magnificent gardens, fountains and architecture; all of which are truly breathtaking. It was named in honour of Catherine the First and is also often referred to as Tsarskoe Selo and has been the subject of a thousand iconic images of Russia. This was our final excursion in Russia for this trip, but that is certainly not to say that it was our last trip to Moscow! After this excursion we chose to do some more sightseeing and had a tasty meal in one of the many local restaurants, the greatest Russian Blini I ever had! We gladly retired to our hotel to rest for our travels home the next day.

I just want to say a quick thanks to Intourist for all of the help they gave me when organising one of the best Russian City Breaks of my life! It has encouraged me to be more adventurous in my travels and my friend and I are currently considering going to Ukraine, another fantastic trip that we will be sure to book with Intourist! As anyone who has travelled to Russia in recent years will know, Russian visa application forms are not the easiest to complete and we both received all of the help that we needed from the helpful travel consultants at Intourist.

Thank you very much Intourist!

Russian River Cruises

09 Mar 2010 at 19:51

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Russian Cruises

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Travelling to Russia the traditional way and seeing typical tourist destinations may seem a little too simple for you. If you want to spice things up and experience the holiday of a lifetime why not embark on one of Intourists classic Russian river cruises? With many cruises available to suit a variety of budgets and travel requirements, there really is no excuse to miss out.

Intourist can help you arrange every aspect of your Russian River Cruise, from flights, to accommodation and from excursions to transfers, we’ve got it covered. One of Intourist favourite cruise routes is the classic Moscow to St Petersburg sailing path. Intourist currently offer three different cruise ships which sail this route so as to provide you with the choice and variety which makes for a fantastic holiday.

The Luxury River Cruise Ship M/S Peter the First sails from Moscow to St Petersburg via Uglich, Yaroslavl, Goritsy, Kizhi and Mandrogui. This lavish cruise ship is a favourite of Intourists clients and is said to offer you one of the most unique Russian river cruises on the market. This 12 day cruise is enough to provide you with a feel for Russian culture and a taste for luxury cruising.

Another of Intourists classic Moscow to St Petersburg Cruises is carried on the M/S Griboedov. This follows the same route as the Peter the First Vessel but is suited to passengers who prefer comfortable cruising as opposed to opulence. The final Moscow to St Petersburg cruise that Intourist offers is on the Palaces by the Water Cruise, a new addition to our website! This cruise is on board the M/S Nikolay Chernishevsky which is the perfect floating hotel for a sightseeing tour of Russia’s greatest cities!

If you’ve already seen St Petersburg, or you wish to try out a different route for the first time the Anton Chekhov Cruise may prove the ideal holiday for you! This ship sails from Rostov-On-Don to Moscow and visits exciting destinations such as Astrakahn, Saratov and Samara before arriving at the final destination of Russia’s capital. The cruise are very popular, so book now to avoid disappointment!

The Furmanov ship is considered one of the finest vessels on Russian Waterways and it travels from the Russian Capital of Moscow to Perm. A unique feature of the Furmanov River Cruise is the lectures provided by guides in order to help you appreciate Russian culture, history, art and mythology. This combination of sightseeing, relaxation and education make for a thrilling adventure on board the M/S Furmanov.

The Lena cruise on board the M/S Mikhail Svetlov gives you the chance to float down one of the longest rivers in the world. The itinerary for this cruise is a round tour, meaning that the cruise starts and finishes in Yakutsk; this gives you the opportunity to view the finest sights on the Lena while sailing on a relatively small cruise ship which offers everything that you would expect from the larger cruise liners plus Russian language and song lessons.

The Lake Baikal Cruise provides the perfect addition to your trip in order to enhance your experience in Siberia. Lake Baikal is the oldest, deepest freshwater lake on Earth, and is surrounded by towering mountains. The nature that surrounds and is embedded in Lake Baikal is unique to the area, which makes for fascinating sights. The excursions and activities that you can join in on this tour include fishing and indulging in a Russian Banya! All of which makes this cruise unique and thrilling for nature and culture lovers.

Intourist can provide you with some of the finest and unique Russian River Cruises on the market. It gives you the opportunity to view this mysterious country in a distinctive and exciting way, it goes to show that cruising really can suit a variety of people and can make or complete the perfect holiday in Russia!

Holidays To Russia

04 Mar 2010 at 19:40

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russia

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Russia has so much more to offer than its two great capitals Moscow and St Petersburg. From Murmansk in the West to Chukotka in the East, Russia is yours to explore and Intourist can help to plan the holiday that you thought beyond your dreams. There are two main ways that you can plan your holidays to Russia, in a set group tour or a tailor made independent trip, both can help you to experience new cultures and adventures!

The first place that often comes into peoples minds when thinking of Russia is the glorious capital of Moscow, and rightly so! This mysterious city has much to offer first time and return travellers, with its beautiful and regal architecture and unique and interesting art and culture. When travelling to Moscow it is best to find your footing with an introductory city tour, compressing all of Moscow’s famous sights and buildings into a short journey and allowing you to plan your trip ahead. Intourist are happy to help you arrange any excursions that take your fancy, we have a wide variety of excursions on offer and we would love to tell you about them! During your stay in Moscow you should make a visit to the famous Red Square and St Basils Cathedral where you can witness some truly impressive architecture. Moscow’s Metro System is a fantastic sight to see on your holidays to Russia as Stalin’s Palaces of the People can be described as a museum in itself.

Other Places To Go To During Your Russian Holidays!

If Moscow doesn’t take your fancy then why not travel to another of Russia’s most well known cities, St Petersburg. Its elegance and beauty and fantastic waterways have earned it the name of ‘The Venice of the North’ and with its beautiful palaces Peterhof and Pushkin it is a must for travellers. While in St Petersburg take the opportunity to organise an excursion to the infamous Hermitage which holds over 3million trinkets and treasures within its walls. St Petersburg is also the home to world class ballet in the Mariinsky Theatre; Intourist can help to arrange any of these excursions and would be happy to assist with any requests that you may have.

If you are looking for an alternative way to enjoy your holidays to Russia but still want to revel in the delights that are Moscow and St Petersburg then the group guided Golden Ring tour may be the perfect arrangement for you! As well as visiting Moscow, Russian cities Vladimir, Suzdal, Yaroslavl and Rostov Velikiy are also included; the tour can also be extended to include St Petersburg and any other destinations in Russia that you have a desire to visit!

Another appealing way to explore Russia’s vast landscapes is to take a Russian River Cruise. Intourist offer a wide variety of cruises to visit different destinations and to experience Russia in a completely unique way. The Peter the First, Palaces by the Water and the M/S Griboedov cruises all travel on the classic Moscow to St Petersburg route and give you a chance to view the beautiful surroundings that epitomise Russia. The Russian River Cruise on the M/S Furmanov offers a different route as it travels from Moscow to Perm; this is perfect for the return traveller who wishes to enjoy an alternative to the classic Moscow to St Petersburg route! The Anton Chekhov cruise is ideal for those looking to explore more of Russia as the range of cities visited includes Rostov-On-Don, Kazan, Yaroslavl and last, but certainly not least, Moscow!

Intourist are here to assist you with any help you may need when planning your holidays to Russia, from flights, accommodation, transfers and excursions, we’ve got it covered.

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