This This June, join fellow Wellesley alumnae and friends on a journey through Russia, exploring both its cosmopolitan centers and rich countryside. Accompanied by Professor Emeritus Marshall Goldman, an expert on Russian history, culture, and economics, we will uncover the treasures of Moscow and St. Petersburg, getting the flavor of the resurgent capital of modern-day Russia as well as its imperial past. While cruising the rivers, canals, and lakes that link the country’s former and current capital cities on board the deluxe riverboat, MS Volga Dream, for a seven-night cruise, we will also have the opportunity to see the countryside unfold around us. With a visit to the Golden Ring—medieval towns and villages that dot Moscow’s forested countryside—we’ll delve into the heartland of Russia.

The trip will begin with a three-night stay in Moscow, affording us time to visit the Kremlin and its cathedrals, Red Square with its landmark St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, and the Tretyakov Galleries.

Cruising to St. Petersburg, we will participate in a series of lectures and visits ashore designed to offer insight into Russian life and culture. We will explore medieval Uglich, one of the ancient towns comprising the Golden Ring of cities, and discover charming Yaroslavl, dating from the 11th century and left largely unharmed by World War II. On Lake Onega, we will stop on the island of Kizhy for a visit to the Church of the Transfiguration, an onion-domed marvel built without a single metal nail.

Capping this voyage are three days in St. Petersburg. There, we will visit the Hermitage Museum at a time when it is closed to the public and tour the restored Amber Room at Catherine Palace. Also featured will be the elegant Peterhof Park, with its Mon Plaisir pavilion and its magnificent terraced gardens.

Early summer is an ideal time to visit Russia. With its extended hours of daylight, the festive spirit of the White Nights pervades the country, from its smallest villages to cosmopolitan cities. We hope you will join us.

Jayne Lew, Assistant Director of Travel
Phone: 781-283-2389
Email: travelprograms@alum.wellesley.edu
 

Duration: 14 days

Activity Level: Mild