Russia is a country re-inventing itself. This July, join Wellesley alumnae and friends as we come face to face with its future within a context of a rich and textured past. We will cruise the rivers, canals, and lakes that link the country’s former and current capital cities for a seven-night cruise on board the deluxe riverboat, M. S. Volga Dream. The countryside will unfold to reveal a fascinating land of splendid palaces, extraordinary museum collections, and architectural treasures. 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. Accompanied by Professors Marshall and Merle Goldman, experts on Russian and Chinese history and culture, we will uncover the treasures of St. Petersburg and Moscow—getting the flavor of the imperial past as well as the resurgent capital of modern-day Russia.

The trip will begin with a three-night stay in St. Petersburg, which willbe celebrating the acclaimed White Nights Festival. Here, we will be privileged to 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.

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

Capping this voyage are three days 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. July 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. Join us for this special view of Russia.

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

Duration: 14 days

Activity Level: Moderate

Cost: $7895 (land only)
Deposit: $1000