Thompsons Holidays
Russian River Cruises
2008
www.thompsons.co.za
Russian Cruising
with Thompsons Holidays
Russia - Land of the Tsars
i
OFFICIAL NAME: Russian Federation
CAPITAL CITY: Moscow
Things To Know Before You Go:
LANGUAGE: Russian
CREDIT CARDS: Master card and Visa cards
are accepted at almost all restaurants and shops.
The market vendors will accept cash only in either
Roubles, Euros or US dollars.
CURRENCY: Roubles
Russian Cruising
Home to Ivan the Terrible, the Bolshoi Ballet, Red
Square, the Kremlin and some of the best vodka
you’ll ever taste, Russia is vibrant and mysterious.
Travelling to Russia may seem daunting to some
but with a Thompsons cruise package along
the Russian Waterways it could not be easier.
Russia is blessed with abundant rivers and vast lakes
which have served as the country’s natural highways
for centuries. The most popular cruise routes
are between Moscow and St Petersburg which
provide an abundance of breathtaking sights en route.
Among the Waterways travelled along this route are
Europe’s largest lake, its longest river and the world’s
longest man-made canal.
VISA: All visitors require visas, which must
be obtained in advance.
POPULATION: 15O Million
TIME DIFFERENCE: SA time + 2 hours
RELIGION: Russian Orthodox
CLIMATE: Average temperatures during
Spring +10C; Summer +24C; Autumn
+5C, Winter -10C
ELECTRICITY: Electricity throughout
Russia is 220 volt/50hz. The plug is two-pin
thin European standard.
TAXIS: Like elsewhere in Western Europe,
avoid gypsy cabs by phoning ahead for a taxi
or asking reception to arrange one for you.
IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS: Expect
delays
what things cost
FROM THE BAR ON BOARD:
Glass of wine
Bottle of water 1.5lt
Coldrinks
Local beer
FROM THE SHOP ON BOARD:
Faberge egg ladies pendant
Russian ladies scarf
Matroyshka doll set
Amber necklace & earrings
Lacquer boxes
Military watch
€2
€3
€1.50
€3
CHANGING MONEY: It is recommended to take
US Dollars or Euros which can be exchanged at
banks, hotels and kiosks. It is not recommended to
take traveller’s cheques with you to Russia.
CELL PHONES: Cell phones work in most areas,
but remember to get your provider to activate your
International roaming or SMS facility before you
depart.
WATER: It is not recommended to drink tap water
anywhere in Russia. Bottled water is widely available
for purchase throughout your journey. Boiling water
is provided for tea & coffee on board.
CABINS: The compact cabins are well designed,
consisting of two single beds in the style of a railway
compartment, (one bed can be folded back to make
more space when not in use). There is sufficient cupboard space and suitcases can be stored under the
beds. There is a small en suite shower, toilet and
basin. All cabins have a small refrigerator.
SHORE EXCURSIONS: Once you set sail, daily
shore excursions are included at each port of call.
These are conducted by local guides, well versed in
the fascinating history and mystique of each area.
Certain excursions are included in Moscow and St
Petersburg and can be supplemented by a range of
optional excursions available (extra charge).
SAFTEY: As in any large city, please be alert at all
times and do not carry all your valuables and cash.
Thompsons representative: A Thompsons
representative will accompany each departure to
oversee that everything runs smoothly.
GUIDE: A Russian guide/interpreter will co-ordinate
all the daily activities and can answer any questions
you may have regarding this unique country.
What To Pack:
What To Expect:
FOOD: The cuisine on board is in traditional Eastern
European style, consisting of a variety of tasty meat
and vegetable dishes.
ROOM SERVICE: There is no room service, but
please advise reception if you are not feeling well as
they will bring your meals through to your cabin.
€30-100
€10-75
€18
€12 each
€40-300
€30-150
• Casual clothes and 1 semi-formal outfit
• Comfortable non-slip walking shoes
• Prescribed medication in your hand luggage
• Washcloths and shower caps
• Mosquito repellent
• Suntan lotion and sunglasses
• Raincoat or umbrella
• Reading books and a pack of cards
Note: You may only carry liquids, aerosols and gels
(LAGs) in your hand luggage in containers that have
a maximum capacity of 100ml each, all packed in one
re-sealable, transparent plastic bag. Capacity of the
bag must not exceed one litre.
The dining room on board MS Ivan Bunin
Thompsons
traveltips
2
Standard twin cabin
On the cover: Church of Our Savior on Spilled
Blood - St Petersburg
• Please check that your visa entry
and exit dates match your air ticket
dates or you could be denied entry
into Russia.
• Boiling water is provided on board
so you can bring your own tea or
coffee and mug and help yourself.
Dream the destination... Live the journey.
Land of the Tsars
Ports of Call
UGLICH
Founded in 1148, Uglich is one of old Russia’s most
beloved towns. A definitive moment in Uglich’s
history was the sinister death of Ivan the Terrible’s
only living heir, Dmitry in 1591. Visit the Church
of St Dmitry on the Blood, erected in his honour
within Uglich’s Kremlin, as well as other fascinating
highlights of this charming town. Tip: Uglich is
an excellent shopping stop for curios, handcrafts
and Chaika watches.
MS Ivan Bunin
The Ship
St Basil Cathedral (left)
Kremlin (right)
Ports of Call
MOSCOW
Moscow is the heart of Russia, and is the largest
city in the country. The included city tour will give
you a general overview of this impressive capital
as you pass by numerous points of interest and
get your bearings. Visit the Kremlin; a triangular
walled citadel on the banks of the Moscow River
and explore the State Armoury Museum which
houses a mind-boggling collection of artifacts,
jewels and Fabergé eggs. Red Square boarders
the Kremlin and is watched over by the multi coloured onion domed Cathedral of St Basil’s.
Recommended optional tours: Moscow by
Night, Tretyakov Gallery and Bolshoi Ballet
(if available)
• Items such as bottled water, beer
and vodka can be purchased at the
local supermarkets where they are
cheaper.
YAROSLAVL
Stretching for 18 miles along the banks of the
Volga, Yaroslavl was founded by Prince Yaroslavl
the Wise in the 11th century. Explore the majestic
13th Century Spassky Monastery as well as the
Church of Elijah the Prophet, where original
illustrative paintings still blanket the interior walls.
GORITSY
The domed spires of Resurrection Convent greet
the boat as it sails towards the tiny settlement of
Goritsy. Just 8km from the dock by bus, stroll
through one of Russia’s most famous monasteries,
14th Century Monastery of St Kirill of the White
Lake, which houses many intriguing structures
within its fortress walls.
KIZHI ISLAND
Via the Volga/Baltic Canal, you are transported
to the beautiful island of Kizhi at Lake Onega’s
northern end. Kizhi is a feast for the eyes with
its open-air Museum of Architecture, lovingly
restored to provide visitors with a glimpse of the
past. The 22 domed wooden Transfiguration
Church is the ultimate in Russian fairytale church
architecture and was constructed in 1714 without
the use of a single nail.
SVIRSTROY
Svirstroy is a small village of about 1000 residents
located on the Svir River about 150 miles east of
St Petersburg. Svirstroy connects the two largest
lakes in Europe - Lake Ladoga and Lake Onega. The
residents of this small village have built wooden
kiosk-sized shops and sell all sorts of Russian
handicrafts and artwork. As with Uglich, the
shoppingin Svirstroy is much cheaper than in
Moscow and St Petersburg.
ST PETERSBURG
St Petersburg, founded as the new capital of the
Russian Empire some 300 years ago, was the vision
and creation of Tsar Peter the Great and is located on the Finish Bay of the Baltic Sea. Described
as the ‘Venice of the North’, this beautiful city is
spread across 42 islands, interlaced with 66 canals
and spanned by some 300 ornate bridges. Peter
the Great created the world’s most magical city
by employing the skill and inspiration of Europe’s
greatest 18th Century architects and craftsmen.
During your stay, enjoy an included bus tour of this
impressive city with periodic stops at major sights.
Take in the wonders of the Hermitage Museum,
previously the Winter Palace of Peter the Great,
which boasts the largest collection of artwork and
antiques in the world.
Recommended optional tours: Peterhoff Parks &
Fountains (the jaw dropping Summer Palace of
Peter the Great), Catherine’s Palace and a boat
ride through the canals of St Petersburg.
Russian Cruising
MS IVAN BUNIN
The MS Ivan Bunin transports a maximum of
285 passengers who are accommodated in
comfortably furnished outside cabins. Each cabin
features a large window offering majestic views
of the passing countryside. The rooms are
temperature controlled and are fitted with a
refrigerator and an en suite bathroom with hand
basin, shower and toilet. Facilities on board include
restaurant, three bars, music salon, souvenir shop,
hairdressing salon, doctors room and a sun deck.
A laundry service is also available. Please note
that there is no elevator on board.
The Hermitage
The Red Arrow Train - NEW
Selected Thompsons packages include a one
way overnight journey from St Petersburg to
Moscow on the luxury Red Arrow train.
In Soviet times, this opulent train carried the
Communist Party elite between Moscow and
what was then Leningrad. Travel in a first class
compartment for 2 consisting of 2 beds with bed
linen and a hot breakfast served in your cabin.
The Red Arrow first class cabin
• Marked or damaged money notes
will not be accepted.
www.thompsons.co.za
• No safety deposit boxes are provided in
your cabins, but are available at reception.
3
RUSSIAN RIVER CRUISES SET DEPARTURES
CRUISE & RAIL - NEW
CRUISE
Sail from Moscow to
St Petersburg
PackageS Include:
• Return flights from Johannesburg to
Russia via Paris on Air France
• All taxes
• 11 Night cruise on board the
MS Ivan Bunin on the main deck
from Moscow to St Petersburg
• 3 Meals a day
• Selected daily excursions including:
MOSCOW: City tour incl. Kremlin
and State Armoury Museum.
Half day Tours at: UGLICH,
YAROSLAVL, GORITSY and KIZHI
ISLAND.
ST PETERSBURG: City tour and
Hermitage Museum.
• Tipping (except on optional tours)
• Transfers in Moscow and
St Petersburg
• Russia by River booklet
• Thompsons cruising bag
Set Departures:
12 - 24 May 2008
Ex Johannesburg R22 700
02 - 14 June 2008
Ex Johannesburg R23 185
14 - 26 July 2008
Ex Johannesburg R24 655
Kizhi Island
Relaxing on the deck
Why not try something totally
different..? Sail from Moscow to
St Petersburg, then travel in a
luxury train from St Petersburg
back to Moscow.
PackageS Include:
• Return flights from Johannesburg to
Russia via Dubai on Emirates
• All taxes
• 10 Night cruise on board the Ms Ivan
Bunin on the main deck
• 3 Meals a day
• Selected daily excursions including:
MOSCOW: City tour incl. Kremlin
FREE RUSSIA BY RIVER BOOKLET
and State Armoury Museum.
Make sure you have received your
Half day tours at: UGLICH,
booklet and read through it
YAROSLAVL,
GORITSY and
before and during your cruise.
KIZHI
ISLAND.
The booklet will provide detailed
ST PETERSBURG: City tour and
descriptions of all the stops along
the way.
Hermitage Museum.
• 1 Night post cruise on board a
luxury train to Moscow
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS:
• 1 Night Holiday Inn Lesnaya in
The optional excursions must be pre-booked
Moscow.
while on board and paid for in cash. Prices are based
on 2007 rates and are subject to increase.
• Tipping (except on optional tours)
Moscow Excursions
• Transfers in Moscow and
Moscow Circus
€45
St Petersburg
Moscow by night - underground stations
€30
• Russia by River booklet
Moscow boat ride €40
• Thompsons cruising bag
Zagorsk Tretyakov Gallery Bolshoi Ballet €45
€35
€140
St Petersburg Excursions
Yusupov Palace Folklore Show Pushkin Tsarkoye Selo (Catherine’s Palace)
Pavlovsk St Petersburg Ballet Peterhoff Parks & Fountains St Petersburg boat ride €45
€50
€45
€38
€55
€35
€35
Peterhoff Parks and Fountains
Set Departures:
23 June - 06 July 2008
Ex Johannesburg R25 615
04 - 17 August 2008
Ex Johannesburg R25 615
15 - 28 September 2008
Ex Johannesburg R25 615
The Red Arrow train
NB: Please note there are Upper deck cabins available which are slightly larger in size at an additional surcharge. Suites are available on request but only subject to availability.
Prices are from a starting price and per person sharing, subject to change due to airfare increases, currency fluctuations and availability. Valid for dates specified. Please note airport
taxes, fuel levies & surcharges are approximate and are subject to change - the exact amount will be confirmed at time of booking. Thompsons Standard Terms & Conditions apply.
E & OE. Prices correct at time of going to print.
Your approved Thompsons agent is:
JOHANNESBURG: Travel House, 6 Hood Ave, Rosebank, South Africa.
P.O. Box 41032, Craighall, 2024, South Africa. Docex 270, Randburg.
Tel: (27) (11) 770-7511; Fax: (27) (11) 325-2840.
DURBAN: 20 The Boulevard, West End Office Park, Spine Road, Westville, South
Africa. P.O. Box 51041, Musgrave Road, 4062, Durban, South Africa. Docex 238,
Durban. Tel: (27) (31) 275-3500; Fax: (27) (31) 275-3990.
Just a phone call away from a remarkable holiday.
CAPE TOWN: 15th Floor, Main Tower, Standard Bank Centre, Hertzog Boulevard,
Foreshore, South Africa. P.O. Box 382, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa. Docex 145,
Cape Town. Tel: (27) (21) 408-9500; Fax: (27) (21) 408-9596.
www.thompsons.co.za
Thompsons Holidays: A division of Cullinan Holdings LTD (Reg No 1902/001808/06)