Astrakhan adventure 29 September 2025

Welcome to Russia, welcome to our wonderful ship Nikolay Zharkov! After a brief check-in, you’ll meet the ship’s crew at a delightful cocktail reception – a relaxing way to begin your adventure after a day’s travel.

Astrakhan is the "jewel" of the Lower Volga and the Caspian capital of Russia. The merchant city, where old mansions and trading houses of overseas merchants are still preserved: Persian, Armenian and Indian. Representatives of more than 200 nationalities live here today. You have the opportunity to see In Astrakhan not only architectural monuments, but also to visit the Volga River Delta, which the largest in Europe. During the flowering of lotuses, this spectacle is of an incredible beauty.

For almost 200 years since the capture of the Astrakhan Khanate by Ivan the Terrible, the region did not have a permanent population, only at the beginning of the 18th century convicts, peasants, baptized Kalmyks and Kirghiz began to settle on the banks of the Volga. Soon the village totaled 1,100 inhabitants and 180 yards. During the fascist bombing in August 1942, the village was almost completely destroyed, but the main shrine - the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary survived. This church - the largest Orthodox church of the Volga region - and the store building, built at the end of the XIX century, are included in the list of cultural heritage.

Hero City, located in the lower reaches of the Volga on its western shore. The Battle of Stalingrad took place here, lasting 200 days and nights, forever changing the course of the World War II. In memory of the fierce battles on the Mamaev Kurgan, the monument “Motherland is Calling!” And the monument-ensemble “To the Heroes of the Stalingrad Battle” were erected. Volgograd is also called "the port of five seas", since the Volga-Don canal connects 3 southern seas (Azov, Caspian, Black sea) with 2 northern (Baltic, Northern sea).

On the right bank of the Volga lies the ancient Russian city of Saratov Surrounded by three high mountains. The city was founded as a watch fortress in 1590, initially on the left bank of the Volga river. Later, the fortress was destroyed, and the construction of the new Saratov began in 1674, this time on the right bank of the Volga river, near the Sokolovaya Mountain.

Samara is one of the most beautiful, ancient cities of the Middle Volga region. In Soviet times, it was called Kuibyshev, and during the war it was the reserve capital of the USSR. Until 1991, Kuibyshev was of great strategic importance and was closed to foreigners. Rockets were designed here and the aviation industry was developed. Zhiguli Uplands, beautiful monasteries and historical museums - there is something to see. And it was precisely in Samara where the accordion was invented, where a wonderful beer is brewed, lovers of bard songs come here annually to the Grushinsky festival.

Kazan is the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan with a thousand-year history. The appearance of the city is determined by a mixture of Russian and eastern colors. The tops of the old churches, the belfry towers and the slender needles of the minarets are high above the modern buildings. For more than four centuries, Kazan has surrounded the white stone walls of the Kremlin, a UNESCO monument. The Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Mardzhani Mosque (XVIII century) and the Azimov Mosque (XIX century) are unique and inimitable; they are worth seeing.

Cheboksary - the capital of the Republic of Chuvashia, is located on the right bank of the Volga river. Over the five-hundred-year history, the city has seen the rebels of Ivan Bolotnikov, the freemen of Stepan Razin, and the squads of Emelyan Pugachev. The Vvedensky Cathedral, two churches of the Troika Monastery, the Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God are preserved in the old part of the city. Monuments of architecture are organically combined with the modern enbankment, decorated with a lattice with a national ornament.

Nizhny Novgorod is called the “Volga capital”. The city was founded in 1221 as a fortress on the right bank of the Volga river at the place where it merged with the Oka river. The city is rich in architectural monuments. This is the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, on the territory of which there is the Archangel Cathedral, the existing Annunciation and Pechersky Monasteries, the Christmas Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and many other monuments. The city is a large industrial, cultural and transport center of the Middle Volga.

Nizhny Novgorod is called the “Volga capital”. The city was founded in 1221 as a fortress on the right bank of the Volga river at the place where it merged with the Oka river. The city is rich in architectural monuments. This is the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, on the territory of which there is the Archangel Cathedral, the existing Annunciation and Pechersky Monasteries, the Christmas Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and many other monuments. The city is a large industrial, cultural and transport center of the Middle Volga.

Gorodets, located on the Cyril Mountains, was founded in 1152 by Yuri Dolgorukiy. The old part of Gorodets is located on Prince's Hill, from where you can admire the panorama of the Gorky hydroelectric complex and the reservoir. Opposite Gorodets, you can see a young city of the Volga - Zavolzhye. A walk through the old streets will leave an unforgettable impression. They are given a special charm by houses decorated with magnificent deaf carvings. One of these streets - Rubleva street - retained the look of the 19th century.

Chkalovsk was founded in the XII century by the son of Yuri Dolgoruky, Prince Vasily, and was called Vasileva Sloboda. People there were engaged in various crafts, and especially pottery was developed. The village of Vasilevo was renamed to Chkalovsk only in August 1937, a record flight to the United States through the North Pole, which performed the famous fellow countryman V.P. Chkalov.

Yaroslavl is the unofficial capital of the Golden Ring of Russia and the oldest city on the Volga with a history of more than 1000 years. Many attractions are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is famous for examples of ancient Russian architecture, magnificent landscapes of the Volga and unique museums. The famous Russian poet N. A. Nekrasov spent his childhood in Yaroslavl. Today Yaroslavl is a large industrial center.

This jewel of the Golden Ring of Russia dates back to 937 AD, and so is one of the nation’s oldest cities. Its gem-like architecture includes the gold and blue-domed Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood. This is the place to savour traditional Russian life and walk inside the ancient Kremlin.

We hope you’ve had a wonderful journey on board with us, and we hope to see you again soon!