Russian Waterways

Imperial Cruises • ms Ivan Bunin Moscow to St. Petersburg

August 30 - September 12, 2016 • 14 Days

34 Meals • Excursions in Every Port

Escorted by Melanie McIlroy

INCLUSIVE FEATURES

Return economy airfare from Canadian cities listed including all current taxes and fees

11 night cruise on ms Ivan Bunin in an outside cabin in the category selected

1 night first class hotel in St. Petersburg at the Ambassador Hotel or similar

34 meals included as noted in the itinerary (B - 12 breakfasts, L - 10 lunches, D - 12 dinners)

Bottled water provided in your cabin daily

Captain’s Welcome Reception

Escorted shore excursions in each port as described with VOX listening devices while on tour

Shipboard entertainment features music lessons, cultural shows and Russian language classes

On board lecturer on Russian history and culture

All gratuities (including guides and ship staff) and taxes and fees for included services

Russia visa fee for Canadian passport holders Note: circumstances may require group members to obtain visas on their own

Baggage handling shipside and at hotel

Transfers between airport, hotel and the ship

Services of our cruise/tour escort and/or cruise director and local guides

Airport transfers in Canada or equivalent value

This special Russian Waterways cruise offers you a unique opportunity to explore Russia's two great cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg. You will discover the lovely countryside and rich cultural heritage of the historic centre of Russia. Our riverboat will allow us to enjoy each of these historic cities as we pass through the canals, lakes and rivers that connect them. We will visit small villages, ancient monasteries, historic sites and cruise across the two largest lakes in Europe. Pass industrial centres and see first hand the changes that are overtaking this once mighty nation.

Our journey is fully inclusive - all taxes, gratuities, service fees and most meals and shore excursions are included in the cost. There will be opportunities to take additional excursions and special evening performances after embarking on the cruise (extra costs). We have limited space and expect it to sell out very quickly.

OUR CRUISE SHIP • ms Ivan Bunin

Built in East Germany in 1985 and fully refurbished in 2010, this is the only riverboat in Russia to have an outdoor pool. It is equipped with all the modern facilities and carries 285 passengers. It offers a variety of standard twin cabins (approx. 100 sq ft) as well as comfortable Junior Suites (approx. 215 sq ft). All cabins are outside staterooms and fully renovated, with large picture windows, twin beds that convert to couches during the day, compact private bathroom with sink, shower, and toilet, built-in wardrobe and under bed storage for suitcases, refrigerator, and air conditioning. Junior Suites have larger bathroom with separate shower and a sitting area. Other ship features include two dining rooms with single seating at meals, two comfortable lounges, a large conference hall, a souvenir shop, beauty salon and medical centre. The ship offers a full deck promenade and a large meeting room on the Sun Deck.

St. Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square, Moscow

September 6, Tuesday Lake Onega / Kizhi Island Cruise across the largest and purest lake in Europe en route to the island of Kizhi where we find the celebrated open-air Museum of Russian Architecture. On display are restored and preserved wooden buildings spanning the past three centuries. The Church of the Transfiguration, with its 22 onion domes, is the ultimate Russian fairy tale church, built without any nails or metal beams. BLD

September 7, Wednesday Mandrogi River Village Enjoy a leisurely day with some scenic cruising as we follow the Svir River with its forested banks and picturesque scenery. At lunch we will enjoy a unique riverside picnic in the village setting! The Russian shashlik barbecue will be accompanied with entertainment by our on board musicians (weather permitting, alternately served on board). Be sure to visit the unique Vodka Museum featuring over 2,500 varieties of Russia’s national drink. This evening we continue on to St. Petersburg. BLD

September 8, Thursday St. Petersburg Created by Peter the Great to rival Venice, St. Petersburg is built on 101 islands, has 66 canals and hundreds of bridges, making it the most beautiful city in Russia. This afternoon we shall visit the Hermitage, perhaps the most important building in Russia, with its three million pieces of art dating from the early Greeks to modern times. We shall spend a number of hours exploring the building and its many galleries. This evening there will be an opportunity for a performance (available for purchase on the cruise). BLD

September 9, Friday St. Petersburg Our morning city tour will take us down fashionable Nevsky Prospekt with its shops, cafés and theatres, past Palace Square and St Isaac’s Cathedral. We will see many of the city’s most important buildings including the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Cathedral which contains the tombs of the Imperial Romanovs beneath its 122 metre spire. This evening we will have our farewell dinner, hosted by our riverboat Captain. BLD

August 30, Tuesday Depart Canada Tour members from across Canada gather for the overnight flights via Europe to Moscow.

August 31, Wednesday Moscow, Russia On arrival, we shall be met and transferred to our riverboat, our home for the next 11 nights. There will be time to settle in before we gather for our information meeting, followed by dinner. Embark / ms Ivan Bunin (11 nights) D

September 1, Thursday Moscow We enjoy panoramic sightseeing this morning which will include Red Square, Tverskaya Street, the Byzantine splendour of St. Basil’s Cathedral and more. Optional afternoon excursions to the Circus or a show will be available on board. BLD

September 2, Friday Moscow This morning we will be taken on the tour of the Armoury Museum with its extensive collection of Czarist wealth. The afternoon is free to explore on your own or to join an optional excursion. Late this afternoon we begin our cruise with a Captain’s Welcome Reception as we sail. BLD

September 3, Saturday Uglich Founded in 1,148, Uglich is one of the most beloved towns in Old Russia. The outline of the Cathedral of the Resurrection and St. John's Church provide a striking view when approached from the Volga River. Take a walking tour of this lovely 10th Century town, one of Russia's most ancient. See a rich collection of Russian Orthodox architecture, as well as the Church of St. Demetrius on the Blood and the Palace of Tsarevich Dmitry. BLD

September 4, Sunday Yaroslavl Founded in the 11th Century by Prince Yaroslavl the Wise, the city retains many reminders of its colourful past, including the magnificent 13th Century Spassky Monastery, a group of majestic 17th Century cathedrals, and the Governor’s palace near the town square. The Church of Elijah the Prophet is a museum of Russian paintings, adorned with dozens of frescoes. This evening enjoy a special folklore show as we cruise. BLD

September 5, Monday Goritsy Today we visit Goritsy, a simple rural Russian village and farming centre. We shall stroll along its quiet streets and visit the peasant home of Baba Valya for some local treats. There will be an optional excursion to visit the Monastery of St. Cyril and the Museum of Icons. Back on board enjoy a Caviar tasting as we continue to cruise. BLD

Kizhi Island

The Walls of the Kremlin, Moscow

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September 10, Saturday St. Petersburg Today is a free day to explore the sights and sounds of St. Petersburg or to take advantage of one of the many optional excursions: visit the Palace and Gardens of Peterhof, with its fountains and views of the sea, or venture to Pushkin to visit Catherine’s Palace with its fabulous Amber Room. This evening there may be another opportunity for an evening cultural performance such as a ballet, a folklore show or a classical concert. BLD

September 11, Sunday St. Petersburg Following a leisurely breakfast, we will say farewell to our riverboat and transfer into central St. Petersburg for our final night. This will be an excellent opportunity to explore some of the wonderful areas of this historic centre, either on an optional tour or on our own. Our lovely hotel is well located. Ambassador Hotel (1 night) BD

September 12, Monday St. Petersburg / Canada Following a leisurely breakfast and morning, we transfer to the airport for our homeward bound flights. B

Cruise Cost in Canadian Dollars per person

Cruise Only (Join Moscow / Leave St. Petersburg)* .. $3,945 Toronto ....................................................................... $5,295 Montreal / Ottawa....................................................... $5,385 Halifax ........................................................................ $5,455 St. John’s ................................................................... $5,625 Winnipeg .................................................................... $5,555 Regina / Saskatoon.................................................... $5,675 Calgary / Edmonton / Vancouver ............................... $5,625 Victoria ....................................................................... $5,675

* Cruise only price is based on joining shipside in Moscow and leaving at the hotel in St. Petersburg.

Rates are per person based on sharing a Cat A - Outside Twin on Main Deck. Airfares from other gateways are available on request. Air taxes/fees and carrier are subject to change and will be confirmed prior to final payment. Refer to Inclusive Features for details.

Supplement to Upgrade to higher category:

Category/Description/Deck Sharing Twin

Cat B - Outside Twin (Upper Deck) .............................. $250 Cat C - Junior Suite (Upper Deck) ............................. $1,280 Cat D - Junior Suite (Boat Deck) ............................... $1,620 Cat S - Single Outside (Main, Upper Deck) .................. $900

Stateroom categories are subject to availability at time of booking - book early for best choice. See Deck Plan for full details on various categories available. Single cabins are on request basis and are very limited. Cruise prices are based on sharing a twin-bedded stateroom with private bathroom. Prices are based on a minimum 20 members and on rates, taxes, and fees effective January, 2016 and are subject to change due to factors beyond our control. The above prices DO NOT INCLUDE the cost of comprehensive insurance which is available on an optional basis and is highly recommended. Insurance premiums vary with the cost and length of the trip as well as the traveller’s age. For passengers up to and including 74 years on departure date, premiums will range from $250 to $390pp. Cost supplements for members aged 75 - 85 will range from $185 to $382pp. This insurance is effective from the date of purchase and carries limitations on pre-existing medical conditions. Please discuss your insurance coverage prior to booking. Check our website for the most current information. Refer to the enrollment form for general information and conditions.

Final payment will be due June 1, 2016

Deposit is $600 per person

To reserve your spot on this cruise, simply complete the enclosed enrollment form, indicating the journey you wish to join and your home city, and forward it with your deposit to:

CRAIG CANADIAN GROUP TRAVEL LTD

1092 Mount Pleasant Road Toronto ON M4P 2M6

Tel: 416-484-0926 or 1-800-387-8890 / Fax: 416-484-8143

Email: cruises@craigtravel.com / www.craigtravel.com

CRUISE / TOUR ESCORT

We are pleased to have Melanie McIlroy escorting this delightful cruise on the waterways of Russia. Melanie has worked in the travel industry since 2007 and currently manages the Marketing Department at Craig Travel. She brings with her a wealth of destination knowledge and has travelled to a host of countries within Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, Africa and the Caribbean. She has escorted travel industry groups and most recently Craig Travel's exciting journey through Ethiopia. She is very much looking forward to sharing this adventure with you!

CT RATING 3 - Challenging: Members should be aware that the riverboat has no elevator and, as on many ships, steps can be quite steep. Shore visits will include some extensive walks, often over rough surfaces and may include steps. Travel conditions in parts of Russia can be relatively primitive. Members should be in good physical condition, able to walk a kilometre or more without assistance to fully enjoy this cruise. The ms Ivan Bunin is a recently renovated traditional riverboat, providing an authentic Russian experience.

Catherine’s Palace, St. Petersburg

Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg

Included Port Visits and Optionals are subject to change based on local conditions and availability. Optionals may vary from those listed in this brochure and will be confirmed in final documents or prior to final payment if they are available for advanced purchase.