On a river cruise of the waterways of Russia it’s easy to pay almost all of your attention to the cities of Moscow and St Petersburg. That’s with fair reason, since the two cities are packed with attractions and it’s where you’ll spend the most time in one place – almost every river package you could book in Russia includes at least an overnight stay in each city, so you’ve ample time to explore and see everything each has to offer.

But the journey in-between doesn’t deserve to be overlooked in such a manner. There are some great sights and ports as you travel between the two, so here’s the top places you can expect to see when you book a Volga cruise:

Uglich

Uglich is one of the Golden Ring cities in Russia that lie close together. It’s a pretty town with a handful of attractive sights to enjoy including the Uglich Dam, while there are various museums to see including the Central Museum of Hydro Energy, the Museum of Prison Art and the Museum of Uglich History, and as one of the oldest cities in the country there’s plenty to enjoy. You can also head to the fascinating Church of St Dimitri.

Yaroslavl

Yaroslavl is one of the larger cities of the region with lots to see including the Tolga Monastery,  large complex adorned with intricate decoration, and the truly awe-inspiring Saint John the Baptist Church. Also the Church of Elijah the Prophet is another incredible sight to visit, while there’s plenty of opportunity to see the local shops.

Goritsy

Goritsy is one of the smaller towns you’ll visit but on a typical cruise you may stop to give you time to see the Children’s House of Arts and Crafts, where the traditional techniques locals use to create items have been preserved.

Kizhi Island

Kizhi Island is home to the Open Air Museum, the first in Russia, which is where you can see a wealth of intricate wooden buildings including the Church of Transfiguration, built entirely of wood without using a single nail. The whole museum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mandrogi

See the reconstructed village of Mandrogi near St Petersburg, with wonderful arts and crafts to see including traditional nesting dolls and more. It’s a quaint area with friendly locals only too happy to show you the local methods of crafting these delightful items.

By Ian Lewis
Google