Saturday May 14 - Yaroslavl, Russia

In putting this post together it has made me realize how very much we did each day. No one could get bored on this type of cruise. But it also doesn't keep you so busy that you are exhausted. Everything moves at a nice speed.

DAY 6, Saturday - Yaroslavl City Tour
Arrive this morning in Yaroslavl, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a tour of this historic city, one among many in Russia's famous Golden Ring. The tour includes sites such as the Church of St. Elijah the Prophet and a visit to the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. You will also have the opportunity to explore a local market. Dinner on board this evening.
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


 At 9am we arrived and were transported on a sightseeing tour of the city. This is a wonderful city that is a thousand years old. It was rather eerie as it was Saturday morning and there was absolutely no traffic in town. We stood in the middle of the street!he historical part of the city, a World Heritage Site, is located at the confluence of the Volga and the Kotorosl Rivers. Population: 591,500.
Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, was born in a nearby village and went to school in Yaroslavl. She is retired and now lives in Yaroslavl.

 According to ancient legend Yaroslav killed a bear and ordered a fortress to be built where the town now stands.. The  emblem of the city became a bear with an ax represented on a silver shield. 

 The museum is a treasure and our guide was dressed as a daughter of the governor.

 We were served champagne and treated to music and dancing. Two of our party were selected to dance. John turned out to be an excellent dancer.

 Next stop the market always a favourite of mine.

 Then a stop at a shop which sold lacquered painted boxes. I didn't realize at first that the price was in American dollars and thought these were very cheap for the quality as I divided the cost by thirty!!

 We had a quick photo shoot opportunity in front of the Eternal Flame for victims of WWII. A polished marble base bears two sculpted stone walls, one depicting a soldier and the other a woman civilian. Set at angles they frame a central eternal flame. Traditionally wedding parties visit the memorial to leave flowers.

We were back on board by 1pm for our departure to Goritsy which is 866 km from Moscow.

The afternoon was at leisure with various activities available (none of which we engaged in), Russian films, Russian Tea ceremony, Matroishka doll painting.

Around 3pm we passed the town of Tutaev, an ancient town on both banks of the Volga with numerous catedrals from the 17-18th centuries.

DH did go out and get some photos of the tea ceremony. Anastasia was our server at our meals.

Cocktail hour and another lock

 Dinner