Volga River

Known in Russian folklore as Mother Volga, this legendary river is the longest in Europe. Cruises of the Volga typically call at Nizhni Novgorod, former home to political exiles and only recently opened to tourism; Kazan, capital of the Tatar Republic; and Volgograd, formerly known as Stalingrad and site of one of the greatest battles of World War II. Other sites include Uglich, founded in 1148 and one of the oldest towns in Russia, and the beautiful medieval city of Kostroma.

Language: Russian     Currency: Rubles, US$