Нижний Новгород – Городец – Ярославль – Калязин – Москва

Nizhny Novgorod is an ancient city on the Volga River.

Population: ~ 1,259,000 people (2018 Census).

Time: Moscow time.

Nizhny Novgorod was founded on Volga and Oka rivers in 1221. Nowadays, it is a popular cruise stop.This is one of the few cities in Russia where the Kremlin has been preserved. Moreover, Nizhny Novgorod is included in the list of one hundred UNESCO cities of historical and cultural value. In total, there are about 600 attractions in the city: both ancient architectural monuments and modern ones are among them. Originally the name was just Novgorod (“Newtown”), but to distinguish it from the other, older and well-known Novgorod (Veliky Novgorod) to the west, the city was commonly called “Novgorod of the Lower lands”, or “Lower Newtown”. This land was named "lower” (nizhniy) even though it is actually higher in altitude than Veliky Novgorod, because it is situated downstream of other Russian cities such as Moscow, Vladimir and Murom.

Gorodets is one of the oldest Russian cities on the Volga River.

Population: ~ 30,000 people (2017 Census).

Time: Moscow time.

Every year Gorodets is visited by more than 500 thousand tourists. Most of them arrive on cruise ships.The town was founded in 1152 by Prince Yury Dolgoruky (also the founder of Moscow) as a large fortress on the Volga River, the first Russian fortress in today's Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. It was a starting point for numerous campaigns of the princes of Vladimir and Suzdal against Volga Bulgaria. In 1216, Yury II of Vladimir was dethroned by his brother and exiled here. In 1239, the town was burned to the ground by Batu Khan's army. In 1263, Alexander Nevsky died in Gorodets on his way back to Novgorod from the Golden Horde. His son, Andrey, made the town his chief residence. A famous medieval icon-painter, Prokhor, was born there. In the mid-14th century, the town was overshadowed by the neighboring Nizhny Novgorod but continued as the third largest town of Nizhny Novgorod Principality until 1408, when Edigu razed it to the ground. For two following centuries the town was known as Gorodets Pustoy (i. e., "Gorodets the Empty"). Some chronicles state that its entire population moved slightly downstream and resettled at Salt-on-Gorodets (today's Balakhna). By the 19th century, Gorodets was revived as a prosperous village settled by Old Believer merchants and reputed for its decorative handicrafts, such as wood carving and painting. In 1875, the Nizhny Novgorod writer A. S. Gatsisky described Gorodets as a major center of trade in grain and wooden kitchenware. In 1922, Gorodets becomes a town again, as well the administrative center of Gorodetsky Uyezd (later, Gorodetsky District). Between 1948 and 1959, the dam of Gorky Hydroelectric Station (now Nizhny Novgorod Hydroelectric Station) was built a few kilometers upstream from Gorodets, and along with the station a new industrial town, Zavolzhye, was built on the right side of the Volga.

Kostroma is a part of the Golden Ring of Russian towns; it is located at the confluence of the rivers Volga and Kostroma.

Population: ~ 277,000 people (2018 Census).

Time: Moscow time.

The city was first recorded in the chronicles for the year 1213, but some historians believe it could have been founded by Yury Dolgoruky more than half a century earlier, in 1152. Since many scholars believe that early Eastern Slavs tribes arrived in modern-day Belarus, Ukraine and western Russia AD 400 to 600, Kostroma could be much older than previously thought. The city shares the same name as the East Slavic goddess Kostroma.

Like other towns of the Eastern Rus, Kostroma was sacked by the Mongols in 1238. It then constituted a small principality, under leadership of Prince Vasily the Drunkard, a younger brother of the famous Alexander Nevsky. Upon inheriting the grand ducal title in 1271, Vasily didn't leave the town for Vladimir, and his descendants ruled Kostroma for another half a century, until the town was bought by Ivan I of Moscow.

Kalyazin is a town and the administrative center of Kalyazinsky District in Tver Oblast, Russia, located on the right bank of the Volga River, 175 kilometers (109 mi) northeast of Tver.

Population: 13, 867 people (2010 Census)

Time: Moscow time.

A sloboda (a settlement for people relieved from paying taxes) appeared on the site of modern Kalyazin in the 12th century. Its importance grew significantly with the foundation of the Makaryevsky Monastery on the opposite bank of the Volga in the 15th century. This abbey used to be the most conspicuous landmark of Kalyazin and comprised numerous buildings of historic interest, including a refectory from 1525. The name of the town originates from certain Kolyaga, a land proprietor in the 15th century. In the 18th century, the area was included into Moscow Governorate. In 1775, Kalyazin was granted town rights and Kalyazinsky Uyezd was established. It was a part of newly established Tver Viceroyalty. In 1796, the Viceroyalty was abolished and transformed into Tver Governorate. Kalyazinsky Uyezd was abolished, but in 1803, it was re-established. On May 30, 1922, Kalyazinsky Uyezd was abolished and merged into Kashinsky Uyezd. On October 3, 1927, Kashinsky Uyezd itself was abolished and split between Bezhetsky and Kimrsky Uyezds. On August 12, 1929, Tver Governorate was abolished, with its territory transferred to Moscow Oblast.  Uyezds were abolished as well, and Kalyazinsky District, with the administrative center in Kalyazin, was established within Kimry Okrug of Moscow Oblast. On July 23, 1930, the okrugs were abolished and the districts were directly subordinated to the oblast.  On January 29, 1935, Kalinin Oblast was established, and Kalyazinsky District was transferred to it.

Moscow is the capital of Russia, one of the oldest and at the same time modern cities.

Population: ~ 12,506,000 (as of 2018).

Time: Moscow time.

Moscow attracts tourists from all over the world. The key matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup were held here, but guests from other countries and cities come here at any time.

Cruises to Moscow are one of the most popular trips. This is due to the beauty of Moscow itself, and to the picturesque river landscapes that can be seen along the way.

Over the past few years, Moscow has changed beyond recognition. This is real city of contrasts: old mansions, interactive museums, large green parks, popular theater premieres and modern skyscrapers. This is a city that never seems to sleep and never ceases to amaze.

There are two river stations in Moscow. Most motor ships come to the North, but if you find yourself in the South, we recommend you to go to Kolomenskoye Park. The former royal residence, now a green park with shady alleys, observation decks, picturesque views of the Moskva River and the Ascension Church, which is included in the UNESCO Heritage List.

All attractions are best reached by metro. The Moscow Metro is not only a convenient and fast mode of transport, its stations are one the most beautiful in the world.

Getting off at the Teatralnaya station, you will find yourself in the very center of Moscow. The Bolshoi Theater is very close, it is worth going a little to the left and you will find yourself at the Alexander Garden, situated at the walls of the Kremlin, and on the Red Square, paved with paving stones. A short walk away is Zaryadye Park, a green island in the heart of the city, with interactive and music venues and the famous Floating Bridge.

Those who love art, try to get to the Tretyakov Gallery or the Pushkin Museum during their visit to Moscow. Moscow City attracts connoisseurs of modern cities — by the way, here you can climb to the observation deck to admire the city from a height. Another famous observation deck is located on the Ostankino TV Tower, the tallest building in Europe. And young guests of the capital will be interested in the Moscow zoo.

One of the advantages of Moscow is the opportunity to explore it as you want. Ride on public transport to see the most interesting sights for you, walk through the streets, stop to rest in cozy cafes, or rent a bicycle.

In Moscow there is a huge number of souvenirs depicting local attractions. From earrings to decorative plates, from shawls to cups, what to choose from is up to you.

Also near most of the attractions and museums there are special shops where you can buy books, commemorative posters and postcards.