River Volga

«Rha» or «the generous» - by this name the Ancient Greek scientist Ptolemy called the Volga. Bright, resplendent - those names were given to it by the Finnish tribes having been lived on the river-banks. In the era of the Middle Ages the Arabs benamed it as «Iyshil» meaning «The river of the rivers». For the Russians it is Mother Volga.

This great river is not just a geographic object. It’s a foster-mother of the nations having been settled on its riverbanks, it’s the most important transport and trade artery of the country since the ancient times till nowadays.

The ancient fortresses rise on the river-banks, the golden domes of the cathedrals shine, the big cities are situated here, and the dense forests turn green. Cruising the Volga is one of the most popular destinations in Russia because during the trip you may get acquaintance with the history and culture of Russia, admire the remarkably beautiful landscapes, take a walk around the high bunders of the Volga... Almost all the Volga region is a genuine paradise for the fans of fishing In 1817 the first steamship was floated onto the Volga. Since that time shipbuilders of the Volga region have been developing and improving in every way the glorious traditions of their forebears. The variety of the ships, wherein the tourists are offered to make a Voyage, is great. The modem steamships have all the necessary infrastructure to provide you proper vacation, such as: comfortable state-rooms, wide promenade decks, delicious food and, of course, professional excursions.

Now we’ll come up aboard of one of them, and our exciting voyage will begin. We are going to make a trip from Tver, almost from the very embouchment of the Volga, till its delta, the Caspian sea. We are going to stop in the most interesting cities where we will get acquaintance with the ancient monuments, folkways of various nations, taste its national cuisine, get various souvenirs. And our cruise will be ended with the magnificent scene - blooming lotus fields! Are you ready to start the voyage? Then - unmoor!

Volga river longest one in Europe with more than two kilometers of length. The Tver region is a cradleland of the great Russian river. It's impossible to express those feelings you are overtaken by on seeing the local landscapes. The rivers turn silver under the sun, the mirrorlike surfaces of the lakes are embordered with the forests and pine-woods, the pine-trees vibrate and the silent clouds float. The vast, peace and freedom — all this you will feel, you'll penetrate the charm of the remarkable land where the Volga takes its rise. The lake Seliger and the Valdai group of lakes are considered to be a genuine natural pearl of Verkhne- volzhie (Upper Volga region). The Valdai lake is one of ten purest lakes of Russia; it's surrounded with dense, almost untouched forests. Most lakes are connected to each other with channels and rivers (there are more than 1500 of them). Here the Western Dvina (Daugava) takes its rise. The places for fishing here are excellent. More than 30 species of fish affect the local waters. The Tver land attracts tourists not only by its nature. There are more than seven thousand of historical and cultural sightseeings here. Small towns keep the memory about oldtime.?

You will see the variety of architectural monuments in Torzhok. Among them there are Boris-and-Gleb Monastery and the Monastery of Resurrection, Staro-Voznesen- skaya Church, which is a genuine masterpiece of timber architecture. The town is famous for its Museum of Gold- work Embroidery and the unique Ethnographic Museum in the open air in Vasilievo village where folk festival and celebrations often take place. YoO may visit Vyshny Volo- chok, the town of rivers and channels. Among the picturesque hills and àäå-ojd forests, on the bank of the Valdai lake the Valdai city is-'situated. Admire a fascinating view of the suburbs from the bell-tower of the Cathedral of Resurrection in Kashin. In ancient town Staritsa it is worth visiting mysterious caves. Next to Andreapol there is a lake Brosno, one of the deepest lakes in the north-west of Russia. Tver is a center of the region, it's the old city. Its architectural appearance is a sampler of strict and elfegant classicism. It's possible to go to the Museum of Tver's way of life, to the exhibition of «Russian samovars (tea-urns)», and the Picture Gallery of Tver exhibits the original works of Russian painters. In the suburbs of the city there are numerous magnificent noble manor houses. After all, thanks to the beauty Of these places the most distinguished and richest families of Russia wished to become owners of the manors in the Tver province. The cathedrals and monasteries of Tver province are famous all over Russia. One of them is national Russian shrine, it's the Nilov Poustyn (Nilov Solitude) Monastery. As if being a fabulous town, it raises on the island in the middle of the huge Seliger. Indeed, this is a genuine town with various constructions, surrounded with a tall stone wall with towers. Along-shore near the monastery walls, a shadowy park lays out. Lest you forget the places where our trip has begun, take a remembrance with you: house- wares or wood-carved colorfully painted toy, a cheerily jingling Valdai bell. And the local mistresses of needlework were always considered to be the skillful embroider- esses and lacemakers. Their works are not only souvenirs, those are genius masterpieces!