Set sail along Russia's Volga and Volga-Baltic Waterways and you'll visit bustling Moscow, the country's historic capital, and regal St. Petersburg, indisputably one of the world's most beautiful cities. But you'll also encounter the lesser-known landscapes that are a large part of what makes a Russian river cruise such a special journey – the forested shorelines, scenic lakes, and rustic summer homes that line Europe's longest river.

Europe's fourth-longest river originates west of Moscow and flows in a southerly direction through Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine en route to the Black Sea.

Kiev – Ukraine's capital and its largest city, as well as one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe – is located on both sides of the Dnieper and is home to a number of major historical attractions including Andriyivskyy Descent, the Monastery of the Caves, and St. Sophia Cathedral. Odessa, situated on the northwest shores of the Black Sea, is another prominent destination on most Dnieper itineraries; highlights include the city's extensive labyrinth of catacombs and the legendary Potemkin Steps.

Everything about the Volga is immense. One of the world's great rivers, and Europe's largest, the Volga is nearly 2,300 miles long; it sprawls from its point of origin in the hills northwest of Moscow across two-fifths of European Russia before discharging into the Caspian Sea. A majority of Russia's largest cities and almost half of the Republic's population are located in its basin.

As with the river itself, most Volga itineraries run long, allowing ample time for you to explore all of the amazing places you'll encounter - must-see destinations like Moscow and St. Petersburg, the ancient and picturesque towns that comprise Russia's "Golden Ring", and Onega, Europe's second-largest lake.