Travelers will have a rare opportunity to cruise Russian waterways this August, while helping to save the lives of chidren with cardiac defects, by participating in the Gift of Life VIP Cruise. Sponsored by Rotary International's Gift of Life Project, which has provided heart surgery in the US for needy children from around the world, the 12-day cruise will follow the "Waterways of the Tsars" from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Noting that the Gift of Life has supported life-saving surgery for many Russian children as well as numerous other countries, the Imperial Travel Company is donating 30% of the ticket price to the charity, which was founded 30 years ago by the Manhasset Rotary Club. Since then, more than 5,000 children have received life-saving cardiac surgery at US hospitals, including North Shore University Hospital, Schneider Children's Hospital and Stony Brook University Hospital. The cruise price, starting at $1,995 per person, includes outside cabins on the MS Moscow Night, accommodations on the ship in-port and while cruising, all meals, entertainment, land sightseeing in air-conditioned coaches, museum admissions and the services of English speaking staff and guides. In addition, there will be a Captain's Reception, a special Gift Of Life Gala including some of the "heart" children, Russian language lessons, and lectures on Russian art and history. Packages including airfare are also available. The four days in Moscow will include visits to Red Square, the Kremlin and the Armory Museum, while during the three days in St. Petersburg, participants will tour the world famous Hermitage Museum and the Peter and Paul Fortress. Other stops will include the ancient towns of Kizhl, Mandrogui and Goritsy, seeing cathedrals and monasteries with priceless icon collections, museums, nature preserves and sauna resorts. To participate in this opportunity of a lifetime, contact Gift of Life International at (516) 504-0830, Ext. 26, or log on to their website, www.giftoflifeinternational.org. Enjoy!