1 day Shore Excursion of St. Petersburg - EASY (8 hours)

• Professional and personable guide
• Experienced and conscientious driver with a comfortable A/C vehicle
• Admission fees to all places shown in the itinerary
• Photo permissions inside museums
• 1 bottle of still water (0.5L) per person per day
• Personal audio receiver with earphones
• All local taxes
• All port fees
• Visa Waivers for cruise ship passengers

• Lunches*
• Evening activities**
• Gratuity***

*LUNCH OPTIONS
Depending upon your preferences you have complete flexibility as to dining choices. We are able to offer bistro, cafe, or restaurant style dining along the route or you may order meals at recommended restaurants. For travel groups larger than 8 people we recommend ordering pre-arranged lunches at recommended restaurants in advance (a time-saver). All meals are served at the time of guest's arrival (a traditional Russian 3 - course lunch will cost you about $15 USD pp)

**EVENING ACTIVITIES:
After the first day's tour you may return to the ship or attend the theater either to hear an opera or to watch a ballet (from $80 - $150 USD pp depending upon theater, performance and seat location). We will reserve the best tickets in advance for you for a very memorable cultural experience. You can visit the famous Mariinsky (former Kirov), Hermitage, Mikhailovsky, Alexandrinksy, Palace Theaters. If you choose to hear and see something that is connected with Russian folklore, there are folklore shows at your disposal with Russian dances, song, tricks, traditional Russian instruments (balalaika, gusli, playing on wooden spoons, or on saws) and much more ($60-80pp). Or simply enjoy a dinner at a good, not so touristy Russian restaurant. A 2 way transfer will cost 1-6 people $90, 7-12 people $140, 13 -18 people $190

***GRATUITY:
Nobody will force you to tip in Russia, it's completely up to you. If your guide and driver exceed your expectations you can tip them according to western standards 10-20% shared between the guide and the driver (approximately 3-7% to the driver and 7-14% to the guide, USD, EURO or RUB in cash)

SHOPPING:
Your guide can assist you in your purchase of Russian souvenirs for your relatives and friends such as shawls, objects made of malachite and lapis-lazuli, 'Matroyshka' dolls, painted wooden ecology-friendly toys for kids, watches with revolutionary or Soviet symbols, fur, crystal, gold, icons, stamps with pictures of the Russian Imperial Family, caviar, vodka and much more. We know the stores where the prices are lowest and the selections larger than usual. We want you to get the high quality you desire at a fair price.

HYDROFOIL:
Upon your request made in advance, we can add a hydrofoil ride to/from Peterhof. Please be informed that some people consider St.Petersburg hydrofoils to be too noisy and crowded. Due to local navigation safety standards, they may not be available on very windy days.

EARLY ADMISSION:
We can arrange for "early admission" which allow you to enter the museums earlier than the official opening hours or "special opening" which allows you to visit the museum when it is typically closed. However, please do not expect to be the only visitors there. It is not a reservation made by one company for one group of tourists. That's how some tour providers will present it. Sometimes the museum is more crowded during "early admission" hours than after it's officially open for public. Usually museum occupancy depends on the number of cruise ships in the port on any given day. In other words that depends on your luck. Even though we won't be able to avoid all the crowds inside the sights (most of the city must sees are crowded from May to September) please do not be concerned, we will be able to take you inside avoiding long lines.

What you can expect during your visit

• Transportation vehicle and equipment sanitized between use
• Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
• Face masks required for travelers and staff
• Regular temperature checks for staff