Day 1
8:30
Your private fully licensed guide and safe driver will greet you at passport immigration control next to your ship.
You will be taken on an OVERVIEW TOUR OF THE CITY in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle. This tour includes such prominent sights as: Nevsky Prospect (the main boulevard of St. Petersburg), Anichkov Bridge and Anichkov Palace, the Fontanka and Moika Rivers, Kazan Cathedral, Admiralty, Winter Palace, Palace Square, and many other sights. You'll become acquainted with the history of St. Petersburg and the Romanov family. You will see and take pictures of the marvelous panoramic sights along the banks of the Neva River and the most famous and beautiful sights of the city center.
Then set off for a JOURNEY TO PUSHKIN (TSARSKOE SELO) - one of St. Petersburg's suburbs within an hour drive from the city center. You will visit the summer residence of former Tsars- Catherine's Palace (including the famous Amber Room - the 8th Wonder of the World) and Catherine's Park with its many beautiful pavilions, sculptures, and ponds.
lunch (optional)*
PETERHOF TOUR. Peterhof is another summer residence of former Russian emperors. You will tour the Upper Garden which resembles Versailles in its planning and, of course, the Lower Park with its incomparable fountains. You'll be astonished by the Great Cascade with its gold-embossed sculptures glistening amidst springs of crystal clear water! Your guide will show you many beautiful fountains along with pavilions and sculptures that bare historical significance.
On the way back to St. Petersburg you will have a chance to see the "not so touristy" districts of St. Petersburg making a short METRO TRIP the interiors of which recall palaces not subways.
ST. ISAAC'S CATHEDRAL TOUR. The dome is gilded with 100 kilograms of gold. St. Isaac's is ranked as number one in the world for the richness of its interior decoration.
18:30
Return to the ship or attend optional evening activities**
Day 2
9:00
Your private guide and driver meet you at passport immigration control next to your ship.
CANAL CRUISE along rivers and canals of the "Venice of the North".
PETER AND PAUL FORTRESS TOUR. The fortress is the birth place of St. Petersburg. It developed into a city under the rule of the Romanovs - the ruling dynasty in Russia from Peter's grandfather Mikhail until the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II.
You will visit PETER AND PAUL CATHEDRAL where nearly all the Russian emperors are buried.
SAVIOR ON THE SPILT BLOOD CATHERAL TOUR. The cathedral amazes visitors with its mighty group of multicolored "onion" domes and the magnitude of its decor.
lunch ( optional)*
HERMITAGE EXCURSION - Includes the 4 buildings of this ensemble the Winter Palace, the small Hermitage, the New Hermitage, and the Old Hermitage. Observe the magnificent interiors of the buildings, State Halls, and the most important masterpieces of the Western European artists. When you are inside of its miraculous halls, you'll have a strong sensation of having gone back to the times of the emperors.
17:00
Return to the ship
We can personalize this tour itinerary to satisfy your wishes and interests
If the mentioned cost is beyond your travel budget you can invite some fellow cruisers to join your party increasing its size and reducing the price per person. We can assist you in setting up your group, offering this option to all travelers who might be interested in joining you on the same dates.
No questions about this product, be the first and ask your question.
- Guide services
- Driver services
- Air conditioned vehicle
- Blanket visas (visa-free service)
- Admissions to all museums as per program
- Canal cruise
- Bottled water
- Photo& video permits
- All taxes and fees
- Metro trip
- Rain coats
- 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