Day 1
8:30
Your 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.
Then set off for a JOURNEY TO PUSHKIN (TZARSKOE SELO) - one of St. Petersburg's suburbs within an hour drive from the city center. You will visit former Tsars' summer residence - Catherine's Palace including the famous Amber Room - the 8th "wonder" of the World and Catherine's Park.
Have free time to have lunch in one of the local cafés (included for the groups more than 8 people).
PETERHOF TOUR - Another summer residence of Russian emperors. You will see the Upper Garden which resembles Versailles in its planning and, of course, the Lower Park with its incomparable Fountains.
On the way back to St. Petersburg you will have a chance to see the "not so touristy" St. Petersburg and to have a short METRO TRIP the interiors recall palaces not subways.
17:30
Return to the ship or attend optional evening activities**
Day 2
8:00
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".
During the city tour you will see lots of the city highlights including:
- Bronze Horseman, Monument To Peter I, St. Petersburg, Russia One of the most impressive monuments of St Petersburg
- The Building Of The Admiralty, St. Petersburg, Russia Peter the Great's original fortified shipyard. Its weather vane atop the spire has become the symbol of the city.
- Enjoy the beauty of SAVIOR ON THE Spilled BLOOD CATHEDRAL, which startles visitors with its mighty size, multicolored "onion" domes.
- Have free time to have lunch in one of the local cafés (own expense).
- Visit the HERMITAGE MUSEUM: Includes the 4 buildings of this ensemble: the Winter Palace, the small Hermitage, the New Hermitage, and the Old Hermitage. Enjoy art collections with over three million works of art, the spectacular state and private rooms.
- ST. ISAAC CATHEDRAL- You will visit the biggest cupola cathedral of Russia. 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.
17:00
Return to the ship
Note: Your guide may change the sequence of sightseeing, depending on museums occupancy, days off, traffic and other circumstances. Please do not be concerned. You will see all the sights mentioned in your itinerary.
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
- Bottled water
- All taxes and fees
- Rain coats
- Lunch
- 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