WEEKEND IN ST. PETERSBURG

GENERAL INFORMATION

Saint Petersburg is a city that should be visited at least once. It does not have the rivals in the world. Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great in the delta of Neva River, located on numerous islands, crossed by 300 bridges St.Petersburg presents the magnificent architectural ensemble that is protected by UNESCO. The unique White Nights period – the unusual natural phenomenon when the day & night merged together adds the beauty and mystery to the city. Saint Petersburg was the capital of Russia for two centuries, and has witnessed a lot of important historical events. St. Petersburg boasts world-famous museums, theaters, cultural and educational institutions: Hermitage, St. Isaac's Cathedral, Russian Museum and Mariinsky Theater are just only four of them. The City is famous for its special creative atmosphere and attracts a lot of artists, poets and dreamers.

Enjoy the beauty and charm of this unique museum under the open air.

PRICES

UPON REQUEST

Prices are guaranteed from 2 guests and include all local taxes, entrance fees to the museums mentioned in the program, transfers from/to the airport, transportation as per the program, licensed guide services throughout the program.

ACCOMODATION

The rates are based on accommodation at double / twin rooms at Azimut Hote 4* or similar. Other hotels are available upon request.

GUIDE

Licensed English-speaking guide services throughout the program and transfers are included. Other languages are available for an additional payment upon request.

MEALS

Breakfast at the hotel.

TRANSPORTATION

Private car transportation for 2 persons; VIANO / VITO minivan for 3-5 persons; SPRINTER MERCEDES VAN – for 10-15 persons and buses (45-49 seats) for the groups from 15 persons.

ACTIVITIES:

• Orientation City tour with inside visits to Peter & Paul Fortress
• Visit to The State Hermitage Museum
• Visit to the Gardens in Peterghof

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOUR

ITINERARY

DAY 1

Arrival to St. Petersburg, meet & greet at the airport by your guide.

Transfer to the hotel.

After some time for rest your guide will invite you to the City tour.

City tour will feature the main St. Petersburg attractions – St. Isaac's Square, embankment of the Fontanka River, Church on the Spilled Blood, Summer Garden, Art Square, Kazan Cathedral, Nevsky Avenue, Palace Square, Neva River Embankment, Spit of the Basil Island will end on the territory of the Peter & Paul Fortress.

The Peter and Paul Fortress is a small ancient city in the center of modern megalopolis. From each side the fortress is enclosed by water and high gloomy walls. If you visit this place, soon you'll forget in which century you are, in twentieth or eighteenth? Cobble stoned paths, fortified bastions, cells with lattices on windows. For many years the fortress was a prison for the state convicts, where many famous Russian people (writers, poets, statesmen) were imprisoned.

After the tour around the Fortress enjoy inside visit to Peter & Paul Cathedral, the first Cathedral appeared in St. Petersburg and the burial place of all members of the Russian Royal Family. Passing by the St. Isaac's Cathedral enjoy its outside view. One of the most stunning structures in the world, the interior decoration of the cathedral is a symphony of gold, marble, lapis lazuli, malachite and porphyry. The walls and vaults are covered with painted and mosaic compositions, and the cathedral itself dominates the central part of the city. Designed by the French architect Montferrand between 1818 and 1858, it is the largest church in St. Petersburg with its height is 101,5 meters, and the golden dome of a cathedral is seen from all points of the city. The cathedral is surrounded by 112 columns, each of granite monolith weighs 114 tons.

Evening free

DAY 2

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning visit to Hermitage Complex.

The Hermitage, one of the world's greatest art museums and Russian largest art repository, consists of 5 buildings created by celebrated architects of the 18th to 19th century.

The Winter Palace, formerly the residence of Russian Emperors was constructed between 1754 and 1762, its interiors empress visitors by gilding and semiprecious stones used in its decoration. The collection of the State Hermitage includes over 3 million works of art and world culture artefacts. It contains paintings, graphic works, sculptures, works of applied art, archaeological artefacts and numismatic objects.

The Hermitage is considered to have been founded in 1764, when Empress Catherine the Great acquired an impressive collection of works from the Berlin merchant Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky.

Time for Lunch (the guide will recommend the guests the restaurant in accordance with their requirements and expectations).

After the lunch enjoy the optional tours or have a free time to explore the city by yourself.

Recommended optional
Excursion to Faberge museum
Boat trip along rivers and canals of St. Petersburg

Recommended evening activity
Ballet performance

DAY 3

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning enjoy the visit to the magnificient Gardens in Peterhof.

The Necklace of Pearls – this is what we often call the palace and park ensembles around St. Petersburg, all of them being places of architectural and historical interest.

These summer residences for tsarist family and St. Petersburg nobility were built and decorated by the best architects and masters of two centuries. During the Second World War practically all the suburban ensembles were barbarously destroyed.

Today as we enjoy the view of splendid Petrodvorets (Peterhof), we witness the wonder made by dedicated restorers Petrodvorets lies on the shore of the Finnish Gulf, 30 km away from St Petersburg. Peter the Great intended to build a summer residence as splendid as the Versailles palaces. The initial layout of the summer residence was drawn by Peter himself.

Recommended optional
Entrance to the Grand palace in Peterhof
Excursion to the Catherine’s palace & Park in Pushkin

Catherine Palace located in Tsarskoye Selo, or 'Tsar's Village', surrounded by a romantic park with mysterious arbours, pavilions, grottoes and statues. Upon arrival, admire the palace's beautiful, 984-foot (300-metre) azure facades; then ascend the Great Staircase in route to the beautiful staterooms on the second floor. See the gilded and opulent Great Hall, the Amber Room and the famous Green Dining Room. After the palace tour, take a brief guided stroll in the 1,400-acre (566-hectare) park.

Recommended evening activity
Folklore show "Feel yourself Russian"
Farewell dinner at TROIKA restaurant with the show

DAY 4 / DEPARTURE DAY

Breakfast at the hotel.

Check-out.

Depending on your flight time you can explore the city by yourself or book any optional tours we will be glad to offer you.

Transfer to the airport. Departure.