English, Australian
St. Petersburg is the gem of Russia truly worth exploring while in the country. Founded by Tsar Peter the Great back in 1703, it is now called the City of Tsars because of its magnificent architecture and eventful history.
Welcome to the legendary Venice of the North and the brilliant Northern capital of Russia - St. Petersburg! Your driver meets you at the airport and transfers you to your centrally located hotel for check-in.
In the evening meet your guide and have a welcome cocktail in the hotel lobby bar. You may discuss details of the upcoming tours and get to know more interesting facts about St Petersburg.
Breakfast and a welcome drink are included.
After breakfast, you meet your guide in the hotel lobby and go on an amazing panoramic city tour around the most cherished gems of St. Petersburg, including Palace Square, the Hermitage Museum, the Mariinsky Theater, Nevsky Prospect and many other popular attractions.
Have a break to taste a famous Russian afternoon tea ceremony with assorted crepes, meat pirozhki, caviar and a glass of champagne.
Continue your tour with a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress - a burial place of almost all the Russian emperors and empresses from Peter the Great to Nicholas II and his family. Then you go inside to the magnificent St. Isaac's Cathedral and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, which stands where Russia's great emperor Alexander II was mortally wounded.
After the tour, you return to your hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure.
Optional activity: Premium Russian Afternoon Tea
Breakfast, snacks, and drinks are included.
Following breakfast you meet your guide in the hotel lobby and go to the legendary Hermitage Museum before hours to avoid large crowds. Hermitage houses its unique collection of world art, including the masterpieces of Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, El Greco, Francisco Goya and Thomas Gainsborough in the halls of the Winter Palace.
They say that if you were to spend three minutes by each of the exhibits in the Hermitage, it would have taken you three years to see the entire exhibition. But don't worry - you have an experienced guide, who will show you the best rooms and halls of the exhibit within several hours.
You also go inside the famous Diamond Room, that contains the unique collection of priceless gems belonging to the Romanov family.
Return to your hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure.
Optional tour: Russian Vodka Museum and Vodka Tasting
Breakfast is included.
After breakfast you meet your guide in the hotel lobby and travel to the outskirts of Saint Petersburg to explore the former summer residence of Russian tsars and the gem of palace architecture - Peterhof.
During the tour you visit the famous Bath Cottage, which offers a fascinating insight into everyday life of Russian court, and take a walk in the beautiful Lower Park, lavishly adorned with 176 fountains of various forms and styles and numerous gilded statues of ancient gods and heroes. The highlight of the tour is a unique hydrofoil ride back to Saint Petersburg.
After the tour you return to your hotel and have the rest of the day free.
Breakfast is included.
After breakfast your guide meets you in the hotel lobby and takes you to one of the the most beautiful palaces in Saint Petersburg - the Shuvalov Palace located on the Fontanka River to show you the world's largest collection of works by Carl Faberge, including nine of the famous Imperial Easter Eggs, regarded not only as the finest jeweled works of art, but also as unique historical artifacts.
Have a lunch and then proceed to the General Staff Building to admire the Hermitage's superb collection of Modern European Art, primarily consisting of the world-famous French impressionist and post-impressionist paintings.
A private boat ride along beautiful canals and rivers of the Russian Northern capital comes as a final chord to your exploration of Saint Petersburg.
After the tour you return to your hotel and have time for leisure.
Breakfast and lunch are included.
Following breakfast you meet your guide in the hotel lobby and head for Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo) to explore the brilliant Catherine's Palace that is a striking example of baroque architecture gifted by Peter the Great to his wife Catherine I.
During the tour you walk through the lavish parks and gardens of this outstanding palace and enjoy its gorgeous interiors, including the replica of the world-renowned Amber Room.
After the tour you return to your hotel and in the evening you enjoy Farewell dinner in a company of your guide.
Optional activity: Caviar Tasting at Tsar Restaurant
Breakfast and dinner are included.
This is the final day of your amazing Saint Petersburg tour.
We hope you have enjoyed magnificent Venice of the North and return home with lifelong memories and unforgettable impressions.
After breakfast you check out from your hotel and private driver takes you to the airport. We wish you a safe flight and hope to work on your future trips!
Breakfast is included.
What's Included
- Accommodation at a luxurious 5-star hotel in Saint Petersburg in upgraded rooms;
- Breakfasts at the hotels;
- Meals according to the itinerary;
- Traditional Russian afternoon tea ceremony;
- Farewell dinner with a guide;
- Airport transfers and all transportation according to the itinerary;
- Rich sightseeing tours with professional English-speaking guides;
- Entrance tickets in Saint Petersburg: Peter and Paul Fortress, St Isaacs Cathedral, Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, Faberge Museum, General Staff Building, Diamond Room of the Hermitage, Pushkin Park and Catherine's Palace, Peterhof Park and Bath Cottage, before opening hours entrance to Hermitage;
- Private boat ride in Saint Petersburg;
- Full Russian visa processing service for US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens and visa support service (invitation) for customers from all other countries;
- Support line during the trip.
Note: we include 1 vehicle for your arrival and departure transfers. If multiple vehicles are required additional transfer costs will apply.
Not included: international flights, multiple arrival/departure transfers, other meals not mentioned in the program, optional tours and services, all personal expenses.
Tour Highlights
- Guided city tour of Saint Petersburg
- A visit to the Hermitage Museum's Diamond room
- Trip to Peterhof & Catherine's Palace and its Amber Room
- Tour of the Faberge Museum
- A boat ride along the canals of St. Petersburg
What To Know
- Russian climates are unpredictable and weather can be quite harsh even during summers
- Bringing a water-resistant jacket, umbrella, and some warm clothes is a must
- Usual tip size in restaurants is 10% of the check. Recommended tips for guides and drivers is $8-12 per day for a great level of service
