Imperial Residences of Saint-Petersburg: Peterhof Fountain parks and Catherine Palace

Uncover a breathtaking history of Russian Royal family on the way to Tsars’ Village where you will visit stunning Catherine Palace. Explore the palace, named by Elizabeth I after her mother, Catherine I, and behold the world-famous Amber Room and Golden Suite rooms where every single piece has its own history to tell. Than, you will have an excursion to the exquisite Lower and Upper Gardens of the Peterhof Residence. Grand Cascade fountains and other highlights including the Monplaisir Palace, Peter the Great’s favored retreat will be remembered during all of your lives. Avoid the lines with priority access at both places.

• 7-hour Catherine Palace and Peterhof Fountain Parks tour from St Petersburg
• Skip the lines and enjoy priority access
• Learn about the history of both royal residences from an expert guide
• Visit the Catherine Palace, started by Peter the Great and expanded by Elizabeth I in 1756
• Admire the Golden Suite rooms and famous Amber Room
• Visit the Lower Gardens of Peterhof, the brainchild of Peter the First
• Enjoy the Grand Cascade, trick fountains, Monplaisir Palace and other garden highlights

Meeting your guide in the hotel or cruise port .

Begging your journey towards Catherine Palace, which is located in Tsars’ Village, situated 20 km from the city center.
The drive will be a leisurely 45-50 minutes during which your guide will tell youq the history of the royal family and their dwellings and draw your attention to city highlights that you pass during the ride.

The resultant palace, completed in 1756, is nearly 1km in circumference, with elaborately decorated blue-and-white facades featuring gilded atlantes, caryatids and pilasters designed by German sculptor Johann Franz Dunker, who also worked with Rastrelli on the palace's original interiors. In Elizabeth's reign it took over 100kg of gold to decorate the palace exteriors, an excess that was deplored by Catherine the Great when she discovered the state and private funds that had been lavished on the building. The interiors of the Catherine Palace are no less spectacular.

The next stop of the tour is Peterhof which is approximately 40 mins ride from Catherine Palace. On the way from one suburb to another, you will have an amazing oppertunity to see typical “dacha” houses around Saint-Petersburg. During trip to Europe, Peter the Great aspired to build a Summer residence that would easily rival with the French Versailles and thus the triumphant and Peterhof Fountain Residence was started. The opening of the palace which is deviding 2 majestic parks took place in 1723 during the high point of Peter the Great’s reign over the Russian Empire. On our day tour of the Imperial residences you will get the chance to visit the Lower and Upper Gardens and admire more than 250 the fountain groups.
Then you will be returned to Saint-Petersburg at your hotel or to the port .

Items included: 
•	Pick-up from your hotel
•	Professional Driver and licenced guide 
•	Headsets to hear the guide clearly groups of 6 PAX
•	Hotel pickup and drop-off 
•	Guaranteed to skip the long lines 
•	Transport by air-conditioned minivan 
•	Entry/Admission - Catherine Palace and Park 

Exclusions 
•	Gratuities 
•	Food and drinks

Additional Information:
•	Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 7 days of travel.
•	Wheelchair accessible 
•	Infant seats available 
•	Children must be accompanied by an adult 
•	Comfortable walking shoes are recommended