Lavish St.Petersburg Tour

Intensive Activity / 22 hours

Day 1

8:00
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.

Visit ST. NICHOLAS CATHEDRAL. It has always been closely associated with the Russian Navy, serving as its main shrine until the revolution

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 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. You will have a tour of TSARS BATH HOUSE its interiors will definitely impress you.

On the way back to St. Petersburg you will have a chance to see the "not so touristy" districts of St. Petersburg and to have a short METRO TRIP the interiors 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.

FOLKLORE SHOW at NIKOLAEVSKY PALACE "Feel Yourself Russian": Russian dances, songs, magic tricks, traditional Russian instruments (balalaika, gusli, playing on wooden spoons, or on saws) and much more. Russian Buffet is included: snacks, caviar and champagne.

Or RUSSIAN BALLET**

21:30
Return to the ship

Day 2

8:30
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.

YUSUPOV PALACE TOUR -This Palace was the site of the murder of Gregory Rasputin. Your guide will tell you that most mystical and tragic story: a very dramatic moment of Russian history.

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.

SPILT BLOOD CATHEDRAL TOUR – The cathedral amazes visitors with its mighty group of multicolored "onion" domes and the magnitude of its decor.

17:00
Return to the ship

We can personalize this tour itinerary to satisfy your wishes and interests

Not included: 

Lunches 

Russian ballet



** 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) 



 **RUSSIAN BALLET: 

After the first day's tour you may attend the Nikolaevsky Palace to watch the mentioned Russian folklore( worth seeing) or if you prefer to watch a ballet, please let us know. We can reserve the best tickets in advance for you. You can visit the famous Mariinsky (former Kirov), Hermitage, Mikhailovsky, Alexandrinksy, Palace Theaters. 



***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)