Best of St. Petersburg - 2 Days

18.5 hours | St. Petersburg | L E D - 1 0 0
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AUD$ 649.95
Exceptional Value

Exceptional Value

Exceptional Value

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Points of Interest

  • Hermitage Museum
  • Peterhof Palace
  • Peter & Paul Fortress
  • Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
  • St. Isaac's Cathedral
  • Canal Cruise
Shopping Opportunities, Includes meal, Strenuous activity

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

The first day of this spectacular tour begins with a visit to the Peter and Paul fortress, which was originally built to protect the city from Swedish attack. The fortress soon became Russia's Tower of London, and a place for imprisoning political prisoners, including Peter the Great's own son. Here, you will also visit the city's second tallest structure, the Peter and Paul Cathedral, which boasts an ornate gilded interior, 18th-century paintings, and the tomb of Catherine the Great.

Throughout both days, you will be driving through many of the city's residential and suburban districts - a truly excellent way to absorb the sights.

After a brief photo stop you will head to the impressive Hermitage museum, home to more than three million works of art. Explore the display rooms accompanied by your guide and enjoy viewing paintings by Da Vinci, Rembrandt and Titian.

By now you will have earned your delicious Russian lunch, which will be served in one of the best restaurants in St. Petersburg, and includes a choice of Russian sparkling wine and vodka, red caviar and local entertainment.

Your day continues with a visit to the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, a magnificently restored building that was built on the site of the March 1st, 1881 assassination of Tsar Alexander II.

Your last stop, before heading back to the ship, is the awe-inspiring St. Isaac's Cathedral, which boasts a massive central dome, lavishly covered with 220 pounds of pure gold.

Day two begins with a tour of both the Grand Palace of Peterhof and its lovely gardens, often called Russia's Versailles. This magnificent palace sits atop a hill overlooking the Gulf of Finland. Inside, you will marvel at the impressive Throne Room, Portrait Room and stunning White Dining Room. After your tour of the palace you will be able to explore the breath-taking 300-acre park and the Grand Cascade fountains, which feature Samson prying open the lion's jaws.

Savor your lunch feast served at another of St. Petersburg's finest restaurants before enjoying an hour-long canal tour in a boat along the Fontanka River or the Moika River. Your guide will be on hand to narrate your detailed route while you enjoy a glass of Russian sparkling wine, passing under many picturesque bridges.

Climbing back on to the bus you will head to the magnificent Yusupov Palace, noted as the site of the assassination of the monk Rasputin. Here, you will visit the palace's delicately restored apartments, and view an exhibition of photographs, waxworks, and the actual cellar room where Rasputin was poisoned then shot.

Your super-sized excursion ends with a stop at one of St. Petersburg's souvenir shops, where you will have time to browse and barter for many classical Russian gifts including lacquered boxes and painted nesting dolls.

Special Notes:

THIS TOUR IS NOT AVAILABLE TO PASSENGERS EMBARKING OR DISEMBARKING IN ST. PETERSBURG

The Church on the Spilled Blood is not accessible from June 1 through to July 20, 2020. A photo stop near the cathedral will still be included.

This tour is non-refundable within 7 days of the call.
Each of the sites included in the tour description will be visited sometime during the two days. Tour order will vary to avoid overcrowding at venues, opening and closing times or other logistical issues.

The Hermitage Museum requires all visitors to pass through security screening. Guests with a pacemaker must carry proof of medical exemption to avoid the screening process without exceptions. Admission will otherwise be denied into the museum.

The fountains at Peterhof are subject to maintenance work without advance notice. Protective overshoes are required inside the palace; these will be provided. Large bags, backpacks and flash photography are not allowed inside the Hermitage Museum.

Camera and video fees for the Hermitage, St. Isaac's Cathedral, Yusupov Palace, Peter & Paul Cathedral, Peterhof Grand palace and Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood are included in the tour.

Tour involves walking and stair climbing and is not wheelchair accessible. You might encounter considerable crowds, lines and delays at the venues.

Canal routing may vary; routing can be changed to the Neva River if tidal conditions do not permit entry to the canals. Tour involves walking and stair climbing. The boat piers as well as motor coaches are NOT wheelchair friendly.

Child Price:

12 & under reduced

Details

Tour timeline may vary to avoid overcrowding, etc.

Day 1 - Depart from ship for a panoramic drive

Transport type:
Air Conditioned Motorcoach
Transport Capacity:
32
Travel time:
01:00

Tour of the Lower Garden with fountains

Transport type:
Walking
Transport Capacity:
32
Travel time:
00:05
Time at site:
01:00
Inside visit:
Yes
Walking distance:
1500
Steps:
130
Wheelchair accessible:
Yes
Restroom available:
No

Lunch at one of the local restaurant with a folkloric band performance

Transport Capacity:
32
Travel time:
01:30
Time at site:
01:15
Inside visit:
Yes
Air conditioned:
Yes
Wheelchair accessible:
No
Restroom available:
Yes

Lunch at a leading local restaurant

Transport Capacity:
32
Travel time:
01:30
Time at site:
01:15
Inside visit:
Yes
Air conditioned:
Yes
Wheelchair accessible:
No
Restroom available:
Yes

Guided tour of Yusupov Palace including a Rasputin cellar

Transport type:
Walking
Transport Capacity:
32
Travel time:
00:30
Time at site:
01:00
Inside visit:
Yes
Air conditioned:
No
Walking distance:
665
Steps:
60
Wheelchair accessible:
No
Restroom available:
Yes
Shopping available:
Yes

Shopping at a local souvenir shop

Transport type:
Walking
Transport Capacity:
32
Travel time:
00:30
Time at site:
00:30
Free time at site:
30
Inside visit:
Yes
Air conditioned:
Yes
Walking distance:
55
Steps:
5
Wheelchair accessible:
Yes
Restroom available:
Yes
Shopping available:
Yes

Reboard your motorcoach and return to your ship

Transport type:
Air Conditioned Motorcoach
Transport Capacity:
32
Travel time:
00:30

Visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Cathedral

Transport type:
Walking
Transport Capacity:
32
Time at site:
00:30
Inside visit:
Yes
Air conditioned:
No
Walking distance:
980
Steps:
5
Wheelchair accessible:
Yes
Restroom available:
Yes
Shopping available:
Yes

Guided tour of the Hermitage museum

Transport type:
Walking
Transport Capacity:
32
Travel time:
00:40
Time at site:
02:00
Inside visit:
Yes
Air conditioned:
No
Walking distance:
3300
Steps:
125
Wheelchair accessible:
Yes
Restroom available:
Yes
Shopping available:
Yes
Photo/video restrictions:
Yes

Lunch at one of the local restaurant with a folkloric band performance

Transport Capacity:
32
Travel time:
00:30
Time at site:
01:15
Inside visit:
Yes
Air conditioned:
Yes
Wheelchair accessible:
No
Restroom available:
Yes

Guided tour of the Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood

Transport type:
Walking
Transport Capacity:
32
Travel time:
00:30
Time at site:
00:45
Free time at site:
15
Inside visit:
Yes
Air conditioned:
No
Walking distance:
480
Steps:
3
Wheelchair accessible:
Yes
Restroom available:
Yes
Shopping available:
Yes

Guided tour of St. Isaac's Cathedral

Transport type:
Walking
Transport Capacity:
32
Travel time:
00:30
Time at site:
00:45
Inside visit:
Yes
Air conditioned:
No
Walking distance:
400
Steps:
8
Wheelchair accessible:
No
Restroom available:
Yes
Shopping available:
Yes

Re-board your motorcoach and return to your ship

Transport type:
Air Conditioned Motorcoach
Transport Capacity:
32
Travel time:
00:30

Day 2 - Depart from ship for a guided tour of Grand palace in Peterhof

Transport type:
Air Conditioned Motorcoach
Transport Capacity:
32
Travel time:
01:15

Tour of the Grand Palace in Peterhof

Transport type:
Walking
Transport Capacity:
32
Time at site:
01:00
Inside visit:
Yes
Air conditioned:
No
Walking distance:
670
Steps:
70
Wheelchair accessible:
No
Restroom available:
Yes
Shopping available:
Yes
Photo/video restrictions:
Yes