This 2 full day program is tailored for the cruise ship passenger who wants to see the most famous sites of St. Petersburg on a reasonable budget. The two-day program is planned so that you take a trip to the most famous suburban summer residence of the Russian royal family (Peterhof) on one day and on the other day explore the city's main highlights and visit the world-famous Hermitage Museum.

On the first day (6 hours) explore the legendary Hermitage Museum, that houses the 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. Then enjoy the city sightseeing tour (both walking and by car) to see the main city pearls of St.Petersburg from the outside, like Nevsky prospect, Kazansky Cathedral, State Russian Museum, Admiralty, Palace Square, Naval Museum, St Petersburg University, Menshikov Palace, Academy of Fine Arts, Bronze Horseman, Alexandrinsky Theatre, Smolny Cathedral, monument to Catherine the Great, Square of Arts, fabulous Neva river embankement, etc.

Spend the second day (5 hours) exploring the magnificent Peterhof estate with a dreamy seafront setting, grandiose palace, and beautifully manicured gardens boasting over 140 fountains, Peterhof is widely recognized as being the most spectacular imperial palace in St. Petersburg. Step into the Peterhof Palace and be transported back to the days of Catherine the Great and Peter the Great. Wander through vast rooms with opulently decorated interiors and furniture collected since the beginning of its construction in 1714. The palace itself sits amid an enormous park, adorned with fountains, statues, and pavilions. The Upper Garden is a formal French-style garden with 5 fountains including 1 depicting Neptune, the God of the Sea. The estate's Lower Park lies between the Grand Palace and the seashore and boasts the world's largest system of fountains, earning the title the “Russian Versailles.” The park's unique fountain system was designed in the 18th century and doesn't require the use of any pumps to operate.

Both days you will be collected from the ship pier and returned back by a private comfortable car. The guide will advise you where to have lunches on the spot (own expense).

Complimentary (weather permitting and upon availability) roundtrip hydrofoil transfer St.Petersburg - Peterhof can be provided on day 2.

As long as St.Petersburg was built as a seaport, the main and most beautiful buildings are located on the shores of Neva river, with facades to the river, so you will have an excellent opportunity to consider the most beautiful architectural masterpieces of St. Petersburg from the water, a perspective most people will never see. It is the best place which offers you an unobstructed view of the banks, for there are a number of remarkable sites to look at. The hydrofoil trip itself from St.Petersburg to Peterhov will take you only 45 minutes, which is three times faster than if you travel there by car and definitely more exciting.

INCLUDED:

• Ship pier pick up and drop off
• Professional English-speaking guide assistance. Other languages upon request (additional charge may apply)
• Driver’s services for 2 days depending on the program (Comfortable car/minivan with A/C)
• Fully private tour
• City overview tour
• Entrance fee to the Hermitage museum
• Entrance fee tо Peterhof Park and Fountains Complex and Grand Palace
• All taxes, fees and handling charges
• Port visas

NOT INCLUDED:

• Food and Drinks
• Personal expenses
• Gratuities to guide/driver (optional)

PLEASE NOTE:

• Order of tour days may be changed due to days-off on particular sights
• The timings in the itinerary are approximate and can be altered based on entrance time available to a particular sight

DEPARTURE/RETURN DETAILS: flexible (adjusted to the arrival/departure time of your ship)

Comfortable clothing and sensible walking shoes are recommended. Sun glasses and sun screen are suggested.

Guests must be able to walk a total of approximately 2 miles each day. Long flights of stairs are required to reach the public rooms in most palaces and the Hermitage. Due to the quick pace, this tour is not suitable for any mobility restricted traveler including slow walkers, or guests who need to sit and rest periodically. Minimum age to participate is 4yo. Due to the long day of touring each day, it is not suggested for children under 12.

Due to administration and immigration restrictions, there will be no refund for programs canceled within 15 days of departure.

Note that all of our tours in St. Petersburg are operated by authorized guides, and you therefore do not need to secure an independent visa in order to participate in this tour. However, in order to book this tour, you must provide us with full names, dates of birth, nationality, and passport numbers for each tour participant so that our guides can secure the proper tour visas on your behalf. Note also that, if you wish to explore St. Petersburg on your own while not accompanied by one of our guides, you will need to secure an independent visa.

Please be aware that cruise lines occasionally mislead passengers by telling them that they are not allowed to disembark the ship in St. Petersburg unless they are on an excursion purchased through the cruise line. In addition, the cruise lines also sometimes tell passengers that they cannot disembark the ship until the passengers on the cruise lines' excursions have done so first. This is incorrect, and you are free to exit the ship as soon as passengers start to disembark because Russian law states that a cruise ship cannot hold passengers onboard against their will as long as they have the proper documents. In order to clear immigration, you will need to bring along: 1) Your passport; 2) A photocopy of the picture page of your passport; and 3) A copy of your tour tickets. 4) An immigration form passed out to all guests on the ship. We will provide you with your tour tickets as part of the documents we e-mail to you after you make a tour booking.