Ideal for first-time visitors, who want to see the main highlights of St.Petersburg on a moderate pace as well as do some shopping and enjoy scenic views of the city with no hurry! This memorable tour will take you around the city to admire its beauty, you will see the Fortress of Peter and Paul - burial place of Romanoffs, visit the stunning suburbian residence - Peterhof - favourite place of Peter the Great, explore one of the world's biggest arts collections at the famous Hermitage Museum, see 3 main cathedrals of St.Petersburg: St Isaac's, Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan and Savior on Blood Church, admire the world's richest collection of Faberge eggs at Faberge Museum, as well as enjoy the relaxing boat cruise along the Neva river to see the beauty of the city from water.

Inside visits of:

• Fountains and Park Complex of Peterhof
• Peter & Paul Fortress and Cathedral
• Hermitage Museum
• Faberge Museum

As well as:

• Boat trip
• Hydrofoil ride
• Shopping

DAY 1

• 9.00 am - Meeting at the ship (please, note the time of the beginning of the tour will be adjusted depending on your ship arrival time)
• 9:00 am – 1:00 pm - City tour - includes driving and photo stops in the most beautiful, historical places in St Petersburg. You will see the main city's highlights, Nevsky Prospect - city's main avenue, 3 main cathedrals of St.Petersburg: St Isaac's, Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan and Savior on Blood Church and have guided tour of Peter and Paul Fortress and Cathedral. 

The St Isaac's Cathedral is the former principal Orthodox cathedral of the country and one of the most visited city landmarks. The exterior of the cathedral barely hints at its breathtaking interior, which is adorned with gold, semi-precious stones, mosaics and oil paintings.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan is located on the main street of the city. It was inspired by St Peter's Basilica in Rome. This impressive church became a monument to Russia's victory after the war of 1812. The church has regular services and it is also home to a museum.

The Church of our Saviour on Spilled Blood was built on the spot where Emperor Alexander II was mortally wounded. The interior of the church is decorated with incredibly detailed mosaics, designed and created by the most prominent Russian artists of the day.

Peter and Paul Fortress: originally built to protect the city from Swedish attack, the fortress soon became Russia's Tower of London and a place for political prisoners - including Peter the Great's own son.

The Peter and Paul Cathedral: the city's tallest structure in the days of Peter the Great; even today, only the television tower exceeds it in the height. The ornate interior boasts gilded iconostasis, 18th-century paintings and icons, and the tombs of many tsars and tsarinas, including Peter the Great and Catherine the Great.

• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Lunch (expenses not included)
• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Shared boat ride along rivers and canals
• 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm  - Guided tour of the Faberge Museum (At this point of the tour you will join a small group tour up to 15-18 people, in all other museums you will have private tours. In case of small group tour is not available for this date, you will be able to explore the Museum with an audioguide (cost 150 RUB/per person / the deposit for each audioguide is 1000 RUB/per person, that will be refunded to you as you finish exploring the Museum). If you prefer to have a private Faberge tour, please contact us for more details)

Faberge Museum: was founded to preserve, study, and promote Russia's cultural heritage as well as to develop the city's extensive network of museums. The museum's collection contains the world's largest collection of works by Carl Fabergé, including nine of the famous Imperial Easter Eggs, regarded not only as the finest jewelled works of art but also as unique historical artefacts. The museum's collection also includes decorative and applied works made by the Russian masters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

• 5:00 pm - Return to the ship or optional evening program (theatre/folk show)

DAY 2

• 9:30 am - Meeting at the ship
• 10:30 am – 12:30 pm - Guided tour of the State Hermitage Museum (Hermitage authorities reserve the right to adjust the entrance time slot). 

The Hermitage: the Tsars' former Winter Palace and four other buildings that house one of the world's premier art collections. Your 3-3.5 hour guided tour will take you through rooms which contain over three million pieces of art, including paintings by Da Vinci, Rafael and Rembrandt. Designed by Rastrelli, the Baroque Winter Palace boasts patterned parquet floors, ornate staircases and moulded and decorated ceilings.

• 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm - Hydrofoil ride to Peterhof Park and Fountains Complex

Hydrofoil ride: 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!

• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Lunch (expenses not included)
• 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm - Peterhof Park and Fountains Complex exploration

Peterhof: former summer Imperial residence. Set in magnificent gardens, Peterhof is reminiscent of Versailles. It was almost completely destroyed by the Nazis in World War II, but has been restored to its full splendour. The gardens are dotted with charming pavilions, summer houses and are also home to Peterhof's famous fountains, including the Samson Cascade and the ever-popular Joke Fountains, one of which sprays anyone who steps on a particular paving stone.

• 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Hydrofoil back to St.Petersburg
• 6:30 pm - Return to the ship or optional evening program (Evening city tour / Vodka Museum)

DAY 3

• 9:00 am - Meeting at the ship
• 10:00 am - 2:00 pm - Shopping and Lunch (own expenses), accompanied by guide and driver. 

Want to bring home some amazing souvenirs, search out unique gifts, or simply love shopping? This day offers some unique shopping experiences in St. Petersburg along Nevsky Prospect, St. Petersburg's main street. It is impossible to get to know the real Russia without getting acquainted with its traditions, folklore, customs, beliefs, and, of course, applied art. Applied arts of Russia accumulate all the abovementioned for the hand-made works produced by traditional masters. We will pick you up from your ship and you will begin a journey to the best shops in the city. You will visit the store located at the Arts' square (close to the Grand Hotel Europe), a definite highlight and home to a range of paintings created by local Russian artists, together with various souvenirs and craftworks, ATM and money exchange facilities. US dollars and major credit cards can be used in the store. You will take great pleasure in shopping for these exclusively Russian works of art and in afterwards presenting your relatives and friends with these souvenirs which will not only take your breath away but also keep the memory about Russia in your hearts for a long time. Then, put your purchases at your vehicle and walk to the flea market behind the Spilled Blood Cathedral. There is the best shopping for price and selection. Here U.S. dollars are readily accepted and the prices are negotiable. Visit Gostiny Dvor, a huge department store, where you can buy such traditional Russian goods as lacquered boxes, jewellery, pins, hand-painted nesting dolls, usually called "Matryoshka dolls", china and porcelain and many others. Constructed between 1757 and 1785, Gostiny Dvor has a reputation for being one of the world's first shopping malls and occupies a whole city block on Nevsky Prospekt. At the end of your visit, put all your treasures on your vehicle and return to the ship.

If you wish to explore some more sights on this day - let us know.

INCLUDED

• Professional English-speaking guide assistance. Other languages upon request (additional charge may apply)
• Driver’s services as per the program (Comfortable car/minivan with A/C)
• Entrance fee tо Peterhof Park and Fountains Complex (no Palace)
• Entrance fee to Hermitage museum
• Entrance fee to Faberge museum
• Entrance fee to Peter and Paul's Cathedral
• Boat trip
• Photo and video permissions at the museums
• Blanket visas
• All port fees and local taxes
• Headsets for the groups of 7 and up

NOT INCLUDED

• Cost of lunches. It's recommended to add lunch if your group is 7 people+. The additional cost is $25 per person per 1 lunch in a restaurant.
• Gratuities to guide/driver (optional)
• Personal expenses
  
• Optional evening activities on Day 1 and 2

Note, please:

• We provide a discount for children up to 6 y.o.
• Gratuities to the guide and driver are not included in the tour price. The sum you wish to give to your guide and driver after a well-done tour should be up to the western standards (approximately 15%). It is a good idea to divide gratuity between your guide and driver and give it separately to them: 10% to the guide and 5% to the driver. Please have some cash with you (USD, EUR or RUB) for this reason, but it is always up to you!
• Please, ensure that you make your booking at least 5-7 working days prior to your ship's arrival to St. Petersburg. The port authorities require all passport information in advance and late bookings sent in less than 5 working days will be rejected.

Important Information:

You must allow plenty of time to get through the security at St Petersburg Port, sometimes the queues at security can be very long and it can take a long time to get through, please disembark your cruise ship in plenty of time in order to meet your tour.

Please note: Going through security checks on your first day of arrival may take a long time, UVisitRussia do not have any control over this, please be patient and allow plenty of time. If you are touring the 2nd or 3rd day, generally security is not as bad as the 1st day of arrival.