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Venice of the North

See all of St Petersburg's most amazing sites with our expert local guide! This exciting tour offers the best introduction to the city, showcasing its unique history and culture, astonishing architecture and fabulous art. St Petersburg, country’s cultural heart, is often referred to as the Venice of the North, due to its many beautiful channels, rivers and bridges. This tour is a great way to get a great overview of the city and have unforgettable experience!

Experience St Petersburg’s most sought-after attractions including Winter Palace, the Peter and Paul's fortress, St Issac's Cathedral and Church on Spilled Blood. Explore Russia’s national museum – the Hermitage, and immerse into the world of the Royals with knowledgeable guide! The collection of the State Hermitage includes over 3 million works of art and unique world culture artifacts - amazing paintings, graphic works, sculptures, works of applied art, archaeological artifacts and numismatic objects. After visiting imperial estates like Pushkin and Petergof and seeing amazing imperial attractions like magnificent Grand Cascade and fabulous Catherine's Palace, visit one of the most beautiful private palaces in St. Petersburg - Yusupov Palace and learn about legendary Russian family of the Princes Yusupovs and famous Grigory Rasputin. One of the world's most beautiful cities, St. Petersburg has all the ingredients for an unforgettable travel experience: high art, lavish architecture, an extraordinary history and rich cultural traditions that have inspired and nurtured some of the modern world's greatest literature, music, and visual art. St Petersburg will charm and entice you!

Type: Private Tour
Duration: 7 days

Itinerary Hide all details

Day 1: St. Petersburg, arrival and free evening

Welkom to St Petersburg, a city of magic beauty, countless bridges and canals. Spend the evening at leisure before your tomorrow sightseeng tour starts. Transfer to the hotel is included.

Day 2: St. Petersburg, city tour

Meet your guide at your hotel and start your 8-hour city tour with a look at the city’s center to learn about amazing imperial past, visiting sights like the Peter and Paul's fortress with soaring golden spire of the Baroque and huge St Issac's Cathedral, and then move to the Church on Spilled Blood, built in a historical Russian style with colorful onion domes. After tasty lunch travel along Palace Square, seeing baroque white-and-azure Winter Palace of Russian tsars and Alexander Column - two of the town’s main landmarks – and then continue to Hermitage Museum, unmissable attraction on any St. Petersburg itinerary. Learn about the museum’s history as you walk around admiring the artwork with your experienced guide. Then transfer back to your hotel.

Day 3: Visit to Catherine's Palace

In the morning your guide takes you to Pushkin with the vast baroque Catherine Palace, a real pearl among the summer residences of the Romanovs and a UNESCO site. The interiors are superb, with highlights including the world-famous Amber Room, where the whole surface of the walls is covered with natural amber. Our experienced guide will give detailed explanation of what you'll see and take you around the royal Catherine’s park. Then have a tasty lunch accompanied by folk performances. Then return to your hotel.

Day 4: Peterhof

Board your coach and head to one of St. Petersburg's most famous and popular visitor attractions, amazing palace and park at Peterhof, which are often referred to as "the fountain capital". While you travel, listen to historical facts from your expected guide. Hugging the Gulf of Finland, 29km west of St Petersburg, Peterhof is really gem of the environs of the city. The astonishing palace is surrounded by leafy gardens and a spectacular ensemble of gravity-powered gilded fountains, including the Grand Cascade, the greatest fountain complex in the world. Then enjoy a tasty lunch and have the leisurely trip back to St Petersburg.

Day 5: The Yusupov Palace

Meet your friendly guide at your hotel and travel to the spectacular Yusupov Palace on the Moyka River with the best 19th-century interiors in the city. Learn more about sumptuous receptions, including dances and masquerades and the murder scene Grigory Rasputin - Siberian peasant who became a beginning of XX century spiritual mentor and family friend Emperor Nicholas II. Have a tasty lunch. Transfer back to your hotel.

Day 6: Free day in St. Petersburg

Spend the day at your leisure.

Day 7: Departure

Meet your driver at the hotel and transfer to the airport.

What's included

  • The best guides in St. Petersburg;
  • Hotel accommodation in a fine, central 4* hotel;
  • Private driver and all airport transfers;
  • All of the museum entrance fees;
  • Full Russian visa processing for US and Australian citizens and visa support for all other countries
Not included in the price

airfares to Russia, personal expenses, optional tours

Price

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Hotels

Hotel Rossi, St. Petersburg
Featuring a classic, 19th century design, this boutique hotel is by the Fontanka River, within a quarter mile of Nevsky Prospekt, Gostiny Dvor Metro and Ostrovsky Square. The Rossi Boutique Hotel has individually decorated rooms with a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi and antique-style furnishings. All s... Show more

* Hotels availability is subject to change. In case current hotels are booked out we will provide alternative hotels of an equal value for you.

Visa

Russian visa support (Russian visa invitation letter) is included.

Sights included in program

Saint Petersburg : Hermitage Museum
The Hermitage Museum is the world culture encyclopaedia written in Russian. It is a unique museum that combines a beautiful art collection with the memory of Russian national history. This is a museum of culture, a museum of art, a museum of Russian history, and also the museum of Russian architecture. The whole Hermitage is where the heritages of different nations were collected and displayed. It is one of the largest and oldest museums in the w... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Peterhof
A symbol of St. Petersburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site and an absolute must-see for tourists - Peterhof, also known as "the capital of fountains", is reason enough to go to Russia and admire its unique fountains and palaces. The palace and park at Peterhof (also known as Petrodvorets) are often referred to as "the Russian Versaille", although many visitors conclude that the comparison does a disservice to the grandeur and scope of this majestic... Read more
The Palace-and-Park ensemble of Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo) - a former country residence of Russian emperors - is a fascinating monument of the world's architectural and gardening arts of the XVIII-XX centuries, famous for the splendor of its Baroque interiors, including the stunning Gold suite of rooms and the unique Amber Room, the 8th wonder of the world. Its three parks occupy the area of 600 ha, on which over 100 architectural constructions ris... Read more
Saint Petersburg : St. Isaac Cathedral
St. Isaac's Cathedral is a colossal domed cathedral built in the nineteenth century. Its monumental and majestic image creates a unique accent in the city’s skyline and serves as much a landmark of the northern capital, as the spire of the Cathedral in the Peter and Paul Fortress and a gold ship atop of the Admiralty. It is originally the city's main church, one of the most impressive landmarks of the Russian Imperial capital. St. Isaac&rsq... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Peter and Paul Fortress
Located on the banks of the beautiful Neva River, the towering Peter and Paul Fortress dominates the skyline of St Petersburg. Built in 18th century, this amazing fortress is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in the city's rich history. The oldest building in St Petersburg, the grandiose Peter and Paul Fortress is the perfect destination for culture seekers and history buffs. Planned by Peter the Great as a defense against possible atta... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Nevsky Prospect
Almost three miles (five km) long, Nevsky Prospekt is one of the best-known streets in Russia and is the main thoroughfare of St Petersburg, starting at the Admiralty whose gilded spire is a famous city landmark, to the Moscow Railway Station and then to the Alexandr Nevsky Monastery where some of the country's most celebrated artistic figures are buried. It has been the hub of the city for centuries, cutting through the most historical part, and... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Savior on Blood
The Cathedral of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood is a unique masterpiece combining the old Russian style of architecture, talent of the best Russian artists and Italian stone carvers, and the art of Roman mosaic. Mosaics cover almost all the surface of the walls and ceilings there are 7 500 square meters of mosaics all in all. It is a unique example of a Russian style cathedral in the centre of St. Petersburg. Its coloured onion domes are so famous... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Admiralty
The One of St. Petersburg most oldest and, arguably, most historically important buildings, the Admiralty building serves as the focal point of Nevsky Prospekt, Gorokhovaya Ulitsa, and Voznesenskiy Prospekt. While its location at the convergence of some of St. Petersburg's most epochal streets embodied Peter's emphasis and, some would say, obsession with the importance of northern capital's maritime might, it served a far more important and reali... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Alexander Garden
The Alexander Garden lies along the south and west façades of the Russian Admiralty in St. Petersburg, parallel to the Neva River and Admiralty Quay, extending from Palace Square in the east to St. Isaac's Cathedral in the west. The English park is named after Alexander II of Russia who ordered some 52 species of trees to be planted there. It was formerly known as the Admiralty Boulevard, the Admiralty Meadow, and the Labourers Garden. Read more
One of the main St. Petersburg's Ballet stages. In Russia, Alexandrinsky Ballet is within 3 top Ballet companies: Mariinsky (Kirov) Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Alexandrinsky Ballet.The Hall is the hall of the Imperial theatre, beautifully decorated. In 2007 this historical 18th century building was restored and looks like in 1756. Alexandrinsky Theatre was the main Ballet and Opera stage of the Russian Empire before Mariinsky (Kirov) theatre. Alexand... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Amber room
The Amber Room is one of the most famous, mysterious, and majestic rooms of Catherine's Palace in St. Petersburg. Often hailed as "the eighth wonder of the world," it is an opulent room adorned with gold and precious amber. When Peter the Great met Frederick William I in November 1716 to mark the conclusion of an alliance between Russia and Prussia, the King gave the Emperor gifts that included the Amber Study. Peter wrote at the time to Empress ... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Arts Square
A small but elegant square in the center of the city, this single architectural ensemble was planned by the great Carlo Rossi. The square fis faced by many cultural and artistic institutions - the Grand Hall of the St. Petersburg Philharmonia, the Mikhailovsky Theater, the State Russian Museum, and others - resulted in it being called Ploshchad Iskusstv (Arts Square). In the center of the square, directly in front of the State Russian Museum... Read more
The most famous statue of Peter the Great was immortalised as the Bronze Horseman in the epic poem by Alexander Pushkin. With his horse (representing Russia) rearing above the snake of treason, Peter's enormous statue was sculpted over 12 years for Catherine the Great by Frenchman Etienne Falconet. Its inscription reads 'To Peter I from Catherine II – 1782'. The Bronze Horseman, an impressive monument to the founder of St Petersburg, Peter ... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Cruiser Aurora
The Cruiser Aurora Museum in St. Petersburg fired the shot that started the Bolshevik Revolution. The Aurora was one of three Pallada-class cruisers, built in St. Petersburg for service in the Far East  (on the Pacific). All ships of this class served during the Russo-Japanese War. Read more
Saint Petersburg : Kazansky Cathedral
Whilst taking a stroll along Nevsky Prospekt you cannot fail to notice the impressive Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan. Kazan Cathedral, constructed between 1801 and 1811 by the architect Andrei Voronikhin, was built to an enormous scale and boasts an impressive stone colonnade, encircling a small garden and central fountain. The cathedral was inspired by the Basilica of St. Peter’s in Rome and was intended to be the country’s... Read more
World-known Mariinsky (Kirov) Ballet and Opera theatre is one of top 6 ballet and opera companies in the world. It is a "must see" in St. Petersburg. The theatre has been the home of Russian ballet and opera since the 1860s and has become a mecca for both Russian and international artists. The theatre was reconstructed by A. Kavos, and in 1860 was opened as the Mariinsky Theatre. It was named after the wife of the reigning Tsar Alexander II, Ma... Read more
In 2001, the Mikhailovsky Theatre got its original name back. Year 2007 witnessed the revival of the Mikhailovsky Theatre; its magnificence came back to Arts Square. Nowadays, the Theatre both keeps traditions and introduces innovations.  Read more
Saint Petersburg : Palace Square
Palace Square, one of the most famous squares in the world, serves as an excellent example of how different architectural styles can be combined in a most elaborate and aesthetically pleasing way. This amazing Square, connecting Nevsky Prospekt with Palace Bridge leading to Vasilievsky Island, is the central city square of St Petersburg and of the former Russian Empire. It was the setting of many events of worldwide significance. The architectura... Read more
St. Michael's Castle, also called the Mikhailovsky Castle or the Engineers' Castle, is a former royal residence in the historic centre of Saint Petersburg, Russia. St. Michael's Castle was built as a residence for Emperor Paul I by architects Vincenzo Brenna and Vasili Bazhenov in 1797-1801. The castle looks different from each side, as the architects used motifs of various architectural styles such as French Classicism, Italian Renaissance and G... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Summer Garden
The Summer Garden occupies an island between the Fontanka, Moika, and the Swan Canal in Saint Petersburg, Russia and shares its name with the adjacent Summer Palace of Peter the Great. Read more
The city of Saint Petersburg is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places on earth, and virtually any building in the large historic center, threaded with canals dotted with baroque bridges, can be considered an attraction—and indeed, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is a magical city, with a long list of major attractions. Its Hermitage Museum, housed in the Winter Palace of the Romanov Dynasty, is both one of the world's gr... Read more
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Price for persons:

Our flexible payment options allow you to pay 20% of a deposit first and the remaining 80% in 14 days prior to your tour date - payment can be done both online or over the phone. This gives you the peace of mind knowing your spaces are booked on the tours and that you do not miss out on making the most of your time in Russia.

Also you get the best, top-rated and most experienced and knowledgeable hand-picked tour guide appointed on a priority basis.
In our experience, exceptional travel experiences are almost always delivered by exceptional people. With that in mind, we utilize a comprehensive approach to select and employ the best tour guides only. Multilingual and well travelled, each possesses deep insight into the diverse attractions and cultural patterns throughout the region. With us guides undergo a rigorous selection process, achieving outstanding knowledge of local culture and language. Rest assured that the best tour guides only will be working on the tours to give you excellent opportunity to explore the best of the sights during both short and long-term stay in Russia.

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+1 (888) 845-8877

Speak to an expert
Call us now

+1 (888) 845-8877

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