My Week in Imperial Saint-Petersburg

Arrival in Saint-Petersburg.

Transfer to the hotel.

Free time for rest.

OPTIONAL

EVENING SIGHTSEEING TOUR OF SAINT-PETERSBURG

We invite you on a tour of the evening Saint-Petersburg. In its evening charm, the main sights of the city will appear before you: mysterious granite embankments and romantic panoramas of the Neva with bridges stretching across it, rivers and canals, magnificent squares and streets framed by ancient palaces and mansions, architectural ensembles and majestic temples.

Optional: Dinner at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meeting with a guide in a hotel lobby.

Walking tour Yards of Saint-Petersburg (residential architecture).

Yards and front doors have long been included in the list of sights of Saint- Petersburg, without losing their originality. You will be imbued with their elusive beauty and history: you will “get lost” in the entrance courtyards, touch the wide window-sills, admire stucco molding and stained-glass windows. Stories will take you to Petersburg of the 19th century, and the route will allow you to make atmospheric shots. From the middle of the 18th century, unified facade lines appeared in the city – and with them the labyrinths of courtyards, doorway systems and passages. You will penetrate into this special world of non-standard Petersburg: you will learn about the reasons that influenced the appearance of the city; learn to distinguish a communal apartment from an ordinary one, understand the difference between the front door and the staircase, hear about the functions of the back staircase and, of course, see the famous courtyards-wells.

End of the tour near one of the central metro stations.

Free time (explore the city on your own).

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

DIVO-OSTROV PARK

After your guided tour, go for your adventure at Divo-Ostrov amusement park (easy to get to by metro to Krestovsky Ostrov metro station / taxi). Entrance to the Park is paid –100 rubles per person.

Divo-Ostrov is the largest amusement Park in Saint-Petersburg and one of the favorite places for recreation and entertainment for both local residents and guests of the city. It is located on the territory of the Primorsky Victory Park. Located within walking distance from the city center, the Park attracts more and more tourists every year, who appreciate it not only for the abundance of entertainment, but also for the opportunity to take a leisurely walk and admire the natural beauty, as well as dine in one of the several restaurants on site. The Park includes 46 rides from the world's most famous manufacturers, some of them are in the TOP 10 best rides in the world, and some are the only ones in Russia.
If you leave the amusement Park and walk to the end of Primorsky Victory Park (~2 km), you will see in all its glory a unique all-weather, high-tech and most visited stadium in Eastern Europe – Gazprom arena.

THE PARK OF THE 300th ANNIVERSARY OF SAINT-PETERSBURG

You can walk on foot about 2.5 km to the park from Gazprom Arena. If you decide not to watch Gazprom arena, you can get to the 300th anniversary Park this way: go to the Staraya Derevnya metro station and take the K-232 bus to the Primorskiy Prospekt 147 stop / by taxi.

In addition to the traditional classic Saint-Petersburg, we offer you to get acquainted with modern Saint-Petersburg with its urban landscapes and the latest buildings. The 300th anniversary Park of Saint-Petersburg is a real gift to the residents and guests of the Northern capital for the anniversary of the city. The picturesque green area located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, although it appeared in the city not so long ago, has already become a favorite place for many people to meet and walk. The Park has its own attractions, as well as a sandy beach with a beautiful view of the Bay. Also, from the Park you can see the Lakhta Center, the northernmost skyscraper in the world.

Return to the hotel (easy to get by metro from Begovaya metro station / taxi).

Optional: Dinner at the hotel.

Saint-Petersburg – Peterhof – Saint-Petersburg

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Peterhof.

Free time for independent walk.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

PALACES AND PARKS or optional: EXCURSION TO PETERHOF GREAT PALACE+ LOWER PARK

The suburbs of Saint-Petersburg are famous for their magnificent palaces, which were built for themselves by Russian nobles. Peterhof is one of the most beautiful country residences built in the style of French Versailles. This is a world-famous Palace and Park ensemble and former summer residence, where official receptions, holidays and events were held in the private life of the Royal family. Take a walk in the Lower Park (entrance is paid). In the Park, you can see the world's largest system of fountains with natural pressure and water cascades with rich sculptural decoration (please note that the fountains are open from May to the end of September!). From the top step of the cascade, you can enjoy a stunning view of the Park and the sea channel that connects the marine residence with the Bay. After looking at the magnificent panorama and taking a couple of photos, take a walk through the Park. Here you will see dozens of unique fountains, a chess hill, a Lion cascade, beautiful small palaces, firecracker fountains, a trout pond, a labyrinth. The sights of Peterhof are spread over a huge territory and it will not be possible to bypass them all in one day, so we recommend that you decide in advance on the list of iconic places that you want to visit. You can just walk in the park and have a lot of fun, or you can visit the Grand Palace or one of the Small Palaces. The entrance to the museums is paid.

Transfer back to Saint-Petersburg.

Free time (explore the city on your own).

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

VISIT TO ONE OF THE THEATRES IN SAINT-PETERSBURG (easy to get by metro / taxi)

It's unforgivable to come to the cultural capital of Russia and not visit one of its theatres! There are more than a hundred theatres in Saint-Petersburg. You can watch a classic production of one of the masterpieces of Russian literature at the Alexandrinsky theatre. The theatre was established by decree of the Empress Elizabeth in 1756. The Alexandrinsky theatre was the “forefather” of all Russian theatres. The day of the Foundation of Alexandrinka became the day of the Russian theatre. The oldest Melpomene Church in Saint-Petersburg is the Mariinsky theatre. It is considered one of the best Russian musical theatres, and its history began in 1783. You can also visit the Hermitage theatre – one of the oldest in Saint-Petersburg and in Russia – was built by the architect Giacomo Quarenghi by order of Catherine II in 1783-1789 on the site of the former winter Palace of Peter I. The theater's Auditorium is arranged like an ancient amphitheater. The walls and columns are decorated with colored artificial marble. In the niches are sculptures of Apollo and the nine muses, and above them are bas-reliefs with portraits of famous musicians and poets. We invite you to attend a theatrical performance in the cultural capital of Russia and see everything with your own eyes!

BREEDING THE BRIDGES

If you prefer to relax instead of the theatre or you still have strength after the theatre, be sure to look at the bridges breeding! Get to one of the bridges on foot / by metro / taxi. Bridges are breed at night according to a specific schedule, which should be read in advance. Usually breeding the bridges starts at about 1 am.

Saint-Petersburg is popularly called in different ways: The city on the Neva, Northern Venice, the Museum of bridges, which are located in the open air. The fact is that the main attraction of this wonderful city is considered to be the bridges, which number more than 340, but the most important highlight in the architectural delicacy is the drawbridges. These bridges are breed at night and are considered the best spectacle that will be remembered for a lifetime. In total, there are about 21 drawbridges in the city, and the most famous of them are Liteyny bridge, Troitsky bridge and Palace bridge.

OPTIONAL

RIVER AND CANALS TOUR

A city built over 42 islands, Saint-Petersburg is surrounded by water and interlaced with a complex web of rivers, canals and channels that seem to bind the city together, while also marking the borders of its different districts and neighborhoods. Drift along waterways and see Saint-Petersburg from a different angle on a leisurely boat cruise. Pass under some of the city's 400 bridges and admire the 18th-century palaces, amazing cathedrals, and churches as well as many architectural landmarks that line the banks of the Neva River. Affectionately known as the “Venice of the North”, the city rivals Venice and Paris in its romantic atmosphere. Saint-Petersburg was originally built on 33 islands separated by canals in the delta of the Neva River. Now these canals and rivers offer a unique view of the iconic landmarks that dot the city, such as the magnificent Hermitage Museum – one of the largest art museums in the world and the Vasilyevsky Island with its famous Palace Bridge. Glide past historic monuments and landmarks during this cruise and visit otherwise inaccessible areas of the city.

Return to the hotel by metro / taxi.

Optional: Dinner at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free time (explore the city on your own).

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

YUSUPOV PALACE

Start your day with a visit to the Yusupov Palace (easy to get by metro to Sadovaya / Spasskaya / Sennaya Ploschad’ metro station). You can take a walk around the Palace on your own or book a tour at the Palace ticket office. Entrance and excursion are paid.

The Yusupov Palace on Moika in Saint-Petersburg is a historical and cultural monument. It is often called the encyclopedia of Saint-Petersburg's aristocratic interior. Famous Russian and foreign architects J.-B. Wallen-Delamot and A. M. Mikhailov-II, B. Simon and others worked on the creation of the Yusupov Palace ensemble on Moika. From 1830 to 1917, the owners of the estate were five generations of the noble family of princes Yusupov. We can say that the entire Palace ensemble was created over two centuries. His biography begins during the birth of the Northern capital and can be divided into the “pre-Yusupov” period, which lasted more than a century, and “Yusupov” – after the acquisition of the house by N. B. Yusupov. Another part of the palace is also interesting, which is “attractive” by the tragedy played out here – the murder of Grigory Rasputin, to whom a separate exposition is devoted.

NEW HOLLAND PARK

After the Palace take a visit the unusual cultural space on the island where the naval base's warehouse complex used to be located (easy to get on foot approx. 1,5 km).

New Holland island Park is a relatively young urban space in Saint-Petersburg. It is located along the Admiralty canal embankment. The territory of “New Holland” has a long history since the founding of the city. There were departments, warehouses, prisons, and even a pool for testing ships and submarines. In the 2010s, they decided to create a cultural cluster on the site of “New Holland”. Take a leisurely walk around the island to feel its atmosphere. Look how beautiful it is here! The island of New Holland has become a place for Saint-Petersburg residents and guests where you can not only take a breath after working days, but also have an interesting time. The center has a beautiful herb garden with flowers – a favorite place for photo shoots. Comfortable recreation areas are highlighted. There is a reservoir in the interior of the island. You can relax on the sun loungers or just lie on the grass, as well as walk around the buildings of New Holland, where there are cafes, shops with designer products, organized space for beauty and health: salons, hairdressers, dance studios, sports clubs. Here you can have a great lunch!

PETER AND PAUL FORTRESS

Easy to get by bus №10 / bus №6 + tram №40 / taxi. Entrance to the fortress is free. Entrance to the Cathedral and museums is paid at the ticket office.

Peter and Paul fortress in Saint-Petersburg is the oldest architectural monument in the city. The date of Foundation of the fortress is considered the date of Foundation of the Northern capital. The history of the city begins with it. The victory over Sweden in the Northern war required Peter I to urgently settle the conquered territories. An uninhabited island at the mouth of the Neva river attracted the attention of the Emperor when he was choosing a site for the future fortress, the heart of the new capital. The fortifications were built according to the latest fortification science of the time. Take a walk of the ancient defensive structures of the fortress, Trubetskoy Bastion, Commandant's house, Mint, Arsenal, Guardhouse, etc. Also, we recommend you visit the main attraction of the fortress – Peter and Paul Cathedral, which houses the tomb of Peter the Great and other Russian emperors. You will admire the gilded spire of the Cathedral, which is crowned by the figure of a flying angel – the main symbol of Saint-Petersburg!

Return to the hotel by metro from Gorkovskaya metro station / taxi.

OPTIONAL

TEA PARTY IN A COMMUNAL APARTMENT (up to 16 pax)

During this tour you will have a unique opportunity to feel the atmosphere of soviet Saint-Petersburg, visiting a real Saint-Petersburg family who lives in a communal apartment. Russian tea with traditional pancakes and live communication will make this evening a heartfelt and simply unforgettable!

Optional: Dinner at the hotel.

Saint-Petersburg – Vyborg – Saint-Petersburg

Breakfast at the hotel. Meeting with a guide at the hotel lobby and transfer to the railway station.

Speed train Lastochka Saint-Petersburg – Vyborg with a guide.

Sightseeing tour of the city with a visit to the Viborg Castle.

With great love for Vyborg, which is more than 7 centuries old, we invite you to dive into the depth of its time. At various times, Vyborg was part of Finland, Sweden, and Russia. You will discover what it looked like 400 years ago and how its appearance has changed over the centuries. You will appreciate the architecture in the “Northern art Nouveau” style, walk along the winding old streets, hear urban legends, remember the Swedes and Peter the great. In addition, you will visit the Vyborg Castle – an exceptional object of castle architecture, the only fortress in Russia that has survived from medieval times and, without a doubt, the visiting card of Vyborg. The dimensions of the Vyborg Castle are only 170 by 120 meters, but this small area houses a significant number of buildings, the central place among which is the Olaf Tower. The Vyborg Castle is often used as a filming site for films; the Window to Europe film festival, a jazz festival, opera performances and days of national cultures of the peoples of the world are held here every year.

Free time for lunch and independent walk.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

VISIT TO THE MONREPOS PARK RESERVE

Travel to Monrepos Park on foot / by bus / by taxi. Depending on the place where the tour ends, the guide will advise you on the most convenient way.

The Monrepos Park is a former estate of Swedish barons. It is one of the most beautiful landscape parks in Europe. It is distinguished by dense forests with protected paths, gray cliffs, capes and grottoes, lakes and backwaters. And this combination of unusual nature and inspired romance of the Park gives Monrepos a special appeal. The Park has many attractions — natural and man-made. The main ones are concentrated along the coast of the Bay. Moving from one building to another, you can admire the magnificent landscapes that follow each other.

Meet your guide at the appointed time and place to go to the railway station.

Speed train Lastochka Vyborg – Saint-Petersburg.

Return from Finland railway station to the hotel (easy to get to by metro / taxi).

Saint-Petersburg – Pushkin – Pavlovsk – Saint-Petersburg

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Pushkin.

Free time for independent walk.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

VISIT TO THE CATHERINE PALACE AND PARK or optional: EXCURSION “CATHERINE PLACE + PARK”

Pushkin's sights are unique architecture in protected areas. Catherine Park of Pushkin is the most striking object. It is a great place to spend time visiting museums, or just walk around, inspired by the beautiful views everywhere. The territory covers 107 hectares and offers a place to admire architectural monuments, walk along picturesque alleys and get a taste of Russian history. We recommend visiting the Catherine Palace with its world-famous Amber room. The modern Catherine Palace is a late Russian Baroque style. It acquired this appearance during the reign of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna thanks to the reconstruction of the architect Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli (1752-1756). The work lasted four years and the 325 – meter-high majestic Palace, named Catherine's Palace in memory of her mother, the first Russian Empress Catherine I, was presented to shocked foreign guests. All the emperors of Russia lived in luxurious paintings, inlays of halls and magnificent interiors of apartments, arranged balls and masquerades, received foreign ambassadors, and celebrated anniversaries.

Transfer to Pavlovsk.

Free time for independent walk.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

VISIT TO THE GRAND PAVLOVSK PALACE AND PARK or optional: EXCURSION “GRAND PAVLOVSK PALACE + PARK”

Pavlovsk is one of the coziest cities near Saint-Petersburg. People come here to wander around the former Imperial hunting grounds and feed squirrels. The palaces of Pavlovsk have preserved the atmosphere of the past centuries. You can see what the Ladies-in-waiting or billiard room of the Imperial couple looked like. The main reason why you should go to Pavlovsk Park is to walk among the natural beauty. This is one of the largest landscape parks in Russia and one of the most beautiful in Europe. There is no perfect symmetry and trimmed trees, as in Peterhof. However, the layout of the Park is carefully thought out. The Palace welcomes everyone who enters the Park through the main entrance. And due to its location on a hill, it can be seen from other parts of the Park. Shortly before the construction of the Palace began, Emperor Paul and his wife went on a trip to Europe. From the trip, they brought works of art that inspired the architects to create an unusual Palace. It took 50 years to bring the idea to life. The result is a perfectly symmetrical Palace, the facade of which is decorated with sculptures and stucco. Inside is the Museum of antiquities with antique sculptures, paintings by Italian and Flemish masters and a collection of porcelain. If you don't mind an active pastime, it is very convenient to explore the Park by renting a Bicycle at the rental point at the main entrance.

Transfer back to the hotel.

Free time for rest.

Optional: Dinner at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Check out.

Transfer from the hotel to the airport.

The end of the tour.