St Petersburg Getaway (E-Visa friendly)

Price
from 260 USD
Duration
2 days / 1 nt
Activity Level
MODERATE
Tour Category
Private Tours
St Petersburg Getaway (E-Visa friendly)

The full grandeur of St. Petersburg, the so-called 'Venice of the North,' is brought out in this exciting two-day tour. Visit two stunning palaces that border the city and all the major downtown sights, including the famous Hermitage MuseumSt. Isaac's CathedralPeter and Paul Fortress, and more.

Highlights
(Click on the name to see Photo)
  • Arrival Transfer
  • Panoramic City Tour
  • Church on the Spilled Blood
  • General Staff Building
  • Hermitage Museum
  • Grand Palace of Peterhof
  • Peterhof Park
  • Catherine's palace (Amber Room) & Park
  • Hydrofoil ride
  • Kazan Cathedral
  • St. Isaac's Cathedral
  • 2 Delicious Russian Lunches**
  • Peter and Paul Fortress & Cathedral
  • Departure Transfer
When you are loaded full of valuables and cash, it's always best to have someone trusted to meet you and take you to your hotel safely and securely. Our drivers are experienced and courteous and will be happy to meet you at an airport or train station.
30-60 min

See as many highlights as one can cover within a short period: Aurora cruiser, the first house of St. Petersburg, Nevsky Prospect, numerous rivers and bridges, Kazan Cathedral, Admiralty, Palace Square and the Hermitage museum, the Bronze Horseman monument to Peter the Great, Palace Bridge, St. Nicholas Cathedral, University Embankment with its historical buildings: Kunstkammer, the Academy of Sciences, and Saint Petersburg State University, Menshikov Palace, the Square of Arts with Michael's Palace, the Mosque, the Smolny Convent, the Taurida Palace, the Foundry Prospect with the "Big House" (the KGB headquarters) and many more!

Please note that depending on the time allowed, not all sights might be included!
2+ hrs (depending on occasion)

The symbol of Saint Petersburg - onion-domed cathedral that stands out from the neo-classical surroundings of the city center. The church is decorated with lots of mosaics inside and outside, and the domes are covered with colorful enamels. The church was built on the very place where Tsar Alexander II was mortally wounded in 1881.

Closed Wednesdays.
15-30 min

The newly restored General Staff building houses the part of the Hermitage art collection, stunning works of art of the 19th and 20th centuries, including French Impressionists & Post-Impressionists.

Permanent exhibits include:
French Pastels of the 19th and 20th Centuries
The Cabinet of the Artist's Book
The Carl Fabergé Memorial Rooms
Sergey Shchukin and the Morozov Brothers Memorial Gallery (the primary collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art of the Hermitage)
French Painting and Sculpture of the 19th Century
Western European Art of the 19th Century. (Germany, Holland, Belgium)
The Age of Art Nouveau
The exhibition of the Art of the Empire (early 19th century), called "Under the Sign of the Eagle." 
The museum of the Russian Guard (18th century)
The Russian Foreign Ministry exhibition
The Russian Ministry of Finance exhibition

1-2 hrs

Hermitage is one of the largest museums in the world. But it is also a magnificent Royal palace with stunning rooms and unbelievable views. The collection began as the project of Catherine the Great in 1764. Now ist's the temple of art, where you can see the works of Raphael, Titian, Rembrant, de Goya, and many other prominent painters from all over the world. Treat yourself with a grand exploration of the most amazing masterpieces of the European Art, including the French Impressionists, and marvel at the fantastic interiors of the Tsar's Winter Residence - the Winter Palace.

2 hrs (or more if time permits)

Explore one of the most beautiful Imperial Palaces - the Grand Palace of Peterhof. Severely damaged during the Second World War, thanks to the efforts of dedicated staff, this palace was brought back to life and restored to its former beauty from photographs and maps in the 1950s. A complex combination of Baroque and NeoClassical styles, this palace is a real gem of Russian architecture, and you will surely fall in love with it the way we have. Hundreds of fountains and golden statues surround Peter's Palace - Russia's answer to Versailles. Unfortunately, in winter, the fountains are turned off, and wooden boxes cover the garden statues.


1 hr

A relaxing walk in Peterhof Lower Gardens with a scenic view of hundreds of fountains. It's a real engineering masterpiece with no pumps, but with a unique location, selected specially to make this miracle happen. The force of gravity provides all the strength and the power of the fountains. A great photo opportunity for keen photographers. Take some time to see the surrounding gardens and Peter's villa Monplaisir. Unfortunately, in winter, the fountains are turned off, and wooden boxes cover the garden statues.

1-3 hrs

This guided tour includes Catherine's palace tour with the world's famous Amber Room and the peaceful gardens with multiple photo opportunities. Catherine's Palace and the surrounding parks were created by Empress Elizabeth and Catherine the Great, which is why Pushkin was formerly known as 'village of the tsar's' (Tsarskoe Selo). The Palace, with its famous Amber Room, is an impressive post-WWII reconstruction. The adjoining Cameron Gallery has a magnificent view of the park and the Agate Room. The gardens of Catherine Park, which are spectacular in the snow, are dotted with unusual buildings, including a Chinese village.

Closed Tuesdays and the last Monday of the month.
2 hrs

The fastest way to get to or from Peterhof during the busy summer season. Saves a lot of time and gives you a chance to take a nap:). The boats depart from the piers in the very center of the city, thus giving you a unique free bonus - a chance to enjoy the stunning panorama of the Neva banks.

30-45 min

This spectacular cathedral was inspired by the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rome. It is one of the city's most majestic structures. It was built from 1801 to 1811 to house the miracle-working Icon of the Virgin Mary, called our Lady of Kazan. The construction was completed shortly before the war with Napoleon; thus, it became the memorial to Russian victory in this war. The cathedral houses the banners of the defeated regiments as well as the keys to the towns conquered. The grave of Russain greatest field marshal Kutuzov is also located inside.

Kazan Cathedral is the main church of the city. Services daily. 

10-20 min (if you go inside)

St. Isaac's Cathedral is dedicated to Peter the Great's favorite saint. It is the largest cathedral in Russia and ranks among the largest basilicas of the world. It was built between 1818 and 1858, by the French-born architect Auguste Montferrand, to be one of the most impressive landmarks of the Russian Imperial capital. It's not only the remarkable structure but also the collection of the greatest engineering innovations. One hundred and eighty years later, the gilded dome of St. Isaac's still dominates the skyline of St. Petersburg. Although the cathedral is considerably smaller than the newly rebuilt Church of Christ the Savior in Moscow, it boasts much more impressive fades and interiors.

30 min

Enjoy two delicious lunches at local Russian Restaurants. A typical lunch includes a salad, a cup of soup, a main course, and dessert. Vegetarian & gluten-free options are available upon request. Children under 7 (who travel free of charge) do not get an individual meal. It must be ordered separately. Please contact your manager.

**IMPORTANT:
Join-in Group tours: included for groups of any size
Private tours: available as an option
1 hr

This fortress, built to deflect Swedish raids, was the city's very first structure. While the view from the fortress ramparts is fantastic, the main attraction is Trezzini's Peter and Paul Cathedral, built in 1712. Almost all Romanov tsars, including Nicholas II, are buried here. There are several other museums scattered around the fortress grounds, like the political prison museum or St. Petersburg history exhibition, and you can buy a special day ticket which enables access to all.

1 hr
Our professional, experienced English-speaking driver will pick up at your hotel and will take you to the airport/train station. The driver will be holding a sign with your name on it.
30-60 min

Detailed Program

Time Description
Arrival in St. Petersburg.
Transfer to Hotel. (Airport Fast Track can be ordered separately upon request)
Evening at leisure or choose one of our Evening programs
Day 1:  09:00 - 17:00
09:00

Meet your guide and driver at your hotel lobby and start the city tour to give you a general idea of the Cultural capital.

  Your adventure begins with a short panoramic drive through St. Petersburg before heading out of town for a day at the imperial residences. The first stop is Peterhof, home to a collection of lavish palaces and a richly-decorated park that is loved for its amazing fountains. A tour of the Grand Palace with special early admission to avoid crowds will give you a taste of just how extravagant the tzars' lives really were.

After enjoying a delicious bite in a park café, hop back into the van and make the way to the Tzar's Village (Tsarskoye Selo), where you will explore yet another jewel of Russian architecture – Catherine's Palace. Grab your unique chance to see the world-famous Amber Room! You will hear the curious story of how the original Amber Room mysteriously disappeared during World War II. After the Palace tour, enjoy a refreshing walk in the park before returning to the city
17:00    Return to the hotel. Evening at leisure or choose one of our Evening programs
Day 2:  09:00 - 17:00 
09:00 The excursion continues on the second tour day with a drive around St. Petersburg’s most popular sights, including photo stops at St. Basil's Island, the Sphynxes, the Menshikov Palace, and the Academy of Arts.

You will contemplate a splendid panoramic view of the Winter Palace and Hermitage Museum complex. On our guided tour of St. Isaac's Cathedral, you can marvel at the 3-ft dove in the center of the dome and try to guess how many steps there are to the top.

Next up is admiring the art of the tzars on the Hermitage Museum tour, home to many of the world’s best-known cultural treasures. Here you can test your knowledge of such masters as Rembrandt, da Vinci, Tiepolo, Veronese, and of course, the Impressionists.

After a delicious lunch at a Russian restaurant of your choosing, take a walk to the stunningly colorful Church on the Spilled Blood and explore this architectural masterpiece both inside and out, then have time for some souvenir shopping nearby (optional)

Our exploration of the city continues with a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress, where we can pay our respects to the Romanovs buried in the cathedral. If you memorize them in chronological order, you'll get a special bonus!

17:00 Return to the hotel. Evening at leisure or choose one of our Evening programs

Departure Transfer to the airport. (in the evening of this day/morning of the next day/or when required)
Book this tour
($ 45)
($ 90)
($ 90)
($ 90)
  • Meals
  • Tips/Gratuity
  • Accommodations
  • Optional Evening Program 
  • Surcharge for:
    +German-speaking guide: 45 USD per group 
    +Portuguese- or Italian- speaking guide: 90 USD per group
    +Chinese-speaking guide: 90 USD per group 
NOT suitable for people with limited walking ability and wheelchair users.

You can add an Optional free day. More tour days can be easily added upon your request. If you would like to include more sightseeing - please contact your manager for a quote.
If you would like help booking hotels, let us know, and we will make recommendations and book your selections.


DISCOUNTS:
Children under 6 y.o. = FREE
Students 7 - 17 y.o. = 20 USD


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Questions? Call us right now 1.855.866.8773 or email booking@ulkotours.com