SHORE TOUR: 2 DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY
DAY ONE
MORNING:
Your private fully licensed guide and professional driver of comfortable, a/c vehicle will greet you at passport immigration control next to your ship.
They'll take you for a CITY TOUR (OVERVIEW) which includes such sights as: the Nevsky Prospect (the main street of St. Petersburg), the Anichkov Bridge and the Anichkov Palace, the Fontanka and the Moika Rivers, the Kazan Cathedral, the Admiralty, the Winter Palace, the Palace Square, the General Headquarters Arch, the Senate Square with the Bronze Horseman (monument to Peter the Great), the Palace Bridge, the monument to Nicholas the First, St. Nicholas Cathedral ( with entrance if your desire) , the University Embankment with its historical buildings : Kunstkammer, the Academy of Sciences, and St. Petersburg State University, the Menshikov Palace, and the Academy of Fine Arts. Along with seeing these sights, you will hear their story. You'll get acquainted with the history of St. Petersburg and the Romanov family and you'll see the marvelous panorama of the banks of the Neva River.
Then set off for a JOURNEY TO PUSHKIN(TZARSKOE SELO) - one of St. Petersburg's suburbs within an hour drive from the city centre. You will visit former Tsar's summer residence - Catherine's Palace including the famous Amber Room - the 8th "wonder" of the World and Catherine's Park with its many beautiful pavilions, sculptures and ponds.
AFTERNOON:
PETERHOF TOUR - Another summer residence of Russian emperors. You will see the Upper Garden which resembles Versailles in its planning and, of course, the Lower Park with its incomparable FOUNTAINS. You'll be astonished by the Great Cascade with its gold-embossed sculptures glistening amidst springs of crystal clear water! Your guide will show you many beautiful fountains along with pavilions and sculptures that bear historical significance. You'll walk to the bank of the Gulf of Finland and see the famous Kronshtadt City on a far away island.
On the way back to St.Petersburg you will have a chance to see the "not so touristy" St. Petersburg - modern districts, sections which were built during the Soviet period with their massive, heavy Stalinist style architecture. A short METRO TRIP will surprise you with the decor of the stations: mosaics, marble, and crystal. The interiors recall palaces not subways.
EVENING:
You may return to the ship or to attend the theater either to watch a ballet or to hear an opera. We reserve the best tickets to the most beautiful performances for you in advance. You can visit the Mariinsky (former Kirov) Theater, Hermitage Theater, Mikhailovsky Theater or any other one if you prefer. If you choose to hear and see something that is connected with Russian folklore, there are folklore shows at your disposal with Russian dances, song, tricks, traditional Russian instruments (balalaika, gusli, playing on wooden spoons, or on saws) and much more. relaxing atmosphere. The choice is yours.
The shows are held in the former palaces of the members of the Imperial Family, so along with the show you'll have a perfect chance to see the
interiors of these palaces. In addition you may have a private boat trip through rivers and canals of St.Petersburg or simply enjoy a dinner at a
Russian restaurant and taste authentic Russian Cuisine in a friendly and
Your private guide and driver will deliver you back to the ship at an appointed time.
DAY TWO
MORNING:
Continue exploring the sights of the city centre, such as: the Square of Arts with Michael's Palace, the Winter Palace, the Spit of Bazil Island, the Mosque, the House of Peter the Great, the Aurora Cruiser, the Taurida Palace, the Foundry Bridge and the Foundry Prospect with the "Big House" (the KGB headquarters), Michael's Castle, the Summer Garden, and the Field of Mars.
Visit PETER AND PAUL FORTRESS - the birth place of St.Petersburg. You will visit the Cathedral where nearly all the Russian emperors are buried. The fortress developed into a city under the rule of the Romanovs - the ruling dynasty in Russia from Peter's grandfather Mikhail until the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II.
Enjoy the beauty of SAVIOR ON THE SPILT BLOOD CATHEDRAL, which startles visitors with its mighty size, multicolored "onion" domes, magnitude of its decor. The interior has the largest surface in the world covered with mosaics created to depict religious subjects.
Enter ST.ISAAC'S CATHEDRAL, which used to be the main cathedral of the City from the time it was finished (1858) up until the October Revolution. Its construction began in 1818 and lasted for 40 years! The dome is gilded with 100 kilograms of gold. St. Isaac's is ranked as number one in the world for the richness of its interior decoration.
AFTERNOON:
HERMITAGE EXCURSION - Includes 4 building of this ensemble: the Winter Palace, the small Hermitage, the New Hermitage, and the Old Hermitage. Observe the magnificent interiors of the buildings, State Halls, and the most important masterpieces of the Western European artists. When you are inside of its miraculous halls, you'll have a strong sensation of having gone back to the times of the emperors. You may visit other sections of the Museum at your request such as the Antique Sculpture, Numismatic/ Ancient Coins, the Art of Egypt, Art of China, Japan, Iran, other Eastern countries, and a lot more.
SHOPPING (if you wish) - Your guide can assist you in your purchase of Russian souvenirs, gifts for your relatives and friends: shawls, objects made of malachite and lapis-lazuli, 'matryoshka' dolls, painted wooden ecology-friendly toys for kids, watches with revolutionary or Soviet symbols, fur, crystal, gold, icons, stamps with pictures of the Russian Imperial Family, caviar, vodka and a lot more. We know the stores where the prices are lower and the choice is wider than usual. We want you to get the quality you desire at a fair price.
Transfer to the ship.
LUNCH OPTIONS
Depending upon your preferences we give you complete flexibility as to meal choices and times. You may take a lunch break at any time and eat in any bistro, cafe or restaurant along the route or to order pre-arranged lunches at recommended restaurants.Alex's Tours and Travel offers private sightseeing tours and VISA-FREE shore excursions in St. Petersburg, Russia. You may book our private shore tour and enjoy St. Petersburg without sharing your tour with other 30 people, avoiding crowds and lines, saving your time and energy, and seeing many sights of St. Petersburg and its surroundings, which ship tours usually miss. Our fully licensed, knowledgeable tour guides and experienced, safe drivers will pamper you in every way, will make you feel easy and comfortable in St. Petersburg. You may read the stories of some travelers who have already used our services. If references in the US, UK, AU, NZ, EU, JP or other countries can be useful, please let us know and we will provide their contact information.
Please feel free to contact us with any inquiries alexp@stpetersburg-guide.com
