SHORE TOUR: 3 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: 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 you desire), the University Embankment with its historical buildings: Kunstkammer, the Academy of Sciences, and St. Petersburg State University, the Menshikov Palace, the Winter Palace, the Spit of Bazil Island, the Mosque, the House of Peter the Great, the Aurora Cruiser, the Smolny Convent, the Taurida Palace, Foundry Bridge and Foundry Prospect with the "Big House" (the KGB headquarters), Michael's Castle, the Summer Garden, and the Field of Mars. Along with seeing these sights you will hear their story.
You'll get acquainted with the history of St. Petersburg, and the Romanov family you will see the marvelous panorama of the banks of the Neva River. During the tour you'll tour 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. You will 
enter ST. ISAAC'S CATHEDRAL which was 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.
You will visit SAVIOR ON THE SPILT BLOOD CATHEDRAL startles visitors with its mighty size, multicolored "onion" domes, magnitude of its d?cor. The interior has the largest surface in the world covered with mosaics created to depict religious subjects
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.
EVENING:
In the evening you may choose 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. 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.
Your private guide and driver will deliver you back to the ship at an appointed time.
DAY TWO
MORNING:
TOUR 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.
PAVLOVSK TOUR - The Palace in Pavlovsk, located quite close to Pushkin, has the most exquisite interiors decorated to the tastes of Paul and Maria. It was used as a summer residence by the Russian Emperor Paul I and his family. This palace is known for its outstanding collection of antique sculptures, European furniture, bronze, China sets, and silk fabrics. The Park is all beauty and peace. It is filled with the spirit of Russia. It is the second largest park in Europe after Richmond in England.
AFTERNOON:
MONUMENT TO THE HEROIC DEFENDERS OF LENINGRAD - Visit the underground museum. It is dedicated to the heroism of the defenders of Leningrad, which was under siege by the Nazis for 900 days during WWII.
YUSUPOV PALACE - This Palace was the site of the murder of Gregory Rasputin. Your guide will tell you that most mystical and tragic story: a very dramatic moment of Russian history.
EVENING:
In the evening you may have private boat trip through rivers and canals of St. Petersburg or(and) enjoy a dinner at a Russian restaurant and taste authentic Russian cuisine in a friendly and relaxing atmosphere. Your guide and driver will deliver you back to the ship at an appointed time.DAY THREE
MORNING:
PETERHOF TOUR - Another summer residence of Russian emperors, located some 15 miles south-east from St. Petersburg. You will see the Great Palace, 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.
AFTERNOON:
TOUR OF THE RUSSIAN MUSEUM It contains the largest collection of the Russian Art in the world. You will learn about the development of Russian painting from the 18th century to the present. Nobody will be left indifferent to the seascapes by Ivan Aivazovsky, poetic, Russian landscapes by Isaac Levitan and Ivan Shishkin, the historical canvases by Vasiliy Surikov and Mikhail Nesterov, portraits by Fyodor Rokotov, Ilya Repin and Valentin Serov, and many other artists and genres.
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 specializes in city tours and VISA-FREE private shore excursions in St. Petersburg, Russia with optional day trips to Moscow. Our talented, fully licensed tour guides and professional, safe drivers will do their best to make your memories of St. Petersburg shore tour unforgettable. 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
