Capital of the Russian Empire from 1712 to its collapse in 1917, St. Petersburg has preserved a truly unique ensemble of architecture from this period, making it one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe. There is so much to see here: Pavlovski Palace (the Czar's summer residence), Peter and Paul Fortress, the Pushkin Museum, the magnificent Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, and of course the world-renowned Hermitage Museum where more than three million items are on display. The pomp and ceremony of the Czars still hangs in the air of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
*On day four choose between three optional excursions:
- Folkloric Russian Show Officer's Assembly: Tour to the Anichkov Palace – a unique monument of history and architecture, overlooking both Nevsky prospect and the Fontanka River. Visit the modern Concert Hall “Carnival” and proceed to the exciting auditorium, where a professional folklore group, well known all over the world, introduce you to the treasure of national Russian art and Russian cultural traditions. Hear popular folk songs "Katiusha" and "Kalinka".
- St. Isaac & the Church of our Savior on the Spilled Blood: Visit the well-known Isaac’s Cathedral and the Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood. At the end of your visit, enjoy some leisure time to stroll along the Neva River or to do some shopping in the heart of the nearby flea market.
- Panoramic City Tour & Peter and Paul Fortress: Drive tour passing by the Saint Isaac’s Square, Palace Square, Peter and Paul Fortress, the Field of Mars and the Marble Palace, the Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood, and the Nevsky Prospect.
* On day five choose between three optional excursions:
- Yussoupov Palace and Canal River Cruise: Boat ride excursion to the Yusupov Palace on the Moika Embankment, an outstanding historic and architectural monument of the late 18th until the early 20th centuries. Visit the palace's unique private theater and the basement chamber, where the young prince Felix Yusupov and his contemporaries took part in the murder of a Siberian peasant monk, psychic, and adventurer – the infamous Grigori Rasputin!
- The Hermitage Museum: Visit the Hermitage Complex integrated by the Small Hermitage, the Old Hermitage and the New Hermitage, all connected to the Winter Palace. At the end of the tour have some time to appreciate the collection of French Impressionists, containing the world-famous works by Renoir, Degas, Monet, Van Gogh, Cezanne and others.
- Peterhoff Palace & Hermitage Museum: Coach tour to Peterhof (also known as Petrodvorets), the town of palaces, fountains and gardens, the most brilliant of all the former summer residences of the Russian czars. Visit the world’s famous Hermitage Museum, a set of six magnificent buildings situated along the embankment of the River Neva, right in the heart of St. Petersburg.
*On day six choose between three optional excursions:
- The Russian Museum: Visit the Russian Museum, the main repository of Russian art in St. Petersburg. The Museum is housed in the former “New Michael Palace” built by Alexander I for his younger brother Grand Duke Michael.
- Pushkine & Pavlosk Palaces: Drive tour to Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin), an 18th-century summer residence of the Russian Czars. Visit the Catherine Palace, one of the masterieces of the world architecture. Then take a short drive to Pavlovsk, the former summer Royal residence of Emperor Paul I, and before starting your tour to Pavlovsk enjoy a Russian tea party served in the Pavlovsk Palace Restaurant.
- Kazan Cathedral & Nevsky Prospect: Coach tour to one of the most picturesque avenues of the city – Nevsky Prospekt, to visit Kazan Cathedral. After an inside visit of the Cathedral, walk to the Square of Arts. From the square, proceed to the Griboedov Canal – another important historical waterway. Enjoy a cup of Russian tea with some Russian pastry and a short rest at a local restaurant right by the Church on the Spilled Blood. Next, walk by the Church on the Spilled Blood. Continue walking along the Moika River and the Mikhailovsky Garden towards the Mikhailovsky Castle. Finaly, walk to one of the most picturesque places in St. Petersburg – the Maple Alley.