This unique two-day excursion begins outside the immigration booth in front of your ship in St. Petersburg where you will meet your professional knowledgeable guide and driver. No need to worry about arranging a visa since it is all included! You will travel in style as you step into your air-conditioned Mercedes vehicle for the duration of your trip. The first leg of your journey begins with a city sightseeing to Peterhof including a photo stop in St. Issac's Cathedral. The Fountain Park is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will walk the Upper Gardens and Lower Fountain Park. The Upper Gardens are approximately 37 acres and lead up to the Great Palace, while Lower Fountain Park is about 252 acres featuring abundant fountains, all of which operate using gravity alone.
Then it's lunchtime, you will enjoy a mouthwatering lunch consisting of traditional Russian fares at a local restaurant (lunch includes soup, a main course of chicken or turkey, bread, dessert, and coffee or tea). After your meal you will travel to the Church of the Spilled Blood, which was erected to commemorate Tsar Alexander II as an outstanding Russian figurehead. The Church is renowned for its architectural design and works as a museum, showcasing rare examples of Russian mosaic art.
As you make your way back to the cruise port, you will stroll along Nevsky Prospect, the main street in Saint Petersburg. This is a perfect way to blend into the crowd and experience life as a local. Here you will feel the vibe of the city, admire classical architectural masterpieces such as Gostiny Dvor, Singer's Building, Kazan Cathedral and learn more about Russian life. This will be a great opportunity to purchase some souvenirs to remember your trip. To finish your day, your excursion features a unique boat ride along the rivers and canals of Saint Petersburg, traveling under the famed drawbridges viewing old palaces and mansions along the way. Following this excursion, your full-day one is over and you will be transported back to your St. Petersburg port for the evening.
Day two begins after meeting outside the terminal once again. While making your way to the Hermitage Museum, you'll stop to explore a farmer's market and subway station along the way. Arriving at the State Hermitage Museum, prior to opening for the public, you will view amazing examples of Italian High Renaissance art, as well as unrivaled collections of paintings by Rembrandt, the extensive collection of Dutch and Flemish masters, treasures from Siberia and Central Asia, Egyptian and classical antiquities, and Persian and Chinese artworks, among many others.
Then to satisfy the hunger of a Tsar, you will next enjoy lunch featuring traditional Russian fare at a local restaurant. Built to secure Russia's hold on the Neva delta, Peter and Paul Fortress (Petropavlovskaya Krepost) is where it all started for St Petersburg. During 1703, forced laborers toiled from dawn to dusk, and died in the thousands, completing the initial construction in only seven months. The crude earthworks they constructed were subsequently replaced with monstrous brick walls, high arched gates and menacing spearhead like bastions, which jut out from all directions.
Your excursion will include Peter and Paul Cathedral, Grand Ducal Mausoleum, Boat House and Mint, Trubetskoy Bastion, and the Commandant's House. Here you will learn more about the rich history from your passionate guide. Lastly, you will visit the brand new Faberge Museum which opened in 2014 and is quickly becoming one of St. Petersburg's favorite attractions. This unique museum features 4000 exhibits, including the largest collection of Easter eggs in the world.
At the conclusion of this amazing day, you will be taken back to your St. Petersburg cruise terminal where you may board your cruise.
Experience St. Petersburg's best highlights with this 2-day excursion. You will visit the top sights of the city such as Peterhof, Catherine Palace, Hermitage Museum and many more! Transportation and lunch are included so the only thing you have to do is relax and enjoy.
5/5 (Visited on July 2018)
