Travel Russia - INCENTIVE SAINT-PETERSBURG

Shopping list of ideas
Private visit to Duke Vladimir Palace, concert, tour of the place, cocktail and gala dinner
Visit The Palace of Grand Duke Vladimir Aleksandrovich (Scientists Club) – tour of the palace, cocktail on arrival, private concert. This is one of the hidden gems of the city, with a breathtakingly beautiful staircase, and wonderful views of the river, built in the 1860’s and 1870’s in the style of the Florentine Renaissance by A.I. Rezanov. The wife of Vladimir Alexandrovich, Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, made this a centre of court life during the last years of the Romanov era, especially after the Empress withdrew more and more from court society. Several members of the Romanov family met here secretly in December 1916 and drafted a letter of warning to Nicholas II. Enjoy the tour in the palace and have a cocktail and gripping folklore/classic group concert at the White Hall (singing), and cocktail in one of the most beautiful halls of the palace – Oak Room. (for group more then 80 pax)
Private visit to Yusupov Palace, concert, tour of the place, cocktail and gala dinner
Sample plan for an evening at Yusupov Palace : Actors dressed a in the costumes of the epoch meet guests on the staircase. A chamber orchestra plays in the staircase landing of the1st floor. A short l tour (in smaller groups) of the rooms is offered to the guests. Have a concert in the famous theatre afterwards. This is the highlight of the palace – an exquisite private theatre - decorated in gold with balconies around all 3 sides of the auditorium and a royal box. It can be used for private performances and seats 186. Private theatre performance for about 30-40 minutes, which can include chamber music, a famous St Petersburg harpist (winner of many international music competitions; ballet pieces, opera singers etc.) Gala dinner awaits the guests in the White Columned Banquet Hall
Shooting and Museum of Artillery
Museum of artillery and shooting practice In the morning an exciting tour awaits for the guests. Begin with the excursion to one of the oldest museums of the city – Museum of Artillery, Engineers and Signals, which traces its history back to 1703, when Peter the Great personally ordered the collection and preservation of old Russian weapons, military trophies and various other attributes of war. The museum contains more than 50,000 items – from artillery pieces, weapons and firearms to battle paintings. There is a unique out door exhibition – a collection of heavy artillery from ancient times till present days. After theoretical part have your own experience shooting different kinds of Russian guns like Makarov pistol, TT gun, Kalashnikov machine gun on the field of the city division of Defence Ministry. It is located in the city, on Vasilyev island. The most successful ones will get the certificates.
Cruiser Aurora visit
The Cruiser “Aurora” (6700 tons) built in St.Petersburg and completed in 1903. Aurora was a light, armour-plated cruiser equipped with six-inch long-range guns, torpedo tubes and eight 37mm guns, designed to escort large battleships. This is the ship that gave a shot in 1917 to mark the start of revolution.
Tea with Lenin
“Tea with Lenin” – The program offered in The Museum of Political History of Russia offers the guests a chance to go through the political history of the country from 1917 till present days. An actor dressed like Lenin addresses (in English) the guest from the window of the 19th century mansion where the museum is located. The guests are invited to the mansion where they learn a bit of recent history and have tea with “Lenin” who answers the questions of the guests. Optionally the guests might visit the rooms where the wax figures of Rasputin and the organisers of the plot against him are located and learn about one of the most mysterious episodes of the Last Romanov Tzar time – murder of Rasputin. Cocktail is served in the hall (red wine and chocolates – this was offered to Rasputin with the aim to poison him)
Private canal boat ride (season permitting)
The city of St Petersburg looks completely different from the water, and a canal ride will show the visitor several parts of the city which are missed during a city tour by coach. The city is situated on 42 islands, being washed by more than 90 rivers, Neva’s arms and channels. The granite embankments with the slopes and piers have become peculiar pedestals for the magnificent palaces: Winter, Marble, Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich (Neva), Mikhailov, Mariinsky, Stroganof, Yusupov (Moyka), Anichkov, Sheremetyev, Dukes Beloselski-Belozerski (Fontanka). A private boat is rented for the guests. The lower deck has got a roof to protect the clients from the wind and rain. There are tables and chairs there. For those who would like a breath of air, there is an open air terrace on the upper deck. For some tourists it is a nice possibility just to relax at the end of the day, enjoying the sights from the boat, to others – learn more about the city, listening to the guide’s story. There is a possibility to serve a cocktail on board or/and to provide musicians that would entertain the guests during the trip.
In the morning we drive to one of the parks within city limits for outdoor program “Back in the USSR”.
Military-sports competition “Zarnitsa”. Zarnitsa means “summer lightning” and this word is still well-known in Russia as one of the ideological symbols of the bygone USSR. The word is connected with Young Pioneers League – in the USSR it was an organization for children operated by communist party (the only one political party which existed in the country before 1990-ies). Once a year every young pioneer of the USSR participated in that competition. Brief scenario: transfer from htl.by military trucks on the site the participants are met by a commander officer (dressed in military uniform) each participant wears a read scarf of the young pioneer during the competition (a take-away) on arrival - formation of the participants and dividing into teams each team receives tasks: overcoming of obstacles, pulling the rope, course of young nurse (for women), paintball, etc. in the end of the competition the commander announces the winners and awards them with pennants and special documents of the winners
Treasure hunt on Nevsky prospect
The group is divided into 3 teams, each of them has a map of the Nevsky prospect. There are about 7 stops. At each stop the participants are met with historically dressed people: two merchants near Gostiny Dvor (the oldest department store) 2 actors near Alexandrinsky Theatre (one of the oldest theatres) 2 navigators at the Admiralty (former shipbuilding yard) a poet at the entrance to the Public library (recites a poem in English) 2 hussars (military people of the 18-19th cc) in front of the monument to Barcley de Tolly Catherine the GRaet in front of the monument Alexandre I near Alexandre Column in the Palace Square In each stop the actors tells a brief history of the place (in English) and then ask simple riddles, eg.on which sea St.Petersburg is located – Black or Baltic. Getting correct answer, he/she says where to go next. 3 teams have slightly different routes, all of them finishing near Alexandre column in the Palace Square. The team which comes first is the winner and gets a prize. The teams are accompanied by ES guides.
Pushkin (Catherine palace) (tour of the place, balloon riding, troika ride)
In the afternoon the guests drive to one of the former summer residences of the Russian tsars – Tsars Village to visit there the Catherine Palace and park. Situated in the suburbs of Saint Petersburg the Tsar Village is a unique ensemble comprising several pavilions, beautiful lakes and gardens and a wonderful Catherine Palace. The summer palace was originally given by Peter the Great to his wife Catherine, and was rebuilt by Italian architect Rastrelli in 1756. The palace is a huge, elegant building with white and hold Baroque mouldings set against a blue background, set in a beautiful park with elaborate gardens, canals and pavilions. Catherine the Great loved living here. Some of the more beautiful rooms include the Great Hall, the State Dining Room, the Amber Room, the Blue Drawing Room, the bedroom of Alexander I’s wife Elisabeth and the Palace Church. The clients visit Catherine palace and promenade in the beautiful park afterwards. Special fast track or early or late opening of the palace is offered to the guests. Groups up to 40 pax can enjoy the ride to the place (26 km form the city) in an old steamer train. Optionally the guest might have open air activities – troika ride, folklore group entertainment.
Gala dinner in Pavlovsk
Situated about 5 km from Pushkin, Pavlovsk Great Palace was a present from Catherine the Great for her son Paul. Originally designed by Charles Cameron, it was partly redesigned at Paul’s request by several famous European architects including Quarenghi and Rossi. It was severely damaged in World War II, but has been beautifully and lavishly restored, and is set amidst delightful parkland which, when created, was the largest landscaped area in the world. The guests arrive have seated dinner in the charming Rose Pavillion located in one of the most picturesque corners of Pavlovsk park. Rose Pavilion, a unique example of Russian classical architecture of the early 19th c. and at the same time – a charming and elegant light wooden construction with a huge (400 square meters) room all decorated with roses – garlands suspended from the chandelier, painted on the walls, moulded in the frieze. The pavilion is located in the picturesque Pavlovsk park (English landscape) The program of the imperial evening in the gardens includes: A welcome cocktail in the terrace Classical quartet plays during cocktail Dinner served by the best caterer in St.Petersburg – Potel&Chabot (French company) Ballet and opera performance with the stars of the leading St.Petersburg opera and ballet companies Troika ride in the park Fireworks (before 22.30)
Helicopter Ride
The ride starts near Peter and Paul’s Fortress. 15 min ride above the city. But depending on the weather the ride can be cancelled. The same can be done starting from Peterhof.
Special program in Peter and Paul Fortress.
Standing on a small island at the centre of the Neva delta, the fortress was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great and is the oldest building in St Petersburg. Up to 1917, the fortress was mainly used for holding political prisoners, such as Dostoyevsky, Lenin’s brother Alexander and Peter the Great’s own son Alexei. At the heart of the fortress is the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul, with its landmark gold spire, where all of Russia’s pre-Revolutionary leaders were buried, apart from Peter, Ivan IV and Nicholas II. A Treasure Hunt in the territory of the Fortress – 6 stations, in each station there are historically dressed actors who ask questions and correct answers are the clues to the next station. Each group has a map of the fortress and all ways lead to Rasputin (an actor). The characters at the stations are: two sailors two prisoners (there was a prison in the territory of the fortress) two revolutionary soldiers dressed in the uniform of 1917 two workers of that times two noble ladies Rasputin – a favourite of the last Russian tsars family
Peterhof
Arrive by private hydrofoils to the sumptuous Peterhof. Peterhof, or “Peter’s Court”, dates back to 1715 and is a former summer residence of the Russian Tsars. Most famous for its stunning golden fountains, the palace grounds house several buildings and parks – the Grand Palace (“the Russian Versailles”, now a vast museum of lavish rooms and galleries), Monplaisir (Peter’s outwardly more humble villa), the Grand Cascade (the centrepiece of the palace grounds with over 140 fountains), the Lower Park (parkland along the Gulf with more fountains and pavillions), Marly Palace and Alexandria Park. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the population of St Petersburg was invited to dine here at a great summer fete held every year. Special early opening of Grand Palace is arranged for the group. Enjoy the tour of the palace and parks.
Special visit to Hermitage
Hermitage is undoubtedly the largest museum of the world, possessing over 3 million exhibits within its four buildings and attracting around 3 million visitors a year. The exhibitions are diverse with works by Da Vinchy, Raphael, Rembrandt, an impressive collection of impressionists and largest collection of Titians in existence. Special early opening is arranged for the group with optional Peacock clock switch on.
Matryoshka painting class.
Feel yourself a student of the art school in St.Petersburg – a world known center of art and culture. Though St.Petersburg is the most un-Russian city in Russia, traditional Russian wooden nestling dolls (matryoshkas) are also made and painted here. We offer you to turn for about two hours into a student of The Academy of Applied Art and Technical Design and learn either to paint matryoshkas or to be a student at the painting class. Highly professional and experienced teachers of the Academy will help you in that. The Academy was founded in 1876. It has a unique Art Museum which since its opening in 1878 has been a “training ground” for the students, compiling in its collections examples of furniture, silver, glass, ceramics of different countries and times, including a unique collection of dolls (with porcelain heads) made in turn of 19th-20th cc dressed in the costumes of different nations of Russia. All those items are placed in the most interesting interiors.
Cooking class in Podvorye
Podvorye It is a very cosy restaurant located outside the city, the interior resembles traditional Russian terem (wooden palace), a lot of woodcarving. Known for the fact that Putin invited here his high rank guests for sinner. Meal is accompanied by folklore group singing. Superb Russian cuisine. Russian vodka, wine – no limit The guests can cook some of the most favorite dishes here: borsch (Russian beet root soup), pelmeni (dumplings), pancakes.
Russian Village festival in Ethnographic museum
This afternoon we invite you to be the guests of folklore Russian festival! Just across the square from Grand Hotel Europe there is one of the most interesting museums of St.Petersburg. Traditional Russian folklore group dressed in stunningly beautiful folklore costumes of the 19th century welcomes you to be the guest of the Russian festival in old Russian village. Most of the exhibits of the museum illustrating the domestic culture of the various peoples of Russia in the 19th and 20th centuries are presented in the form of life size models (costumes, utensils, parts of traditional Russian houses, etc). The story of the ways of life of Russians is accompanied by singing and dancing of the folklore group as well as traditional Russian games in which the guests are involved by the performers. Then you will be a Russian craftsmen for a while painting traditional Russian clay toys. You will take home a traditional Russian souvenir made by your own hands!
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