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Suggested itinerary in brief
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| Day 1/Thursday | |
| Afternoon | Arrive International Airport
Optional fast track and police escort to the city
Arrival at the hotel with a short tour en route
Stop on the way at Derzhavin mansion with cocktail and folklore performance
Check in the hotel
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| Dinner | Beloselky-Belozersky palace |
| Day 2/Friday | |
| AM | |
| Option 1 | Private canal boat ride |
| Option 2 | Walking tour with German speaking students visiting Nevsky prospekt and local markets |
| Lunch | “Restaurant” |
| PM | At leisure or shopping |
| Dinner | “Na Zdorovye” |
| Day 3/Saturday | |
| AM | Tzar Village, Catherine palace visit (fast track) |
| Lunch | “Podvorie” with folklore show |
| PM | |
| Option 1 | Open air activities in Pavlovsk |
| Option 2 | Treasure hunt on Nevsky prospect |
| Dinner | “Russian fishing” with fishing |
| Day 4/Sunday | |
| AM | check out, transfer to Peterhoff, Grand palace (early opening) and parks |
| Lunch | “Gallery” resaturant |
| pm | transfer for the international airport
Departure transfer
END OF SERVICES
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Detailed itinerary
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| Day 1 | |
Arrive in international airport. You will be met outside the customs by special representative of the airport. Optionally police escort can be provided for the group.
Option – Make a stop at Derzhavin mansion for welcome cocktail.
The Museum of Gavrila Derzhavin (1743-1816) – an outstanding Russian poet, the older contemporary and predecessor of Pushkin, who proclaimed young Pushkin his successor – was an important statesman in the time of Catherine II, Paul I and Alexander I; Derzhavin held such positions as the State Secretary, the State Treasurer and the Minister of Justice. During a certain period Derzhavin was a Senator who faithfully served Russian and actively influenced its politics.
In his mansion on the Fontanka River, 118, that preserved till nowadays, Derzhavin lived nearly a quarter of century. From early 1790- s and up to Derzhavin’s death this house was one of the main cultural centers in St. Petersburg and the residence of the house was one of the grandee of the highest rank.
The Museum, featuring the literature of the whole century, is unique for the amount of its information and its role in the cultural life of St. Petersburg today. On display are manuscripts, illustrations, rare books of the XVIII century, magazines, portraits of the poet’s contemporaries,
Cocktail is served during the folklore group short performance welcoming the guests to Russia.
Check in the hotel.
 Beloselsky-Belozersky palace
In St.Petersburg among numerous monuments of architecture in Nevsky Prospect the Palace of Dukes Beloselsky-Belozersky is one of the most remarkable. It was built in 1848 by the famous architect of mid-19th century Stakenshneider, at that time the court architect of the Emperor Nicholas I. The contemporaries called it “an imposing palazzio” as among others there are three rooms considered to be the largest in the private palaces of St.Petersburg (ceiling is 8-10 metres high). It was the last private palace built in Nevsky Prospect in 19th c.
The dinner parties arranged by the dukes in their own palace in Nevsky Prospect were known for their luxury. The ball parties arranged by the dukes could be compared with the most splendid emperor’s receptions in Winter Palace.
The concerts in the palace were attended by Thcaikovsky and Anton Rubenstein.
In the end of 19th c the palace was bought by a son of the emperor Alexandre II – Grand Duke Sergej Alexandrovichon the occasion of his marriage to princess Ella von Hessen (Grand Duchess Elizaveta Fyodorovna)
Dinner is arranged in Green Room or Oak Room.
Seated dinner is arranged for the guests by one of the leading catering companies. Dinner is accompanied by string quartet.
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| Day 2 | |
Option 1
Private canal boat ride.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.
It is possible to serve a cocktail and invite musician during the trip.
Option 2 – walking tour with Russian students
Begin the morning with a walking tour along the main street of the city – Nevsky prospect accompanied by Saint Petersburg students, speaking German. Visit the shops, local markets and get insight in the present day life of local people. Afterwards have a metro ride accompanied by students.
Lunch is arranged in the city centre.
After the trip the guests will have the delicious lunch in “Restaurant” Restaurant
Lunch awaits you in one of the most peculiar restaurants of the city – “Restaurant” . (Russian word for “restaurant”), designed in the style of minimalizm by the famouse St.Petersburg designer Andrey Dmitriev. It is located in the first floor of an eighteen-century building apposite Admiralty across Niva. It consists of few larch halls devided one from another with big arches. Its walls are plastered and white. Its furniture is wooden, but elegant. It serves European and Russian cuisine.
Afternoon will be spent at
Have dinner in “Na Zdorovye” restaurant
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| Day 3 | |
Today we would like to invite you to visit the sumptuous Tzar Village (Pushkin) – summer residence of Russian Emperors. It is located not far from the city – 27 km. It is possible to take a private steam train to Pushkin from one of the railway stations of the city.
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 and the world famous Amber Room. Fast track to the palace is arranged for the group.
Lunch in “Podvorie” restaurant located cloe to the Tzar Village.
Have lunch in the restaurant “Podvorie” with traditional wooden Russian decor and national cuisine. The restaurant is known to have been visited by top level officials – Vladimir Putin, Jaques Chirac, etc. It is a very cosy restaurant, the interior resembles traditional Russian terem (wooden palace), a lot of woodcarving. Meal is accompanied by folklore group singing.
Russian vodka, Moldavian – no limit
Options for afternoon activities.
Option 1
Open air activities in Pavlovsk – locate not far from Podvorye
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.
Relay races and games (for 2 hours).
12 actors dressed in national costumes (2 of them playing accordion-players).
1. Relay race with brooms and balloons. Balloon to be chased with a broom between bowls.
2. The participants are divided into two groups and compete with jump ropes.
3. Relay race in sacks with vodka. Participants jump in sacks to drink vodka in the end.
4. Guests throw sport rings on pins.
5. Tug-of-war competition
In the end the winners get traditional Russian souvenirs.
Option 2
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 GS guides.
Have a short rest before dinner.
Fishing in the restaurant “Russian fishing” which located in the picturesque place on one of the island of the city. The restaurant is designed in the style of Russian wooden house with cozy atmosphere and delicious cuisine. The clients will have the possibility to do fishing themselves – sturgeon ,trout. It is possible to get the caught fish cooked.
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| Day 4 | |
Check out from the hotel.
After breakfast go 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.
Early opening of the palace is provided for the group.
Lunch in “Gallery” restaurant. Continue for the international airport
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