Only the Best - 1 Day Shore excursion
Highlights
- Panoramic bus tour with photo stops
- Church on the spilled blood
- The Hermitage
- Peter and Paul Fortress
- Canal boat tour
- St. Isaac's cathedral
- Metro Stations of the soviet period
I offer visa-free private, individual tours and shore excursions. Please bear this in mind when comparing services and prices. Other guides and tour companies may quote for you joining one of their group tours.
Price: 245USD per person for a 1 day tour
ToNotes:
- these prices are not applicable to single travelers
- discounts are provided to 7 people groups or more
- school children and students have a discount IF they provide their ISEC student card
- depending on arrival day the order of the itinerary may need to be changed to allow for non-working days in museums etc.
- Professional licensed guiding service
- Transportation by comfortable vehicles: car or minibus depending on the size of the group
- No-line entrance tickets to all sights according to the program
- Visa free waiver ticket for cruise passengers
- Bottled water
About the tour
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I do not start programs with a transfer to Pushkin or Peterhof as it is about a 1½ hour trip. In the beginning of the day it is just boring, but in the middle - after you have already been walking and sight-seeing for few hours it will provide a well needed rest, so you are refreshed for the next stage of the tour.
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Standard programs can be changed in any way to meet your personal requirements. However the daily rate of a customized tour - depending on the inclusions - will come to 300-400USD per person per day against 245USD for a standard one.
Itinerary:
Day 1
8:30-9.30: Meeting in the port
You will see me waiting for you once you have disembarked and cleared passport control.
Meeting in the port.
9:30-11.30: Panoramic city bus tour
We start with a bus tour around the main sights of St. Petersburg with stops for photos at the most photogenic ones. Amongst those we pass will be: Nevsky Prospekt, Kazan Cathedral, Michael's Castle, Summer Garden, Spit of Basil Island,St. Petersburg University and the Admiralty.
Gostiny Dvor on Nevsky Prospect
11.30-12.30 Church on the spilled blood.
We will have an inside tour St Petersburg’s most elaborate church marvelling at the dazzling exterior and an interior decorated with some 7000 sq metres of mosaics, Italian coloured marbles and decorative stones from the Urals and Altai region.
Church on the spilled blood
12.30-13.30: Lunch or coffee break at a local cafe.
Pelmeni - a traditional dish.
13.30-16.00: Hermitage tour.
Marvel at the magnificent interiors of the winter palace while viewing the stunning collections of European art which are displayed in the museum. I am happy to adapt the tour to your interests: it can be focused on the history of Russian royal family plus the most impressive interiors OR on the art collection - we can agree it in advance.
Peacock clock in the Hermitage museum.
16.00-18.00: Peter and Paul Fortress
Founded by Peter the Great in 1703 and named after two apostles it is one of the city's most popular sights. Here we will have a walking tour around the inside of the fortress seeing gardens, statutes, and several historic buildings.
Peter and Paul Fortress
18.00-19.00: Canal boat tour.
Cruising the rivers and canals that surround St. Petersburg is an amazing and fun way to explore the city's attractions and its famous landmarks. This is a public tour, but with an English commentary.
Canal boat tour
19.00-20.00: Tour of St. Isaac's cathedral
This lavishly decorated building is the largest cathedral in St. Petersburg and a recognisable city landmark thanks to its imposing golden cupola. We will have a guided tour inside and learn about some of the interesting history of this unique building.
St. Isaac's cathedral
20.00-20.30: Metro Stations
We will visit a couple of the most impressive palatial stations in St. Petersburg where we will see grand columns, marble interiors and ornate decorations of the soviet period.
Metro Station
20.30-21.30 Transfer back to your ship.
Optional stop enroute before the end of your tour for souvenir shopping.
You can buy many interesting and unique souvenirs in Russia such as Replica Fabergé Eggs, Porcelain, Lacquered Boxes, Amber items - and of course our famous "matryoshka" nesting dolls.
Display of traditional nesting dolls.