➤ Breakfast
➤ Guided tour to the royal Peterhof Palace
➤ Guided tour to the Peter and Paul Fortress and Cathedral
➤ Boat cruise
➤ The evening is free at leisure
➤ Optional Faberge Museum Tour
Gardens and parks are spread over more than four hundred hectares and include thirty-one amazing museums and beautiful Versailles-style gardens. Interiors, as always in Russia, are all made of gold. In summer, the Peterhof is especially good thanks to its famous fountains which run naturally.
We shall visit the Grand Palace - the golden must-see! - and have a tour around the estate. Facing the Gulf of Finland, the palace - rises above the Grand Cascade and the Lower Park, stretching along the upper terrace for almost three hundred yards. The original idea for the location and general appearance of the "Upper Chambers" — as the Grand Palace was first known — belonged to Peter the Great. Throughout the XVIIIth and XIXth centuries, the finest Russian and West European architects worked on the facades and the interior décor. But the greatest contribution was made by Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli, who transformed the Grand Palace into a masterpiece of Baroque art during the reign of Peter's illustrious daughter, Empress Elizabeth, in the eighteenth century.
The Peter and Paul Fortress is regarded as the birthplace of St. Petersburg, constructed during the Northern War between Russia and Sweden. At the heart of the fortress stands the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, a significant symbol of the city’s history and architecture. The Cathedral of Saint Peter and Paul is the first and oldest landmark in St. Petersburg, built between 1712 and 1733. Commissioned by Peter the Great and designed by Domenico Trezzini, the cathedral features the tallest Orthodox bell tower in the world. Since the belfry is integrated into the main structure, St. Peter and Paul cathedral is often considered to be the world's highest Russian Orthodox church. There is also another Cathedral of Saint Peter and Paul located in Peterhof.
You might have an optional tour to explore the world's largest collection of Carl Fabergé masterpieces at the Shuvalov Palace. In addition to the renowned Fabergé Easter Eggs, the collection boasts over 4,000 works of applied and fine art, including gold and silver items, paintings and bronze sculptures. It’s a treasure trove of exquisite craftsmanship and artistry!
Take a romantic cruise down the canals of St. Petersburg and see some of the city’s monuments on the banks of the River Neva. Enjoy the luxury of your private boat!
St. Petersburg, built on 42 islands, is surrounded by water and features a sophisticated network of rivers and canals. The city's low-rise classical architecture allows for stunning views from the water, making a boat cruise along its rivers and canals an essential part of any tour.