Sightseeing Options St Petersburg

St Petersburg, has always been a centre for the arts, both pre, during and after the communist period. In some peoples minds, “The Brothers Karamazov” written by the city’s most renowned novelist, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, is perhaps his greatest novel. Here he wrote about three brothers who represented three worlds: the intellectual, the spiritual, and the sensual.

As you wander throughout this city you see this ‘family’ manifested in many forms. From the majesty of the local theatre, extensive museums and art galleries to the lofty cathedral domes resonating with orthodox chants. Then you can feel the crisp air of a winter's day and view the palate of sharp white snow against a sharp blue winter's sky, or enjoy the subtle excuse for a night sky during the long days of high summer.

Here we have highlighted the "classics". There are of course other options for which we can make arrangements. Ask for details of other sightseeing excursions. If you want a private guided tour to a specific place in St Petersburg then ask and we can quote for you.

By walking guide

Our walking guide concept is an economical and fun way to explore both these cities. Moscow and St Petersburg are blessed with having a great public transport system, both above and below ground. With the growing traffic problems in the centre of these cities, using public transport can save considerable time. Our guides can cover most major languages and are all post graduates who have completed, or are completing a ‘Guiding Diploma’. They not only give you the historical details about where you are, but are happy to immerse themselves in discussions about everyday Russian life and how they see Russia’s current situation and future.

‘Walking’ also includes time on the underground, in trolley buses and can make use of the occasional taxi - paid locally as required. Our guides work out the best ‘movement’ solution based on what you want to see, the time of day and the condition of the traffic. Large distances can be covered by the underground in quick time. The trolley bus system can also be used as they can avoid some of the traffic problems cars have to endure. Otherwise, walking is the best way to get close to something of interest. If the guide thinks a ‘taxi’ is the best solution for the next stage, he or she can flag down an appropriate car and knows the price to pay for the distance and so avoids the ‘foreigners’ price.

Six (6) hour walking tour

St Petersburg is a vast open-air museum spread out over forty-four islands. Our walking tour commences at Nevsky Prospekt and includes one or two museums, depending on the time available. The monument in the center of the main square is of the 19th Century poet Russian poet Alexander Pushkin and the building that dominates one side of the square is the Russian Museum. Continuing our walk we come to the church of Resurrection known as the Church of Spilt Blood and find ourselves on the field of Mars (Marsovo Pole a former military parade ground). We then pass the Mikhallovsky Castle, built by the demented czar Paul and spend some time in the Summer Gardens - Peter's Summer Palace. On Reaching the Neva the Peter and Paul Fortress comes into view as we pass the Winter Palace (Hermitage), Admiralty, Decembrist's Square, St Issac's Cathedral (100 Kilos of gold went into the gilding the dome) and the Maryinsky Place. A short stroll along Gertsen Street brings us back to the city's main thoroughfare Nevesky Prospekt, and the Kazan Cathedral - one of the finest buildings in the city.

Our guide will meet you at your accommodation. You will be expected to pay for any transport taken when on a walking tour (unless otherwise stated), but this is a minor amount. At the end of 2010, a ride to anywhere on the underground or a trolley bus was Eur.50 cents a ride!  With the above example public transport is minimal, just getting from and back to your accommodation. This is a comprehensive tour of the central highlights. The programme can be varied to suit your own interests, which might mean other public transport costs.

Duration: 6 hours. Start time 0930am. Price: See table below. Entrance fees are not included and are purchased as required. As a guide for entrance fees budget for EUR50 per person.

Departures: Daily to order.
 

By Private Car

Use of a car with a driver/guide is an extremely efficient way to accomplish certain sightseeing. What takes two days with public transport, takes one day by car, plus in most cases, more can be seen due to having your own guide and interpreter. A car with a driver/guide can take you (virtually) anywhere in the city of St Petersburg. Note: walking for absolute central St Petersburg is the most interesting way to see this area, but this does not suit everyone.

3 Hour Orientation Tour
Designed to move around the central and near central main highlights of St Petersburg. Not designed to spend time going into various places. Time to stop and take photographs, but not time enough to wander around inside the Hermitage. Price: See table below. Also good for those who don't want a walking tour.

Individual costs for St Petersburg Sightseeing

These are private tours (for the number that book) only. Your guides are qualified tourist guides in the language you have chosen.
If the place visited requires an entry fee this is included.
If you book JUST these sightseeing tours with us and have made no other arrangements with us there is a 'Per File' fee of Eur20

From ST PETERSBURG

The Grand Palaces Petrodvorets (Summer Palace) and Catherine's Palace (Pushkin) St Petersburg abounds in palaces but some of the better ones are outside of the city and require a full day or half a day (each) to do them full justice. All were summer residences of the royal families and are built in an opulent style. They feature ornate gardens, with Petrodvorets being home to one of Europe’s greatest displays of formal water fountains. Petrodvorets and Lomonosov are 30 kilometres west of the city and can be reached by train (Hydrofoil in summer), or by private car and driver. If you do not have a lot of time it might be prudent to hire a car and driver. A half day would be enough in this case. Catherine Palace (Pushkin) and Pavlovsk (The park) can also be combined and are about 30 kilometres south of the city. With a private car and guide you can manage Petrodvorets and Catherine Palace in one full day's activity.

 

Visit the famous Mariinsky Theatre in a horse drawn carriage During a Special Backstage tour of the Mariinsky Theatre guests will see how a performance is engineered, the changing rooms and how the scenery is made and painted. It is also an opportunity to see sets painted by famous Russian artists of the 19th and early 20th centuries still in use today. One of the St. Petersburg's most famous buildings is the Mariinsky Imperial Opera Theatre named after Maria Fedorovna, the wife of Emperor Alexander II. Built by architect Cavos in 1859-1860, it was inaugurated in 1860. Today the Mariinsky Theatre is one of the most beautiful in the world, renowned for it's artists both past and present.

 

'Cafe Society' alive in St Petersburg Our roving photographer and author, Patrick Horton samples a local brew in St Petersburg. After recently researching 'Real Ale' outlets in the U.K he is keen to record Russia's contribution to the beer connoisseur world.

Add Novgorod
To include the ancient Capital of Ancient Russia. Travel Moscow to Novgorod and then St Petersburg, or the reverse and a multi day package.
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For a day trip from St Petersburg see the above sightseeing table.

Golden Ring Programmes
These only operate out of Moscow - best logistics to make a sensible price.
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General Information about St Petersburg
 

Sightseeing idea for St Petersburg The Battleship Aurora where the first shots of the 'Revolution' were fired and where Lenin claimed victory. This ship is still a commissioned boat in the Russian navy and is open to the public as a floating museum to sea power of old. It dates from the Russo-Japanese war.