Discover the Beauty of the Russian Venice - St. Petersburg (CB-02)

At St Petersburg airport, make your way to the arrivals hall where you’ll find our driver waiting to take you to your hotel. Look out for the Go Russia sign he’ll be carrying.

We’re confident you’ll fall head over heels with St Petersburg and today’s introductory tour is designed to immerse you in the city’s most famous areas to start that love affair. By car, we’ll travel to iconic sights including the Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Isaac's Cathedral and the Church of Christ's Resurrection (The Saviour of the Blood). The order for the start of the Great Social Revolution was given by Lenin over 90 years ago and you’ll pay a visit to the cruiser Aurora, the ship from which the cannon signalled this historic moment.

The beautiful Yusupov Palace will always be associated with scandal, for it was here that Grigory Rasputin met his grisly fate. This influential figure, said to have wielded significant power over Tsar Nicholas II, was murdered here and the cellar where the crime took place now exhibits artefacts telling that gripping story. The splendour of the palace itself is a far cry from such horrors and you’ll delight in exploring its stunning interiors. Packed with sumptuous decor with the finest marble, gilded chandeliers and elaborate carvings dating from the 19th century, the palace offers an unrivalled glimpse into the life of a wealthy aristocratic family.

There’s almost no museum in the world that rivals the Hermitage for its collection of art. There are around 3 million pieces ranging from the artists of the Italian Renaissance to the French impressionists. With so much to see, you’ll be glad we include a guided tour so that you don’t have to make sense of it on your own. The Winter Palace, home to the museum, was not only the home of the Tsars but also the backdrop for the 1905 and 1917 Revolutions, making it one of the most significant buildings in the country. Commissioned by the Empress Elizabeth in the 18th century, its stunning Baroque facade is one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, making this an unforgettable place to visit.

Our final day’s sightseeing takes us to the suburbs of St Petersburg to one of its magnificent summer palaces, Petrodvorets, also known as the Peterhof. This palace, set in extensive parkland, features marvellous fountains and exquisite interiors, making it justifiably popular with visitors.

Today marks the end of our tour. Our driver will meet you in the hotel lobby with a Go Russia sign board ready to accompany you to the airport for your flight home.