Visit to the Hermitage. Our main goal during this visit will be to take a closer look at the interiors of Winter palace and its history as well as Hermitage famous art collections. We'll stroll through the great halls of the tsars and remember the balls and ceremonies that were once held there. We will pass the main section of the museum, including the Imperial living quarters, the famous Malachite room and beyond. Following lunch at a local bistro we will visit the birthplace of St. Petersburg - the Peter and Paul fortress . Its historical significance is felt to this day by the presence of every Romanov tomb from Peter the First at the cathedral.
St. Isaac's cathedral is famous for its interiors with lapis lazuli and malachite columns. The 4000 sq.m. interior is fully covered with semi-precious stones and mosaics and it is very impressive. We also climb a circular staircase taking us to the top of the cathedral, being rewarded at the end with a panoramic bird's eye view of the city
We will walk to the Brass Horseman - monument to Peter the Great installed by Catherine the Great, a unique monument which immortalizes both of them.
We will start our day joining the parish of the small local church for the Sunday service at an orthodox church - 25 km car transfer - Visit to Tsarskoye selo (Pushkin) royal residence and walk in its endless gardens. You will see one of the largest European royal palaces built in XVIII century and famous Amber room. Numerous park pavilions in different styles will entertain you during your walk -- we move onto the best restaurant for Russian cuisine "Podvorje". Situtated in a large log house, which reminds us of Russian fairy tales, this restaurant has gained a top reputation after Russian president Putin celebrated his birthday there - on the way back to the city we will make a stop at an open-air monument dedicated to the Second world war and St. Petersburg's (Leningrad at that time) role in it - a tour around the most impressive metro stations of the Soviet period will conclude our day.
The Russian museum is a unique chance to see the entire history of Russian fine art from the tenth century to the present day (it is the largest collection in the world). You will see the glorious and tragic moments of Russian history in the masterpieces of Russian painters - The Church on the Spilled Blood always attracts attention due to its flowery national architecture so different from anything in Europe. After St. Marco cathedral in Venice this church has the largest area covered with mosaics in the world (7000 sq.m.) - lunch at « Stolle»: café offering pies backed according to Old Russian recipes. It is inexpensive but tasty and filling, modest but nice. Not surprisingly it became one of the most popular city center places among the locals.
- Yusupov palace is one of the palaces of Russian nobility which could compete with the royal palaces by virtue of its exquisite and gorgeous decoration. - our day will finish with the ballet at one of St.Petersburg theaters
Peter the Great's palace in the Summer garden is a very unique experience. You can take a peep at the Russian tsar's non-parade private apartment of the XVIII century. Kitchen, sitting room, toilet, children room etc. - everything is so real that you would not be surprised if you ran into Peter the Great in person - boat trip around St.Petersburg riverls and canals is a chance to have a look at the city from a different point of view. Numerous bridges, elegant wrought iron railings and massive granite banks granted the city the title of the Venice of the North.
- lunch break - Nevsky prospect - walking tour along the most prestigious part of the main city avenue (weather permitting). We will talk about the history of the street and the city, making stops in front of the most interesting buildings on it (a visit to the cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan included). At Alexander Nevsky monastery we will walk through the fascinating and ornate cemetery of Russian artists to view the monuments to Russian writers and composers including Dostoyevsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky, which are the masterpieces of sculptural art themselves - Visit to the 6:00 p.m. Russian Orthodox service at the Alexander Nevsky cathedral.
Petrodvorets (Peterhof): We shall stroll in both Upper and Low gardens and taking in most of the 177 fountains of this striking residence of the Russian crown - Car transfer - We will visit the rarely seen Cottage at Peterhof. In contrast to the big parade palaces this is a private house where the royal family rested from the formal ceremonial life. Every object here is intact since the XIX century. Depending on your wishes and interests we can also visit the Big palace of Peterhof as well as any of the other 20 museums located on the territory of this extensive complex as well (we can decide about this on the day). - car transfer back to St.Petersburg - (possible short stop at the hotel to change) - our day will finish with the folk-show "Feel yourself Russian" at Nicolaevsky palace
