Itinerary – 5 Day Private Tour of St Petersburg

“…We would like to share with you the experience we had during our visit to St. Petersburg. The hotel was very pleasant in every aspect, the program you made up was very useful, BUT, what really made this trip an unforgettable one, was our guide. She granted us with every wish, navigated us through, and skipped the line (and what lines) on every occasion. Maria knew exactly where our interests lie and planed our trip to perfection. The climax of the visit was on Wednesday. Because president Putin and Chancellor Kurz opened an exhibition, the Hermitage museum was closed for visitors. Maria arranged for us to enter the museum at 10:00 am, and for 3 1/2  hours we had the whole museum for ourselves. She guided us through all the rooms and we were able to inspect each item without a person beside us. We greatly enjoyed the opera, concert and ballet for which you arranged for us the best possible seats. Finally a good word for our driver and his big car, who was always on the spot and did not keep us waiting for a moment. We know that you have been behind the scene watching over the whole trip and for this many thanks to you too…”

Day 1

Upon arrival in St Petersburg, you will be met at the airport (or rail station) by our local professional guide who will escort you, on your transfer to your centrally located 5 star Deluxe hotel, to assist with check in.  (4 nights)
Check in from 14.00 hrs
Complimentary room upgrade at Belmond Grand Hotel Europe

Grand Hotel Europe would like to invite you to the complimentary Caviar and Vodka master-class, conducted on MONDAY and THURSDAY at 16.00 in the Caviar Bar and Restaurant.
A 50 minute lecture with TV presentation and caviar story, explaining the varieties of caviar, how to eat it and how to pair.  The Master-class includes a small compliment from the Chef and a shot of vodka. Prebooking is required and you may prebook or order locally caviar and vodka.
Subject to availability, maximum 8 guests.

Evening at leisure.
Overnight at 5 star Deluxe Hotel.

Day 2

09.30 hrs:  Your personal local guide will meet you in reception, to begin your panoramic orientation tour of the city by private car. You will see all the major sights of this beautiful city of St Petersburg. You will pass by the Winter Palace, home of the world-renowned Hermitage Museum, and pass along Nevsky Prospect. St Isaac’s cathedral is also on our route, as well as the Church on the Spilled Blood.

Included today is a visit to St Petersburg’s newest museum, the privately owned Faberge Collection, housed in the beautiful Shuvalov Palace. Here you may see the world’s finest private Faberge collection, including Imperial eggs, each with their own fascinating story to tell.  Here you will receive an audio guide. (Private tour with guide available at a supplement).

We also include a visit to Peter and Paul Fortress, a fort which guards the city of St Petersburg, located on the island facing the Hermitage museum and dominating River Neva. Built as a fortification during the Russian-Swedish war, it was never used as a fortress, its bastions were turned into political prison cells. There a son of Peter the Great, Prince Alexei, a famous pretender to the throne, Princess Tarakanova, writer Radischev, Decembrists and revolutionaries were held as prisoners. Inside the fortress, Peter and Paul Cathedral, designed by Tresini, is the final resting place of Russia’s noble rulers from 1725 to the last Tsar.

Today we offer you a choice of one of two further tours with your guide: you may visit St Isaac’s Cathedral or the Church on the Spilled Blood.

Return to the hotel at around 16.30 hrs or you may stay in the city for further exploration and make your own way back to the hotel.

Entrances included today: Faberge Museum (audio guide), Peter and Paul Fortress, either St Isaac’s Cathedral or the Church on the Spilled Blood.
n.b. *Faberge museum no longer has scheduled tours in English language. We can arrange a private tour for a supplement of approximately €100 per person (for 2 persons)

Evening at leisure.
Overnight at 5 star Deluxe Hotel.

Day 3

09.00 hrs:*   After breakfast your guide will collect you for a leisurely walk through the streets and by the canals to visit the Hermitage museum – the magnificent collection in the winter palace of Catherine the Great. One of the largest museums in the World, founded in 1764; its collection includes over 2.7 million items including an infinite range of artefacts and objets d’art – a true feast for art lovers. We also include today the adjacent General Staff Building, one of the most famous architectural monuments in St Petersburg, designed by architect K. I. Rossi in the early 19th century.  Reconstruction was started in 2008 and ended in 2014. Five large atriums were covered with glass roofs, to create a truly impressive space. After the restoration, the collections of Russian and European decorative art, paintings and sculptures from the 19th and 20th centuries (including Impressionist and Post-impressionist paintings by Matisse and Picasso), as well as contemporary art were moved from the Hermitage to to their new home.

Return to the hotel at around 14.00 hrs* or you may stay on at the Hermitage museum and return to the hotel independently, at your leisure.
*Timings may vary and will be confirmed by your guide.

Evening at leisure.
Overnight at 5 star Deluxe Hotel.

Entrances today: Hermitage museum and General Staff Building.

Day 4

09.30 hrs* After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will meet you for an out of town excursion to one of St Petersburg’s most prized Palaces. In the town of Pushkin (formerly Tsarskoye Selo), 29km south of St. Petersburg, is Catherine’s Summer Palace. The construction of the palace for Empress Catherine started in 1717. A park in the French style was laid out around the palace and in the middle of 18th century Tsarskoye Selo became the official royal residence. This palace is famous for the ‘Amber Room’, now completely restored to its former glory, a highlight of the tour. Not far from Catherine’s Palace is the Lyceum where the great poet Alexander Pushkin studied. Return to your hotel early/mid afternoon.

*Timings may vary and will be confirmed by your guide locally

Evening at leisure.
Overnight at 5 star Deluxe Hotel.

Entrances included today: Catherine’s Palace.

Day 5

After breakfast at your hotel, check out by 12.00 hrs and your guide will accompany you on your departure transfer to the airport / rail station as required.

Your Deluxe tour is created on a Private basis. The itinerary will vary according to the days of the week you are in St Petersburg.  The above itinerary is an example of the programme when arriving on Monday.  If you have any preferences for other included visits, please let us know, we can make adjustments to suit your needs.
Please ask for our quotation if you would like to upgrade your room type or select an alternative 5 star hotel.
We can reserve seats at the Mariinsky theatre and other venues. Please ask us for information about booking ballet, opera and concert tickets.

Further services / programme extensions can be provided upon request. Please email info@select-a-tour.com for details.

Prices and Dates 2022 (Belmond Grand Hotel Europe)

Prices per person, includes complimentary room upgrade*

(*subject to availability at time of booking).

LOW SEASON 2022
01 January – 31 March 2022

From EURO 1,295 per person in twin/double
Prices are per person in twin/double for travel completed in the dates shown.

Prices are per person in twin/double for travel completed in the dates shown.

n.b. *Certain High Season dates are unavailable or ‘on request’.
We will request stays during these dates, however, rates, if available, will be higher than those mentioned above.
Complimentary room upgrades not available during these dates.

Limited availabilty during SPIEF (Economic Forum), FIFA/UEFA match dates, other international events.
All dates subject to availability.

Prices are an example of our Deluxe Private Tour – please ask for prices for other 5 star Deluxe Hotels in the city.

IMPORTANT:
Prices apply when travel is completed within the dates shown.
All tours on request and subject to availability.

Price Includes

• Four nights in St Petersburg at 5 star Belmond Grand Hotel Europe, Superior Room (with guaranteed upgrade to Deluxe Room).
  Accommodation based on two persons sharing a room.
• Comprehensive sightseeing programme with English speaking guide.
  Please ask for supplement if you require other language for your excursions.
• Arrival and departure in St Petersburg with assistance. This includes all city airports and main rail stations.
  There is a supplement for transfers between 22:00 –  07:00, and on public holidays.
• Private Transfers with English speaking representatives
• Breakfast daily
• Excursions with private guide and car (or walking tour) as per itinerary.
• St Petersburg Entrances:
  Faberge Museum (audio guide)
  Hermitage Museum
  General Staff Building
  Peter and Paul Fortress
  Catherine’s Palace
  Choice of St Isaacs Cathedral or the Church on the Spilled Blood
• Visa support for duration of tour
• 24 hour emergency contact

Not Included in price

• International flights
• Out of hours supplement for transfers between 22:00 –  07:00, and on public holidays
• Any meals, beverages, sightseeing entrance fees not specified in the inclusions
• Gratuities / tips for guise and driver
• Photo and video charges at museums and places of interest
• Personal costs incurred at the hotel
• Extended visa support
• Hotel registration fee payable locally in cash roubles

Accommodation – Private Tour St Petersburg 2022

Belmond Grand Hotel Europe, St Petersburg ★★★★★ (or similar)

A cultural and culinary landmark, Belmond Grand Hotel Europe has played a central role in the life of St Petersburg for 140 years. A truly iconic hotel, it stands on Nevsky Prospekt among the city’s great architectural treasures—renowned for its impressive façade and decorative interiors. Positioned adjacent to Arts Square, the hotel has strong associations with the worlds of theatre, music and dance. A stay here takes you straight to the heart of Russia. Enjoy one of the city’s most impressive historic breakfast rooms, a popular sophisticated Art Nouveau bar and the many luxury facilities and amenities which make this hotel the first choice of world leaders, royalty and celebrities. A warm and professional welcome awaits within.
We offer a complimentary upgrade to Deluxe Room. Please ask us for prices for suites.

Notes

• Price based on two persons sharing a twin/double room
• Travel to be completed within dates specified per season
• Itinerary based on Monday arrival, this may change if you arrive on a different day of the week.
• Check in after 15.00 hrs (St Petersburg). Check out by 12.00 hours
• Accommodation subject to availability and may be substituted with similar grade hotels
• Please ask for supplement to upgrade your room type
• Tour days and timings may vary according to local conditions and substitutions may be made if necessary
• Visa support – is supplied for duration of tour only. If you require an extended visa support we can supply this from €25 per person (certain nationalities incur a higher extended visa support letter fee) – check with us for details.
• Russian Visa – you will need to obtain a tourist visa BEFORE you arrive in Russia*
• Important – remember to apply for your visa at least 1 month prior to travel
• Rates not valid for 31 December
• Please ask us if you wish to extend your stay in Russia

*For visa free travel please see our 5 day visa free tour by ferry from Helsinki