Build your own itinerary from these fantastic tours the one you want - and if you don't see - just ask - nothing is impossible!

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Todd Jones
5 years ago
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Our experienced guides will reveal tales of St Petersburg s past, present and future as they take you to the main attractions of the city.

1 Build your own itinerary from these fantastic tours the one you want - and if you don't see - just ask - nothing is impossible! City Tour We can t think of a better way to discover the magic of Russia s most imperial city than with an introductory tour. Our experienced guides will reveal tales of St Petersburg s past, present and future as they take you to the main attractions of the city. Sights include Nevsky Prospekt, St Isaac s Cathedral, Peter and Paul s Fortress where many of the Romanovs have been laid to rest, and of course, the visually stunning Church on the Spilled Blood on the banks of one of the city s many winding canals. Comfortable air conditioned transport is provided but we recommend wearing comfortable shoes as some walking is required. Don t forget your camera! Hermitage (The Winter Palace) Lose yourself amongst the treasures of one of Russia s best known sights and arguably the largest collection of fine art in the world. Masterpieces from artists such as Da Vinci, Rembrandt and Kandinsky make the Hermitage an unforgettable visit. The guide service lasts for approximately 2 hours, in which time they will take you to the most popular pieces, however you are free to further explore the museum independently afterwards. Bear in mind that the Hermitage is huge if you wanted to look at every item on display it would take you roughly 7 years so

The pastel exterior is flamboyantly embellished with gold accents and the interior is far from modestly decorated!

2 planning ahead is essential to be sure you don t miss the pieces you d most like to see! Catherine Palace (The Summer Palace in Pushkin) In the quaint village of Pushkin, on the outskirts of St Petersburg, lies one of the most impressive and iconic buildings in Russia; Catherine s Palace. The pastel exterior is flamboyantly embellished with gold accents and the interior is far from modestly decorated! The palace is home to the famous Amber Room with its mysterious past which our guides will tell you all about. The residence was destroyed in World War II and has been under construction ever since. Look out for the gallery of images detailing the reconstruction of the palace- the amount of work which has been done is awe inspiring! Why not have a wander around the grounds they are equally as impressive as the palace itself. Peterhof (Petrodvorets) Known as the Russian Versailles, Peterhof Palace and Park is a must see at any time of the year. Famous for its myriad of fountains, the grounds of the palace become a haven for tourists in the peak summer months. Look out for the Joke Fountains if you step on the wrong paving stone, you will get wet! If you re not travelling in the summer, never fear; the parks foliage is beautiful in the autumn and the grounds transform into a striking crystallised wonderland during winter months so there s never a wrong time to visit. Why not add to the adventure and travel across the Gulf of Finland by hydrofoil to get there?

Our guides really bring his story to life- there are even eerie waxworks of the monk himself!

3 Yusupov Palace This beautiful palace stands proudly on the banks of the Moika River and was once home to the respected Yusupov family. The palace is famous for the horrific assassination of Grigory Rasputin who was murdered in the basement of the building. Our guides really bring his story to life- there are even eerie waxworks of the monk himself! The palace still has many of its original interiors the Yusupov family were fabulously rich and their former home is homage to that. St Isaac s Cathedral St Isaac s Cathedral is the largest cathedral in the city and dominates the skyline of St Petersburg. Designed by a French architect and taking 40 years to construct, it is the 3rd largest domed cathedral in the world! St Isaac s is decorated with mosaics, painted ceiling murals, bronze gilt statues and is surrounded by 112 monolith granite columns, which were transported from one of the suburbs of the city. Now the cathedral houses a museum, but for the Major Orthodox holidays Religious services are still held here.

Peter and Paul Fortress Located in the heart of the city, Peter and Paul s Fortress is the area where St Petersburg, or the Window on Europe, was originally founded in the 1700 s by Peter the Great.

You can also visit the prison cell where enemies of the empire such as Dostoevsky and the Decembrists were incarcerated.

4 Peter and Paul Fortress Located in the heart of the city, Peter and Paul s Fortress is the area where St Petersburg, or the Window on Europe, was originally founded in the 1700 s by Peter the Great. The fortress houses an extraordinary handful of sights, including the magnificent baroque church where many of the Romanovs were buried. You can also visit the prison cell where enemies of the empire such as Dostoevsky and the Decembrists were incarcerated. If you are in the famous fortress at 12 noon, you will hear the canon being fired as they follow a centuries old tradition. Church of Our Saviour on Spilled Blood This fascinating church is a sight for sore eyes! The temple is known all over the world for its beauty as both the interior and exterior are intricately decorated with unbelievably detailed mosaics. The building was erected in the spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated, it was badly damaged during World War II, but is now fully restored and has been open to the public since Fun fact the walls of the church are faced with a staggering 7 thousand square metres of mosaic panels!

The State Russian Museum The State Russian Museum is a treasure chest of art located in one of the most beautiful squares in St Petersburg.

5 Alexander Nevsky Lavra Alexander Nevsky Lavra is a true artistic landmark of St Petersburg and houses some of the city s oldest buildings. The monastery was built during the eighteenth century and the Lavra contains three cemeteries where some of Russia s greats are buried including Dostoevsky and Tchaikovsky. The State Russian Museum The State Russian Museum is a treasure chest of art located in one of the most beautiful squares in St Petersburg. It was the first state museum of Russian fine arts in the country and is a major hub of culture and education. The museum contains countless masterpieces and unique collections of art, from traditional icon paintings to experimental Avant Garde and socialist realism. A must visit for any art lover!

Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh To Russia with Love: Women's Mission to St. Petersburg and Riga June 16-23, 2019

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