Your Exclusive Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive St. Petersburg 
Upon arrival, you’ll be met by your guide and escorted by private car to the storied Grand Hotel Europe where a bottle of sparkling wine is chilling in your luxuriously appointed guestroom. After settling-in to your luxuriously appointed guestroom, feel free to step out on your own and get a feel for this vibrant, cultural metropolis… The city’s most elegant boulevard, Nevsky Prospekt, is right at your doorstep! Tonight, we’ve arranged for you to dine here at this historic hotel. Meals D
Day 2 – Out and About in the City of Peter the Great
Begin your privately guided exploration of the city along Nevsky Prospekt, graced with Baroque architecture and grand monuments. See the Bronze Horseman and gaze upon the colorful domes of the Cathedral on the Spilled Blood, completed in 1907 on the spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated in 1881. Then join your guide and mingle with city residents during lunch at one of his/her favorite spots. Continue your touring at St. Isaac’s Cathedral, one of the largest churches in the world and capped by a glistening dome gilded with 220 pounds of gold! Conclude your explorations with the Peter and Paul Fortress, commissioned by Peter the Great himself to defend his new city. Meals B,L
Day 3 – Amazing Art in an Historic Palace... The Hermitage
The extraordinary Hermitage museum occupies six magnificent buildings in the very heart of St. Petersburg. Its world-renowned collection, built over more than two centuries, comprises some of humanity’s greatest artistic and cultural achievements, from antiquity through the 20th century. In the company of your own personal expert, your specially-arranged early morning visit includes the fabled Gold Room, containing more than 1,000 works of gold dating from the 7th century B.C. to the 19th century. Your in-depth privately guided tour finishes in the early afternoon, allowing free time to explore further at your own pace. Meals B
Day 4 – Excursion to Tsarskoye Selo
The summer palaces of the Czars offer amazing insight into the wealth, glory and dramatic intrigue of their lives. Your day begins in Pushkin with a visit to the resplendent Catherine’s Palace, where Empress Catherine the Great lived and died. Nearly destroyed during World War II, it has been meticulously restored to its original grandeur. The spectacular interior halls include the Grand Ballroom and the famed Amber Room, decorated with breathtaking mosaic panels of hand-cut amber and gold.
Afterward, your personal guide will show you a second palace of your choosing:
-
Pavlovsk: Set amidst 1,500 acres of park and landscaped grounds, this 18th century palace is one of Russia’s most picturesque. It took nearly 45 years to design and construct and served as a country residence for the Russian Imperial family.
-
Alexander Palace: Built in 1796, this handsome palace was the favored residence of Tsar Nicholas II and his family. It was from here in 1917 that the Imperial family was taken and sent into exile. It is in the classical style, including a magnificent central colonnade passage with double rows of imposing Corinthian columns.
-
Gatchina: This Imperial estate is a stunning example of 18th century European landscape architecture, its lovely grounds graced with ponds, bridges, terraces and gates.
Meals B
Day 5 – Peterhof Palace & Afternoon a la Carte!
Thrill to the grandeur of Peter the Great’s Imperial estate. Set on the Gulf of Finland, Peterhof comprises several ornate palaces, beautifully landscaped parks, spectacular fountains, and gilded statuary. The Grand Palace is surrounded by beautiful formal gardens that overlook a dazzling cascade of fountains. Although heavily damaged during the War, the palace grounds and interiors have been painstakingly restored to their former glory. (During the summer, transport to and from Peterhof will be via high-speed hydrofoil.)
In the afternoon, your private sightseeing continues back in the city with your choice from the following:
-
Russian Museum: Set in the former Mikhailovsky Palace, this museum houses the world’s finest collection of Russian and folk art, with thousands of pieces ranging from 12th century icons to 20th century paintings, including art of the Soviet period.
-
Yusapov Palace: Though quite simple and unadorned on the outside, the interiors of this 18th century palace are among the most lavish of any in St. Petersburg. Your tour includes the room where Prince Felix Yusapov and a group of the city’s elite conspired to kill Gregory Rasputin - and the cellar where this infamous deed took place.
-
In the Footsteps of Dostoyevsky:The famous author was at home here in the Vladimirsky district – one of the most historic areas of St. Petersburg and a setting in many of his stories and novels. From 1878 to 1881, Dostoyevsky lived and wrote here, and today this unique museum is filled with memorabilia of his life, including his writing table and several original manuscripts.
Meals B
Day 6 – St. Petersburg Departure
After breakfast, your private car and driver await to escort you to the airport for your onward journey. Meals B
