St. Petersburg

Hermitage Museum - One of the finest and biggest art museums of the world. It was founded in 1764. Its collection counts more than 2.7 million items, representing different countries and ages. It is the largest museum in Russia.Hermitage Museum is situated in the Winter Palace. For many years the Winter Palace served as the residence of the tsars, then a the residence of the Provisional Government. After the Revolution the Palace became a museum. At present one can see in the Hermitage masterpieces of Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Roden, Rembrandt, Rubens, French impressionists. (2,5 hours) OPEN: 10:30-18:00 CLOSED: MON

St. Isaac's Cathedral One of the most beautiful monuments of Russian architecture . It was built in 1818-1858 in Russian classical style. The Cathedral was named after the legendary monk St.Isaak Dalmatsky. The interior of the Cathedral is decorated with paintings of Bryullov, Bruni, Basin, mosaics and sculptures of Russian and Italian artists. (1,5 hours) OPEN: 11:00-17:00 CLOSED: WED

Peter and Paul Fortress. The oldest architectural memorial in St. Petersburg. The construction of it started the 27th May 1703, it is celebrated as Petersburg foundation day. It was founded by Peter the First as a fortification during the North War. Later its bastions were turned into political prison cells. The Peter and Paul's Cathedral is the central part of the whole composition. Built in baroque style is the highest building in the city. The Bell Tower is crowned with a statue of an angel holding the cross. The Cathedral was a burial-ground of Russian Tsars from the House of Romanovs. On the territory of the Fortress one can see a small pavilion - Botny Dom - the house of Peter the Firsts' sailboat. Since 1923 the Peter and Paul's Fortress is a museum. (1,5 hours) OPEN: 11:00-18:00 CLOSED: WED, last THU

The Museum of Ethnography (2h.). OPEN: 11:00-18:00 CLOSED: MON, last FRI

Russian Museum the largest collection of Russian art in the world, was established in 1895. The Russian Museum contains more than 300,000 works of Russian painters starting from the 11th century, masterpieces of great icon-painters, portraits by Levitsky and Borovikovsky, paintings by artists Brullov, Repin, Surikov, Vereshchagin, Venetsianov, Petrov and Serov. You will get acquainted with different art schools. The collection is displayed in 3 buildings. (3h.). OPEN:10:30-17:30 CLOSED: MON

In the evening the guests may have the pleasure to see Russian ballet in the Mariinskij theatre.

During the period of "Russian Winter"(December 15-January 1) - we offer Troika Ride in the park of the Catherine Palace or in the park of the Pavlovskiy Palace

During "White nights" (May 15-July 15) we may offer the boat ride along St.Petersburg rivers and canals or along The Neva late in the evening.

Out -of -town tours:

Petrodvorets (Peterhoff) The imperial summer residence of the tsars situated 30 km from the city. It was built in the 18th century to commemorate the victory of the Russian Army over the Sweds near Poltava. The unique architectural complex includes The Grand Palace, the Monplaisir Palace, the Cottage Palace, Hermitage Pavilion. All palaces, fountains and parks were designed by famous architects. The Grand Palace is the focal point of the park ensemble. The construction began in 1714 and was carried by Russian and foreign architects, sculptors and painters. After the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) the Palace was completely restored. The major attraction of the parks of Petrodvoretz is an ensemble of fountains. They render brilliance to the whole Peterhof complex. (1,5 hours) The Monplaisir Palace features private things of Peter I and his family - paintings, furniture and applied art samples. Other Palaces of Petrodvorets contain paintings, furniture and applied art items of different generations of Russian tsars. The Cottage Palace was given as a present by Nicholas I to his wife Alexandra. This museum contains works of applied art of the l9th century. (1 hour) OPEN: 10:00-17:00. CLOSED: MON, last TUE. Monplesir Palace CLOSED: WED, last THU

Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo) Named after the great Russian poet, Alexander Pushkin , the town is dominated by Catherine Palace. The construction started in 1717. In the 18th century Tsarskoye Selo became the official royal residence. Near the Palace there is a wonderful French style park. Not far from the Palace there is the Lyceum where the great poet Alexander Pushkin studied. The Lyceum is open for visitors. (4h.). OPEN: 10:00-17:00. CLOSED: TUE, last MON

Pavlovsk. Another royal residence full of art treasures. It was founded by Catherine the Great in 1777 for her son - Paul. The residence is located 5 km from Pushkin. It was created by famous architects Cameron, Voronikhin and Rossi. In the palace you can see pieces of 19th century applied art, paintings of Russian and European masters and other items belonged to Paul I and his family.(4 h) OPEN: 10:00-17:00. CLOSED: FRI, first MON

Yusupov Palace. The residence of noble Russian family - the Yusupovs. It was also known as the site where Rasputin was murdered. Residential rooms of the palace are open to visitors. Concerts of classical and folk music are held there. (1,5 hours) OPEN: 10:00-17:00 CLOSED: MON

Lomonosov (Oranienbaum) Alexander Menshikov (Peter's favorite) ordered the construction of this summer residence in 1770. It is situated on the Gulf of Finland. One can see porcelain exhibition in the Katalnaya Gorka pavilion and residential rooms in the China Palace. (2 hours) OPEN:10:00-17:00. CLOSED: TUE, last MON