Day 1: Arrival
Welcome to St.-Petersburg - the Venice of the North! Upon arrival, you are met by your private driver, who transfers you to the hotel for the check-in.
The rest of the day is at your own leisure to relax after the trip.
Day 2: St. Petersburg City Tour and Faberge Museum
After breakfast, you meet your guide at the hotel lobby and go on an amazing panoramic city tour around the most cherished gems of St. Petersburg, including Palace Square, the Hermitage Museum, the Mariinsky Theater, Nevsky Prospect and many other popular attractions.
Then you visit the Peter and Paul Fortress - a burial place of almost all the Russian emperors and empresses from Peter the Great to Nicholas II and his family. You have a photo stop at the magnificent St. Isaac's Cathedral and go inside Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, which stands where Russia's great emperor Alexander II was mortally wounded.
Today guide also takes you to one of the most beautiful palaces in St. Petersburg - the Shuvalov Palace located on the Fontanka River to show you the world's largest collection of works by Carl Faberge, including nine of the famous Imperial Easter Eggs, regarded not only as the finest jeweled works of art, but also as unique historical artifacts.
After the tour you are taken back to the hotel and the rest of the day free.
Day 3: Tour of the Hermitage Museum
Following breakfast, you meet your guide and driver at the hotel lobby and go to the legendary Hermitage Museum to see its unique collection of world art.
During the tour, you visit the halls of the Winter Palace to explore the main collection of the Hermitage, including the masterpieces of Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, El Greco, Francisco Goya and Thomas Gainsborough.
You then cross the Palace square to enter the General Staff Building which houses Hermitage's superb collection of Modern European Art, primarily consisting of the world-famous French impressionist and post-impressionist paintings.
After the tour, you return to your hotel and have the rest of the day free.
Day 4: Trip to Peterhof
After breakfast you meet your guide at the hotel lobby and travel to the outskirts of St. Petersburg by hydrofoil to explore the former summer residence of Russian tsars and the gem of palace architecture - Peterhof.
During the tour you visit the famous Bath Cottage and take a walk in the beautiful Lower Park, lavishly adorned with 176 fountains of various forms and styles and numerous gilded statues of ancient gods and heroes.
After the tour you return to your hotel and have the rest of the day free.
Day 5: Trip to Pushkin
After breakfast you meet your guide in the hotel lobby and head for Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo) to explore the brilliant Catherine's Palace that is a striking example of baroque architecture gifted by Peter the Great to his wife Catherine I.
During the tour you walk through the parks and gardens of this outstanding palace and enjoy its gorgeous interiors, including the replica of the world-renowned Amber Room.
After the tour you return to your hotel in St. Petersburg and have the rest of the day free.
Day 6: Tour to Yusupov Palace and Rivers and Canals Boat Ride
Following breakfast in the hotel, you meet with your private guide and driver you have an amazing tour to Yusupov Palace and highlight the day with a private rivers and canals boat ride.
The first site you visit today is one of the most beautiful examples of classicism style constructions in St. Petersburg - Yusupov Palace. During the tour you explore the most interesting halls and rooms of this Palace on Moika River, best known for being the location where Grigory Rasputin was murdered in 1916.
After the palace tour you enjoy a private boat ride along the rivers and canals of St. Petersburg to see the city from a completely new perspective.
*Note: River and canals boat ride is seasonal and weather-sensitive. Navigation is from May 1st till October 15th.
Day 7: Departure
Today is the final day of your exciting adventure in Russia. After breakfast, you check out from the hotel and your driver transfers you to the airport for your flight back home.
We hope you enjoyed your Russian experience and will plan your next trips with Firebird Tours!
Not included: international flights, multiple arrival/departure transfers, other meals not mentioned in the program, optional tours and services, all personal expenses.
Note:
1. Hotels availability is subject to change. In case current hotels are booked out we will provide alternative hotels of an equal value for you.
2. We include 1 vehicle for your arrival and departure transfers. If multiple vehicles are required additional transfer costs will apply.
Stress-free Booking Book your journey without stress and at convenient pace. You can pay a deposit of 20% to book any tour in any major currency; the final balance will be due 90 days before start date. In event if you decide to change or postpone your trip, you can transfer your deposit to any other packages we offer. Cruise bookings and special offers may be subject to different booking terms.
Trip Assurance If you need our assistance during your trip, you can call our support line available from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. (CET) on weekdays and weekends.