Beauties of St. Petersburg

Adult price: 71 €

Child price: 50 €

Infant price: Free

Approximate duration: 7 h

According to European banners, Saint Petersburg is a young city. It is placed on the banks of the Neva River and has numerous islands. The big squares, the magnificent baroque palaces, the picturesque channels, and splendid avenues, as well as its numerous museums and art galleries, will provide us an unforgettable experience. We will do a panoramic visit by bus, including three stops in the city center to take our pictures in the famous Saint Basils Island. We will pass by the Resurrection Cathedral and Sait Isaac square.We will complete our tour, visiting the Hermitage Museum, placed in the heart of Saint Petersburg, between the Neva River and the Palace square. Apart from the impressive rooms and decorations of the winter Palace, the museum houses a fantastic collection with more than 3 million works of art, distributed in four buildings, the winter Palace, the small Hermitage, the Old Hermitage and the New Hermitage. We cannot forget the Malachite Room placed in the winter Palace, and decorated with columns and vases, golden doors, roofs and soils. Enjoy your free time taking photos or buying some souvenir.*Thursday and Sunday

Catherine´s Palace

Adult price: 57 €

Child price: 40 €

Infant price: Free

Approximate duration: 4 h 30 m

You leave the ship for a tour to one of the most splendid royal summer residences – Tsarskoye Selo which after the revolution acquired the name of Pushkin, after Alexander Pushkin, Russian most celebrated early 19th century poet and writer.Following an hour-long drive you will tour the Catherine palace that is considered to be one of the masterpieces of the world architecture. You start the tour of the palace from the Great staircase by Monighetty which takes you to the state rooms on the first floor. The white-on-white ornamentation is relieved by the red curtains and blue oriental vases on the walls. The interior consists of a seemingly interminable succession of state-rooms, which give the impression of a golden corridor. The splendid effect of this passage way prepares the visitor for the opulent décor of the Great Hall. Light streams into this glittering hall illuminating the mirrors, gilded carvings and the vast ceiling painting. The gold seems to flow around the room. For official receptions and balls the hall was lit with 696 candles set in sconces in front of the mirrors, ornamented in gold. Of special interest is the Amber Room of the palace that was once considered to be the "Eighth Wonder of the World". The amber wall panels were presented to Peter the Great in 1717 by King Friedrich Wilhelm. They were assembled of small pieces of amber, decorated with mouldings in amber and weighed 800 kg. The panels were too heavy to dismantle and evacuate into safety when the Second World War broke out. They were looted by the Nazi army, dispatched into Germany and never seen again.

Preserved photographs and archives helped the Russian art experts to fashion thin amber pieces so that they exactly match the original in shape and color and to carve fine ornaments, thus recreating this legendary work of art. And once again the eye is mesmerized and blinded by the wealth and warmth of the amber tones, from lemony yellow to deep red.After the tour of the palace you will enjoy a short walk in the park. The 1400 acres of grounds are dotted with charming pavilions set around the central lake. Nearest to the palace are Cameron's sumptuous Agate Rooms to which he added a covered gallery where the busts of 30 of Catherine's favorite philosophers were placed. The romantic landscape of the park is animated with the neo-gothic Admiralty, Chesma column, Turkish bath, Marble Bridge, Chinese pagoda, the Grotto pavilion and the Hermitage pavilion.*Monday and Friday

The Palace of Peter the great and his fontaines

Adult price: 71 €

Child price: 50 €

Infant price: Free

Approximate duration: 5 h 30 m

Departing from the port in a private bus with guide we will go to Peterhof, the city of the palaces, the fontaines and the gardens, considered the most spectacular of all the summer residences constructed by the Russian czars. This set was constructed by Peter the Great with the target to rival with Versailles in Paris. Once in the Palace, we will realize a visit guided to the interior of this splendid enclosure. During the World war he suffered serious ravages by the German army that used it like barracks during the siege to Saint Petersburg, but it has been completely reconstructed following the original models, what he allows to enjoy this palace as it was in his epoch of major splendour. Later we will visit

part of the Gardens of the Palace, where his famous and magnificent fountaines are, including four spectacular fountaines of cascades surrounded with golden statues of mythological character. This set is known like The Big Cascade, a spectacular set with an extraordinary decoration and a few beautiful effects created with the water. The only occasion to know one of the Palaces and more famous and important Gardens of the whole Europe. (Approximate duration 5 hours). One night in the Russian Ballet (it includes dinner) is one of the mecca of the ballet. As it has done the city during his development, the Russian classic ballet has been absorbing foreign traditions up to creating his worldwide well-known style. The aristocracy and Russian leaders have always showed a big interest in the ballet, what has encouraged the construction of numerous theaters in the city, turning Saint Petersburg into one of the principal centers of the dance. In this excursion we will go to one of many theaters that has the city, where we will be able to enjoy one of the romantic histories transmitted across the classic dance, with a precise spectacle of classic ballet. In the interval we will have the possibility to drink a Champagne glass. Later and to complete our dream night, we will go to an elegant and classic restaurant of the city placed in one of the last palaces constructed in the city, to enjoy a splendid and elegant dinner by means of a menu of the best plates of the Russian kitchen.* Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday* The September 5th is possible that the Palace of Peter the Great remains closed due to the celebration of the G20 summit

Hermitage Museum

Adult price: 51 €

Child price: 36 €

Infant price: Free

Approximate duration: 3 h 30 m

A visit to Saint Petersburg will never be completed without a visit to the worldwide famous Hermitage Museum, the "Jewel of the Crown" of all Russian museums.It is located in the wonderful Winter Palace, residence of the Russian czars. The museum was founded in 1764 as the private museum of Catalina the Great, to which only her most nearby courtiers and she had access. Nowadays, apart from the impressive rooms and decorations of the winter Palace, sufficient to justify its world reputation, the museum houses an impressive collection with more than 3 million works of art, distributed in four buildings, the winter Palace, the small Hermitage, the Old Hermitage and the New Hermitage. To complete the visit, we cannot forget the Malachite Room placed in the winter Palace, and decorated with columns and vases, golden doors, roofs and soils.* Thursday, Friday and Sunday

One night at the Russian Ballet

Adult price: 120 €

Child price: 84 €

Infant price: Free

Approximate duration: 5 h 30 m

St. Petersburg is a ballet Mecca. Like the city itself, the art of Russian classical ballet having absorbed foreign traditions, created its prominent world acknowledged style. Russian rulers and aristocracy took a deep interest in ballet, encouraging and supporting construction of theatres in St. Petersburg. And today the Northern capital has a big number of exquisite 19th century theatrical buildings.The history of Russian choreographic art began more than two and a half centuries ago and St. Petersburg is world-renowned as one of the major ballet centres. Brilliant choreographers such as Marius Petipa and Mikhail Fokin staged here the best of world ballets. The talents of many generations of ballet dancers were revealed in the St. Petersburg theatres – Anna Pavlova and Vaslav Nijinskij, Mathilde Kschessinska and Olga Spesivtseva, Galina Ulanova and Rydolph Nureyev, George Balanchin and Mikhail Baryshnikov to mention just a few You will have a great opportunity to enjoy a ballet performance at St Petersburg State Musical Theatre also known as Palace Theater, an old, traditional theatre with the decorations and lay-out of the 19th century. The theater is ideally located in the very heart of the city, overlooking Art Square, one of the most prestigious districts of the 19th century capital. Built in the 1830s as a private mansion in 1910 it was turned into a theatre which decoration still preserve the atmosphere of a private mansion which was reflected in its name "Palace-theatre The curtain will go up and you will enjoy one of the timeless romantic stories told in the mysterious language of classical dance. Champagne will be served in the intermission as you experience an art form that has been indelibly shaped by Russian culture – a performance of Russian ballet!After the performance you will be invited to one of the city Palaces located in the magnificent part of St.Petersburg downtown where an elegant Russian dinner will be served.* Thursday and Sunday

One night with the Russian Folklore

Adult price: 50 €

Child price: 35 €

Infant price: Free

Approximate duration: 4 h 30 m

Traditional songs and dances are a part of Russia's strong heritage. Here in the city of St. Petersburg, renowned for its contribution to the arts of music, theatre and dance, you enjoy the captivating performance of a professional folkloric ensemble. Professional artists will entertain you with a creative range of dances, songs and music, introducing you to the treasures of Russian national art and its cultural traditions. You will enjoy a champagne reception during the interval of an unparalleled performance where you are indulged with a whirlwind of colourful folk costumes, some of Russia's traditional songs, the music of a Russian folk orchestra, the beauty of the maiden round dances and the skill of the acrobatic Russian Cossacks!After the performance you will have free time (approximately 2 hours) to explore the city center on your own or enjoy a dinner in one of St.Petersburg numerous restaurants.* Thursday and Sunday

Channels and rivers of Saint Petersburg

Adult price: 70 €

Child price: 49 €

Infant price: Free

Approximate duration: 4 h 30 m

During the white summer nights of Saint Petersburg, we will have the fantastic opportunity to sail along the most beautiful Channels, rivers of the city. The fluvial part of the city has a length of more than 300 km. This helps to create the only ambience, generating an effect "mirror" where there are reflected the golden domes and the palaces of fairytale that flood the city. A cruise across the rivers Moika and Neva, the principal ones of the city, which it is also an opportunity to appreciate the history and architecture of Saint Petersburg.The Cruise will pass by the Cathedral of St Isaac, constructed in 1858, one of the biggest churches of the world with an enormous golden dome. Also we will see a multitude of splendid palaces, between them, a masterpiece of the Baroque, the Palace Stroganov. Also we will go through the island Vasilievsky with his columns, the fortress of San Pedro and San Pablo, for the marble Palace, will see the charming blue Dome of the MosqueWe will drive where there is exhibited the Warship Dawn, which gave beginning to the Revolution of 1917 and the summer Palace of Peter the Great, one of the buildings that compose the most famous Museum Hermitage. While we sail, we will enjoy a coloring folk concert of music and typical dances offered by a small professional company of musicians, ballet dancers, all this accompanied by champagne, vodka and some canape. On having finished this cruise, we will have two hours approximately free time in the city center to walk along his streets and have dinner at our leisure in any of his multiple restaurants.

* Thursday and Sunday

Complete Saint Petersburg

Adult price: 98 €

Child price: 69 €

Infant price: Free

Approximate duration: 8 h 30 m

Perfect excursion to make the most of our scale in Saint Petersburg and not to forget visiting any of the principal monuments and buildings that have given world reputation to this Imperial City. We will begin our visit with a panoramic trip by bus in which we will see the principal avenues of the city. We will do our first stop in the fortress and Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Pablo, the first construction of the new city. Later we will go to the Square of Saint Isaac, one of the most important of the city and where also we will observe one of the most emblematic buildings, the Cathedral of Saint Isaac. Later we will have free time to discover this city at our leisure, visit the square of Kazaan, the Avenue of Nevsky Prospect with his shops and shopping centers to buy our memories and to have lunch in any of many restaurants of the city. At the hour indicated by the guide, we will meet again to go to the most famous place of the city and one of the forced visits, the fantastic Hermitage, "The Jewel of the Crown" of all the Russian museums, and located in the wonderful Big winter Palace. The museum houses an impressive collection with more than three million works of art.*Friday and Sunday*It does not include lunch*The order of the visits could be modified

Resurrection Cathedral, river and canal boat ride and Shopping

Adult price: 61 €

Child price: 43 €

Infant price: Free

Approximate duration: 3 h 30 m

This tour will take you to Resurrection Cathedral or the Church on the Spilled Blood which is probably the only building in the city that stands out so much in its architectural and spatial environment with its silhouette, composition, and rich decor. The facades are faced with glazed shaped brick and ceramic tiles as well as decorated with mosaic panels. In the decor of interiors Italian marbles and Russian semiprecious stones are used. Five cupolas of the church, some 1000 square meters in area are covered with jewelry enamel. The belfry is decorated with mosaic coats-of-arms of cities and regions of the Russian empire. After the tour rejoin your coach and drive the landing station where you embark your boat for one hour river and canals ride. St. Petersburg is built around a network of canals and rivers, with a total length of about 300 km. They contribute to the unique atmosphere creating a glittery mirror in which the golden domes and fairytale palaces of the city are reflected. It's often called the Venice of the North.The area around the Moika boasted a number of riverside mansions and was one of the city's most fashionable addresses. One such mansion on the Moika is the Yusupov Palace that belonged to one of the wealthiest families in Russia. It is famed as the murder scene of Rasputin, the Siberian peasant who exerted his malign influence over the Russian court. At the beginning the bridges were usually known by their color: Red, Blue, Green. The Blue Bridge at 100m wide is the widest in the city. The boat cruises past St. Isaac Cathedral built in 1858. This is one of the largest churches in the world with a huge gilt dome. 100 kg of pure gold were used to gild it. Next is the Stroganov Palace, a baroque masterpiece of Rastrelli. Count Stroganov who owned the palace in the late 18th century was the president of the Academy of Arts and a noted collector. The Stroganovs amassed their huge fortune through the monopoly they held on salt, which came from mines in their vast territories in the north. The boat cruises under the Choir Bridge. It takes its name from the Cappella located nearby. Notice the lace-like patterning of the railings of the bridge.

The Winter Canal connects the Moika and the Neva rivers. It was dug out in 1718 and owes its name to Peter the Great's Winter Palace which used to stand here. The Hermitage Bridge across the Winter Canal is the earliest stone bridge of St. Petersburg built in 1766. Once in the Neva river, use your chance to admire the river at its widest. Peter the Great conceived the Neva as the main thoroughfare of the city and from the beginning the river was included in the whole architectural ensemble. While cruising in the Neva enjoy St. Petersburg's magnificent waterfront: the Spit of Vasilievsky Island with its red Rostral columns, the Peter and Paul Fortress, the stately Grand Duke's palaces on the left bank of the river, the Marble Palace and the lovely blue domes of the Mosque.Your boat is sailing under the Trinity Bridge alongside the Summer Gardens laid out by Peter I. You will pass one of the most beautiful churches in St. Petersburg – the Church on the Spilled Blood.* Friday and Monday

Gran tour of Saint Petersburg (2 days)

Adult price: 200 €

Child price: 140 €

Infant price: Free

Approximate duration: 2 days

Day 1 (duration 7 h)Today you will commence on a tour which will let you experience the best of St. Petersburg - you will see all its major highlights, visit Peter and Paul Fortress and the world famous Hermitage Museum. Your first photo stop will be at the Spit of Vasilievsky Island, flanked by two Rostral Columns originally lighthouses, in olden days guiding ships through the busy port of St. Petersburg. There you can enjoy the magnificent view of the Neva River in its widest part. In front of you is the Peter and Paul

Fortress, the first structure of the city. In the centre of the fortress you will see the Peter and Paul Cathedral, designed by Domenico Tresini One of the highlights of the city is the Peter and Paul Fortress with its Cathedral, museums and fascinating history. When Peter the Great re-conquered the lands along the Neva River in 1703, he decided to build a fort to protect the area from possible attack by the Swedish army and navy. In the center of the fortress is St Peter's & St. Paul's Cathedral, designed by the first architect of St. Petersburg D.Tresini. This magnificent church was built between 1713-1732. The spire of the church is 400 feet high, topped by an angel holding a cross. This weather-vane is one of the most prominent symbols of St Petersburg. At 404 feet the cathedral is the highest building in the city. The interior of the Cathedral is light and airy, with its glittering chandeliers, pink and green Corinthian columns and an opulent gilt iconostasis. This masterpiece of gilded woodcarving was designed by Ivan Zarubny and executed by Moscow Craftsmen.After Peter's death in 1725, the Cathedral became the burial place of the tsars. All the tombs are of uniform white marble with the exception of especially remarkable tombstones over the graves of Alexander II and his wife MariaNext continue to the Hermitage Museum as no visit to St. Petersburg would be complete without a tour of this world-famous Museum – the "Crown Jewel" on the museum list in St. Petersburg. Founded in 1764 as a private museum of Catherine the Great to which only she and her closest courtiers had access, today it is Russia's largest art museum that owns an astounding collection of about 3 mln pieces of art. You will continue the tour moving from one building into another by covered galleries. Thus you enter the Old Hermitage devoted to the 13th – 18th century Italian art collection. Here on display are two paintings by Leonardo Da Vinci: the Madonna with a Flower and the Litta Madonna, an early work by Rafael – the Connestabile Madonna and a later work by him the Holy Family. The Crouching Boy is the only work by Michelangelo in Russia. You proceed into the New Hermitage, a 19th century building first opened for public in 1852. The Spanish collection features all Spain's golden age leading artists from El Greco to Murillo, Zurbaran, Velasquez and Goya. After your free time your tour will take you to one of the main landmarks of St. Petersburg – the Church of Resurrection on the Spilled Blood. This marvelous Old Russian-style church was constructed on the spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated on March 1, 1881.From here you will reach Nevsky Prospect – not just St. Petersburg's but Russia's most famous street. It is lined with magnificent palaces, churches and theatrical buildings. This street is the main shopping area of St. Petersburg and some of the best shops can be found around Gostiny

Dvor Arcade and Passage. Your bus will make a stop on the St. Isaac's Square dominated by the majestic Saint Isaac Cathedral. On the way back to the ship you pass the Decembrists Square. The name of the square alludes to December 1825 when liberal-minded army officers attempted to stage a coup d'etat against the Tsar. The square is animated by a superb work of sculpture – the magnificent equestrian statue of Peter the Great. The statue is known as the Bronze Horseman after Alexander Pushkin's famous poem. Newlyweds often pose for photographs by the statue. During this tour some time will be allocated for souvenir shopping – (approximately 30-35 min)

2º day (duration 8 h 30 min) .This tour will take you to the suburbs of St. Petersburg and give you a chance to admire the most splendid residences of the Russian Tsars. Catherine Palace in Tsarskoye Selo (Tsar's Village) is surrounded by a romantic park with mysterious arbors, pavilions, grottoes and statues. This palace-and-park ensemble is an exquisite monument of Russian art with a worldwide reputation. The most famous architects, painters, craftsmen, gardeners and sculptors of the time created that fantastic world whose splendour equals the most magnificent and richest residences of Europe. Empresses Catherine I, Elizabeth and Catherine II who owned the palace in the 18th century paid much attention to its construction and decoration. The palace's interiors reflect various art styles, mainly, Baroque and Classicism. You start the tour of the palace from the Great staircase by Monighetty which takes you to the state rooms on the first floor. The white-on-white ornamentation is relieved by the red curtains and blue oriental vases on the walls. The interior consists of a seemingly interminable succession of state-rooms, which give the impression of a golden corridor. The splendid effect of this passage way prepares the visitor for the opulent décor of the Great Hall. Light streams into this glittering hall illuminating the mirrors, gilded carvings and the vast ceiling painting. The gold seems to flow around the room. For official receptions and balls the hall was lit with 696 candles set in sconces in front of the mirrors, ornamented in gold.The gem of the Catherine Palace is certainly the Amber Room that was once considered to be the "Eighth Wonder of the World". It vanished in the wake of World War II – an 11-foot-square hall walled with amber and other semiprecious stones and worth $142 million in today's dollars. One of the only pieces to be found is a small mosaic of jasper and onyx. In 1717, the King of Prussia presented the Amber Room, a masterpiece of Baroque art, to Russian Tsar Peter the Great. Catherine II later commissioned a new generation of craftsmen to embellish the room and moved it from the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg to her new summer residence in Tsarskoye Selo. The original panels were too short for the high ceilings in the Catherine Palace but Rastrelli found a simple solution. The architect set 24 narrow pilasters faced with mirror between the panels and installed a canvas freeze above them painted to match the amber. The panels were made of small pieces of amber, decorated with moldings in amber and weighed 800 kg. After the tour of the Catherine Palace and its park you will continue to Peterhof. En

route a lunch will be served in one of the best local restaurants. A one hour drive will take you to Peterhof – an immensely luxurious royal estate, lying on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, a combination of several palaces and parks, often called the "capital of Russian fountains" and "the Russian Versailles". The estate was founded by Peter the Great in 1710 and was initially intended by Peter the Great as a resting place en route to the Imperial naval base at Kronshtadt. But the Tsar was quick to recognize the attractiveness of the area and masterminded a vast estate intended to rival the famous gardens of Versailles. The Grand Cascade, which goes downhill from the palace towards the Baltic Sea, is one of the largest fountain ensembles in the world comprising 64 fountains and 37 statues. It is difficult to imagine a more gorgeous effect – the water from the fountains cascading in broad sheets among gilt statues and bas-reliefs. Some of the fountains by their interweaving jets form baskets from the midst of which water tulips shoot up. From the Grand Cascade's largest fountain, the Samson, a channel goes through the park to the pier. The park also features numerous pavilions and small palaces, amongst which is Peter the Great's favorite – Monplaisir. Built by the architects Braunstein, Leblond and Zemtsov between 1714 and 1725, Montplaisir sits right on the sea shore and used to provide the perfect vantage point for Peter to spend hours watching the ships sail by. Among the park's other pavilions are the Hermitage, designed and built specifically for holding Imperial dinner parties, and the two-story residential Marly Palace, surrounded by several ponds filled delicious fish for the Tsar's table.* Thursday and Sunday.* The September 5th is possible that the Palace of Peter the Great remains closed due to the celebration of the G20 summit

St Petersburg and Free time

Adult price: 31 €

Child price: 22 €

Infant price: Free

Approximate duration: 6 h 30 min

A visit to St. Petersburg is always a rewarding and unforgettable experience. St. Petersburg lies on the banks of the Neva River and the numerous islands of its delta. The city's rich architecture and history comes alive as your coach travels along the bustling avenues and embankments of the city. On your way you pass the Decembrists Square. The name of the square alludes to December 1825 when liberal-minded army officers attempted to stage a coup d'etat against the Tsar. The square is animated by a superb work of sculpture – the magnificent equestrian statue of Peter the Great. The statue is known as the Bronze Horseman after Alexander Pushkin's famous poem. Newlyweds often pose for photographs by the statue.The whole of this glorious city is a supreme monument to its founder Peter the Great. Your first photo stop will be at the St. Isaac's Square dominated by the majestic Saint Isaac Cathedral (1818 - 1858) with its 4th largest dome in the world. In the center of the Square is a monument to Nicholas the First. Pass the Palace Square, the main square of the city, beautifully balanced and proportioned around the Alexander Column, an important focal point for this architectural ensemble. On the square's northern side stands the picturesque Baroque Winter Palace – former imperial residence.Drive across the Neva River and view the Spit of Vasilievsky Island, flanked by two Rostral Columns originally lighthouses, in olden days guiding ships through the busy port of St. Petersburg. There you can enjoy the magnificent view of the Neva River in its widest part. In front of you is the Peter and Paul Fortress, the first structure of the city. In the centre of the fortress you will see the Peter and Paul Cathedral, designed by Domenico Tresini. This magnificent church was built between 1713-1732 and it is still the highest point of St. Petersburg dominating its skyline. The coach drives past the Artillery Museum and passes along the Petrograd side where Art Nouveau architecture flourished at the end of the 19th century. The next stop is at the Aurora cruiser, which signaled the start of the revolution in 1917 by firing a single blank shot from its bow gun. The coach proceeds to one of the main landmarks of St. Petersburg – the Church of Resurrection on the Spilled Blood. This marvelous Old Russian-style church was constructed on the spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated on March 1, 1881. Built in 1883-1907, the church is designed in the spirit of the sixteenth- and

seventeenth century Russian architecture. From here you will reach Nevsky Prospect – not just St. Petersburg's but Russia's most famous street. It is lined with magnificent palaces, churches and theatrical buildings. This street is the main shopping area of St. Petersburg and some of the best shops can be found around Gostiny Dvor Arcade and Passage. Your bus will be parked within a walking distance from Nevsky – enjoy your free time to explore this city on your own!.* Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

Catherine Palace, canal and river boat ride

Adult price: 74 €

Child price: 52 €

Infant price: Free

Approximate duration: 8 h

Start your day with a drive to Pushkin, the former Royal summer residence, with lots of parks and palaces. Catherine Palace is considered to be one of the masterpieces of world architecture. The imperial palace was designed by Rastrelli in 1752 for empress Elizabeth. She named it Catherine Palace in honor of her mother, Catherine I, who originally owned the estate. The stunning 300m long baroque facade is adorned with a profusion of atlantes, columns, pilasters and ornamental window framings. Rastrelli used a hundred kg of pure gold for the exterior gilding and contemporary visitors complained that the palace blinded their eyes on sunny days.You will ascend the Grand staircase by Monighetti to the state-rooms on the first floor. The white-on-white ornamentation is relieved only by the red curtains and blue oriental vases on

the walls. The interior consists of a seemingly interminable succession of state-rooms, which give the impression of a golden corridor. The splendid effect of this passage way prepares the visitor for the opulent décor of the Great Hall. Light streams into this glittering hall illuminating the mirrors, gilded carvings and the vast ceiling painting. The gold seems to flow around the room. For official receptions and balls the hall was lit with 696 candles set in sconces in front of the mirrors, ornamented in gold. You will see the famous Amber Room of the palace which was once considered to be the "Eighth Wonder of the World". The amber wall panels were presented to Peter the Great in 1717 by King Friedrich Wilhelm. The panels were made of small pieces of amber, decorated with moldings in amber and weighed 800 kg. The panels were too heavy to dismantle and evacuate to safety when the Second World War broke out. They were looted by the nazi army, dispatched to Germany and never seen again. Preserved photographs and archives helped the Russian art experts to fashion thin amber pieces so that they exactly match the original in shape and color and to curve fine ornaments, thus recreating the legendary work of art. And once again the eye is mesmerized and blinded by the wealth and warmth of the amber tones, from lemony yellow to a deep red. The next ruler to leave her mark on the palace was Catherine the Great, and during her reign she commissioned the Scotsman Charles Cameron to redesign the baroque interior according to her neo-classical taste.Catherine the Great commissioned one of Russia's first landscape parks. The grounds are dotted with charming pavilions set around the central lake. Nearest to the palace are Cameron's sumptuous Agate Rooms. For the Agate Rooms Cameron used all the wealth of Russian semiprecious stones – lapis lazuli, jasper, alabaster, agate pieced together with malachite. To the Agate Rooms Cameron added a covered gallery where the busts of 30 of Catherine's favorite philosophers were placed. The romantic landscape of the park is animated with the neo-gothic Admiralty, Chesma column, Turkish Bath, Marble Bridge, Chinese Pagoda, the Grotto Pavilion and the Hermitage* Thursday and Monday.

* For operational reasons this tour: Catherine Palace and canals can not be operated on Sundays.

Nevsky avenue, Russian museum & free time

Adult price: 51 €

Child price: 36 €

Infant price: Free

Approximate duration: 3 h 15 min

The Russian Museum, founded just over 100 years ago, boasts the largest collection of Russian art in the world, comprised of approximately 400,000 works. All of the artistic movements and schools that have marked the 1000-year history of Russian art, from the 10th up to the present day, are on display in the four buildings that make up the museum. However the main and most interesting part of the collection is in the former Mikhailovsky palace, stunning monument

of Empire architecture, built by Alexander I for his younger brother Grand Duke Michael. It is located in the very center of St Petersburg, just of the city's central thoroughfare, Nevsky Prospekt.One of the best characteristics of the Russian Museum is that it is organized in a clear chronological progression, thus providing a very good idea of the major developments in the history of Russian art. Of particular interest are the ground floor, which covers the nineteenth century, and the Benois wing, which contains the museum's unparalleled collection of twentieth century art. Although most of the avant-garde works of the Benois wing were held in storage after the official embrace of Soviet realism in the thirties, they have slowly been emerging in recent years. A tour of the collections begins on the second floor with Russian icons from the 12th – 17th centuries that have gained universal recognition for their rare aesthetic perfection. The word "icon" comes from Greek eikon 'image' and the Russian word for 'image', obraz, is another word for 'icon'The mysterious attraction and amazing colors of Russian icons inspired such renowned artists as Kandinsky, Malevich, Chagal and Vrubel.The second floor of

the museum also embraces the period from the middle of the 19th century to the present day. The display starts with painters that belonged to a new movement known as the Itinerants. They demanded that painting be more socially relevant and recorded faithfully the vast changes that Russian society was experiencing. On display are pictures by Ivan Kramskoy, Vasily Perov, Makovsky and Nicolas Ghe. The works of Valentin Serov determined the artistic image of entire period, he was the most masterly portraitist in Russia of all times, his luminous portraits are striking for their pictorial splendor and impeccable sense of style: portrait of Duchess Zinaide Yusupov, dancer Ida Rubinstein are among the best in the museum collection. Another major contribution to 20th century art was the "World of Art" movement, formed by Alexander Benois. They proclaimed the doctrine of "Art for Art's sake" and introduced into Russia the works of French impressionists. Lanseray, Bakst, Borisov-Musatov and Korovin all sought to create a higher world of beauty and harmony. You will enjoy some free time at the end of this tour.* Monday and Friday.