2 Days In St. Petersburg - A Shoretrips Premium Shared Van Tour

Three Days In St. Petersburg - A Shoretrips Premium Shared Van Tour Photo #1 of 2 Photo copyright ShoreTrips.com.

Overview

Here's a smart way to stay within your budget--share a van with others.

Three days in St. Petersburg will allow you to see those historic spots that are musts, but you will also have the time to see some of the lesser known places that really give you a sense of St. Petersburg's past and its cultural achievements. We have created a balance so you are not overwhelmed with cathedrals but, instead, will enjoy a great mix of worthwhile sights.

This excursion is a non-visa tour for cruise ship passengers. According to Russian Federation law, visas are not required for shore excursions if you book through companies officially licensed and authorized by the Russian government to receive foreign cruise passengers and to operate inside St. Petersburg port areas. We will supply you with the tour ticket, which is called a blanket visa or booking confirmation, and you will pass the customs/immigration offices.

ShoreTrips' PREMIUM van tours are a perfect choice if you are looking for a deluxe tour that's economical but without the crowds of a big bus.

We will confirm your reservation when we have at least 6 passengers booked. You will be notified about two weeks prior to the start of the cruise with options of more expensive private trips if we are not able to run the shared tour.

Day 1
Your pickup at the ship will bring you into St. Petersburg for an introductory tour of the city. You can expect to see the most beautiful, historical places in St. Petersburg, with photo stops along the way. Your English-speaking guide is well-acquainted with his/her native city and will prove to be an excellent escort as you see Nevsky Prospekt; the National Library, Kazan Cathedral; the Square of Arts, including the Ethnographical Museum, and Michael's Castle; The Admiralty; and Theatre Square with the famous Mariinsky Theatre.

If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the brides and grooms dressed in full regalia and lined up at the government building for their weddings, as marriages take place all day long, almost every day.

As part of this tour, you will have entrance into St. Peter and Paul Fortress, followed by a visit to one of the most stirring monuments, the Church of the Spilt Blood. Though you won't need a lengthy visit here, it will prove memorable for long after your visit and will make for a basis of discussion during your lunch break, which will follow.

Your next stop is the colorful Yusupov Palace, a lush home with spectacular interiors and the location of the assassination of the infamous Rasputin. You'll also see St. Issac's Cathedral before returning to your cruise ship unless you have booked an optional theater performance, folkloric show, boat trip, or even a typical Russian dinner experience for the evening with ShoreTrips.

Day 2
The familiar face of your guide will again greet you as you begin your morning with a drive to Peterhof for a visit of Fountain Park.

You will then have a stop for lunch. From here, you'll travel to the Tsars Village and Catherine Palace. Your return by metro includes a view of the War Memorial. As your busy day draws to a close, you'll be taken back to your ship, or you may choose to participate in an evening activity prearranged by ShoreTrips.

Day 3
By now, you'll feel that it is your good friend meeting you at the ship. Today you will spend your time in the city, starting with a tour of the Hermitage Museum.

Following your time at the Hermitage we will make a stop for lunch. Your guide will bring you to a launch site after lunch and you'll take a tour on the canals and rivers, where you'll see breathtaking palaces and buildings from the water side. This will be followed by a view of everyday life in the city--including some shopping, a visit to the farmer's market, or a subway ride, if you like--before you are returned to your cruise ship in the late afternoon.