St. Petersburg by Rail 2010
4 days / 3 nights, Helsinki - St. Petersburg - Helsinki | Welcome to our escorted train trip to Russia! Your journey by rail from Helsinki crosses over the Russian border to visit St. Petersburg, home of the Tsars. Recently celebrating its 300th Anniversary, the magnificent city of St. Petersburg entices with a legacy of history, the arts and striking beauty. St. Petersburg is a city of canals and rivers, built on 101 islands, joined by 350 graceful bridges over the Neva River, thus earning the name " Venice of the North". The city, once the capital of Russia, is a bustling world capital of art, culture, history, music and luxury.
Majestic palaces, extravagant mansions and richly decorated cathedrals, create a regal ambience all around St. Petersburg, one of the most beautiful cities on the globe. Visit Pushkin, St. Isaac's Cathedral, and the world- famous Hermitage Art Museum. A multilingual tour leader will accompany you throughout the tour, which introduces the main sights of the city in four days.
| Departure | Guaranteed departures Tuesdays: May 11th, 18th, 25th June 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th July 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th August 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st September 7th, 14th, 21st |
| Price | May, July, August, September $1,315 per person in double room $1,635 single room June $1,425 per person in double room $1,855 single room |
| Included | 3 nights accommodation in twin-bedded renovated rooms with bath or shower, A/C, at tourist-class Hotel Moskva or similar 4 x Breakfasts 2 x Lunches Finnish "Sibelius" train, Helsinki - St. Petersburg - Helsinki Seat reservations in second-class compartments Transfers from/to Train Station in St. Petersburg Orientation tour with English speaking guide Excursions in Russia are guided in English Hermitage Art Museum, approx 3-4 hours Entrance fees according to the program Service charges and taxes on included items |
| Not Included | Airfare and airport taxes Russian Visa Gratuities Personal insurance / personal items Visa support letter fee of EUR 25 $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | Visa for Russia A visa is required for all passengers on the tours to Russia. Each passenger must apply for the visa in his/her country of domicile. The visa application must be accompanied by confirmation documents. To obtain the necessary visa support letter, we needs to know the personal data of each passenger at the time of booking (i.e. surname, first names, date of birth, sex, nationality and passport number). A handling fee of EUR 25 is charged for the visa support letter per party traveling together. |
| Tour Options | Add-ons: Tour Options Additional nights in Helsinki Moscow extension Silja Line Cruise, Helsinki to Stockholm Tallink, Helsinki to Tallinn |
Day 1 HELSINKI - ST. PETERSBURG (B, Train) Czarist Colours
After boarding the very early Finnish Sibelius train from Helsinki to
St. Petersburg you will enjoy breakfast. Upon arrival in the "Venice of the North", the orientation tour takes you to the Bronze Horseman,
Admiralty, Nevski Prospekt and Palace Square. On Palace Square you will admire the harmonious unity of St. Petersburg. The architects of the city gave colours an essential role in their plans and this magnificent Russian city owes much of its special atmosphere to
these painted façades The tour continues to the very roots of St.
Petersburg. The city was founded by Peter the Great, as he laid the
foundation of the first fortress on an islet in 1703. This island, the
Peter-and Paul Fortress, has become the chief monument to its founder's reign. Overnight at tourist-class hotel.
Day 2 ST. PETERSBURG - HERMITAGE (B, L, Coach) Along Canals and Boulevards
The day begins with an excursion to the Hermitage. The Hermitage was established in the year 1764, as Catherine II bought paintings
made by famous Dutch painters. After the revolution in 1917 the amount of exhibits tripled and now it contains 2,400,000 pieces of art. The Hermitage collection offers art lovers special highlights such as Leonardos, Raphaels and Titians. After lunch, which is served in a local restaurant downtown, return back to hotel. Overnight at
tourist-class hotel.
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Day 3 ST. PETERSBURG (B, L, Coach) 18th-century Russian Luxury
In the year 1708 Peter I gave his wife Catherine Aleksejevna an estate in the outskirts of St. Petersburg. As the summer residence of Russian Czars for two centuries Zarskoje Selo, later Pushkin, was developed into one of the most magnificent and richest residences in Europe by the most famous architects and craftsmen of the time.
Lunch in a local restaurant Podvorie with unlimited wine and vodka.
and transfer to city centre. After lunch and return back to city, you
visit the third largest Cathedral in the whole world: the Cathedral of
St. Isaac. The cathedral was designed by a French architect Auguste
Montferrand and the construction took 40 years - from 1818 to 1858.
Leisurely afternoon can be put to good use by wandering in the city
like any other citizen having a day off. Overnight at tourist-class hotel.
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Day 4 ST. PETERSBURG - HELSINKI (B, L, Train) Spend your last morning at leisure. After lunch at the hotel, transfer to the railway station and afternoon departure to Helsinki, where you arrive late in the evening.