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5 days - Explore St Petersburg independently via ferry from Helsinki

Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, St Petersburg combines its fascinating Russian heritage with a distinctly European outlook. Considered the cultural heart of modern day Russia, St Petersburg is rapidly regaining its reputation as one of the great cities of Europe.

This independent itinerary allows you to enjoy the splendour of St Petersburg visa free. You can choose your class of hotel and enjoy the freedom to tailor make your special highlights. Return voyage from Helsinki on an overnight ferry included.

Highlights include

  • Private transport from the ferry port to your hotel and visa versa
  • Private guided tour of the Hermitage Museum and visit to Holy Saviour on the Split Blood
  • Visit St Petersburg's main sights, an almost unrivalled treasure trove of art and culture
  • Full half-day guided tour including transport of the Grand Summer Palace and Park
  • Two overnight ferries included from Helsinki, Class A cabin with outside twin window
Day 1
Board ferry from Helsinki
Day 2
City tour - Peter & Pauls Fortress & St. Isaac's Cathedral with afternoon free
Day 3
Early visit to the Hermitage museum and then the Holy Saviour on the Spilt Blood Church with your private guide
Day 4
Peterhof: Grand Summer Palace & Park then return to the port for your early evening ferry
Day 5
Arrive Helsinki Port
Start/End Place
Helsinki, Finland
Destinations Visited
Finland
Russian tours
Duration
5 Days
Group Size
2 - 6
Suitability
Easy
Code
50DN0325

As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North has designed this tour using handpicked local hoteliers and suppliers who share our ethos of delivering services and activities of high social and environmental standards.

The CO2-e per person per day of all tours is carefully measured following each season. We fully offset all emissions of our tours on your behalf, and we constantly look at ways to reduce emissions where possible.

Details

Transportation
  • Overnight ferry from Helsinki on a Class A cabin with outside twin window
  • Transport by sedan car for 1-2 guests, or a comfortable minivan for 3-6 guests
Included
  • Program includes 2 night's accommodation & breakfast daily with all taxes & services included
  • 2 overnight ferry voyages, Helsinki to St Petersburg return. Class A Outside twin with window, breakfast dinner included
  • Services of experienced licensed English speaking guide
  • Transport by car
  • Entrance fees and meals as per the itinerary. The included activities listed on this tour can be modified. Some activities will vary in winter. Due to opening hours, the order of the tours might change depending on your travel dates.
  • Arrival and departure transfers from/to ferry
  • One lunch at a local hand-picked restaurants
Not Included
  • Beverages & extras
  • All services not mentioned in the program
  • Tips and Gratuities

Itinerary

Day 1 - Board ferry from Helsinki

Departure to St Petersburg onboard Princess Anastasia ferry, departing at 7pm. Wander the decks as you pass through the Finnish archipelago and then head inside to one of the many restaurants and bars.

Accommodation
Princess Maria Anastasia or similar

Day 2 - City tour - Peter & Pauls Fortress & St. Isaac's Cathedral with afternoon free

Your guide will meet you at the port with a sign holding your name.

Enjoy the beauty of the city with a Panoramic city tour by private car (3 - 4 hrs). There is one museum in the city that is never closed - the city itself. Discover St Petersburg - a city of infinite charm with its majestic palaces, churches and cathedrals, river embankments, beautiful parks and innumerous bridges, a city of imperial proportions and romantic vistas which has been a source of inspiration for the generations of artists.

Visit Peter and Paul Fortress this morning. It is the historical nucleus of the city as well as one of the most interesting and beautiful architectural landmarks. St. Peter & Paul Cathedral with its long gilded spire is the burial place of all Russian emperors from Peter the Great to the last of the Romanovs Nicholas II. Designed to protect newly acquired lands in the mouth of the Neva River, the fortress lost its military significance before it was completed. It was turned into the most dismal political prison of Russia for almost 200 years.

You will then visit St. Isaac's Cathedral. Fourth highest cupola cathedral in the world, St. Isaac's has a breathtaking interior design. The cathedral can accommodate 13000 worshippers in a time. The monolithic columns of the portico cut from red granite are seventeen meters high and weigh 114 tons each. The mosaic inside has twelve thousand shades and colors, the walls are five meters thick and the main cupola is coated with one hundred kilos of gold.

Your guide will assist with choosing a cafe for lunch. Your afternoon is free to explore this lovely city - if you love modern art, be sure to visit the General Staff Museum, a new and relatively unknown part of the Hermitage. Dine with the locals at one of the restaurants close by along the canal. English menus are common and easily found.

Meals
1 Breakfast
Accommodation
Pushka Inn
The Domina Prestige
Angleterre Hotel
Restaurants
O2 Lounge
Optional Add Ons
Russian Ballet and Theatre Tickets

Day 3 - Early visit to the Hermitage museum and then the Holy Saviour on the Spilt Blood Church with your private guide

After breakfast, met your guide for a comprehensive guided visit to the famous Hermitage Museum. The world-known Hermitage museum was the residence of the Russian Emperors in the past, nowadays it comprises 5 palaces and is one of the largest museums in the world. Be ready for lots of walking in the miles of corridors!

Lunch in a local restaurant (optional) and then head to the Holy Savior on the Spilt Blood. This is the five-domed dazzler, St Petersburg’s most elaborate church with a classic Russian Orthodox exterior and an interior decorated with some 7000 sq metres of mosaics. Marvel when you step inside! Your guide will be with you for this tour and then escort you back to your hotel.

Meals
1 Breakfast

Day 4 - Peterhof: Grand Summer Palace & Park then return to the port for your early evening ferry

After breakfast, depart for the tour of Peterhof (also called Petrodvorets). It is the most famous summer residence of Russian Emperors, located 25 km west on the Gulf of Finland.

You will be delivered to the St Petersburg port at 5pm for a 7pm ferry departure.

Meals
1 Breakfast

Day 5 - Arrive Helsinki Port

After your buffet breakfast, you will arrive at 8 am this morning at the Helsinki port.

Meals
1 Breakfast
Dates & Prices

Shown costs are per person. Twin share standard: Pushka Inn - central, canal front 3.5-star small hotel. Please note departure either Wednesday or Thursday.

Dates
Start Date
End Date
From Price
Status
Accommodation
1 May 2023
30 Nov 2023
1 May 2023
30 Nov 2023
NZD 2,308
On request
Standard

Important Information

This itinerary can be done only on alternate Wednesday and Thursdays.

Due to opening hours, the order of the tours might change depending on your travel dates.

To avoid disappointment, we recommend that you book any theatre performances that you wish to attend in St Petersburg in advance. Please let us know if you wish us to organise this.

In accordance to the legislation of Russian Federation (RF Government Resolution №397), foreign tourists and persons without citizenship or relevant visa and/or proper permission travelling on ferries may arrive to the Russian Federation without Russian visa for the period of 72 hours being part of organised excursion group. VISA-Free journey can lasts up to 3 days.

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