2 DAYS IN ST. PETERSBURG - a PREMIUM Shared Van Tour
2 DAYS IN ST. PETERSBURG - a PREMIUM Shared Van Tour
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ShoreTrips says...
Using our knowledge and personal experience, we have executed the perfect two-day adventure, allowing you to see and hear it all without a hitch. Our guides are the best, and their narration will fascinate you. We have facilitated early entrance and admissions to help you glide past the incredible lines that form in the high season.
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
An early 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 sites 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.
Then, you'll make the drive to Peterhof, a trip you will find well worth your time during a guided walking tour of the magnificent Fountain Park.
After your return to the city, you'll have lunch with enough time to rest your feet and perhaps ask some questions about daily life in Russia.
Next, you will receive a guided tour of the world-famous Faberge Museum, located in the Shuvalov Palace. You'll marvel at the largest collection of Faberge works in the world, including the famous Imperial Easter eggs.
There's one more treat in store as you take a boat ride to discover the rivers, canals, and channels that bind St. Petersburg together. From here, you'll be returned to your cruise ship after an amazing day of discovery.
Day 2
The familiar face of your guide will again greet you at the ship and begin your immersion into the city. Today you will visit a Russian food market for a sample of local culture before moving on to the subway.
You'll never think of subways the same way after a visit to St. Petersburgh's fabulous, sparkling clean subway stations, complete with chandeliers! Their artistry and beauty are on par with some of the city's famous landmarks.
Continuing on, you will tour the Hermitage Museum, the second-largest art museum in the world, with early admission to help you avoid the crowds. You'll then receive a guided tour of one of the most opulent buildings in a city of opulence, The Church on the Spilt Blood. The vivid colors, fine craftsmanship, and splendid architecture will take your breath away.
It's time for a break, to enjoy lunch and rest a bit. Afterward, the tour continues to the main street in St. Petersburg, Nevsky Prospekt. View the highlights, including the Admiralty, Kazan Cathedral and the famous Eliseevsky emporium, along with Gostiny Dvor, the largest department store in the city, and the Singer house, a richly decorated Art Nouveau masterpiece and the most celebrated bookshop of St Petersburg. 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.
A guided tour of the Peter/Paul Fortress, the city's original citadel and the cathedral located within, completes your day.
A late afternoon return to your ship will find you satisfied that your time was wisely spent, as well as wondering when you might be able to return to this city of energy and magic.
If you wish to add an evening activity, such as a theatre performance, a folkloric show, or even a typical Russian dinner experience, we can arrange that per your request at extra cost.
- This Tour Includes:
- Round trip transportation from the cruise ship pier
- English-speaking driver/guide for 2 days
- Blanket visa
- All port fees and local taxes
- Standard admission to all museums listed in the itinerary
- Permit for photo and/or video use in palaces and museums
- Visit to Peterhof
- Metro (subway) visit
- Shared boat ride on St. Petersburg's rivers and canals
- Lunch on both days
- You will take an inside, guided tour of:
- Fountain Park--also known as "the Russian Versailles"
- Faberge Museum--largest collection of Faberge works in the world, including the famous Imperial Easter eggs
- Hermitage Museum--one of the largest museums of art and culture in the world
- Church on the Spilt Blood--a marvelous Russian-style church
- Peter and Paul Fortress/Cathedral
- You will drive by/see the outside of:
- Nevsky Prospekt--main street filled with cathedrals and boutiques
- Eliseevsky emporium
- Kazan Cathedral
- Gostiny Dvor - the largest department store in St. Petersburg
- Singer House - the most celebrated bookshop in St Petersburg
- The Admiralty
Days of Operation
Departures (local time)
- 8:30 AM (17.5 hrs) 8:30am-6:00pm on Day 1. 8:30am-4:30pm on Day 2.
Transfer / Meeting Instructions
No Taxi Required Specific pick up or taxi instructions will appear on your voucher after you purchase your trip.Special Instructions
• The maximum number per vehicle is 12.
• This 2-day tour is only open to passengers on cruise ships that are in port for 2 days. If your ship is in port for 3 days, you will not be confirmed.
• 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 that are 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 Tourist Ticket, also called a blanket visa, which you will pass to the customs/immigration offices. Due to the length of time needed to acquire the Tourist Tickets, we ask that you please MAKE YOUR BOOKING NO LESS THAN 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE DAY YOU LEAVE HOME. Thank you.
• We will need the following information at the time of booking: Each passenger's full name as it appears on their passport; Citizenship; Date of birth; Passport number; Passport issue date; Passport expiration date; Arrival date into St. Petersburg; Departure date from St. Petersburg.
• Any information forwarded to ShoreTrips necessary to obtain a Tourist Ticket must be exact. We will pass on a $10 processing fee if corrections are necessary after we receive the Tourist Ticket. This is a per person fee, charged for each Tourist Ticket that requires changes.
• This tour includes standard admission to all museums listed in the itinerary, guide's services for 2 days, driver's services for 2 days, transportation by air-conditioned minivan, permit for photo and/or video use in palaces and museums, and all port fees.
• The cost of food and beverage is not included, except for lunch on both days.
• Gratuity is not included. We suggest a 10% gratuity to your guide and 5% to your driver.
• Please keep in mind that this is a shared tour. It is not private. The tour operator must maintain his schedule for a fair and successful day for all.
Restrictions
• PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU OPEN YOUR RUSSIAN TOURIST TICKET ON A LAPTOP OR DESKTOP COMPUTER, AS MOST SMART PHONES OR TABLETS DO NOT SUPPORT PDF FORMAT AND YOU WILL SEE IT BLANK.
• You are not able to move around St. Petersburg alone. Your blanket visa requires you to travel only with a guide.
• SHORETRIPS WILL SEND YOUR TOURIST TICKET AFTER THE BOOKING IS CONFIRMED. THIS IS A DIFFERENT DOCUMENT THAN YOUR PRE-PAID VOUCHER, AND YOU MUST HAVE A PRINTOUT OF YOUR TOURIST TICKET BEFORE YOU DEPART. If you cancel your trip after the Tourist Tickets have been issued, a $75 per person fee will be charged.
• Please note: When necessary, we will adjust your itinerary in response to museum closings and local traffic. You will visit all of the sites listed in the tour description.
• In order to minimize the flow of tourists inside the museum, the Hermitage authorities reserve the right to adjust the entrance time slot.
• The Gold Room is not available to shared services.
• If you wish to add an evening activity, such as a theater performance, a folkloric show, a boat trip, or even a typical Russian dinner experience, please choose one from the add-on options.
• This tour is not wheelchair accessible. You are purchasing a shared tour and you will be expected to maintain the pace of the group. If you use a walker, wheelchair or scooter or if you have mobility problems you will be refused service and not refunded. We suggest that you purchase a private tour for your best enjoyment.
• If you arrive late for the tour, you will need to be transferred to meet your group. By the time you meet up with them, you will most likely have missed a portion of the tour.
• Guests with pacemakers might be asked to show a pacemaker ID card for security purposes at the entrances to museums. Please bring your card along if applicable.