Created 300 years ago by Peter the Great as his "window on the West" St...
Read more >Choose a month to travel and discover the best places to visit at that time of year...
Compass is an online travel magazine, designed to inspire and inform...
Discover some of the unique benefits of choosing to travel with Cox & Kings...
Fly from direct London (regional connections available) to St Petersburg and transfer to the hotel. After an introductory lecture and welcome dinner, stay 5 nights at the centrally located Ambassador Hotel (or similar), which offers comfortable accommodation in a historic 19th-century building. (N)
Day 2: St PetersburgMorning city tour, starting at Peter and Paul’s Fortress, which is the oldest building in St Petersburg and contains the tombs of the tsars and tsarinas from Peter the Great onwards. Continue to the Church of Our Saviour on Spilled Blood. Built on the spot where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated in 1881, the church is noted for its riot of colour, with more than 20 types of mineral used in its decoration. In the afternoon, visit the State Russian Museum, which contains a magnificent collection of Russian art, beautifully displayed in one of Rossi’s finest neoclassical creations, the Mikhailovsky Palace. (B) (D)
Day 3: St PetersburgFull-day visit to the Hermitage, with its opulent staterooms and exceptional collection of European masterpieces and impressionist paintings. The visit will include a private tour of the Treasure Gallery (Gold Room), subject to confirmation. (B, D)
Day 4: St PetersburgMorning visit to the neoclassical Shuvalov Palace, home to the Fabergé Museum, the world’s largest single collection of Fabergé artefacts. Continue to the baroque Menshikov Palace, built for Peter the Great’s advisor. Afternoon at leisure or revisit the Hermitage independently. (B)
Day 5: Pushkin • PavlovskDrive to Pushkin on the outskirts of the city to visit Catherine Palace (Tsarskoe Selo), including the Amber Room. Listen to the story of the room’s restoration and watch amber being worked while enjoying a glass of wine. Continue to the Palace at Pavlovsk, designed by Charles Cameron and subsequently expanded by several highly accomplished architects, including Quarenghi and Rossi. Return to your hotel for a farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day 6: Fly to LondonMorning visit to Yusupov Palace, which sits on a quiet stretch of the Moika river and was the scene of Rasputin’s murder. A special visit to the private apartments of Zinaida and Felix has been arranged (subject to confirmation). Transfer to the airport for a flight to London. (B)
Meal basisAs per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.
Important information Arts & Culture toursA collection of expert accompanied tours focusing on creativity in its many forms. No prior knowledge of the subject matter is required. All tours can be viewed at our Arts & Culture page.
Expert-led tourThis tour is fully escorted throughout by the lecturer, as well as an experienced local guide where necessary.
Superior tourThis tour is based in 4-star accommodation.
Single supplementFrom £395pp.
AccessibilityThis tour involves some long walks over uneven ground and therefore requires a good level of fitness.
TheatreOptional opera or ballet performances can be pre-booked. Please contact Cox & Kings for details.
ItineraryPlease note that due to the fluid nature of opening and closing times of the palaces and museums in St Petersburg, the specified day for each excursion may need to be altered closer to the departure date.
Private visitsPlease note that the exclusive and individual nature of private visits means that they are subject to confirmation nearer the time of departure. Also, churches, private houses and other buildings often have fluid opening times. If any visits have to be rearranged, please be assured that we will seek alternatives of equal interest.
Private & tailor-made travelThis itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you, for which guideline prices are shown. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements. Please call to speak with a Cox & Kings consultant or enquire online
Expert lecturers Dr Colin BaileyDr Colin Bailey gained his doctorate in art history at Nottingham University. He was assistant keeper at the Walker Art Gallery and academic librarian at the Barber Institute before establishing a history of art and design department in Edinburgh.
Lydia BaumanLydia Bauman is an art historian and professional artist with an MA in art history from the Courtauld Institute of Art. She has lectured at the National Gallery and has wide experience of teaching the history of western art.
Andrew SpiraAndrew Spira graduated from the Courtauld Institute of Art before working at the Temple Gallery, London, and as a curator at the Victoria & Albert Museum. He was a programme director at Christie’s Education for 14 years and has led numerous cultural tours to Europe and beyond.
An architectural gem from the 19th century, the building which houses the Ambassador Hotel has been recently restored to its original glory. Its rooms are simply decorated, spacious and bright. The hotel is situated in a convenient location, only a short walk from St Isaac's Square, St Nicholas Cathedral and Nevsky Prospect. The hotel's restaurants are notable for their refined style and the excellent standard of cuisine. Features: 37 rooms, restaurant, bar, Wi-Fi. Room amenities: Television, safe, minibar, hairdryer.
RSP2021
Flexible Prices & Itineraries
For a quote based on alternative accommodation standards or flight options, or to tailor this
itinerary, please call 020 7873 5000
or
send an email enquiry
Please call 020 7873 5000 for more information or to make a booking.
Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices which were valid at the time of publication, may be subject to change, particularly as a result of variable flight costs. You will be informed of any such changes prior to booking.
|
|
© Cox & Kings 2021