Russia

St Petersburg – White Nights
5 Day Trip

Itinerary:

Day 1
Arrival in St Petersburg, transfer from airport to our centrally located Hotel – 1st Night  Arbat Nord Hotel B/B

Day 2
Our first full day to explore on foot the City of St Petersburg.     This fascinating city of Peter the Great holds a wealth of  history and beauty.    Relatively new by European standards, the city  celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2003.   Peter the Great,  Russia’s best known ruler, had a passion for Europe and for the sea.   Before he founded St Petersburg he had travelled incognito to Europe, and worked in her shipyards.  Wars would continue between Russia and Sweden but in 1709 a Swedish defeat had been secured at Poltava.    The Peter & Paul Fortress was built in 1703,  and then after Poltava the development of the newly founded city began.   This vital port now controlling the Baltic lay in Russian hands, and this once military base became a cosmopolitan capital.     Architects were invited from all over Europe to execute Peter’s plans and the city was to become Russia’s window onto Europe.

A visit to  the Peter & Paul Fortress, St Isaac’s Cathedral, stroll along the banks of the Neva River and Nevsky Prospect, the main street that runs through the heart of the city.  2nd night Arbat Nord Hotel  – B/B

Day 3
We take a trip out to the Peterhof Palace.   With its commanding views of the Baltic, the Peterhof is a perfect expression of triumphalism.  Originally designed by Jean Baptiste Le Blond, the Great Palace (1714-21) was transformed during the reign of Tsariana Elizabeth when Bartolomeo Rastrelli added a third storey and wings with pavilions at either end.  Peterhof  Palace stands
at the centre of a magnificent landscaped park with both French and English Gardens.  – 3rd Night – Arbat Hotel B/B

Day 4
A visit to Tsarkoe Selo.    The Lavish imperial palace was designed by Rastrelli in 1752 for Tsarina Elizabeth.  She named it the Catherine Palace in honour of her mother Catherine I, who originally owned the Estate.    The next ruler to leave her mark on the palace was Catherine the Great and during her reign she commissioned the Scotsman Charles Cameron to redesign the baroque interiors according to her more Neo-Classical taste.   Post-war restoration continues, 20 state rooms are now open, including the Amber Room, as well as the beautiful park.    Return to central St Petersburg – 4th Night Arbat Nord Hotel B/B

Day 5
Transfer to the airport and depart for home

N.B Flights
British Airways offer a daily service from the UK to St Petersburg.
Links to Airlines