Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Grand Tour of St. Petersburg. Our tour manager will be waiting for you from 9.45 to 10.00 am in your hotel lobby to inform you about your tour itinerary and details. After that you are welcomed by the Grand Tour of St. Petersburg, which offers visitors the opportunity to take in as much as possible of the city in a day's sightseeing from the comfort of a car or mini van and with a knowledgeable and experienced guide. You will take a complete tour of Saint-Petersburg most famous sites beginning with the neo-classical splendor of St.Isaac's Cathedral and geometry of Palace Square.
Also you will be visiting the oldest construction of Saint-Petersburg - The Peter and Paul's Fortress and the Cathedral - the burial vault of Romanovs' family. Thereafter a rendezvous with Tsarina herself at the waxwork exhibition "The Imperial Family of Romanovs". The tour includes an elegant lunch in the restaurant serving traditional Russian cuisine. In the afternoon a 2-hour guided excursion in the largest museum of Russia and one of the richest museums of the world - The State Hermitage Museum - to finalize your excellent introduction to St.Petersburg.
You will visit the Hermitage Museum - Russia's best gallery of world art, one of the most prominent art museums in the world and definitely the main tourist attraction of St.Petersburg. Nowadays, the Hermitage has about 2.7 million exhibits and displays a full range of world art from Ancient Egypt to early 20th century Europe. It includes works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, unique collections of Rembrandt, Rubens, French Impressionists. The collection is huge and very exciting. It had been calculated that if you decide to spend only one minute in front of each exhibit, you will have to stay in the Hermitage for 11 years, but on the tour you have the opportunity to see all the great masterpieces of the world's art at a glance in several hours with a comment of a knowledgeable expert-guide.
Day 2: "Illuminations" tour in Saint-Petersburg. The tour program starts at 6.00 pm in the Nikolayevsky Palace Restaurant where you discover traditional Russian dances and music during an elegant reception (buffet table with Russian vodka, red and black caviar included). We offer you to enjoy this enchanting festival of Russian spirit.
The magic continues with "Illuminations" tour along the spectacular floodlit monuments. Magical and magnificent by night, a drive through Saint-Petersburg and its beautiful illuminated buildings should not be missed by any visitor of the northern capital. This excursion combines a sightseeing drive to those landmarks of the city which are getting most fascinating when the night is getting on - the most gorgeous palaces and squares of Saint-Petersburg at night. In summer time you will have an opportunity to enjoy the romantics of the White Nights, observing the opening of the numerous drawbridges.
Day 3: Tour in royal town of Pushkin. Unlock the secrets of the world wonder - the Amber Room on a half-day tour to the magnificent baroque - style Palace of Catherine the Great in the town of Pushkin. Feel the spirit of the eras of the powerful empresses- Elizabeth and Catherine walking though the gilded amphelade of the numerous ballrooms and imperial halls, amazing with the luxury of their decoration. All Russian monarchs lived, worked, granted audiences, and arranged diplomatic receptions for foreign ambassadors, gala balls and masquerades in the gorgeous halls of the palace.
Day 4: Tour in Peterhof. Come and discover Peterhof - St. Petersburg's most famous and spectacular Imperial estate. Located on the sea shore The Grand Palace and park complex of Peterhof with its unique array of fountains is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. The Grand Palace, filled with fascinating and elaborate interiors, sits on top of a high seashore ridge overlooking the vast Lower Park. The palace at Peterhof sits amidst an enormous park, adorned with fountains, statues and pavilions.
The tour will be held by boat or by car – depending on the weather conditions.
Day 4: Depart on a flight from St.Petersburg to Irkutsk.
Day 5: Tour in Irkutsk. Your tour begins in Irkutsk - one of the oldest and most beautiful Siberian cities. Irkutsk kept the spirit of 19th century Russian city and is famous for its wooden architecture. In the center, there are blocks of traditional wooden buildings with typical carvings. Irkutsk is probably the only city of Siberia that has preserved its historic character- old time wooden houses, built without a nail, decorated with skillful carving harmonize with the splendid stone buildings of Siberian architecture. You will see the most interesting historic ensembles on the City Tour of Irkutsk: Spasskaya church, The Epiphany cathedral, The Polish Roman Catholic Church, the monument to explorers of Siberia, the Okhlopkov Drama theater etc. Visit the Museum of Local Lore, the expositions of which describe the history of the city, the natural wealth of the region and the cultural possessions of Irkutsk.
Day 6: Baikal Lake and Listvyanka Village. Morning Transfer to Listvyanka Village. The route runs through the taiga forest as far as Listvyanka village - a small Russian settlement - the best destination for the first acquaintance with Baikal. The village is situated on the shore where Angara River, the only outlet, flows out of Baikal. It is one of the most popular destinations! On the way to Listvyanka you visit Taltsy Wooden Architecture Museum. The museum contain a variety of Siberian wooden izbas, churches and Buryat gers were brought together from a different parts of Siberia.
In Listvyanka you have the possibility to visit St. Nicholas Church and souvenirs market in the open spot where you may also try local delicacy - Baikal fish. Walking tour to Tshersky Mountain to see the beautiful Baikal Lake panorama. Excursion in the Museum of Baikal - you learn about flora and fauna of the lake and see some unique species in aquarium. The museum is engaged in collecting, storage, analysis both demonstrating of the material testimonies and information, bound with the lake. Visitors can learn much about historical investigation of the lake and it's surrounding area.
Day 7:Baikal Lake and Circum - Baikal Railway. Enjoy the 2-hour Boat Trip with sightseeing at the Circum - Baikal Railway. Circum - Baikal railway was built more than a hundred years ago, and is an outstanding landmark to the construction and engineering art. There are a lot of beautifully constructed tunnels and bridges along the way, making Circum - Baikal a huge monument. The railway was supposed to be a continuation of the Trans-Siberian railway, and was very important for Russia strategically. Nowadays, Circum-Baikal is a quiet picturesque site.
Day 8: Transfer to Irkutsk. Departure.
Available tour start dates all year round on Tuesdays.
Inclusions
St. Petersburg
10 excursions;3 meals (2 lunches on the 1st and 4th day, 1 drink reception on the 2nd day);Transportation1st (1st day 3 hours, 2nd day – 3 hours, 3rd day – 5 hours, 4th day – 11 hours; 5th day – 5 hours);English-speak guide assistance: during all the tour activities;Entrance fees: all the visits according to the tour itinerary.
Irkutsk
Economy class airfare from St.Petersburg to Irkutsk: (business class upon request);
Economy class airfare from Moscow to Irkutsk: (business class upon request);
Guide assistance: during all the tour activities;
Entrance fees: all the visits according to the tour itinerary.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Russia
Wildlife Viewing
Archeology/History
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