Duration: approx. 3.5 hours

Situated at the eastern tip of the Baltic Sea and the River Neva, Saint Petersburg is celebrated the world over for its incredible civic beauty and large historical centre, interwoven with numerous canals. It is in these canals that your tour begins, giving you a chance simply to relax and take in the views of the many lovely old houses and palaces along the river bank. Your next stop is Peter and Paul Fortress, which is located on the small Hare Island in the delta of the River Neva, for an inside viewing of the impressive complex. The 18^th-century Peter and Paul Cathedral is topped by a gilded cupola and is also the final resting place of the Romanov dynasty.

The tour begins with a drive west to Petrodvorets – also known as Peterhofs – the former summer home of Peter the Great. Built in the early XVIII century by the Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli, Petrodvorets is considered to be the most dazzling of all the Russian tzars’ summer residence. After visiting the magnificent Palace, we will follow our dedicated guide to the Lower Park where we will admire the beautiful fountains. Set in 300 acres of parkland, the fountains are a key feature of these world-class gardens. After lunch, the day continues with more superlative sights as we visit the famous Hermitage Museum, home to three million works of art by Italian, Dutch and French artists and where we will look around the grand reception rooms of the Russian royalty.