Duration: full day, lunch included

A visit to St. Petersburg is always an unforgettable experience and this is certainly a day when you should have your camera at the ready. Leave the port and drive to Pushkin for an interesting visit to Catherine’s Palace, one of the masterpieces of world architecture. The stunning 300 metres long baroque façade is adorned with a profusion of Atlantes sculptures, columns, pilasters and ornamental framings. Enjoy plenty of time to visit the Palace and marvel at the famous Amber Room which was once considered to be the “eighth wonder of the world”. Enjoy a short visit to the park and ground before reaching a restaurant for a delicious typical Russian lunch. Your afternoon will begin with with a fascinating cruise along Neva River: a good opportunity to take photographs of some of the main tourist sites such as the Spit of the Basil Island, Peter & Paul Fortress and famous Cruiser Aurora as closely as possible. Back on the ground enjoy a bus sightseeing tour around one of the most beautiful cities in the Baltic with views of St. Isaac’s Square and of the Spilled Blood Cathedral. A short stop in a souvenir shop will conclude your day out in St. Petersburg.

In its most authentic form, Russian folk dances and songs originated as a type of home-grown musical entertainment in cities, towns and villages throughout the country. As such, these dances and songs have enjoyed a long and interesting history. In their more modern incarnation, however, these traditional dance moves have been combined and supplemented with more formally prescribed styles of movement such as ballet, contemporary dance and in some cases even gymnastics and acrobatics. A lively and enjoyable performance featuring tuneful singers, graceful dancers and rhythmic musicians awaits you during this evening out on the town. Russian sparkling wine will be served during the intermission to round off your experience of an art form that has been indelibly shaped by Russian culture. Your memories of this joyous display of traditional Russian folklore are sure to stay with you long after your return to port.