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PONANT invites you to discover Saint Petersburg and other cities steeped in history of the Baltic Sea.
From Copenhagen, embark for an 8-day cruise, including 3 exceptional days in the former capital of the Tsars.
Your ship will first head to Tallinn, a site that was important for the Hanseatic League in the Baltic Sea around the 13th century. UNESCO Heritage Site, this once opulent city still has remarkably well-preserved ramparts, public buildings, merchant houses and warehouses.
You will then visit Saint Petersburg. Architectural gems in the Baroque style, churches with domes so elaborate they seem otherworldly, palaces, gardens, canals, and the famous "perspectives" that criss-cross the city: at each street corner a new theatrical decor is revealed. We invite you to visit this colourful city where the atmosphere is rich with the splendour of the Tsars and the traces of the Russian Enlightenment.
Your next port of call will be Helsinki. Located on a peninsula surrounded by almost 300 islands, the verdant capital of Finland will charm you with its Art Nouveau architecture.
Your ship will finally head for Stockholm, your disembarkation port.
Ref : C180521
From Copenhagen to Stockholm, discover the most precious treasures of the Baltic Sea. UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the old town of Tallinn, the historic centre of Saint Petersburg and its many...
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Shore Excursions, Overlands & Pre/Post Programmes
To complete your voyage, PONANT can organise a range of shore excursions, pre & post cruise activities and packages, plus transfers.
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*Price is per person, double occupancy, is based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of cabin to which this price applies may no longer be available.
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Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
For men:
Officer’s evening:
Depending on the itinerary and the program of your cruise, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
For men:
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
HEALTH CARE:
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
18 May 2021 Copenhagen
Embarkation 18/5/2021 from 15h00 to 16h00
Departure 18/5/2021 at 17h00
Connected to the far eastern side of Sealand island, a few kilometres away from the Swedish coasts, Copenhagen offers you the high colour of Scandinavian capitals. You can discover the city's riches that weaves through the canal networks through the historical districts of Christiansborg and Nyhavn. Many palaces provide an apercu of Danish history. For eating, you can try out the smorrebrod, traditional danish sandwiches made with ham, cheese or smoked fish.
19 May 2021 At sea
Arrival 19/5/2021
Departure 19/5/2021
During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
20 May 2021 Tallinn
Arrival 20/5/2021 early morning
Departure 20/5/2021 late afternoon
Opening onto the Baltic sea, to the far north of Estonia, the town of Tallin will win you over with the picturesque charm of its architecture. You can meander through its little streets in the heart of the medieval centre where its gothic town hall has been standing since 1404. The Kiek in de Kök tower, the Orthodox Alexander Nevski cathedral, or Toompea castle give visitors a taste of this town’s rich past. The city was particularly active during the medieval period, as is demonstrated by the very beautiful monuments from this period that are still visible. Don't hesitate to lose yourself in the heart of Tallinn, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
21 May 2021 23 May 2021 Saint Petersburg
Arrival 21/5/2021 early morning
Departure 23/5/2021 late afternoon
Founded in 1703 by Tzar Peter the Great, Saint Petersburg has kept its original aura and is still one of the world’s most beautiful cities. It is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Bathed by the waters of the Neva, the “Venice of the North” boasts an impressive wealth of historic and artistic features. From the emblematic Nevsky Propect, the city’s main thoroughfare, exploring the city by foot is a pleasure. With its baroque cathedrals, imperial palaces, suspended bridges, theatres and museums, Saint Petersburg is a jewel of a city.
24 May 2021 Helsinki
Arrival 24/5/2021 early morning
Departure 24/5/2021 mid afternoon
Seated in the southern peninsula of Finland, Helsinki offers the buzz of a cosmopolitan city that has opted for both elegance and beauty. Explore its historical centre where the soft hues of neoclassical buildings are juxtaposed with spectacular modern constructions. The bustling Kallio district is teeming with boutiques and restaurants where you can taste some local specialities like graavilohi - a sweet, marinated, aromatic salmon dish. Keskuspuisto park, a stone’s throw from the centre, is a good place to sit and unwind.
25 May 2021 Stockholm
Arrival 25/5/2021 mid morning
Disembarkation 25/5/2021 at 10h00
The capital of Sweden occupies an archipelago in the east of the country at the junction of Mälar Lake and the Baltic sea. In Gamla stan, meaning “old town” in Swedish, you can stroll at your leisure in picturesque medieval streets until you reach the majestic Royal Palace. On the green island of Djurgården, you can visit several very different kinds of cultural centres: the Vasa museum is dedicated to a 17th century three-mast, the ecomuseum of Skansen presents traditional customs, and the ABBA museum is dedicated to the legendary pop group. For a fantastic, all-encompassing view of Stockholm, you can take a ride in SkyView, a glass-encased sphere gondola that takes you to the top of the world’s largest building, the Ericsson Globe, a Stockholm landmark.
Saint Petersburg is known for its contribution to the arts of music, theatre and dance.
Traditional songs and dances are part of this heritage and this evening will bring music, song and dance from many regions of Russia together in a spectacular folk show.
• The place and the performance will be confirmed approximately 60 days before departure.
Price range:
More
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Embark your coach for Peterhof (also known as Petrodvorets) the town of palaces, fountains and gardens, the most brilliant of all the former summer residences of the Russian tsars, conceived by Peter the Great to rival Versailles. During your one-hour drive, you will see different parts of the city, including the new areas of Saint Petersburg and the countryside.
The grounds of Peterhof include the Upper and Lower Park, and many delightful little palaces built as private residences of the tsars: Monplaisir and the adjoining Catherine's Wing, Marli Palace built for the tsars' guests, and the Hermitage conceived as a private dinning venue for the tsar and his friends. Crowning the hill stands Peter's Grand Palace. It has a commanding view over the Lower Park and the Gulf beyond. Upon arrival to Peterhof, you will proceed to the Upper Park designed as a French formal garden, and then enter the Grand Palace for an hour-long visit.
Following the tour of the Grand Palace, you will descend into the Lower Gardens, a 300-acre fountain park with several pavilions and palaces overlooking the Gulf of Finland. After this fantastic visit, you will enjoy a traditional Russian lunch in a local restaurant, before visiting the world's famous State Hermitage Museum.
The State Hermitage Museum occupies six magnificent buildings located along the embankment of the River Neva, right in the heart of Saint Petersburg. It was the Winter Palace, the residence of the Russian tsars, built to the design of Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli from 1754. Put together throughout two centuries and a half, the Hermitage collections of works of art (over 3,000,000 items) present the development of the world culture and art from the Stone Age to the 20th century. The guided tour in the Winter Palace, former imperial residence, will include numerous reception halls.
• We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. Amateur photos and videos with camera and mobile device without using flash are allowed at Peterhof Palace. Bags and purses are forbidden at Peterhof Palace, but can be left either in the bus or at the cloakroom for free.
Price range:
More
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
The collection of works in the renowned State Hermitage Museum is one of the richest in the world. The museum was founded in 1764 as a private museum of Catherine the Great, to which only she and her closest courtiers had access, and is now Russia’s largest art museum, housing around three million pieces. The collection occupies four buildings, including the Small Hermitage, the Old Hermitage, and the New Hermitage, all connected to the magnificent Winter Palace, the former official residence of the imperial family, designed by Rastrelli and built between 1754 and 1762. Here view the Malachite Room, where more than two tons of this unique, deep green, ornamental stone was used to craft its columns, vases, and fireplace. As you walk the halls, marvel at exhibits of 15th to 16th-century French art, as well as impressionist works.
In the Small Hermitage, explore works of 17th-century Flemish art and 15th and 16th-century Dutch art. In the Old Hermitage, discover Italian art from the 13th through 18th centuries, including works by da Vinci, Rafael, Michelangelo, and Titian. Proceed to the New Hermitage, and explore works from Spain’s golden age, including those by El Greco, Velasquez, and Goya. Not to be missed are the museum’s vast Rembrandt and Rubens collections, including one of Rembrandt’s final works, The Return of the Prodigal Son.
Enjoy a special early-opening guided tour of the collection, with transportation to and from the museum by coach.
• There are some steps to navigate in the museum, but there are also elevators. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Price range:
More
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
From the pier, board your coach for a 45-minute drive to the famous Fabergé museum.
The private Fabergé Museum opened its doors at the recently renovated Shuvalov Palace in St. Petersburg on 19 November 2013. Here, billionaire Viktor Vekselberg has placed his priceless collection of Fabergé eggs on display for the general public.
The collection on display includes over 4,000 works of art from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including fifteen Fabergé eggs, nine of which are famous Imperial Fabergé eggs previously owned by the Romanov family.
It took 10 years to create the current collection, and it is still growing. At the new Fabergé Museum, you will see many unique exhibits, among which other works of the famous jeweller, royal silverware, precious icons and other religious ornaments, collection of paintings on enamel, other objects of decorative and applied art, paintings by famous Russian and foreign artists.
Viktor Vekselberg purchased the famous Malcolm Forbes Fabergé Collection from the Forbes family in 2004 for about $100 million. Most notable among this collection are the Rosebud Egg, Lilies-of-the-Valley Egg, Coronation Egg and particularly the Hen Egg and the Order of St. George Egg, that represent the first and last eggs received by Empress Maria, wife of Alexander III.
The Imperial eggs enjoyed great fame, and Fabergé was commissioned to make similar eggs for a few private clients, including the Duchess of Marlborough, the Rothschild family and Prince Yusupov. A series of seven eggs were also made for the industrialist Alexander Kelch.
Vekselberg’s nine Imperial Easter Eggs are of the 50 that are left in the world today. Ten are in the Moscow Kremlin Collection, five are at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Va., and two belong to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II. The whereabouts of eight are unknown. The others are in various displays throughout the U.S., Switzerland and Monaco.
After the visit, reboard your coach for the return drive to the pier and your ship.
• This tour involves 1¼ hour of walking and standing, with approximately 40 steps. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes.
Price range:
More
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Drive to Tsarskoye Selo which means « the Tsar's village ». It was founded in the 18th century as the summer residence of the Russian tsars. In 1937, its name was changed to « Pushkin » to commemorate the centenary of the death of the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, who had studied in the Imperial Lyceum there.
Arrive in Pushkin and visit the Catherine Palace, designed by architect Rastrelli. The stunning 300-metre long baroque facade is adorned with a profusion of atlantes, columns, pilasters and ornamental window framings. Visit the Amber room, the ballroom and the famous Green dining room. Next, walk through Catherine’s park and visit the private garden.
After the tour, you will enjoy a traditional Russian lunch in a nearby restaurant.
A short drive will bring you to Pavlovsk, the former summer royal residence of Emperor Paul I, Catherine's only son. The history of Pavlovsk began in 1777 when Catherine the Great, overjoyed at the birth of her first grandson Alexander, presented the vast hunting grounds to her son Paul and his wife Maria. The construction of the Palace was entrusted to Catherine's favourite architect, Charles Cameron, who was to design the Palace and the grounds. Pavlovsk remained a residence of the Romanov imperial family until 1915. Pavlovsk is a place that has retained an atmosphere of warm intimacy and sumptuous cosiness, which still enchants us.
The Pavlovsk Park created by Pietro Gonzaga is one of the largest parks in Europe. Set within 1800 acres (728 ha) of birch and firs, meadows and wild flowers, it is renowned for the natural scenic beauty of the landscape, enhanced by exquisite samples of garden sculpture and architecture.
• We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. Photos without flash are allowed at Catherine Palace, except for the Amber room where pictures are forbidden.
Price range:
More
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Your tour starts with a drive to one of the most picturesque avenue of the city which is Nevsky Prospect, to visit Kazan Cathedral. The building of the Kazan Cathedral on Nevsky Prospect immediately attracts your attention. It encircles a small square with a double row of beautiful columns forming an impressive colonnade. Constructed by Russian architect Andrei Voronikhin in 1801-11, the Kazan Cathedral is an outstanding example of the early 19th century Russian architecture. Today it is one of the most famous and important Saint Petersburg temples, where the highest rank orthodox liturgies take place.
After inside visit of the Cathedral, walk to the Square of Arts, one of the oldest areas of the city. The historical and cultural environment here is extremely rich, every single building facing the square is either a theatre or a museum. From the square, proceed to the Griboedov Canal, another important historical waterway. At first, the canal was known as Yekaterininsky Canal, or the Canal of Catherine II. Later on, it was renamed into the Griboedov Canal after the October Revolution.
Enjoy a cup of Russian tea with some Russian pastries and a short rest at a local restaurant, right by the Church on the Spilled Blood. This Cathedral is probably the only building in the city that stands out so much in its architectural and spatial environment with its silhouette, composition, and rich decor. This marvellous Russian-style multicoloured, onion-domed church was built on the spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated on 1st March 1881. Here, on the streets around the Cathedral, you will have an opportunity to do some shopping at the local Flee Market.
From the market, continue walking along the Moika River and the Mikhailovsky Garden towards the Mikhailovsky Castle, probably the most mysterious building in the city. After a brief stop to take some pictures, walk to Maple Alley, one of the most picturesque places in Saint Petersburg. There, admire an impressive monument to Peter the Great, erected here in 1800 by order of Emperor Paul I. From this point, board your coach and return back to the ship.
• This tour involves about 3,5 km (3 miles) of walking on flat streets. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the rain.
Price range:
More
€: the excursion price is less than €50.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Guest Speaker
Aboard your ship, lecturers will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, the stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or your shore visits, these experts will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Facing the open sea, the capital may have caught the design fever and become cosmopolitan, but it has not forgotten its past as a modest herring fishing port. Take a jaunt through the Danish capital’s history, from the castles of North Zealand to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art.
Day 1 - Copenhagen
Check-in in your room at Phoenix Hotel in the city centre of the capital. Official check-in time is 3.00 pm.
The end of the day is at leisure.
Meet your fellow travellers for dinner served at the hotel.
Day 2 - Copenhagen
You will depart the hotel in the morning and leave Copenhagen to drive through the Danish country side towards the town of Hilleroed to pay a visit to the most charming fairytale castle, Frederiksborg Castle, considered by many to be the finest example of Danish renaissance architecture.
After Frederiksborg Castle continue to the village of Fredensborg for a lunch at the Royal Inn, Fredensborg Store Kro. While in Fredensborg you can also take the opportunity to step outside the restaurant and enjoy the view of the residence of the Crown Prince family ; Fredensborg Palace.
Visit to Kronborg Castle situated on the Oresund, an arrow strip of water that separates Denmark and Sweden, you will enjoy beautiful views from the castle ramparts. This castle is richly ornamented and dating from the 16 thto 18th century and well known from Shakespeare’s setting of Hamlet at Kronborg Castle. After your visit there, return to Copenhagen by way of the scenic Coastal Road along Oresund.
The end of the afternoon is at leisure,
You will have dinner in the lively district of Nyhavn.
Day 3 - Copenhagen
After check-out, you will leave the hotel to take the road to the North and arrive at the Museum of modern art for a guided tour Louisiana. Founded in 1958, Louisiana has evolved into one of the premier museums of modern art in the world.
The museum is located in a spacious, old park with a fine view across the sound to Sweden. The name of the museum derives from the first owner of the property, Alexander Bruun, who named its villa after his three wives, each with the name of Louise. The museum was created in 1958 by Knud W. Jensen, who commissioned architects Wilhelm Wohlert and Jørgen Bo to spend a few months walking around the property to decide how a new construction would best fit into the landscape. This study resulted in the first version of the museum consisting of three buildings connected by glass corridors. Since then it has been extended several times until it reached its present circular shape in 1991.
Like MoMA in New York, the museum features a broad range of artistic genres, including architecture, design, photography and film. Explore the exhibits and the open-air sculpture garden.
After a lunch served in a local restaurant, you will be transferred to the port to embark on board your ship.
Your hotel :
Hotel Phoenix Copenhagen is an old building with an inspiring history and charm. All rooms have been renovated in the beginning of 2017. The elegant style the hotel is known for has been preserved, but at the same time the rooms have been given a more modern look. Focus has been on luxury with elegant materials in bright and pleasant colours.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.
Your programme includes :
Your programme does not include :
Please note :
Contact of your hotel :
Phoenix Hotel
Bredgade 37,
1260 København,
Danemark
Telephone number : +45 33 95 95 00
Duration of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed.
Total : AU$1,420
This overland tour must be pre-booked and prepaid at least 60 days prior to your cruise. Any reservation made after this deadline will be confirmed on board based on availability. A minimum of participants must be booked in order to operate this tour. 100% of total cost for cancellations made less than 60 days before departure.
From the pier, board your coach for a transfer to the railway station for a 4-hour ride aboard a comfortable high-speed train “Sapsan”. Along the way, enjoy a hot breakfast and picturesque views of the Russian countryside.
Upon arrival in Moscow, meet your local guide before boarding your coach and drive to the Kremlin, the most important historical and political centre of Russia. While in the Kremlin, visit the Armoury Chamber and view a collection of treasures unique to Russia: jewellery, court regalia, armour, coronation dresses, golden carriages and some of the fabulous and priceless Easter Eggs by Karl Fabergé.
The tour of the Kremlin grounds continues to Cathedral square, absolutely striking in its beauty, flanked by three main cathedrals: the Assumption, the Annunciation and the Archangel Michael, all decorated with numerous golden domes. There are also some curious monuments demonstrating Russian ambition to build the biggest things in the world: the 200-ton Czar Bell and the Czar Cannon, known as one of the biggest in the world.
Then relax at one of the most luxurious restaurants in Moscow, the famous Turandot. Admire the beautiful interior with gilded carvings and embroidered tapestries, working fireplaces and unique Malaysian crystal chandelier, antique furniture and white grand piano in the centre of the round hall.
After lunch, visit the Red Square. Stretched along the Kremlin Eastern wall, this place has witnessed many important historical and political events in the life of the country. The ensemble of the square is dominated by the Kremlin and the Lenin’s Tomb that stands by its walls. Echoing the Kremlin is the picturesque multi-domed St Basil’s Cathedral. Completed in 1560, the Cathedral was ordered by Ivan the Terrible to mark the 1552 capture of Kazan from Mongol forces.
At the end of your visit, it will be time to head back to the railway station. Take your seat on the train and enjoy dinner onboard before returning to St Petersburg back to your ship.
Duration and price of excursions are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed.
Travellers are advised to check all the information with the authorities concerned prior to the departure date. CDP advises Travellers to consult the country factsheets relating to the chosen destinations.
CDP specifically draws Travellers' attention to the fact that the information provided may change up until the departure date, and they are advised to consult that information up until the time of departure.
CDP invites Travellers to adjust their behaviour to the visited country, to exercise vigilance and to avoid carrying valuable objects during their travel.
Total : AU$940
Saint Petersburg is known for its contribution to the arts of music, theatre and dance.
Traditional songs and dances are part of this heritage and this evening will bring music, song and dance from many regions of Russia together in a spectacular folk show.
• The place and the performance will be confirmed approximately 60 days before departure.
Price range:
More
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Embark your coach for Peterhof (also known as Petrodvorets) the town of palaces, fountains and gardens, the most brilliant of all the former summer residences of the Russian tsars, conceived by Peter the Great to rival Versailles. During your one-hour drive, you will see different parts of the city, including the new areas of Saint Petersburg and the countryside.
The grounds of Peterhof include the Upper and Lower Park, and many delightful little palaces built as private residences of the tsars: Monplaisir and the adjoining Catherine's Wing, Marli Palace built for the tsars' guests, and the Hermitage conceived as a private dinning venue for the tsar and his friends. Crowning the hill stands Peter's Grand Palace. It has a commanding view over the Lower Park and the Gulf beyond. Upon arrival to Peterhof, you will proceed to the Upper Park designed as a French formal garden, and then enter the Grand Palace for an hour-long visit.
Following the tour of the Grand Palace, you will descend into the Lower Gardens, a 300-acre fountain park with several pavilions and palaces overlooking the Gulf of Finland. After this fantastic visit, you will enjoy a traditional Russian lunch in a local restaurant, before visiting the world's famous State Hermitage Museum.
The State Hermitage Museum occupies six magnificent buildings located along the embankment of the River Neva, right in the heart of Saint Petersburg. It was the Winter Palace, the residence of the Russian tsars, built to the design of Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli from 1754. Put together throughout two centuries and a half, the Hermitage collections of works of art (over 3,000,000 items) present the development of the world culture and art from the Stone Age to the 20th century. The guided tour in the Winter Palace, former imperial residence, will include numerous reception halls.
• We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. Amateur photos and videos with camera and mobile device without using flash are allowed at Peterhof Palace. Bags and purses are forbidden at Peterhof Palace, but can be left either in the bus or at the cloakroom for free.
Price range:
More
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
The collection of works in the renowned State Hermitage Museum is one of the richest in the world. The museum was founded in 1764 as a private museum of Catherine the Great, to which only she and her closest courtiers had access, and is now Russia’s largest art museum, housing around three million pieces. The collection occupies four buildings, including the Small Hermitage, the Old Hermitage, and the New Hermitage, all connected to the magnificent Winter Palace, the former official residence of the imperial family, designed by Rastrelli and built between 1754 and 1762. Here view the Malachite Room, where more than two tons of this unique, deep green, ornamental stone was used to craft its columns, vases, and fireplace. As you walk the halls, marvel at exhibits of 15th to 16th-century French art, as well as impressionist works.
In the Small Hermitage, explore works of 17th-century Flemish art and 15th and 16th-century Dutch art. In the Old Hermitage, discover Italian art from the 13th through 18th centuries, including works by da Vinci, Rafael, Michelangelo, and Titian. Proceed to the New Hermitage, and explore works from Spain’s golden age, including those by El Greco, Velasquez, and Goya. Not to be missed are the museum’s vast Rembrandt and Rubens collections, including one of Rembrandt’s final works, The Return of the Prodigal Son.
Enjoy a special early-opening guided tour of the collection, with transportation to and from the museum by coach.
• There are some steps to navigate in the museum, but there are also elevators. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Price range:
More
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
From the pier, board your coach for a 45-minute drive to the famous Fabergé museum.
The private Fabergé Museum opened its doors at the recently renovated Shuvalov Palace in St. Petersburg on 19 November 2013. Here, billionaire Viktor Vekselberg has placed his priceless collection of Fabergé eggs on display for the general public.
The collection on display includes over 4,000 works of art from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including fifteen Fabergé eggs, nine of which are famous Imperial Fabergé eggs previously owned by the Romanov family.
It took 10 years to create the current collection, and it is still growing. At the new Fabergé Museum, you will see many unique exhibits, among which other works of the famous jeweller, royal silverware, precious icons and other religious ornaments, collection of paintings on enamel, other objects of decorative and applied art, paintings by famous Russian and foreign artists.
Viktor Vekselberg purchased the famous Malcolm Forbes Fabergé Collection from the Forbes family in 2004 for about $100 million. Most notable among this collection are the Rosebud Egg, Lilies-of-the-Valley Egg, Coronation Egg and particularly the Hen Egg and the Order of St. George Egg, that represent the first and last eggs received by Empress Maria, wife of Alexander III.
The Imperial eggs enjoyed great fame, and Fabergé was commissioned to make similar eggs for a few private clients, including the Duchess of Marlborough, the Rothschild family and Prince Yusupov. A series of seven eggs were also made for the industrialist Alexander Kelch.
Vekselberg’s nine Imperial Easter Eggs are of the 50 that are left in the world today. Ten are in the Moscow Kremlin Collection, five are at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Va., and two belong to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II. The whereabouts of eight are unknown. The others are in various displays throughout the U.S., Switzerland and Monaco.
After the visit, reboard your coach for the return drive to the pier and your ship.
• This tour involves 1¼ hour of walking and standing, with approximately 40 steps. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes.
Price range:
More
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Drive to Tsarskoye Selo which means « the Tsar's village ». It was founded in the 18th century as the summer residence of the Russian tsars. In 1937, its name was changed to « Pushkin » to commemorate the centenary of the death of the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, who had studied in the Imperial Lyceum there.
Arrive in Pushkin and visit the Catherine Palace, designed by architect Rastrelli. The stunning 300-metre long baroque facade is adorned with a profusion of atlantes, columns, pilasters and ornamental window framings. Visit the Amber room, the ballroom and the famous Green dining room. Next, walk through Catherine’s park and visit the private garden.
After the tour, you will enjoy a traditional Russian lunch in a nearby restaurant.
A short drive will bring you to Pavlovsk, the former summer royal residence of Emperor Paul I, Catherine's only son. The history of Pavlovsk began in 1777 when Catherine the Great, overjoyed at the birth of her first grandson Alexander, presented the vast hunting grounds to her son Paul and his wife Maria. The construction of the Palace was entrusted to Catherine's favourite architect, Charles Cameron, who was to design the Palace and the grounds. Pavlovsk remained a residence of the Romanov imperial family until 1915. Pavlovsk is a place that has retained an atmosphere of warm intimacy and sumptuous cosiness, which still enchants us.
The Pavlovsk Park created by Pietro Gonzaga is one of the largest parks in Europe. Set within 1800 acres (728 ha) of birch and firs, meadows and wild flowers, it is renowned for the natural scenic beauty of the landscape, enhanced by exquisite samples of garden sculpture and architecture.
• We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. Photos without flash are allowed at Catherine Palace, except for the Amber room where pictures are forbidden.
Price range:
More
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
Your tour starts with a drive to one of the most picturesque avenue of the city which is Nevsky Prospect, to visit Kazan Cathedral. The building of the Kazan Cathedral on Nevsky Prospect immediately attracts your attention. It encircles a small square with a double row of beautiful columns forming an impressive colonnade. Constructed by Russian architect Andrei Voronikhin in 1801-11, the Kazan Cathedral is an outstanding example of the early 19th century Russian architecture. Today it is one of the most famous and important Saint Petersburg temples, where the highest rank orthodox liturgies take place.
After inside visit of the Cathedral, walk to the Square of Arts, one of the oldest areas of the city. The historical and cultural environment here is extremely rich, every single building facing the square is either a theatre or a museum. From the square, proceed to the Griboedov Canal, another important historical waterway. At first, the canal was known as Yekaterininsky Canal, or the Canal of Catherine II. Later on, it was renamed into the Griboedov Canal after the October Revolution.
Enjoy a cup of Russian tea with some Russian pastries and a short rest at a local restaurant, right by the Church on the Spilled Blood. This Cathedral is probably the only building in the city that stands out so much in its architectural and spatial environment with its silhouette, composition, and rich decor. This marvellous Russian-style multicoloured, onion-domed church was built on the spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated on 1st March 1881. Here, on the streets around the Cathedral, you will have an opportunity to do some shopping at the local Flee Market.
From the market, continue walking along the Moika River and the Mikhailovsky Garden towards the Mikhailovsky Castle, probably the most mysterious building in the city. After a brief stop to take some pictures, walk to Maple Alley, one of the most picturesque places in Saint Petersburg. There, admire an impressive monument to Peter the Great, erected here in 1800 by order of Emperor Paul I. From this point, board your coach and return back to the ship.
• This tour involves about 3,5 km (3 miles) of walking on flat streets. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the rain.
Price range:
More
€: the excursion price is less than €50.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.