Saint Petersburg

  Pavlovsk palace and park ensemble is one of the finest monuments in the world architecture and landscape art of the late 18-th - early 19-th centuries. The former residence of Paul I, built in classical style, is one of the most elegant interiors and romantic residences which still has the spell of past time. Five miles away, is the most elegant and exquisite palace of all - Paul's Palace in Pavlovsk. More than anywhere else, it is here that you will feel the sophisticated atmosphere of the 19th century.

The Mariinsky Theatre (former the Kirov Theatre)  is considered to have been founded in 1783. The theatre had a great deal to do with the foundation of the Russian ballet. Tchaikovsky’s world famous “sleeping Beauty”, “Swan Lake”, “Nutcracker” were all staged there. From the very beginning the Mariinsky Theatre developed the traditions of Russian national art. Its orchestra is known as one of the finest in the world.

St.-Petersburg lies on over 30 islands, amidst rivers, canals and the Gulf of Finland. Not surprisingly, Venice and Amsterdam were foremost among the European capitals that impressed Peter the I and became an inspiration in the construction of Russia’s new capital.  In other words, St.-Petersburg is a city that was meant to be seen from the water.

Petrodvorets, formerly Peterhof, is an immensely luxurious royal estate, lying on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, known as the "Russian Versailles

Yusupov palace, one of the city's most elegant residences was once home to Russia's wealthiest family. However, its elegant classical exterior belies a sinister past.  Here, in the quiet underground chambers, Yusupov and his cohorts carried out the assassination of Rasputin. The wax effigies of the participants of the world-famous murder are found in the palace's basement where the events took place.  Enjoy a tour of the palace's opulent interiors and a rich collection of art.

You will find yourself inside an arcade of palace rooms featuring a collection of paintings, exquisite decorative objects, porcelain and arms. Inside, the varied personal legacy of every ruling monarch who once occupied the palace is particularly apparent in the décor.   While inside the palace you will have a unique opportunity to admire the legendary Amber Room, subject of much international intrigue surrounding its disappearance during World War II and often referred to as “the eighth wonder of the world”.

Peter and Paul Fortress, where we are going on this day, became a birthplace of St. Petersburg in 1703. It was founded to protect the lands from invaders, but for a long time was used as a political prison until in 1924 when it was turned into a museum. On the grounds of the Fortress there is SS Peter and Paul Cathedral, where you can see the Royal Tombs of Russian Regents from Peter I to the last emperor of Russia Nicolas II.

  Church on Spilled Blood was built on the site of the assassination of Tsar Alexander II. The multi-colored onion domes and the stunning mosaic icons of the interior rival the beauty of Moscow's St. Basil's Cathedral.

This day the clients have a great opportunity to visit the forth largest cathedral in the world. The construction of the Cathedral took 40 years, although some works continued for the next 50 years. The magnificent edifice with fine colonnades and a gilded dome embellished with 382 sculptures is decorated with the paintings of outstanding Russian artists, mosaics and murals. Forty-three types of stone and marble were used in its ornamentation.

The Fabergé Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, is a privately owned museum, founded by the Link of Times foundation in order to repatriate lost cultural valuables to Russia. The museum is located in the very center of St. Petersburg — in Shuvalov Palace on the Fontanka River.

The five buildings of the Hermitage museum, including the opulent Winter Palace, the former Imperial residence, hold one the world's most spectacular art collections featuring works by  Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Rubens, Rembrandt, Rodin and others.  Ancient world exhibits hold treasures from ancient Egypt and Troy, to name a few.