Visa Free Cruise to St. Petersburg from Helsinki 5 days (finish Helsinki)

Day 1 Helsinki Departure and Overnight On Ferry

Make your own way to the ferry terminal in Helsinki for the evening departure to St. Petersburg at approximately 18:00hrs. Overnight in an A Class outside cabin, including a buffet dinner, with sole use of the cabin.

Day 2 Welcome to St. Petersburg: Panoramic City Tour

Breakfast on the ferry then morning arrival in St. Petersburg at approx 09:00hrs. Disembark, meet your guide in the terminal and enjoy a panoramic city tour featuring the city's major highlights - the Admiralty, St. Nicolas Cathedral, Palace Square, St. Isaac's Cathedral, Smolny Convent and a visit to Peter and Paul Fortress. At the conclusion of the city tour you will be dropped off at your hotel, where you will stay for two nights. This evening, an optional folkloric performance is offered.

Day 3 Choice of Excursions: Hermitage Art Museum or Yusupov Palace

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a guided excursion to either the famous, art-filled Hermitage Museum, housed in the former Tsar's Winter Palace with vast collections displayed in the magnificent State Rooms, OR Yusupov Palace. This private palace is situated on the banks of the Moika River and was once owned by one of the city's wealthiest imperial families. Small, yet lavishly decorated, it saw one of the most dramatic episodes in Russian history... the murder of Grigory Rasputin. 2nd overnight at your hotel in St. Petersburg.

Day 4 Choice of Excursions: Catherine's Palace or Peterhof Palace: St. Petersburg Departure

Breakfast at the hotel is followed by your further choice of a guided excursion to either Catherine's Palace in Pushkin, a spectacular former Imperial summer residence with the extraordinary Amber Room, OR Peterhof Summer Palace, a magnificent ensemble on the Gulf of Finland, built for the Russian Tsars in the 18th century, with enormous parks and beautiful, gold fountains. (Please note the fountains only operate from May to August). At the end of your chosen excursion, you will be transferred to the ferry terminal to board the ferry departing St. Petersburg at 18:00hrs. Overnight in an A Class outside cabin, including buffet dinner, with sole use of the cabin.

Day 5 Helsinki Arrival

Breakfast on the ferry before your arrival into Helsinki at 07:00 or 08:00hrs (depending on date of arrival). After disembarkation in Helsinki, your tour arrangements conclude.

2020 departures:
13, 21, 27 May
04, 10, 18, 24 June
02, 08, 16, 22, 30 July
05, 13, 19, 27 August
02, 10, 16, 24, 30 September
08, 14, 22, 28 October
05, 11, 19, 25 November
03, 09, 17, 23, 25 December

Notes:

The programme may be adjusted due to variations in the opening hours of the palaces and museums in St. Petersburg and minor changes to the ferry timetable.

Ferry passengers of all nationalities can enjoy St. Petersburg for 72 hours without a Russian visa.

Accommodation in Helsinki can be added to the cruise - please enquire.