Description

Peterhof has many names: “Russian Versaille”, “The summer residence of a sea king”, one of seven wonders of Russia, but one main feature – it’s truly breathtaking and spectacular!

Feast your eyes with the grandeur of this immensely majestic estate of Russian Empire founded in 1710 by Peter the Great.

Tour Highlights:

• Absorb centuries of history on this informative and cultural tour;
• Enjoy Neva cruise on a high-speed hydrofoil, one of the most exciting things to do in Saint Petersburg;
• Hear the stories and mysteries of Russian royalty;
• Indulge in picturesque views of Neva embankments, St Petersburg landmarks and the highlights on Peterhof tour;
• Feel the spirit of Peterhof Palace-ensemble, a UNESCO World Heritage Site;
• Explore the Grand Palace, the largest of Peterhof’s palaces, and Russian Royal Residences;
• Explore one of the most astounding fountain ensembles in the world;
• Have a scenic stroll around Lower Gardens and Upper Gardens;
• Admire the beauty of Peterhof: architectural masterpieces, the greatest fountain system in the world, stunning landscape and more!
• Dig into a Russian lunch, a pancake house located on the waterfront;
• Finally, childish way of having fun: get soaked in Joke fountains! (summer only).

• Tour Itinerary:

• Hotel pickup (any time you wish)
• Cruise along the Neva river – Take the fast cat across the Gulf of Finland to Peterhof and set for a thrilling journey! Neva is the third largest river in Europe in terms of average discharge. In the city called the Northern Venice, taking a river cruise is a must-do experience in its own. On our tour you get it all!
• Peterhof Park and Gardens. Amazing gardens, all run on natural water and flow. Peterhof ensemble of Palaces & Gardens stretches out for more than a thousand hectares. The views will take your breath away all the way down to the Bay of Finland.

• On our scenic stroll you can expect: shooting fountains, splendid symmetrical cascades, reservoirs, surrounded by nymphs, tritons and other sea deities, fantastic grottos, dazzling statues, busts, splendid bushes, avenues and parterres, intricate fountains, ponds faced with stones, swimming swans. and vases full of flowers.

  This will be the most romantic walk you’ll ever have, and the highlight of your trip to Russia.

  We highly recommend the visit for couples in autumn, when the nature is so colorful!

  You will enjoy free time to walk along the park grounds and will be charmed with the splendor of the Park and Gardens.

• Peterhof Fountains  are a magical experience. We would be bold enough to say that Peterhof Fountains beat all other hundreds in “must do” list in St Petersburg in beauty, architectural significance and the way it makes our tourists happy and relaxed.
• The Grand Cascade is one of the biggest, the most breathtaking fountains in the world.

• The Grand Cascade flows from beneath the palace towards the Baltic Sea and is famous by beautiful gold statue of Samson fighting against a lion.

• You will also see Roman Fountains, Pyramid Fountain, Chessboard Cascade, Grand Cascade, Golden Hill Cascade, Lion Cascade, Sun Fountain, Trickster Fountains, Adam and Eve Fountains, Triton Fountain.
• The Grottoes of the Grand Cascade is hiding a museum of history of fountains. Tip: here you will find a table with a bowl of fruit, which will soak you if you try to reach for the fruit. No pain no gain. Ok, the fruits are artificial, but it doesn’t mean we should exclude getting soaked from our menu!
• Tsaritsyn Pavilion, the building resembles an Old Pompeian Residence. Everything was created specifically for the Empress: she loved antique furniture, sculptures,  fountains with fresh flowers and mosaic floors. The building completely reproduces the appearance of an ancient Roman house.
• The Special Treasury keeps personal belongings of the Romanovs from Peter the Great onwards. The Special treasury contains over 800 imperial treasures including clothes of Peter the Great and Catherine the Great,  thrones of Russian Emperors and Empresses, jewelry and works of gold, silver and precious stones. European monarchs, princes and grand dukes stayed here when visiting Peterhof.
• Monplaisir Palace has remained almost unchanged and allows you to sneak a peek into the life of the Russian Court of the times of Peter the Great.

• It is also the 1^st art gallery in Russia with paintings that Peter I brought home from his European travels, the characteristic decorations of Peter’s times (oakwood carvings, gilt and lacquered panels) and Peter’s original furniture.

  This charming cozy palace was designed by Peter I himself and only for himself and his closest friends.

• Marly Palace, another lovely mansion of Peter I, built in 1723 to become a private sanctuary. The Marly Palace is the heart of a relatively autonomous architectural complex, which was the last to be developed during Peter’s reign. The area includes a pond, two gardens (the Venus and Parterre Gardens), a cascade and fountains on the parterre.

• The silhouette of Marly is reflected in the calm waters.

• The Aviaries were built in 1722 for rare singing birds. It is the only park pavilion of such kind to survive from 18th century. The walls are faced with tuff and seashells, while the interiors are decorated with original have refined tempera paintings by Russian masters.
• The Catherine Pavilion was once used as an entertainment center for dances, balls, card games, concerts and masquerades, under Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, the daughter of Peter the Great. You’ll find out why the block was eventually named after Catherine and know more about her. The pavilion stores 4,500 objects made in Imperial Porcelain Factory in St Petersburg.
• The Bath Block – one of the oldest buildings of the complex. Here you can get an insight into everyday life of the Imperial family, who enjoyed their therapeutic treatments and walks along Chinese Garden. And so can you.
• Cottage Palace, Gothic Chapel and Alexandria Park 

• English-style landscaped parkland in the east of the Peterhof Park was named after Nicholas I’s wife Alexandra Fedorovna. The Cottage was built in the Gothic Revival style in 1820-s. It was a favorite summertime residence of Emperor Nicholas I. The opulent interior is filled with romantic medieval spirit: works of porcelain, glass and bronze, a first-class collection of paintings and sculptures. The tiny Gothic Chapel was the domestic church of the royal family.

• The Imperial Yachts Museum is located close to the shore of the Gulf of Finland and depicts the sailing traditions of the Romanov family. Here you can find interesting objects from the life of the imperial family used in their high seas travel.
• Peterhof Hermitage was built as a private dining room for Peter I and his closest friends right on the shore of the Bay of Finland.
• Lunch with Russian pancakes – bliny. Slavic people considered bliny as a symbol of the sun, due to their round form. We’ll finish our Peterhof tour with this yummy sun lunch.
• Ride back to St Petersburg Centre. After this massive plunge into Russian history, art and culture, you will walk off the boat feeling like a Russian.

*This tour can be modified to meet your preferences