Saint-Petersburg was established by Peter the Great in 1703 and for over 200 years the city was the capitol of the Russian Empire. St. Petersburg with 5 million citizens still remains a cultural center of Russia. It is famous due to its world-known museums (Hermitage, Russian paintings museum, etc.) and theatres (e.g. Mariinsky Opera/Kirov Ballet), numerous palaces, cathedrals and churches, monuments and memorials. The unique beauty of St. Petersburg is created by numerous bridges over many rivers and channels crossing the city and magnificent classic architectural ensembles. One can easily reach marvelous Russian tsar residences with palaces and parks in the vicinity of the city - in Peterhof, Pushkin/Tzarskoje Selo, Pavlovsk, Oranienbaum, Gatchina and other suburbs.

A half of one day will include an excursion to St. Petersburg (a bus tour over the historical center and a visit to the Hermitage). Because of the comfortable location of Znamenka close to Peterhof, excursions to its parks and palaces can be organized during longer lunch breaks.

Additional excursions (in particular for accompanying persons) can be organized by the LOC, BUT it should be settled in advance. So, please indicate in the Accommodation form any additional excursions you would like to have.

Possible local and regional tours:

- Tour to Pushkin (Tsarskoe selo) visit of the palace of Catherine the Great.

- Excursion to Russian paintings museum.

- Day-long tour to Great Novgorod, visiting the Sofiysky cathedral (XI century),