Cultural Centre of the World
A proud city with a striking array of neoclassical and baroque architectural delights.
Over five days explore Russia’s beautiful imperial capital and some of the world’s finest palaces and museums spread throughout the city.
A proud city with a striking array of neoclassical and baroque architectural delights.
St Petersburg offers a ‘window to the west’; its bohemian-inspired atmosphere allows travellers to view a very different side of Russia.
Steppes Travel began in Russia. We have a wealth of knowledge for the country that ‘inspired us’ and therefore suggestions beyond the ordinary.
Join Katya Galitzine to explore a very different side of St Petersburg on the Jewels of St Petersburg Tour departing 26th February 2020.
We can arrange exclusive access and private tours of many of the sites combined with wonderful musical, ballet or opera performances, a private party in a palace and even a wedding. We would definitely recommend a peaceful canal trip to see St Petersburg’s beautiful palaces and buildings from the river. It is these canals that give St Petersburg the name ‘Northern Venice’.
Days 1-5
St Petersburg
Days 1-5
St Petersburg
St Petersburg is a vibrant and bustling Russian city of ideas which has firmly established itself as one of the major cultural centres of the world.
Once the capital of Russia, before the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, and extolled by many great Russian poets and artists, St Petersburg is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Cosmopolitan and cultured, it boasts an architectural identity and bohemian ambiance unique to the city. It is a dazzling place, and it is easy to see why it is known to some as ‘Northern Venice’. Your guide will accompany you around The Hermitage, the Peter and Paul Fortress and the fine cathedral of St Isaac, with its celebrated golden dome.
Whilst staying in the city, enjoy a day at the Peterhof Palace, former summer residence of the Russian Tsars and home to an extensive formal 18th century garden and number of other smaller palaces in the grounds. Another option is to explore the Catherine Palace at Tsarskoe. Only an hour from the city, this palace offers a dazzling display of gilt and glorious parquet. The finest of all the rooms is the restored Amber Room, the original panels of which disappeared during WWII never to be found, creating an enduring mystery.
Spring is a wonderful time to visit with long evenings and warm days but be prepared for a price increase during the White Nights Festival. September is another good time, some rain but fewer crowds. For snow, travel between December to March but be prepared for some of the marble statues to be covered and the canals to be frozen. The summer palace of Peterhof turns off its wonderful fountains but the Catherine Palace, when covered with snow, can be explored by troika.
Join Katya Galitzine to explore a very different side of St Petersburg on the Jewels of St Petersburg Tour departing 26th February 2020. Absorb the splendour of the Tsars with a focus on some of the jewels and treasures of pre-Revolutionary Russia. Accompanied by Princess Katya Galitzine, this tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the highlights of St Petersburg and gain a personal insight into the countries fascinating history through the Galitzine family experiences. Katya’s expertise and insight will open doors and your eyes to a very different side of St Petersburg.
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
Russia experiences particularly cold winters, with minus temperatures not uncommon for many regions. The continuing cold winters will see many cities including St Petersburg and Moscow transformed into a winter wonderland as the snow settles on these cities.
Due to the predictability of Russia’s extreme winters, public transport systems are well prepared for snowy conditions meaning travelling through winter is not uncommon, particularly as temperatures slowly start to warm up in February.
Spring begins in Russia in March however not as you would typically expect, with snow still on the ground. We recommendation travelling during the winter months or from May, as you will be greeted with melting, dirtier snow in March and the beginning of April.
Throughout April, Russia will experience relatively cold temperatures and cloudy days, however, temperatures can range from -25°C in some regions and reach 25.C in others due to the sheer size of the country.
A perfect time to avoid the crowns prior to Russia’s peak season whilst still experiencing a pleasant climate.
Depending on your exact location, June can be the perfect time to travel to Russia, with temperatures starting to rise throughout the country ad summer begins.
As summer begins in Russia, many locals travel to the countryside and so cities will be much quieter with long, sunny days and very little humidity.
During the peak of summer, cities such as Moscow can experience high temperatures of up to 37°C with other regions generally still warm but with more comfortable conditions.
As summer draws to a close, temperatures will drop and due to this milder climate, sightseeing can become more comfortable yet not be as cold as visiting during winter.
Autumn and spring are typically short in Russia as the country experiences the two extremes – summer and winter. October can be an unpredictable month to travel to the country in terms of climate.
Prior to the beginning of winter, days can be unpredictable with temperatures averaging as low as 2°C, with November experiencing more rainfall depending on your exact destination.
Throughout Russia, December brings harsh winter conditions but can also be the ideal time to see Russia’s spectacular, iconic winter wonderlands.
These may be uncertain times but they are, without a doubt, still full of opportunity to discover the extraordinary safely. Through knowledge and expertise, we can connect you to those destinations embracing travellers with the added confidence of flexible booking and decades of insight.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?