Train Travel from Helsinki to St. Petersburg

Majestic palaces, extravagant mansions, and richly decorated cathedrals create a regal ambience in St. Petersburg - one of the most beautiful cities on the globe.

Itinerary

CZARIST COLORS

After boarding the Allegro train from Helsinki to St. Petersburg in

the morning you can enjoy the Southern Finland landscape

passing by. Upon arrival in the "Venice of the North", the

orientation tour takes you to the Bronze Horseman, Admiralty,

Nevski Prospekt and Palace Square. On Palace Square you will

admire the harmonious unity of St. Petersburg. The architects of

the city gave colours an essential role in their plans and this

magnificent Russian city owes much of its special atmosphere to

these painted façades The tour passes by the very roots of St.

Petersburg. The city was founded by Peter the Great, as he laid

the foundation of the first fortress on an islet in 1703. This island,

the Peter-and Paul Fortress, has become the chief monument to

its founder’s reign. Overnight at Hotel Ibis.

ALONG CANALS AND BOULEVARDS

The day begins with an excursion to the Hermitage. The

Hermitage was established in the year 1764, as Catherine II

bought paintings made by famous Dutch painters. After the

revolution in 1917 the amount of exhibits tripled and now it

contains 2,400,000 pieces of art. The Hermitage collection offers

art lovers special highlights such as Leonardos, Raphaels and Titians. After lunch, which is served in a local restaurant downtown, we visit the Yusupov Palace, a home of a noble family from the 18th through 20th centuries. The palace went down in Russian history as the place where the mysterious monk Grigory Rasputin was assassinated, a Siberian peasant who became the spiritual mentor and friend of Nicholas II and the Royal Family in the early 20th century. Return back to hotel.

18TH CENTURY LUXURIOUS PALACE

In the year 1708 Peter I gave his wife Catherine Aleksejevna an estate in the outskirts of St. Petersburg. As the summer residence

of Russian Czars for two centuries Zarskoje Selo, later Pushkin,

was developed into one of the most magnificent and richest

residences in Europe by the most famous architects and

craftsmen of the time. Lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch we

continue to see another landmark in St. Peterburg; the Peterhof

Summer Palace where we visit its low park only. Overnight.

TIME FOR REFLECTIONS

Time for optional sightseeing before lunch at the hotel. Transfer to the speed train departing at 3.25 pm. Arrive in Helsinki at 6.01pm where the tour ends.

Notes