Leave your hotel, and travel to the waterside behind St Petersburg’s Winter Palace where your boat awaits. Step aboard and take a sightseeing cruise by speedy hydrofoil, admiring city sights along the Neva River.
Hop off your boat at Peterhof estate, and head inside its Lower Park, home to more than 140 fountains in a setting reminiscent of Versailles Gardens. Stop for photos by the statue of Samson boldly holding a lion’s jaw open at the Grand Cascade, and admire other notable water features such as a fountain spouting with Chinese dragons.
Inside Peterhof itself, you’ll explore the lavish Grand Palace with its gilded statues and opulent furnishings. Learn about the palace’s history as you explore the richly ornate rooms.
From the palace, head to the Upper Garden for a stroll and see more fountains including the God of the Sea, a cascade statue that portrays Neptune. Beware of water features that were designed to soak guests… in particular a clever feature cunningly designed as an umbrella. It drips on whoever dares sit below it.
When your Peterhof tour ends, travel back to central St Petersburg and finish with a drop-off in the center.
