Itinerary – 5 day Deluxe Visa Free Tour to St Petersburg

Day 1 – Depart Helsinki (Friday)

You may check in from 15.00 hrs, so please arrive in good time for your 18:00 hrs departure from Helsinki Sea Port West Terminal, aboard M/S Princess Anastasia.  Enjoy the dining and entertainment facilities on board, as you sail across the Gulf of Finland towards Russia.

Overnight on the ferry.

Day 2 – St Petersburg (Saturday)

After breakfast on the ferry, enjoy priority disembarkation at 09.00 hrs. You will be met at the exit of the ferry terminal by our guide to commence your panoramic tour of the beautiful city of St Petersburg.  Today, whilst passing by some of the highlights of the city, the true highlight is our visit today is the world famous State Hermitage Museum: A guided visit of the Hermitage museum and the magnificent collection of art in the winter palace of Catherine the Great. One of the largest museums in the world, founded in 1764; its collection includes over 2.7 million items, including masterpieces of Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, Rodin, Rembrandt and Rubens. The Gala rooms of the Winter Palace, a former royal residence, are open for visitors.

After todays’ tour, your guide will accompany you to your hotel (at around 17.00- 17.30 hrs) where you check in for 2 nights. At leisure to enjoy your first evening exploring this magical city.

Entrances: Hermitage Museum

Overnight at your hotel.

Day 3 – St Petersburg (Sunday)

After breakfast at your hotel, your day is your own, at leisure to explore independently.

Alternatively, you may pre-book to join us on our OPTIONAL tour (not included) to Catherine Palace and Peterhof Lower Gardens: 
Departing at 09.30 hrs, today we visit two of St Petersburg’s dazzling highlights: Our guide will meet you in reception for a tour which includes a visit out of town to Catherine Palace, in the town of Pushkin (formerly Tsarskoye Selo), 29km south of St. Petersburg. The construction of the palace for Empress Catherine started in 1717. A park in the French style was laid out around the palace and in the middle of 18th century Tsarskoye Selo became the official royal residence. This palace is famous for the ‘Amber Room’, now completely restored to its former glory and for the mirrored hall.
We also visit Peterhof Lower Gardens* (or Pavlovsk Palace when fountains are closed).  We visit the beautiful gardens of Peterhof.  This magnificent estate on the Gulf of Finland is remarkable for the sheer variety of styles encompassed in its garden layout and features. Representing nearly two centuries of European aristocratic fashion executed to the highest standards, Peterhof is like an encyclopaedia of park design through the age of empire. Particularly impressive is the fact that the master landscapers and garden designers who worked on the estate at Peterhof managed to overcome the extremely inclement conditions of the northern climate to create a wonderland of greenery and flowers, sweeping vistas and ornate architectural decorations

Return to your hotel at approx 17.00 hrs. There will be time to stop for tea/coffee/lunch (at your own expense, not included)

Optional Tour: Catherine’s Palace, Peterhof Lower Gardens (or Pavlovsk Palace when fountains are closed)

n.b.:
Please note that the fountains in Peterhof Gardens are not operational before May and from October, at these times, Peterhof Gardens will be replaced with a tour to Pavlovsk Palace.

Overnight at your hotel.

Day 4 – St Petersburg (Monday)

10.00 hrs: After breakfast and check out, your guide will meet you in reception. Today we visit three different locations in the city, Peter and Paul Fortress which guards the city of St Petersburg, and is located on the island, facing the Hermitage museum. The Cathedral here is the oldest building in St Petersburg and now houses the remains of the last Romanov tsars.  Included today is a tour of the Church on the Spilled Blood, with five domes, it is St Petersburg’s most elaborate church with a classic Russian Orthodox exterior, and an interior containing 7000 sq m of mosaics.  Its colloquial name refers to the assassination attempt on Tsar Alexander II on the same spot in 1881.  Time is allowed for you to visit the exquisite *Faberge Museum, the worlds largest private Faberge collection housed in a former noble residence, the Shuvalov Palace, in the centre of the city. Pre-booking is no longer possible, payable locally.

After todays’ tour, your guide will take you to the ferry port for embarkation at approx. 17.00 hrs. Ferry departs 19.00 hrs.

There will be time to stop for tea/coffee/lunch (at your own expense, not included)

n.b.
* Please note that visitors to the Faberge museum will be provided with audio guides (pay locally)

Included Entrances: Peter and Paul Fortress, Church on the Spilled Blood.

Overnight on the ferry.

Day 5 – Arrive Tallinn (Tuesday)

Enjoy breakfast on board before your 09.00 hrs arrival in Tallinn.
Your tour concludes on arrival in Tallinn today*.

n.b. Days, timings and order of visits may change due to local conditions.  All services subject to availability and confirmation.

*See our 2 night Tallinn package with arrival transfer and introductory walking tour.

Helsinki – St Petersburg – Helsinki: also available on selected Wednesdays and Thursdays (not weekly) same itinerary, same price, different tour dates – see here for Deluxe Tour details

The 72 hour Visa Free St Petersburg tour is the perfect way to enjoy a city break to St Petersburg without the cost or time required to obtain a Russian visa. This is a Russian government initiative and only applies to visitors travelling by ferry from Helsinki on the visa free St Petersburg programme.

IMPORTANT: If you require a visa to enter Finland, it must be multi-entry type.
Your passport must be valid for minimum 6 months after exit date from St Petersburg.

Accommodation

We use one of St Petersburg’s leading 5 star deluxe hotels for our programme, *Kempinski Hotel Moika 22.

Kempinski Hotel Moika 22  

Situated in the heart of the city on the Moika River, in the aristocratic mansion built in 1853, Kempinski Hotel Moika 22 is close to Palace Square and the Hermitage museum. The hotel is just five minutes’ walk from the Nevsky Prospect and close to all major sights and shopping.  Guests are greeted with a unique, personalised European service in all 200 rooms and suites, and five restaurants and bars. A Spa and Fitness Centre offers guests a relaxing setting for mind, body and energy-restoration treatments, a gym, whirlpool bath with city view, sauna and steam room.

*Due to high occupancy levels at certain busy times of the year, we reserve the right to use similar hotels.

MS Princess Anastasia – St Peterline

Deck Plan

Princess Anastasia is a modern passenger ferry with a total passenger capacity of 2 500 seats. On board there are 834 cabins and a car deck for 580 cars. The guests aboard the cruise ferry can enjoy the advantages of comfortable cabins and a wide range of entertainment to please any taste: restaurants, bars, Duty Free shop, SPA, gym, beauty salon, cinema and playroom for children. The show programme aboard the ship is presented by the brilliant St. Petersburg Music Hall Ballet Theatre and by a famous night club network.

Our Deluxe Tours use only upgraded double cabins: Suite, Deluxe and Commodore.
IMPORTANT; All upgraded cabins have 1 x Double bed, there are no twins.
If you need a twin, you may take a Suite and one person may use the sofa bed.
These come with extra benefits – please review here :

Onboard Payments: Euros, Russian roubles, US dollars and Swedish kronas are accepted currency. There are no ATMs, however there is an exchange office where the afore-mentioned currencies are accepted.
Visa, MasterCard and Amex are accepted, however Amex is not accepted in some of the bars.

Suite (Outside double Suite):

1-4* persons on Deck: 6 (26.4 sq m) 

Luxury apartments with sea views.
In your living room, decorated with paintings, there are comfortable sofas and armchairs, LCD TV and a minibar.
The bedroom is separate, with a double bed (not twin).
Air-conditioning, private en-suite sh/wc with hair-dryer.
Complimentary mini-bar with beer, wine and soft drinks.
Delicious breakfast with champagne.
Complimentary access to the Internet.
Priority Disembarkation
VIP lounge in St Petersburg port
*Sofa may be extended to use as extra bed for up to 2 children under 12 years.

Deluxe Cabin (Outside double Cabin):

1- 2 persons on Decks: 5, 8 (16.4 sq m)

Queen size bed only (not twin).
Flat screen TV, comfortable armchairs and mini-bar in the sitting area.
Private en-suite sh/wc and hairdryer.
Complimentary mini-bar with beer, wine and soft drinks.
Access to VIP lounge Bar onboard
Delicious breakfast with champagne.
Priority Disembarkation
VIP lounge in St Petersburg port
Children aged 7 years or older must have a separate bed in the cabin, as for an adult.

Commodore Cabin (Outside double Cabin)

1- 2 persons on Decks: 5, 6 (12 sq m)

Double bed only (not twin).  Flat screen TV, comfortable armchairs and mini-bar in the sitting area.
Private en-suite sh/wc and hairdryer.
Complimentary mini-bar with beer, wine and soft drinks.
Delicious breakfast with champagne.
Priority Disembarkation
Special check-in desk in St Petersburg port
Children aged 7 years or older must have a separate bed in the cabin, as for an adult.

Deluxe Visa Free St Petersburg (5 days) – Departure Dates and Prices

Subject to availability (minimum 2 persons).
*World Cup 2018 dates. During this period, different rates and terms apply,
therefore prices are on request only – please ask for details for your preferred date of travel.
See below for Single Supplement

Optional Supplements:

Optional tour Day 3:
€175 per person:  (minimum 2 persons)
Tour including Catherine’s Palace with Amber Room, Peterhof Lower Gardens
(n.b.: Peterhof fountains are not operational before May and from October, at which times, Peterhof Gardens will be replaced with a tour to Pavlovsk Palace)

Tallinn – 2 night package
Meet our guide on arrival in Tallinn, a transfer will take you to the hotel to drop your luggage, then with our guide, explore Tallinn’s charming Old Town on our walking tour.
Visit the historic Town Hall Square and learn how the weather-vane got its name and what was invented in the Town Hall Pharmacy. You will see medieval churches, the city’s oldest building – the Dominican Monastery (dating from 1246), the city walls and enjoy the views from Toompea Hill. You will also visit the Parliament of Estonia and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. St. Catherine’s Passage is one of the Old Town lanes and St. Catherine’s Guild is a collection of craft workshops, where traditional artists create and sell glassware, hats and other goods. After this introduction to Tallinn, you are free to explore independently.

Tallinn Package Price per person in Euros (in twin):
195 EUR per person (minimum 2 persons)
99 EUR per person – Single room supplement (minimum 2 persons)
375 EUR per person – Single price for solo travellers

Includes:
– Arrival Transfer
– 2 hour walking tour
– 2 nights in 4 star Nordic Hotel (Tuesday and Wednesday)*
All dates in 2018
Subject to availability

*Please ask for prices for this package in upgraded hotel in Tallinn.

Visa Free Tour Single Supplements (minimum 2 persons).
Single use of cabin and twin hotel room for single use:
Low Season Commodore  €345 per person
Low Season Deluxe €405 per person
Low Season Suite €545 per person

Mid Season Commodore €425 per person
Mid Season Deluxe €485 per person
Mid Season Suite €640 per person

High Season Commodore €480 per person
High Season Deluxe €560 per person
High Season Suite €755 per person

Peak Season Commodore €615 (or on RQ) per person
Peak Season Deluxe €699 (or on RQ) per person
Peak Season Suite €890 (or on RQ) per person

Deluxe Visa Free Helsinki – St Petersburg – Tallinn
Price Includes:

• Ferry tickets Helsinki – St Petersburg – Tallinn. MS Princess Anastasia. (Two nights on board in selected cabin)
• Priority disembarkation
• Complimentary mini-bar in your cabin (beer, wine and soft drinks)
• 2 nights in 5 star hotel (Kempinski Hotel Moika 22 or similar)
• Breakfast daily (hotels and ferry)
• Champagne with breakfast on MS Anastasia
• Free Wi-Fi in Kempinski Hotel Moika 22 (or similar)
• Free Wi-Fi in Suite (only) on MS Anastasia
• Professional Guide for excursions and transfers
• Transportation to/from hotel
• City tour
• Tours to include :
  Peter and Paul Fortress
  Hermitage museum
  General Staff Building
  Church on the Spilled Blood
• Transportation for excursions
• Harbour fee
• Fuel fee

 Not included:

• International Flights
• Optional Excursion Day 3
• Entrance fee to Faberge Museum (pay locally)
• Gratuities / tips for guide and driver
• Any meals, beverages, sightseeing entrance fees not specified in the inclusions
• Wi-Fi on the ferry in Commodore or Deluxe Cabin (pay locally)
• Photo and video charges at museums and places of interest
• Extra personal costs incurred at the hotel
• Hotel registration fee payable locally in St Petersburg

Note: For information on connections between Helsinki Airport, Railway Station and Port please see the Helsinki Port Website.

Notes

• 1. Your passport must be valid for minimum 6 months after exit date from Russia
  2. You may not stay ashore more than 72 hours
  3. 72 hour Visa Free apples to all nationalities including those holding valid visa for Finland.
  4. You must be in possession of all required documentation to check in (valid passport, residency permits etc)
  5. We reserve the right to substitute an alternative hotel in St Petersburg of similar standard if the featured hotel is not available due to high occupancy.
     If no similar hotels available, we will offer an alternative. This may incur a supplement depending on availability.
  6. Itinerary may change due to local conditions.
  7. It is the responsibility of all passengers to ensure that they arrive in good time for the ferry.
     If you miss the ferry, full cancellation fees apply; similarly, passengers must be at the hotel at the specified pick-up time for the departure transfer, or take the appropriate shuttle (if applicable).
  8. All bookings are subject to availability.
  9. Onboard Payments: Euros, Russian roubles, US dollars and Swedish kronas are accepted currency.
     There are no ATMs, however there is an exchange office where the afore-mentioned currencies are accepted.
     Visa, MasterCard and Amex are accepted, however Amex is not accepted in some of the bars.
  10. We are not responsible for any changes in the Mobylines ferry schedule