Luxury St. Petersburg Holidays

Overview

Walk the streets of the magnificent city of St. Petersburg, where once the Tsars of Russia held dominion over the country. Start your tour in the opulent Winter Palace, now home to the Hermitage Museum, one of the world’s finest institutions for art and antiquities and then amble across the manicured Field of Mars – one of the city’s prettiest parks. Make time for the State Russian Museum too, which is home to the most extensive collection of Russian art spanning from 19th-century paintings to modernist pieces. If you love history, head outside the city to the Peterhof Palace and Tsarskoye Selo, vast palaces that previously served as retreats for the Russian royal family. If you prefer the performing arts, catch a show at Mariinsky Theatre which hosts classical concerts and you can see world-famous Russian ballerinas. Hop on a luxury canal cruise to experience St. Petersburg many famed palaces, churches, and theatres. From the deck of your ship, you'll see the fantastic Bronze Horseman, an iconic monument that overlooks the Reka Neva and is indivisible from the fabric of the city. If you’d rather stay on land, then go to the Strelka on Vasilevsky Island, a spit that affords you fantastic views of some of the best attractions in St. Petersburg.

When To Visit

St. Petersburg is a brilliant destination year-round. In summer, you can experience the fabled white nights and daytime temperatures reach 23°C. In the winter, the city is dusted with snow and Christmas lights decorate the palaces. However, you'll need to wrap up as temperatures drop to -4°C. Spring and autumn typically bring temperatures between 9 to 15°C – ideal for sightseeing, especially if you want to see the parks. The city parks are full of blossoming flowers in spring, and red, yellow and orange foliage in autumn.

Food & Drink

Fine dining is easy to come by at your luxury hotel in this grand city by the sea. Expect to find fresh seafood, delicate dumplings, and warming soups as part of the traditional Russian fare. Upscale haute-cuisine restaurants add a modern twist to the local traditional dishes. As St. Petersburg is a cosmopolitan city, luxury hotels also offer international dining options across the board, such as French, Italian, Japanese cuisines, and even American-style dishes. Pair with local wine or Russia’s favourite spirit – vodka.

Passport & Visas

British nationals will need to apply for a visa to enter Russia, which you can do at the nearest Russian embassy. Its advisable for travellers to carry their identification with them, and to keep a copy of their passport. For more information on visas, please visit GOV.UK.