Bus tour, including a visit to the most picturesque places of Karelia.
You will see Kivach Waterfall, one of the largest flat waterfalls in Europe, visit the first Russian resort "Marcial Waters" and stroll along the Onega embankment of Petrozavodsk, as well as take part in national master classes and be able to choose additional excursions to suit your taste.
Prepare Karelian gates and try to make a souvenir from Karelia.
Flexible program
You can choose additional excursions to suit your taste.
Mighty Waterfall
Visit the waterfall and the Kivach Nature Reserve with a grove of Karelian birch trees.
Itinerary
Day 1 -
Departure of the bus from Moscow to Karelia
Departure at 23:45 from Moscow.
Address: metro station "Altufevo", at the stop near the house at the address: Altufevskoe highway, 86.
Day 2 -
Arrival in Kondopoga, activities for an additional fee (optional)
The route passes through the following cities:
00:15 — Khimki (at BUTAKOVO bus stop opposite Grand shopping center);
01:00 — Zelenograd (Baykovo bus stop opposite McDonald's);
01:40 — Solnechnogorsk (Deliciously and Dot, Krasnaya str., 118);
02:20 — the city of Klin (Tasty and point, Pervomaiskaya str., 2);
03:50 — Tver (Globus shopping center, Oktyabrsky Avenue, 101);
05:50 — Vyshny Volochyok (exit to the M-11 highway);
09:50 — Veliky Novgorod (Podberezye village (near the Krasnoe&Beloe store).
~ 16:00 — The "cultural capital" of Karelia is the city of Kondopoga.
Accommodation in rooms of the Karelia 3* hotel (Kondopoga, Lenin Square, 5).
Lunch in the hotel's cafe is a buffet.
For those who wish, a rest in a pine forest on the Shuya River with a picnic or rafting on inflatable rafts along the river is available for an additional fee. The description is provided in the "Important to know" section.
For non-rafting travelers: lunch at the hotel cafe (buffet/cover, extra charge).
Dinner on a special menu.
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Day 3 -
Free day or guided tour for an additional fee (optional)
Breakfast in the hotel cafe (buffet/cover).
For an additional fee, the Kizhi — the eighth wonder of the World tour (5700 rubles / adult, 5100 rubles /child, booked upon payment of the tour).
A description of the excursions is provided in the "Important to know" section.
For those who did not go on the tour, there is a free day.
Rental services on the shore of Lake Onega (200 m from the hotel) – rowboats, kayaks, jet skis, bicycles, walks with huskies.
Lunch at the hotel cafe (buffet/cover additional fee).
Dinner on a special menu.
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Day 4 -
Free day or guided tours for an additional fee (optional)
For an additional fee:
Option 1. Excursion to Solovki Island (The cost of the tour is 11,400 rubles/ adult, 8,400 rubles/ child up to and including 9 years old, booked upon payment of the tour).
Option 2. "White Mountain. The Tivdian marble". The cost of the tour is 2,300 rubles/person.
A description of additional excursions is provided in the "Important to know" section.
For those who did not go on the tour, there is a free day.
Rental services on the shore of Lake Onega (200 m from the hotel) – rowboats, kayaks, jet skis, bicycles, walks with huskies.
Lunch at the hotel cafe (buffet/cover additional fee).
Dinner on a special menu.
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Day 5 -
Marcial Waters Resort, guided tour of Petrozavodsk, national workshops
Breakfast in the hotel cafe (buffet).
We are going on an excursion program.
The first Russian resort "Marcial waters". A health resort that was advertised throughout Europe by Peter the Great himself.
The emperor rested and was treated at the resort several times, and also loved to play "Biryulki" with his entourage.
Tasting life-giving mineral water from three springs will help you forget about illnesses and illnesses.
Bus and walking tour of Petrozavodsk.
What is St. Peter's city like? It is a port city, the forest capital of miners, fishermen, romantics. We'll take memorable photos of its sights and drive through the main squares of the city.
A walk along the Onega embankment of the city.
By good tradition, each twin city leaves a piece of "its soul" here - a sculptural composition.
So the embankment turned into a museum of modern avant-garde sculpture in the open air and became a favorite place for walks of citizens.
Everyone wants to see a piece of the Neubrandenburg starry sky, whisper cherished words into the magical ear of the Wish Tree and ask for material well-being from the Purse of Good Luck.
Lunch at the hotel cafe (buffet/cover, extra charge).
"Karelian upper room".
At the national master classes we will get acquainted with the traditional culture of the northern people and the peculiarities of the region.
Let's sit down at a wide table and, under the guidance of an experienced craftsman, prepare traditional rupittetu (gates) from rye flour.
We will learn a lot of interesting things and work on making a souvenir from Karelia. The result of the work will be an amulet.
Tea drinking with products of our own production — gates.
For an additional fee:
A boat trip with an inspection of the trout farm and a picnic with tasting of Karelian tinctures on Lake Onega from Kondopoga (to be booked upon purchase of the tour, 3,450 rubles/adult, 3,000 rubles/child).
For those who did not go on an excursion, rental services are available on the shore of Lake Onega (200 m from the hotel) – rowboats, kayaks, jet skis, bicycles, walks with huskies.
Lunch at the hotel cafe (buffet/cover, extra charge).
Dinner on a special menu.
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Day 6 -
Free day or guided tours for an additional fee (optional)
Free day.
For those who wish to visit south-west Karelia for an additional fee:
Option 1. Ruskeala Mountain Park and Valaam Island (10,500 rubles/adult, 7,500 rubles / child up to and including 12 years old, booking when buying a tour).
Option 2. Ruskeala Mountain Park and the city of Sortavala (3750 rubles /adult, 3500 rubles /child, booking when buying a tour).
For those who did not go on the tour, it is a free day.
Rental services on the shore of Lake Onega (200 m from the hotel) – rowboats, kayaks, jet skis, bicycles, walks with huskies.
Lunch at the hotel cafe (buffet/cover, extra charge).
Dinner on a special menu.
Day 7 -
Kivach Nature Reserve and waterfall, departure to Moscow
Breakfast at the hotel is a buffet.
07:30 — room release.
Departure for the excursion program.
Nature reserve and waterfall "Kivach".
"A diamond mountain is falling from a ledge with four rocks..." — Gavrila Romanovich Derzhavin, the first poet and lyricist of Russia, wrote admiringly about him.
A pleasant addition to the raging water element will be a grove of Karelian birch, which has become an ornament of the arboretum of the reserve. This is a mystery tree with amazing marble-patterned wood.
Even in the 21st century, there is a debate among scientists about its origin. You can admire souvenirs from Karelka at the Nature Museum.
Departure to Moscow.
Overnight transfer by bus.
Day 8 -
Arrival in Moscow
Estimated arrival in Moscow at 06:00.
Address: metro station "Altufevo", at the stop near the house at the address: Altufevskoe highway, 86.
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone
Accommodation
Accommodation
Hotel
3 nights
Comfort
Upscale
The tour includes accommodation in the Karelia 3* hotel in Kondopoga (5 nights).
The cost of the tour for 1 person, rub.:
Placement
Adult
Kid
Double room with Amenities
36 500
36 150
Double room in a two-room suite (block)
34 600
34 200
Single Room with Amenities
49 850
—
Single room in a two-room suite (block)
46 000
—
Third place in a double room (the top of a bunk bed or a European-style cot)
30 800
30 400
Check—out time in hotels is 12:00. Guaranteed check-in after 15:00.
Karelia Hotel 3 nights
The Karelia Hotel is located in the town of Kondopoga, near Lake Onega. A wide range of services is provided here: on the ground floor there is a dentist and a taxi service.
Free access to an uninterrupted Wi-Fi network is available throughout the territory. All floors are equipped with coolers with cold and hot water, as well as a refrigerator and places for eating.
The hotel has 99 comfortable rooms. All of them are divided into categories such as "standard", "suite", and there is also a family unit and beds in dormitories. Each of them is equipped with comfortable sleeping places and high-quality furniture.
There is a cozy cafe on the 2nd floor of the building, where you can not only have a delicious and satisfying meal, but also have a good time. You can also use the tea set for free or drink coffee with sweets. You can reheat ready-made food in a microwave oven.
A sled dog kennel is located 100 m from the hotel on Tokarskaya Embankment. Nearby there is a mini zoo, a water station, as well as a Sami chum with a bonfire. Petrozavodsk Airport is 46 km away, and Kondopoga Railway Station is 1.5 km away.
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Tour conditions
Group
From 2 to 50 tourists
Minimum age
5 years old
Duration
8 days 7 nights
Group meets at
Moscow
Included in price
transportation services along the route;
Accommodation: Karelia 3* hotel (Kondopoga, Lenin Square, 5) — 5 nights;
meals included in the program (5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, tea party with gates);
excursions:
the first Russian resort "Marcial waters";
Kivach Nature Reserve and waterfall, sightseeing tour of Petrozavodsk;
Museum of Avant-garde Sculptures on Onega Embankment;
2 national master classes (animation programs): "Gate", "Amulet";
guide services on the territory of the Republic of Karelia.
Paid extra
air and railway tickets to Moscow and back;
picnic rafting and alcohol tasting for adults:
adult – 3200 RUB/person.;
child – 2,700 rubles/person.;
picnic (without rafting):
adult (with tasting) – 2050 rubles/person.;
child (without rafting) – 1550 RUB /person.;
meals outside the program:
lunch in the hotel cafe (buffet/cover) – 520 rubles/person.;
custom-made dinners;
Kizhi — the Eighth Wonder of the World tour:
adult – 5700 RUB/person.;
schoolboy – 5100 rubles/person.;
excursion to Solovki Island (1,400 rubles/adult, 8,400 rubles/child up to and including 9 years old, booking when paying for the tour);
The White Mountain tour. Tivdian marble" – 2,300 rubles/person.;
a boat trip with an inspection of the trout farm and a picnic with tasting of Karelian tinctures on Lake Onega from the town of Kondopoga:
adult – 3450 rubles/person.;
child – 3000 rubles /person.
It's important to know
Personal equipment you need for the tour
We recommend taking it with you:
raincoat;
mosquito and sunburn cream;
an inflatable cushion for relaxing on the bus;
motion sickness pills;
a replacement pair of shoes;
comfortable clothes.
Are plane tickets included in the tour price?
Air and railway tickets are not included in the price of the tour. You can purchase them yourself or contact us for help.
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
Additional medical insurance is not included in the price of the tour. If desired, you can apply for insurance on the website of a Large Country without commission directly from insurance companies.
What is the check-out time at the hotel?
Check—out time in hotels is 12:00. Guaranteed check-in after 15:00.
What additional excursions are there?
Additional tours of Karelia are booked in advance upon purchase of the tour.
Name of the tour
adult
kid
Safe rafting on the Shuya River + picnic + tasting of national drinks for adults
3200
2700
Solovki Island Tour
11400
8,400 (up to and including 9 years old)
The White Mountain tour. The Tivdian marble".
2300
2300
Excursion "Ruskeala Mountain Park and Valaam Island".
10500
7,500 (up to and including 12 years old )
Ruskeala Mountain Park and Sortavala City Tour
3750
3500
Kizhi Island Boat Tour from Petrozavodsk
5700
5100
A boat trip with an inspection of the trout farm and a picnic with tasting of Karelian tinctures on Lake Onega from the town of Kondopoga
3450
3000
Additions to the tour (important):
The tour options are booked STRICTLY together with the purchase of the tour. The cost of excursions per child: children up to and including 17 years old (unless other restrictions are specified).
Day 2. Rest in a pine forest on the Shuya River with a picnic or rafting on inflatable rafts along the river.
Safe rafting on the Shuya River + picnic + tasting of national drinks for adults (the duration of the rafting along with the transfer is about 6 hours). There are no age restrictions, children over the age of 12 can participate in rafting unaccompanied by their parents.
Experienced instructors will provide safety instructions and teach you how to properly fasten your life jacket and helmet.
They will show the technique of raft control and reveal the secret of the magic word "taban". We will walk along the Shuya River with them and arrange rides on the threshold of Bolshaya Tolya.
For those going on a picnic— rest in a pine forest, walking through the forest, swimming in the river, picking berries and mushrooms (according to the season).
As a compliment, a tourist bath. 2 two—section tents with a stove (men's and women's) - keep the temperature of the Russian bath.
A shared picnic by the campfire.
The menu includes Karelian trout soup, buckwheat with stew, salad of fresh vegetables, hot tea with lemon and biscuits. And, of course, the "winning" 150 grams of Karelian alcoholic beverages for adults.
Return to the hotel.
Day 3.
"Kizhi — the eighth wonder of the world" (price to be specified, payment upon purchase of the tour).
~10:00 — we embark on a great journey to a unique natural complex, a UNESCO natural heritage site — the famous Kizhi Island (250 km).
En route: Shunga village is one of the oldest settlements in the Zaonezhye region and the birthplace of the carbon mineral shungite. The aspid stone owes its name to these surroundings.
Since the 15th century, the main land road of the North passed through Shunsky Pogost, connecting the White Sea and Lake Onega with Novgorod, a salt transportation route, brisk trade took place at fairs, and the fame of the village's embroiderers thundered around the world.
Their works at the World Exhibition in Paris were awarded a large silver medal.
Tolvuya village – St. Zosima was born and raised in those places, who later became one of the founders of the monastery on the Solovetsky Islands.
The mother of the future tsar Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov, Ksenia Ivanovna, was also exiled here in prison, and Martha was a monk.
Arrival in the town of Oyatevshchyna.
Safe transfer by licensed motorboats or Veresov vessel to Kizhi Island (1 km / 15 minutes).
Guided tour of Kizhi Island, a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site since 1990.
We will learn about all its secrets when we inspect the ensemble of the Kizhi cemetery, visit the estate of the Zaonezhsky peasant and one of the oldest wooden churches in Russia — the Church of the Resurrection of Lazarus, rumored to have the ability to heal all ailments. We will also look at the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord from the outside.
Walking tour to Narjina Gora.
Along the way we will see: the Kizhi cemetery "Round Field", the ancient village "Yamka" and the chapel from the village of Vigovo.
Keepsake photo from the highest point of Kizhi Island.
The city of Medvezhegorsk.
Many popular films were shot in these places: "Love and doves", "And trees grow on stones", "Platinum 2".
Estimated return to the hotel at ~ 22:00.
Day 4.
Option 1. Excursion to Solovki Island (the cost is specified, booked upon payment of the tour). Duration of the tour with transfers: ~ 24 hours.
If you are passionate about history, then this is the journey for you.
Attention! Due to the busy schedule, there is no dinner stop on the route, so buy a snack on the road in advance. On Solovki Island, there may be no terminal at food outlets and souvenir shops, stock up on cash.
02:30 – departure to the port of Rabochiostrovsk. Breakfast is a lunch box (instead of a buffet breakfast). Expect the 390 km journey to take 5-6 hours.
08:00 – we go on a sea trip (2 hours across the White Sea).
10:00 a.m. – arrival on Solovki Island, a unique architectural monument and a place of pilgrimage for believers from all over the world.
A large sightseeing tour of the Solovetsky Kremlin.
Visit the territory of the central complex of the monastery, monuments included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, objects of economic activity, the Solovetsky Fortress and the Monastic Prison exposition, interesting facts about the life of the monks and the unique heating system of the monastery walls.
Free time for an independent lunch.
Boat trip to Bolshoy Zayatsky Island. Visit to the largest pagan sanctuary of the II–I millennia BC. You will see stone labyrinths, a complex of religious and funerary structures, Russia's first stone harbor, and the monuments of St. Andrew's Skete.
Duration of the tour, including transfer: 3 hours.
19:00 — departure to the mainland in the port of Rabochiostrovsk.
Arrival at the hotel after the tour ~ 02:30.
Option 2. "White Mountain. The Tivdian marble". Tour duration: ~ 4.5 hours.
Breakfast in the hotel cafe (buffet/cover).
Departure to the village of Belaya Gora.
The village was once a center of marble mining in the Russian north. Belogorsky marble was used very widely: for the Engineering Castle, for the Marble Palace, the Kazan Cathedral and the Roman Fountains in Peterhof. Surprisingly, the pedestal of the monument to Nicholas I and the sarcophagus of Napoleon I were also made of it.
Upon arrival, a tour of the village of Belaya Gora. A stone church dedicated to the Icon of the Kazan Mother of God (1856) stands above the village, unusual for Karelia.
The church is famous for the fact that its architect was Konstantin Ton, the author of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The church is made in the Byzantine style, with elements of Gothic architecture. The church was not in demand by the local parish and quickly fell into disrepair.
Water ferry on motorcycle rafts along the river. Tivdia in the park "White Mountain. The Tivdian marble".
White Mountain tour. We will walk along the ecological trail, climb the mountain, learn a lot of interesting information about the Belogorod marble developments and take a souvenir stone as a keepsake.
Return to the hotel.
Day 5.
A boat trip with an inspection of the trout farm and a picnic with tasting of Karelian tinctures on Lake Onega from Kondopoga (to be booked upon purchase of the tour). Duration of the tour with transfers: ~ 4 hours.
Not everyone can boast that they have seen how fish are grown on a real trout farm. But 70% of the red fish that we see on store shelves appeared in Karelia.
The fish farmer's story about trout farming will be a pleasant addition to the culinary master class on cooking red fish on the grill.
You can share your impressions of the educational part of the tour at a picnic with fish, vegetables, hot tea and Karelian tinctures (150 gr.).
The boat trip takes place on licensed indoor boats on Lake Onega.
Day 6.
Option 1. Ruskeala Mountain Park and Valaam Island (price to be specified, booking when buying the tour). Tour duration: ~ 18 hours.
06:30 — Breakfast in the hotel cafe (buffet/cover).
07:00 — Departure to "Old Finland" (290 km). We will not need any passports or visas to travel to the former lands of Suomi.
A cinematic stop for a photo session. The legendary "okunevy threshold" is the Akhvenkoski waterfall (the filming location of the film "And the dawns here are quiet ..."). They are popularly called "Eugene's River", the famous bathing scene of lumberjacks was filmed here.
Ruskeala Mountain Park is a picturesque monument of nature and mining.
Emerald-colored groundwater, bizarre outlines of steep cliffs, mysterious tunnels and caves. It was here that marble was mined for a long time to decorate the cathedrals and palaces of St. Petersburg.
On the way to the park, the guide will tell you about the appearance of Marble Lake, and upon arrival you will have the opportunity to explore the land part of the park yourself. The total time spent in the park is 2.5 hours.
~ 16:00 — and now we are on the shore of the boundless Ladoga, the city of Sortavala descends towards it like a stone fan. Departure to Valaam Island.
The time for a meteor boat trip to the legendary "Northern Athos" on Lake Ladoga is 45 minutes one way. Skerries-fjords rise from the waters of Ladoga like fabulous backs of whales or old giant fish.
During the main tour: acquaintance with the central estate of the monastery and a visit to the majestic architectural monument — the current Transfiguration Cathedral, where the relics of the founders of the monastery, Herman and Sergius of Valaam, rest. The time spent on Valaam Island is ~ 2 hours.
19:45 — return to the hustle and bustle of the world, to the mainland.
~ 00:30 — return to the hotel.
Option 2. Ruskeala Mountain Park and the city of Sortavala (the price is specified, booking when buying the tour). Tour duration: ~ 18 hours.
06:30 — breakfast in the hotel cafe (buffet/cover).
07:00 — departure to "Old Finland" (290 km). We will not need any passports or visas to travel to the former Suomi lands.
A cinematic stop for a photo shoot. The legendary "okunevy threshold" is the Akhvenkoski waterfall (the filming location of the film "And the dawns here are quiet ..."). They are popularly called "Eugene's River", the famous bathing scene of lumberjacks was filmed here.
Ruskeala Mountain Park — the most picturesque monument of nature and mining. Emerald-colored groundwater, bizarre outlines of steep cliffs, mysterious tunnels and caves. It was here that marble was mined for a long time to decorate the cathedrals and palaces of St. Petersburg. On the way to the park, the guide will tell you about the appearance of Marble Lake, and upon arrival you will have the opportunity to explore the land part of the park yourself. The total time spent in the park is 2.5 hours.
16:00 — and here we are on the shore of the endless Ladoga, the city of Sortavala descends to it like a stone fan.
Sightseeing tour of Sortavala (Serdobol), which is rightfully called the "architectural encyclopedia of European architecture".
Nicholas Roerich called it one of the few places on Earth where there is a special breath. And the most romantic of Bella Akhmadulina's poetry cycles was written here.
During the tour, we will walk through the ancient streets of the city, see the Singing Field, the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, built at the expense of St. Petersburg merchants Eliseev in the Russian style designed by architect N. P. Grebenka, and climb the observation deck — Mount Kukhavuori.
Free time in Sortavala for an independent dinner (~2.5 hours).
19:45 – departure to the hotel.
~ 00:30 — return to the hotel.
What else is important to know?
Additional payment. meals on all routes, rental services, and organ concerts are provided in Karelia to the administrator of the accommodation hotel (Kondopoga).
The tour options are booked together with the purchase of the tour. The cost of excursions per child is children up to and including 17 years old (unless other restrictions are specified).
Water transfers to the islands are carried out: Kizhi – motorboats on Lake Onega, Valaam — meteors from Sortavala on Lake Ladoga, Solovki — ships "Kosyakov" or "Blizzard".
Are there any possible changes in the program?
The company reserves the right to make changes to the excursion program depending on objective circumstances while maintaining the volume and quality of the services provided.
In case of bad weather (the wave height is more than 1.5 meters), water excursions may be canceled or rescheduled for the next day. In case of cancellation, the refund is carried out in full. The refund method is similar to the payment method.
Dates and Prices
$428
28 Jun – 5 Jul 8 days 7 nights
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$428
5 – 12 Jul 8 days 7 nights
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$428
12 – 19 Jul 8 days 7 nights
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$428
19 – 26 Jul 8 days 7 nights
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$428
26 Jul – 2 Aug 8 days 7 nights
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$428
2 – 9 Aug 8 days 7 nights
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$428
9 – 16 Aug 8 days 7 nights
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$428
16 – 23 Aug 8 days 7 nights
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$428
23 – 30 Aug 8 days 7 nights
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Reviews
E
Ekaterina
31 Oct, 2024
A wonderful tour to Karelia! The excursions were interesting, informative, and never boring. We were also very lucky with the weather. We highly recommend visiting these beautiful places in this vast country. For anyone planning to go, remember to follow the tour operator’s recommendations! :)
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A
Anna
about provider
13 Feb, 2025
My daughter and I took the St. Petersburg Collection tour for 7 days, and I highly recommend it for first-time visitors to the city like us. The tour is well-designed, allowing you to see the main attractions in a short period of time. A great advantage is that you can join on any day. Everything was well-organized—excellent guides, comfortable buses, and provided radio headsets for better communication. There were no delays or long waits. The schedule was planned in a way that left plenty of free time in the evenings for walks or additional sightseeing. The tour package includes hotel accommodation, with several options to choose from. I stayed at the Rossiya Hotel near Pobeda Park and was very satisfied. The rooms were clean, with daily housekeeping, fresh towels, and air conditioning—which was perfect given the pleasant temperatures of 24–30°C during our stay. A buffet breakfast was included—simple but sufficient to start the day. It was really convenient, as we would bring a small snack for the day and have dinner somewhere in central St. Petersburg. The hotel is within walking distance of the blue metro line, making it easy to reach the city center without transfers. There’s also a supermarket nearby, along with plenty of street food options. It’s also worth mentioning that additional excursions are available. We took a boat trip to the forts of Kronstadt and joined a nighttime tour to see the city's famous drawbridges—both were unforgettable experiences
E
Elena
about provider
12 Feb, 2025
First and foremost, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our personal manager in Big Country, Ksenia, for carefully selecting a tour that matched our preferences and for swiftly handling the changes to our group size. We had six unforgettable days on the banks of the Neva River! A huge thank you for the well-organized excursions, led by true professionals—Irina and Olga. We would be delighted to recommend traveling with Big Country to our friends and family!