For the space of 3 centuries St. Petersburg has been the center of the cultural life of the country, winter being traditionally the season of first nights, balls, and exhibitions.

The standard of entertainment has never faltered since the old days. Fairs and festivals for popular audiences flourish as ever. In the dark of the Russian winter sunshine is recreated in palaces, theaters and ballrooms. When snow turns tree branches into silver silhouettes, drifts down to dust the granite embankments of the rivers, and puts the white lace on the grilles of the gardens a fairy tale comes to life. The tourists who visited our city in winter and were truly impressed and enchanted with it wrote to us:

"After many trips around the world we must tell you how much we appreciated the beauty of the fresh fallen snow. We felt at time in the set of Dr. Zhivago, a favorite movie of many Americans. We like to feel we aren't a herd of cattle and enjoy having entire rooms of elegant treasures to ourselves for viewing and admiration. It makes our time fully unwasted to not have lines to stand in or crowds to maneuver around. We can move much more efficiently from one sight to the next at an uninterrupted pace."

Day 1

Arrival in St. Petersburg, transfer to the hotel, traditional Russian welcome with bread and salt, and a glass of vodka by a folklore group (fruits and mineral water are complimentary in hotel rooms). Dinner with a glass of Champagne.

Day 2

Breakfast, sightseeing tour of the city including a visit to the small house of Peter the Great. Lunch in a stylish restaurant. A night tour of the Peter & Paul Fortress specially opened for you, a concert of liturgical music in the Cathedral and Champagne treatment.

Day 3

Breakfast, a stroll along the Nevsky prospect, a visit to Kuznechny market, metro ride to the Russian museum, dinner at the Russian families' homes.

Day 4

Breakfast, attendance of the ballet master class, lunch in a downtown restaurant, tour of the Hermitage with the Golden Treasury.

Day 5

Breakfast, trip to Pushkin, tour of the Catherine's Palace with the Amber Chamber, proceed to Pavlovsk for a troika ride in the park. Lunch at the Russian styled restaurant 'Podvorye'.

Day 6

Breakfast, all day trip to Novgorod, sightseeing tour of the city, visit to the Kremlin, and the Cathedral of St. Sophia, museum of icons, Yaroslav Court - the famous old business and trade center of the city. Lunch in a Russian styled restaurant, afternoon trip to the Yuri's Monastery, and to the museum of the wooden architecture in the open air.

Day 7

Breakfast, sightseeing tour of the literary St. Petersburg including a visit to the museums of Dostoevsky and Pushkin, tour of the Alexander Nevsky Cloisters. Farewell dinner in one of the St. Petersburg Palaces.

Day 8

Breakfast, checkout, transfer to the airport. Departure.