A Russian lunch will be served in a local restaurant before continuing your exploration of the city of St. Petersburg. Begin your city highlights tour with a view of the monumental St. Isaac's Cathedral. Its golden dome, coated with more than 200 pounds of gold, dominates the city skyline. Pass the main square of St. Petersburg with its 156-ft high column erected as a monument to victory over Napoleon I. Stop at the Rostral Columns to enjoy a splendid view of the Neva River, the Hermitage, and the golden spire of Peter and Paul Cathedral. You will be guided through Peter and Paul Fortress, which is considered the birthplace of St. Petersburg. This extensive walled complex includes the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, now part of the St. Petersburg History Museum. The cathedral became the burial place of the Tzars starting with Peter the Great. While in the cathedral you will see the tombstones of the Imperial family including Nicholas II and his relatives.

Continue to the Cruiser Aurora, which signaled the beginning of the Bolshevik Revolution. Proceed past the Field of Mars and the Marble Palace before arriving at the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood where you will stop for photographs of this exquisitely decorated church that was built on the spot where Alexander II was assassinated in 1881. Continue with a drive along Nevsky Prospect, the main thoroughfare of St. Petersburg past the Kazan Cathedral and further on out of the city for the short transfer back to the vessel.

Note: Guests must be able to walk approximately 1.25 miles over gravel paths, cobblestones and even surfaces with approximately 100 steps. Special shoe covers must be worn touring the Palace. Camera and video fees for Pushkin and the Fortress are included in the tour cost. Flash photos restrictions might apply in certain rooms.

Drive to St. Isaac's Square and the magnificent St. Isaac's Cathedral. Its dome, coated with more than 200 pounds of pure gold, dominates the city skyline. Enclosing a space large enough to hold 14,000 people, the walls are heavily ornamented with marble and precious and semi precious stones as well as 200 mosaics and paintings.

A typical Russian lunch will be served at one of the city's leading hotels or restaurants, after which one of the highlights of St. Petersburg, the Hermitage Museum, will be visited. Founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great as a private court museum, it has evolved into the most remarkable collection of art in the world, containing more than 3 million objects of unparalleled importance. The guided tour will include the State Rooms and a collection of Western European art featuring Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck and also many French Impressionists. The Hermitage tour ends in the Palace Square with its 156-foot high column erected as a monument to the Russian victory over Napoleon.

Note: Guests must be able to walk approximately 0.75 mile over even surfaces with over 200 steps. The Hermitage has limited interior seating and no air-conditioning. There are approximately 120 steps covering 2 stories. There are 2 wheelchair accessible lifts; however, 4 to 7 steps must be traversed to reach them. One lift goes to the second floor only, the other one goes to the second and third floors. Large carry bags, umbrellas and heavy coats are not permitted and must be checked prior to entering the museum. Camera and video fees for the Hermitage Museum are included in the tour cost. Flash photos are usually not permitted in areas displaying paintings. There will be limited opportunities to shop at local street vendors and craft stalls periodically throughout the tour. Tour order may vary but all listed sites will be covered.

The Hermitage Museum is a must see on your visit to St. Petersburg. Due to time constraints, your tour will not include all the exhibits, but rather a concentration of the more popular areas. The approximate time spent in the museum is 1.5 to 2 hours.

Note: Guests must be able to walk approximately 0.75 mile over even surfaces. There is limited seating inside the museum and no air-conditioning. There are approximately 120 steps covering 2 stories. There are 2 wheelchair accessible lifts, however, 4 to 7 steps must be traversed to reach them. One of the lifts goes to the second floor only, the other one goes to the second and third floors. Large carry bags, umbrellas, and heavy coats are not permitted, and must be checked prior to entering the museum. Camera and video fees for the Hermitage Museum are included in the tour cost. Flash photos are not usually permitted in areas displaying paintings. There are small gift shops and stalls throughout the museum.

Note: Guests must be able to walk approximately 0.5 mile over uneven and cobblestone surfaces with approximately 40 to 60 steps. Due to the walking and stair climbing involved on this tour, it is not recommended for guests with walkers or wheelchairs. Time permitting; guests will have approximately 30 minutes for shopping while at the Kuznechny Market.

The coach will take you to Peter and Paul Fortress, originally constructed in 1703 as a military stronghold. Throughout its history the fortress held such famous prisoners as the celebrated writer Dostoevsky, participants of the 1825 Decembrist uprising, and political activists Maxim Gorky and Leon Trotsky, as well as the elder brother of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin. Visit the Peter and Paul Cathedral that contains the sarcophagi of the Russian Emperors from Peter the Great through Nicholas II, as well as the tombs of other members of the royal family. The cathedral impresses you with its magnificent gilded iconostasis. Return coach transfer to the pier and your waiting vessel.

Note: Guests must be able to walk approximately 0.5 mile over cobblestone surfaces with a few steps. Camera and video fees for the Fortress are included in the tour cost. Flash photo restrictions might apply in the Cathedral. There are a lot of steps on the boat pier and it is not accessilbe to wheelchairs. Participants should take care while entering/exiting the river boats.