St. Petersburg, Russia: Ballet, Pavlovsk, Hermitage Museum, Moscow, Peterhof,Russian Museum, Cathedrals,Tsarskoye Selo.

Gala Evening at Pavlovsk:
After a one-hour drive, you arrive at Pavlovsk, the last of the summer palaces the Russian czars built. The 1,500-acre site was presented by Catherine the Great to her son, the future Czar Paul I. This exclusive evening tour of the palace with its neoclassical interior enables you to see the works of some of the most influential architects of the period. You will see the private apartments of Paul I, the Egyptian Vestibule, Paul's State Rooms, the Grecian Hall, the Picture Gallery, Throne Room and Hall of the Knights. Following the palace tour, take a short drive to the Rose Pavilion for a symphony concert performed by a well-known chamber orchestra. The dowager Empress Maria Fyodorovna was a patron of the arts, and Pavlovsk was often the place of literary recitations, small drama shows and concerts. Such gatherings were regularly held at the Rose Pavilion, a cottage later rebuilt into an exquisite park pavilion. During World War II, the pavilion was completely destroyed, but later reconstructed.

The Hermitage Museum Tour:
This guided tour of the 18th-century Baroque Winter Palace and the adjacent buildings that make up the Hermitage takes you through one of the most outstanding art museums in the world. You'll have about 1 1/2 hours to tour the most popular areas of the palace and view some of its many treasures, which includes thousands of paintings, rare sculptures, carpets, embroidery, lace, porcelain, furniture and silverware dating from prehistoric times to 19th-century Russia. The extravagant interior design of the palace rivals the magnificent artwork on display here. You'll tour the small Throne Hall with the czars' throne, the Armorial Hall used for extravagant balls and receptions, the Memorial Gallery, the white marble and gilded bronze Grand Throne Hall used for temporary exhibitions, and the major attraction, the Malachite Room. Discover where Catherine the Great kept her collection of paintings in the Small Hermitage, and admire the artistry of the old masters as well as a fabulous collection of 19th and 20th century French art displayed in its opulent halls.

Russian Museum Tour:
The Russian Museum occupies two buildings, the Mikhail Palace and an adjacent newer building; both linked by a passageway. The neo-classical Mikhail Palace was built by Carlo Rossi between 1819 and 1825 for the Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich, younger brother of Czar Alexander I. In the early 1900's a new building was erected to house the growing art collection. The museum contains a collection formed by Alexander III. In 1895 Nicholas II acquired the Mikhail Palace for the Crown, items were added from the Hermitage, Academy of Arts and the Alexander Palace. The enlarged collection is what is now known as the Russian Museum. Following the October Revolution the museum was expanded further and today has over 315,000 exhibits, making it the second most comprehensive collection of Russian art after the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. You'll see Russian art represented in paintings, sculptures, graphics, handicrafts and folk art. Among the most interesting art works are icons by Andrey Rublyov (1370-1430), sculptures by Ivan Martos (1754-1835), and paintings by Llya Repin, one of Russia's most distinguished painters.

St. Petersburg Cathedrals Tour:
Learn about the history and recent resurgence of the Russian Orthodox religion on this tour, beginning with the 18th-century St. Nicholas Cathedral. This church topped with five gilded domes is one of 70 in the St. Petersburg area recently reopened for worship. The Cathedral contains a "winter church" on the first floor and a "summer church " on the second floor. Magnificent St. Isaac 's Cathedral, located on Decembrists' Square, is the largest in St. Petersburg. Its massive cupola is gilded with over 200 pounds of gold and supported by 112 monolithic columns and the interior is elaborately decorated with mosaics and more than 500 priceless treasures. You will also stop at the Alexander Nevsky Monastery, a complex consisting of the Church of the Annunciation, Trinity Cathedral, the Seminary, the Communion Building, the Metropolitan House and Tikhvin Cemetery. The neoclassical Trinity Cathedral, with two bell towers and a large central dome, contains copies of works by Van Dyck and Rubens, among other artists. At the Tikhvin Cemetery, you will find the tombs of Russian artists and composers, including Dostoevsky, Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and Borodin.

Moscow Adventure Tour:
Moscow is undergoing a renaissance and splendid cathedrals are being restored. Theaters are reclaiming leadership in the arts. Traditional markets are coming back to life. And the city is once again assuming its role as the guardian of Russia's rich and varied heritage, so there has never been a more exciting time to visit this grand and ancient capital. After a transfer to the airport, you will board a chartered plane for a 50-minute flight to Moscow and a full day of sightseeing. Situated deep in the northwestern region of the country, Moscow was sealed off from outside cultural and economic influences for centuries. At first, merely a stop on the river trade route between the Baltic and the Black Sea, it became the capital in the 13th century and was the center of power until Mongol Tartars overran the Russian lands. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Moscow established its university and major theaters, and continued to expand its boundaries as the city spread out from the Kremlin complex. Begin with a drive to the Kremlin, an old fortress in the heart of the city - a symbol of the mystery of Russia and the seat of the president. During your drive you will see how the years of communism have affected the people's way of life and the architecture of the city. Enjoy a guided tour within the walls of the Kremlin and visit the Armory Chamber, noted for its incredible collection of unique Russian treasures including royal crowns, jewelry and some of the priceless Faberge eggs. Continue your tour of the Kremlin grounds and visit the Assumption Cathedral, which for a long time was used as a private chapel of the Russian Czars. Take a refreshment break at a local hotel next to Red Square, then continue on to a tour of Red Square where you will view the world-famous St. Basil Cathedral with its multi-colored onion shaped domes. From here, take advantage of the perfect opportunity to photograph the Kremlin towers and Lenin's Tomb. Reboard your coach and drive through the panoramic sites of Moscow. Also take a ride on the Moscow metro with many stations richly decorated with mosaics, crystal chandeliers and marble columns and walls. End your tour with a sumptuous dinner at a local city restaurant, afterwards return to the airport for your flight back to St. Petersburg and the ship. Note: Passengers requesting this excursion must obtain a visa that includes Moscow in addition to St. Petersburg. Without the proper "Moscow " visa you will not be able to participate in this tour. Please take into consideration that this is a fairly strenuous tour. No refund can be guaranteed if canceled less than 30 days prior to arrival in port. Space is limited and tour is subject to confirmation.

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