St Petersburg Sites

[bhealy]

I am hoping I can get opinions from people that have been to St Petersburg. We have been going back and forth on whether we should do a private two day tour or a group tour. One of us is interested in historical sites and the other likes touristy sites.

 

I am interested to know what you thought were must go places vs. just ok places to visit.

[CruiserBruce]

Just look down the board. There are dozens of threads on St Petersburg.

[bhealy]

Just look down the board. There are dozens of threads on St Petersburg.

 

I really didn't see any threads discussing sites they could have skipped. I guess there may not be any so-so sites.

[Giantfan13]

I am hoping I can get opinions from people that have been to St Petersburg. We have been going back and forth on whether we should do a private two day tour or a group tour. One of us is interested in historical sites and the other likes touristy sites.

 

I am interested to know what you thought were must go places vs. just ok places to visit.

 

As in your own family, everyone has things that they enjoy, over other things. Myself and my DW are really not museum type people, We visit, look at the main things and are gone. Others will go and study things that have no interest for us. So, to say what one should or should not see, is kind of hit and miss.

 

Most of the main sights in St Petersburg are not to be missed. It's up to you to decide how much time you want to give of your limited time in St Petersburg to these sites. Places like Catherine's Palace and Peterhoff are not to be missed, but some say if you've seen Catherine's Palace you could not see Yusapov's Palace, many rooms are similar. We enjoyed them both as each has it's own uniqueness. Same for the Churches. Each ahs it's own personality, but if you are of the opinion, a Church is a church, maybe you could skip one.

 

I would still make it a point to see all the main points of interest. It may be your one and only time there and it would be a shame to miss something you may later regret.

 

One thing, if you go with a group, then you are bound to what the group wants to do. If you have other ideas, then do a personal tour. it is more expensive, but for you, it may well be worth it.

 

Cheers

 

Len

[bhealy]

Len, thank you for your input. So far we have the decided on the sites below. I am checking to see if we will have enough time.

 

1. Russian Revolution Tour: Field of Mars memorial to the revolutionaries, KGB Headquarters, monument to the Victims of Political Repressions

2. Visit to the Smolny Palace -Tour of Lenin's Work Study and the Congress Hall

3. Boat ride along rivers and canals of the city

4. Peterhof Upper Garden and Lower park with visit inside the Grand Palace

5. Yusupov Palace

6. Catherine Palace with Amber room

7. Saviour on the Spilled Blood Church

8. Bronze Horseman

[Giantfan13]

Len, thank you for your input. So far we have the decided on the sites below. I am checking to see if we will have enough time.

 

1. Russian Revolution Tour: Field of Mars memorial to the revolutionaries, KGB Headquarters, monument to the Victims of Political Repressions

2. Visit to the Smolny Palace -Tour of Lenin's Work Study and the Congress Hall

3. Boat ride along rivers and canals of the city

4. Peterhof Upper Garden and Lower park with visit inside the Grand Palace

5. Yusupov Palace

6. Catherine Palace with Amber room

7. Saviour on the Spilled Blood Church

8. Bronze Horseman

 

You are quite welcome.

 

From the list you entered, here are a few of my pixs of some of these places to give you a quick idea of how wonderful they are to view and visit

 

Smolny Palace

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe860.jpg

 

The canal boat ride is wonderful and very relaxing. It takes you thru some of the narrowest canals in St Petersburg

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe774.jpg

 

Peterhoff is truly an amazing place

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe730.jpg

 

Yusupov's Palace, where you will be able to view the very room where Rasputin was murdered

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe883.jpg

 

We didn't do the Amber Room in Catherine's Palace, but, if you can, spend a few minutes in the gardens. They are magnificent

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europemaster712.jpg

 

Church of the Spilled Blood is amazing inside and out

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe764.jpg

 

Hope you enjoy

 

Cheers

 

Len