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Gold Room-Hermitage


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On our trip, the cruise company offered different excursions to the Hermitage - only one included the Gold Room and had very limited availability because the groups are highly organised and timed to go into the Gold Room so there is quite a lot of pressure in terms of numbers they can get through this area in any day.

 

It was quite spectacular. One cabinet had subdued lighting because all the diamond decoration of the artefacts would dazzle you if they had the usual level of illumination!!! I'd never imagined there would be so many jewels - and of such a size.

 

Don't know about tour groups - perhaps other travellers will be able to help with that but I'd definitely say if you're going to the Hermitage, an included visit to the Gold Room is certainly worth doing.

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We were in St. Petersburg May 10-11, 2008. We used a private tour company, Anastasia, for the 4 of us and asked her to schedule a tour of the gold room. It was well worth the money spent and the time. The Hermitage guide escorted us, but invited Anastasia to go along and interpret because the Hermitage guide claimed she wasn't fluent in English. She would speak for 2-4 minutes, then Anastasia would interpret. If the Hermitage guide felt Anastasia's interpretation was not adequate, she would then add to it, again in Russian, and it would be translated for us. What an interesting exchange. (Anastasia later told us that she felt the Hermitage guide was trying to "show her up", using Russian words that Anastasia did not know even though she was a native). Anyway, we visited both rooms and certainly enjoyed all the sights. I highly recommend it.

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We were in St. Petersburg May 10-11, 2008. We used a private tour company, Anastasia, for the 4 of us and asked her to schedule a tour of the gold room. It was well worth the money spent and the time. The Hermitage guide escorted us, but invited Anastasia to go along and interpret because the Hermitage guide claimed she wasn't fluent in English. She would speak for 2-4 minutes, then Anastasia would interpret. If the Hermitage guide felt Anastasia's interpretation was not adequate, she would then add to it, again in Russian, and it would be translated for us. What an interesting exchange. (Anastasia later told us that she felt the Hermitage guide was trying to "show her up", using Russian words that Anastasia did not know even though she was a native). Anyway, we visited both rooms and certainly enjoyed all the sights. I highly recommend it.

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We were in St. Petersburg May 10-11, 2008. We used a private tour company, Anastasia, for the 4 of us and asked her to schedule a tour of the gold room. It was well worth the money spent and the time. The Hermitage guide escorted us, but invited Anastasia to go along and interpret because the Hermitage guide claimed she wasn't fluent in English. She would speak for 2-4 minutes, then Anastasia would interpret. If the Hermitage guide felt Anastasia's interpretation was not adequate, she would then add to it, again in Russian, and it would be translated for us. What an interesting exchange. (Anastasia later told us that she felt the Hermitage guide was trying to "show her up", using Russian words that Anastasia did not know even though she was a native). Anyway, we visited both rooms and certainly enjoyed all the sights. I highly recommend it.

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We were in St. Petersburg May 10-11, 2008. We used a private tour company, Anastasia, for the 4 of us and asked her to schedule a tour of the gold room. It was well worth the money spent and the time. The Hermitage guide escorted us, but invited Anastasia to go along and interpret because the Hermitage guide claimed she wasn't fluent in English. She would speak for 2-4 minutes, then Anastasia would interpret. If the Hermitage guide felt Anastasia's interpretation was not adequate, she would then add to it, again in Russian, and it would be translated for us. What an interesting exchange. (Anastasia later told us that she felt the Hermitage guide was trying to "show her up", using Russian words that Anastasia did not know even though she was a native). Anyway, we visited both rooms and certainly enjoyed all the sights. I highly recommend it.

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We were in St. Petersburg May 10-11, 2008. We used a private tour company, Anastasia, for the 4 of us and asked her to schedule a tour of the gold room. It was well worth the money spent and the time. The Hermitage guide escorted us, but invited Anastasia to go along and interpret because the Hermitage guide claimed she wasn't fluent in English. She would speak for 2-4 minutes, then Anastasia would interpret. If the Hermitage guide felt Anastasia's interpretation was not adequate, she would then add to it, again in Russian, and it would be translated for us. What an interesting exchange. (Anastasia later told us that she felt the Hermitage guide was trying to "show her up", using Russian words that Anastasia did not know even though she was a native). Anyway, we visited both rooms and certainly enjoyed all the sights. I highly recommend it.

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We were in St. Petersburg May 10-11, 2008. We used a private tour company, Anastasia, for the 4 of us and asked her to schedule a tour of the gold room. It was well worth the money spent and the time. The Hermitage guide escorted us, but invited Anastasia to go along and interpret because the Hermitage guide claimed she wasn't fluent in English. She would speak for 2-4 minutes, then Anastasia would interpret. If the Hermitage guide felt Anastasia's interpretation was not adequate, she would then add to it, again in Russian, and it would be translated for us. What an interesting exchange. (Anastasia later told us that she felt the Hermitage guide was trying to "show her up", using Russian words that Anastasia did not know even though she was a native). Anyway, we visited both rooms and certainly enjoyed all the sights. I highly recommend it.

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We were in St. Petersburg May 10-11, 2008. We used a private tour company, Anastasia, for the 4 of us and asked her to schedule a tour of the gold room. It was well worth the money spent and the time. The Hermitage guide escorted us, but invited Anastasia to go along and interpret because the Hermitage guide claimed she wasn't fluent in English. She would speak for 2-4 minutes, then Anastasia would interpret. If the Hermitage guide felt Anastasia's interpretation was not adequate, she would then add to it, again in Russian, and it would be translated for us. What an interesting exchange. (Anastasia later told us that she felt the Hermitage guide was trying to "show her up", using Russian words that Anastasia did not know even though she was a native). Anyway, we visited both rooms and certainly enjoyed all the sights. I highly recommend it.

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We were in St. Petersburg May 10-11, 2008. We used a private tour company, Anastasia, for the 4 of us and asked her to schedule a tour of the gold room. It was well worth the money spent and the time. The Hermitage guide escorted us, but invited Anastasia to go along and interpret because the Hermitage guide claimed she wasn't fluent in English. She would speak for 2-4 minutes, then Anastasia would interpret. If the Hermitage guide felt Anastasia's interpretation was not adequate, she would then add to it, again in Russian, and it would be translated for us. What an interesting exchange. (Anastasia later told us that she felt the Hermitage guide was trying to "show her up", using Russian words that Anastasia did not know even though she was a native). Anyway, we visited both rooms and certainly enjoyed all the sights. I highly recommend it.

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We were in St. Petersburg May 10-11, 2008. We used a private tour company, Anastasia, for the 4 of us and asked her to schedule a tour of the gold room. It was well worth the money spent and the time. The Hermitage guide escorted us, but invited Anastasia to go along and interpret because the Hermitage guide claimed she wasn't fluent in English. She would speak for 2-4 minutes, then Anastasia would interpret. If the Hermitage guide felt Anastasia's interpretation was not adequate, she would then add to it, again in Russian, and it would be translated for us. What an interesting exchange. (Anastasia later told us that she felt the Hermitage guide was trying to "show her up", using Russian words that Anastasia did not know even though she was a native). Anyway, we visited both rooms and certainly enjoyed all the sights. I highly recommend it.

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Regarding Anastasia, we felt she was extremely helpful, accommodating, and easy to work with. Some examples: when ruble coins were needed for bathrooms and the subway ride, she had those available. My wife and I wanted to purchase a book in the gift shop at Catherine's Palace. It cost about $50 USD. I tried to use an American Express credit card; the shop claimed they didn't want to charge anything less than $100 USD. Anastasia said she would pay for it and we could then reimburse her in US dollars. Another example: at the end of our first day (because we hadn't made a stop for lunch) we found that the had extra time left before we were due back at the ship. Anastasia made a suggestion that we might want to visit the Yusupov Palace and that we did, seeing the places connected to the death of Rasputin, etc. in addition to the really opulent palace--they seemed to have more wealth than the Tzar!

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Hi there- so sorry we are not on your cruise with all your teenagers, we have 2 on a Celebrity cruise July 22 and 23 on St. Pete. COuld you please forward me your email connection to Anastasia, I had not heard of her. Thank you and Bon Voyage!

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Regarding Anastasia, we felt she was extremely helpful, accommodating, and easy to work with. Some examples: when ruble coins were needed for bathrooms and the subway ride, she had those available. My wife and I wanted to purchase a book in the gift shop at Catherine's Palace. It cost about $50 USD. I tried to use an American Express credit card; the shop claimed they didn't want to charge anything less than $100 USD. Anastasia said she would pay for it and we could then reimburse her in US dollars. Another example: at the end of our first day (because we hadn't made a stop for lunch) we found that the had extra time left before we were due back at the ship. Anastasia made a suggestion that we might want to visit the Yusupov Palace and that we did, seeing the places connected to the death of Rasputin, etc. in addition to the really opulent palace--they seemed to have more wealth than the Tzar!

 

Glad to hear the great details and very positive experiences you have had with Anastasia. We are booked with her on July 31-Aug. 1. She has been excellent and very responsive, highly detailed as we have done the planning and preparation. Her insights have been very helpful. She seems very focused on making things fit for our needs and interests. Her flexibility is important as we don't want a "one size fits all" type of experience and tour.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

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