Get personal advice about this trip from our dedicated expert. Call Olga on 0207 978 7333 or Email

CALL BACK (office hours only)
When to Call ASAP In 2 hrs In 4 hrs In 6 hrs Tomorrow

THE BIG SHORT BREAK BOOK PERK
A free caviar and vodka tasting for two people What's this?

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS
The views from the dome of St Isaac’s Cathedral » The malachite room of the Winter Palace » The Grand Cascade at Peterhof summer palace.

Built in defiance of nature and logic, St. Petersburg is a monument to the will of Peter the Great. His city became a ‘window on the West’ and remains Russia’s cultural capital. Its list of famous residents reads like a who’s who of Russian history: Dostoyevsky, Fabergé, Rasputin, Tchaikovsky, Lenin and Putin, to name just a few.

Recently spruced up in celebration of its tercentenary in 2003, the city’s sights range from the humble log cabin from which Peter oversaw the construction of his city, to grandiose buildings such as the Admiralty, headquarters of Peter’s beloved navy.

Splendid palaces line the rivers and canals, their pastel-coloured façades reflected in the water, and no fewer than eight cathedrals grace the skyline. The latter range in style from the onion domes of the Church on Spilled Blood to the Cathedral of Saints Peter & Paul, with its gilded spire soaring 122m into the sky.

20th century landmarks include the battleship Aurora, which fired the shot signalling the start of the 1917 Revolution, and the impressive Monument to the Defenders of Leningrad, a memorial to those who resisted the 900-day Nazi siege during World War Two.

And then of course there’s the Hermitage, with its vast collection of international art and cultural artefacts, and its extraordinarily opulent interiors. For lovers of classical music, opera and ballet, there’s the renowned Mariinsky Theatre (formerly the Kirov). Just outside the city are the lavish summer residences of the Tsars and Tsarinas, which are also well worth a visit.

On a less cultural note, there are outdoor skating rinks (in winter), shopping opportunities ranging from traditional markets to the glitzy boutiques, and an ever-increasing number of bars and restaurants.

Stay at either the Hotel Astoria, located in St Isaac's Square, or the Grand Hotel Europe, in a landmark building on Nevsky Prospekt, both of which make ideal bases from which to explore one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRICES
The price shown above is based on the sample itinerary, with flights in economy class, accommodation on a B&B basis (or more where stated), transfers and activities specific to this trip. Where prices fluctuate throughout the year, the price is based on low season rates and where more than one accommodation option is listed, on the cheapest available. We would be delighted to put together a current and 100% accurate quotation based on your specific travel requirements, so please contact the relevant member of our expert team.

TAILORED TO YOUR EXACT SPECIFICATIONS
Almost every one of our Big Short Breaks and Beyond the Big Short Breaks can be entirely tailormade from scratch, so you can enjoy the holiday exactly how you want it, exactly when you want it, and for exactly as long as you want it. Our expert team, who have been to every one of our destinations, are here to talk you through all the options available in order to create the trip best suited to you.