This represents a trip in progress. Let us know what you think! Have any experience in the area? Any other things you would have chosen? Some questions about choices made? Please feel free to comment and let us know what you think.

With so many fantastic sights to see in a city as beautiful and as storied as Saint Petersburg, one must accept the inevitability of not getting to visit everything. A driving tour is a great compromise as it allows your family to at least take in the landscape and get some exposure to items that simply won’t fit on your itinerary. The morning is a great time to do this as you’ll both avoid some of the heavier traffic, as well as get the lay of the land as you set about a new day of activities. Some suggested highlights for this drive include St. Isaac’s Cathedral, The Russian Museum, Alexander Nevsky Monastery, Mariinsky Theater, and the Yusupov Palace; the site of Rasputin’s Murder. This last locale is the stuff of fables and legend hiding beneath it’s pleasant facade a story of conspiracy, assasination and espionage.

Time to enjoy the same beautiful city from a different perspective! With so much of Saint Petersburg lying along the banks of the Neva River and the city’s canals. English speaking tour guides can explain much about the locations you’ll be passing by as well as more general history of the city. While this listing includes the information for the publicly available tours, private ones can be negotiated by contacting the company directly. Some important things to note are that as a boat tour, rides may be re-routed or cancelled based on the weather. Also they do not sell tickets in advance of the day. If you are concerned about availability the ticket window opens at 10AM.

This architectural, religious and cultural landmark is among the most popular and sought out destinations in all of Saint Petersburg.It was built as a monument to Alexander II the Liberator. Boasting over 7,000 square meters of mosaics it is one of the most lavishly decorated churches in the world; constructed in the Russian Old-Style with gold draped domes and parapets of the style classically associated with Russian architecture. Allow a couple hours if you want to take a tour or are very interested in taking in all the art as it does get very crowded. An hour will be enough for families who simply want to get a feel for this beautiful site.

Winter Palace In Saint Petersburg Home To Many Famous Works Of Art

One of the most famous palaces in the world, The Winter Palace, houses one of the largest and most famous art museums in the world, the Hermitage Museum. Four hours blocked out may seem like a lot but it will barely be enough to scratch the surface of a museum with over 2.7 million exhibits. To spend a minute in front of each piece of art would take 8 years. Russian art and historical pieces meet with famous paintings by Van Gogh, Cezanne, Picasso, and Monet just to name a few. Be aware of the size and the fact that it does get very crowded when travelling with children. Consider contacting them about a tour or booking through one of many private companies that bring tours in.

They say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach; so let Saint Petersburg win you over with it’s local cuisine and famed delicacies like caviar. A fantastic way to get a local’s angle on the city is to visit one of their markets. Bustling centers of local industry, Russian markets will find you in the midst of a busy floor, with vendors shouting and waving their stock at you to try and entice purchases. Sample a few things and grab an authentic bite to eat before maybe making off with a gift or two for loved ones back home. The famed Kuznechny Market makes the most sense to this itinerary as it will be right on your way. However if you are willing to go a few minutes out of your way Sennoi Market will take you through a slightly different part of the city with older buildings.

Built in 1703 by Peter the Great this was the first construction site in the city. It was originally built as a fortress but was used as a prison for political dissidents under the tsars. Eventually it would become the burial vault of Romanov family, the City History Museum, the Mint and the Peter and Paul Cathedral. It is worth noting that the grounds are free, with the admission being charged for the various museums on site. The grounds also provide home to a host of cafes and souvenir stands for the family that needs a break from the heavier art and historical material. This is one of theose stops that can be what you make of it. Take in some fascinating information or simply relax at a destination with fantastic river views and old Russian flavor.