Celebrity Cruises - Northern Europe Cruise - St. Petersburg, Russia

Celebrity Cruises - Northern Europe Cruise - St. Petersburg, Russia 

Although reportedly built to resemble such Western cities as London, Paris, and Vienna, one look at St. Petersburg's regal palaces and vast public squares is enough to tell you that it is truly in a class of its own.

Tour Catherine's Palace and the grounds and enjoy a panoramic tour of many memorable landmarks including St. Isaac's Square, Church of Resurrection on the Spilled Blood, Aurora Battleship, and Peter and Paul Fortress & Cathedral. You will also have time to shop for traditional Russian souvenirs and enjoy a lunch break in a local restaurant.

If you're fortunate enough to be on a Celebrity cruise in St. Petersburg in June, revel in the city's famous "white nights," when the boundless night sky is never completely dark.

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Enjoy a shore excursion tour to the royal summer residence of Tsarskoye Selo. Start palace tour from Great staircase which takes you to state rooms on 1st floor. Of special interest is Amber Room. After palace tour, enjoy short walk in park. The 1400 acres of grounds are dotted with charming pavilions set around central lake. Landscape of park is animated with neo-gothic Admiralty, Chesma column, Turkish bath, Marble Bridge, Chinese pagoda, Grotto pavilion & Hermitage pavilion.

Enjoy a day at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. Located on the banks of the Neva River, the Winter Palace is home to the Hermitage Museum. The enormous complex comprises five buildings and displays one of the greatest art treasures. Today, the museum contains more than 3 million exhibits, which rival the Louvre and Prado in architectural, historical, and artistic magnificence. The Winter Palace itself is an incomparable work of art. This enormous edifice designed by Bartholomew Rastrelly in the Baroque style comprises of 1800 doors, 1900 windows and 114 staircases. The contoured ceilings, precious woods, chandeliers, magnificent halls, staterooms and elaborate staircases represent the utmost in opulence and beauty.

Celebrity Cruises- St. Petersburg, Russia - Paint your own Matryoshka Doll and Russian Tea Party. 

Experience Russian folk-art traditions at a hands-on Matryoshka doll workshop. At a local souvenir shop, an artisan-expert guides you through the decorative painting process of these famous nesting dolls. All materials are supplied and all participants will take home their doll as a personalized memento of St. Petersburg.