We'll have two days & an evening 2nd week in June from a cruise ship to explore St. P. Trying to choose between booking a package from Denrus, Travel in Russia or similar vs. sightseeing on our own. Recommendations for couple in early 60's with good energy and moderate travel experience?
Posted by
OP
Hartford, CT
8 posts
Have never been to St. Petersburg, but a big reason we're doing the Baltic Cruise!
Posted by
Edgewood, WA, US
4 posts
I suggest booking a package with a tour group. We spent five days in St. Petersburg and were fortunate enough to have a private guide and a driver. Most Russians do not speak English and everywhere you go, you have to pay. You pay to use the bathroom, to take pictures inside the palaces or museums, to have milk in your coffee or even to cut in line. Our guide was very protective of us. Without her, we would have to stand in long lines or be taken advantage by the merchants. Although there are long lines to get in those palaces, they have "special entrances" for cruise ship passengers knowing that they have limited time. If you are a classical music lover, make sure you go to Tschikovsky's and many other famous composers' graves. If possible, go visit the Naval Museum where they have plenty of Russian war ships displayed. Also, do a canal cruise (about an hour). We have a great memory of that trip. Hope you do too.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
One of the under-rated gems of St. Petersburg is the Russian Museum. You won't see artwork like this anywhere outside of Russia.
Semi-independent travel is doable in St. Petersburg. I used a travel agency to arrange the logistics and documentation (which is confusing!), but did all the site-seeing on my own schedule. But as others have indicated, English fluency in Russia is low. Although you don't have to know any Russian, some familiarity with the Cyrillic alphabet helps.