DESTINATIONS russia tour-options-3

TRAVEL TIPS

Tour Options

Travel Agencies

In addition to the scores of private agencies that operate in the city, every major hotel has a tourist bureau that can help you book individual and group tours, make restaurant reservations, or purchase theater tickets. Even if you're not a hotel guest, you're usually welcome to use these facilities, provided you’re willing to pay the hefty fees for their services.

Tour Contacts

Mir Travel Agency. 1½ ul. Marata, Liteiny/Smolny, St. Petersburg, St.-Petersburg, 191186. 812/325–7122; 812/325–2595; mir-travel.com.

Reisebuero-Welt. Northern Capital business center, 3 nab. Reki Moyki, 6th fl., City Center, St. Petersburg, St.-Petersburg, 191186. 812/449–4564; www.reisebuero-welt.com.

Boat Tours

A float down the Neva or through the city's twisting canals—Exkursii na katere po rekam i kanalam—is always a pleasant way to spend a summer afternoon or a White Night. For trips through the canals, take one of the boats at the pier near Anichkov most on Nevsky prospekt. Boats cruising the Neva and the canals leave from the piers outside the State Hermitage Museum; outside the Admiralty Building (2 naberezhnaya Admiralteiskaya) at the Dvortsovsy most; from the corner of naberezhnaya Reki Fontanki and Nevsky prospekt (27 naberezhnaya Reki Fontanki), and a number of other spots. Boat trips have departures from the early morning to the late afternoon from mid-May through mid-September. In warmer months, typically May through October, you can find many boats offering such trips along the Neva, and travel agents can help with booking

Boat Tour Contacts

Astra Marine. Central Pier, 2 nab. Admiralteyskaya, Admiralteisky, St. Petersburg, St.-Petersburg. 812/647–0017; www.boattrip.ru.

Vodohod. 209 Obukhovskoy Oborony pr., City Center, St. Petersburg, St.-Petersburg, 192131. 812/335–1778; www.vodohod.spb.ru.

Private Tour Guides

There are many private tour guides who can provide detailed tours in English at the many sights within and outside of St. Petersburg. They can be very helpful, especially in places like the Hermitage. Many of them are highly educated in history and art, and they must also go through a rigorous training process before becoming licensed. Rates begin at about $20 an hour.

Private Tour Contacts

Ksenia Belous. 905/229–1907.

Natalia Velikaya. 905/277–5394.

Walking Tours

If you prefer to plunge into city life instead of observing it from the window of your tour bus, the best bet is to take an excursion (from 650R) with one of the city's best-known walking tour companies, Peter's Walking Tours. Founded by inveterate local backpacker Peter Kozyrev, the company turns, walks, and pub crawls through memorable experiences that interweave history, current affairs, mystery, and gossip.

Walking Tour Contacts

Peter's Walking Tours. 812/943–1229; www.peterswalk.com.

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