Think we will definitely book a private tour in St Petersburg - I want to see it all! Especially the Hermitage, Catherine Palace and Peterhof and hopefully we will be able to manage it in one day by doing it this way. How far out did you arrange yours?
Elaine,
Hello, I arrange mine about 18 months out, Anastasia are always very helpful but prices can change that far out. They should have good availability so no need to do it too soon.
I went in 2010 and 2015 for two days each, and they did what I wanted.
Now Catherine Palace and Peterhof are about an hour drive out of town, Catherines south, and Peterhof more south west so a gap between the two. I say this to manage expectations, what can be done.
We had two full days and one evening.
A private tour is the way to go, you can never get the same in on a
DCL tour and half the 55 on a bus sees the inside and doesn't have a window seat.
From the Peterhof request the hydrofoil back it's quicker, the car driver will start back as you get off and is driving back as you your the gardens then get the hydrofoil. You get a good view of the ships in port.
If you are in port in the evening, ask about evening activities such as a canal bost tour, also fir maximum time, cut lunch and food, to quicker service places that Russians use.