GLORIES OF
ST PETERSBURG
An escorted visit exploring the wonders of St Petersburg
staying in Turgenev House
Noble Caledonia
H
ere is a wonderful opportunity to see the glories of St Petersburg on a visit
hosted by Julia Korn or Elena Spiro who are both resident in St Petersburg.
These exclusive trips will be a first class introduction to the most romantically
beautiful of all Russian cities. What makes this visit extra special is the opportunity
to stay in the delightful apartment in Turgenev House, which takes its name from
Ivan Turgenev who lived here between 1860 and 1883. It is one of St Petersburg’s
grandest houses facing the Fontanka River, in the heart of the city.
Our party size is limited to just six guests per departure and Julia or Elena will be
looking after all your sightseeing, theatre and dining arrangements. Being part of
such a small party you will be able to take full advantage of our hosts’ in-depth
knowledge of their home city and because of the central location you will be able
to walk to many of the most important places such as the Hermitage, Russian
Museum, Palace Square, St Isaac’s Cathedral and the Nevsky Prospekt.
Our visit will include the world-famous Hermitage and a number of historic palaces,
both within the city and in the surrounding countryside. “A riddle wrapped in a
mystery inside an enigma” was how Winston Churchill described Russia, and today
this still holds true. Its politics may have changed, but it still remains a mystery and
consequently a marvellous place to visit.
Seasons of choice
St Petersburg is destination which can be appreciated throughout the year so we
have a selection of departures over spring, summer and winter to choose from.
The winter months in St Petersburg are magical and wonderfully atmospheric.
Seeing the city under a mantle of freshly fallen snow is enchanting and during our
winter visits we can explore without the summer tourists. Alternatively, for those
choosing to travel on one of our spring departures, this is a delightful time to be in
St Petersburg when the city comes alive after the long winter. Finally, the arrival of
summer brings a new energy to the city with bright nights owing to St Petersburg’s
geographical position.
Your Hosts
ELENA SPIRO: Elena Spiro has worked with Noble Caledonia for many years
and is extremely knowledgeable, bringing so much to any visit to St Petersburg
because of her enthusiasm, great warmth and unrivalled professionalism. She was
born in Leningrad and graduated from the Philological Department at Leningrad
University. For many years she has worked with English-speaking tourists as a
guide and travelled with them all over Russia. Elena has qualified in numerous
courses to conduct tours in all the major museums and palaces in and around St
Petersburg providing services for guests with special interests in arts, music, ballet and history.
JULIA KORN: For the past 17 years Julia Korn has been Senior Researcher at the
National Pushkin Museum in St. Petersburg and has published articles on Russian
literature, history and arts. Fluent in English, she acts as the International Liaison
Officer for the Museum. In this capacity she has travelled to the U.S.A. many times
and in 1999 helped coordinate the renowned International Pushkin Conference
at Stanford University, California. Julia is also the St. Petersburg Representative of
the International Pushkin Charity Fund concerned with the preservation and
conservation of the legacy of the great poet, Alexander Pushkin. In 1997, Julia was engaged as a
Director for the Stars of St. Petersburg Ballet Tours, presenting fully staged productions throughout
the western states of the U.S.A. regularly. Her achievements are numerous and she has proved to be
a popular host.
The Summer Palace at Peterhof
OUR VIEW
It’s a Western cliché to speak of St
Petersburg as ‘not Russian’. Certainly
it’s not, St Petersburg is Russia’s
graceful offspring of the 18th century
- a challenge to Europe, neither
entirely Western nor entirely Russian,
but something entirely its own. For
two hundred years St. Petersburg was
the capital of Russia and the centre of
all that was best culturally, artistically,
and scientifically. Every monument,
every street speaks of a great past, of
poetry, music, adventure. Splendid
baroque and neoclassical palaces rich
with their memories look majestic and
silent in the diamond-bright frosts of
winter. A highlight is the Hermitage,
one of the greatest museums in
the world with its encyclopaedic
collection. The architectural complex
in which it is housed is one of the
wonders of the world. It reflects
the legendary extravagance of
its interiors. St Petersburg is the
traditional home of the Russian
ballet. A great cultural event took
place in May 2013 when the second
New Stage of the Mariinsky theatre
was opened next to the 19th century
Mariinsky and is already famous
for its unique modern technology,
excellent acoustic and magic onyx
interiors. It is always a great pleasure
of mine to take our guests around
the beautiful Turgenev House. First
we have a glass of champagne in the
Drawing Room followed by a tour.
The house has been furnished with
museum quality items, there are a
lot of priceless objects of art in each
room. In the cosy Library there is a
very good collection of books. The
walls are decorated with portraits
of the Romanov Family. Our house
keeper Vica is a wonderful chef who
never fails to impress our guests with
the quality of food she serves in the
wonderful candle lit tented Dining
Room. I look forward to welcoming
you to my city.
Elena Spiro — Tour Manager
Catherine Palace at Pushkin in winter
The magnificent Winter Palace and Hermitage Museum
WINTER OR SPRING IN ST PETERSBURG
DEPARTURES: 7th to 12th October; 22nd to 27th October; 7th to 12th November; 21st to 26th November; 2nd to 7th December 2014;
16th to 21st January; 6th to 11th February; 20th to 25th February; 14th to 19th March; 28th March to 2 April; 17th to 22nd April 2015
The Itinerary
Day 1 London to St Petersburg. Fly by scheduled flight. Drive to Turgenev
House in the historic centre of the city. Meet for pre-dinner drinks in the
Drawing Room, followed by dinner.
Day 2 St Petersburg. This morning meet after breakfast for an introductory
tour of the city which will take us past many of the city’s fine aristocratic
buildings and palaces including the Peter & Paul Fortress, one of Russia’s
most famous historical fortresses, built in 1703. The day of its foundation
is considered to be the birthday of the city. Soon after its construction
the Fortress lost its military importance and for 200 years served as a
political prison. In the grounds of Peter & Paul Fortress we visit the
Cathedral which is the burial place of the Romanov Dynasty. We end
with a guided walk to St Isaacs’ Cathedral, one of the world’s largest
and which is famous for the richness of its interior decoration. It
impresses the observer by its majestic architecture and by the
equally splendid murals, paintings, mosaics and sculptures. Return
to the house for lunch. This evening join your host for dinner in one
of St Petersburg’s most atmospheric restaurants.
Day 3 St Petersburg. Today we visit the incomparable Hermitage
Museum which contains hundreds of thousands of works of art. The museum
today is possibly the greatest in the world. One of the five buildings of
the Hermitage Art Gallery Complex is the Hermitage Theatre that hosts
exhibitions and concerts, and the hanging gardens are known around the
world for their exquisite beauty. Enjoy lunch in the museum followed by a
tour of the magnificent Winter Palace, home of the imperial family before
the revolution. Tonight we enjoy dinner at the house.
Day 4 St Petersburg. After breakfast we depart the city for a visit to Pushkin
and the magnificent Catherine Palace. Almost destroyed by invading troops
during WWII, the Catherine Palace has seen many changes during its time.
Built in 1717 for Catherine I, it has been updated numerous times to reflect
the personalities of each royal resident. Starting out as a summer pleasure
palace, it now stands at around 325 meters across in a blaze of white, gold
and blue. The interior houses numerous artworks exuding luxury and
beautiful rooms including the Amber Room, justly regarded by some as
the ‘eighth wonder of the world’. It caused admiration throughout two
centuries until it was looted by the Nazi soldiers during WWII. It has
now been brought back to life and was unveiled in 2003 for the
300th birthday of St Petersburg. Outside the palace is the divine
Catherine Park, comprised of two parts including the old garden
and English Park, which was designed by master Dutch gardeners.
Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant followed by the afternoon at
leisure. In the early evening we plan to attend a performance at the
Mariinsky Theatre. The Mariinsky Theatre was built in 1860 for Alexander
II’s wife Maria Alexandrovna. Known for many years as The Kirov, its Soviet
Era name, the internationally renowned theatre has seen the rise and fall of
many Russian stars. Today, it is best known for its ballet and is one of Russia’s
leading opera houses. Return to the house for a late supper.
Day 5 St Petersburg. This morning we will visit the Russian Museum, the
treasure house of Russian national art, including the Benois Wing named
after the famous architect, Leon Benois, who designed it from1910-1912. The
museum boasts great Russian art, including the Socialist Realism works of
the Stalin era, and countless masterpieces including 12th century icons and
21st century paintings. We will have lunch close to the museum and then
take a stroll to the Church on Spilled Blood. Work started on the church in
1883 at the site where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated two years earlier.
It took twenty four years to complete. The exterior is rather fabulous and
the interior has been wonderfully restored with walls lined with mosaics
mimicking famous Russian artworks. The church has a distinctive golden
onion dome and lovingly restored features, including the granite plaques
displaying historic happenings from Alexander II’s reign. Enjoy some free
time this afternoon. Tonight, drinks in the house will be followed by dinner in
a popular St Petersburg restaurant with a Russian folk show.
Day 6 St Petersburg to London. Morning visit to the Palace of Pavlovsk
which originally belonged to Emperor Paul I and his wife Maria Fedorovna.
Catherine the Great gave them the land and appointed her favourite
architect Charles Cameron to start the construction of the Palace, to
commemorate the birth of their son and heir Alexander I in 1777. At the end
of the 18th century Pavlovsk Park was the largest landscaped area in the
world. Johann Strauss made Pavlovsk an important musical centre when he
was invited to participate at concerts there. Enjoy lunch before transferring to
the airport for your return scheduled flight to London.
St Isaac’s Cathedral and the Moyka River
www.noble-caledonia.co.uk
Palace and gardens of Pavlovsk
St Peter and Paul Fortress at sunset
Golden Drawing Room in the Hermitage Musem
Church on Spilled Blood
WHITE NIGHTS IN ST PETERSBURG
DEPARTURES: 2nd to 9th July & 12th to 19th July 2015
The Itinerary
Day 1 London to St Petersburg. Fly by scheduled flight. Drive to
Turgenev House in the historic centre of the city. Meet for pre-dinner
drinks in the Drawing Room, followed by dinner.
Day 2 St Petersburg. This morning meet after breakfast for an
introductory tour of the city which will take us past many of the city’s fine
aristocratic buildings and palaces including the Peter & Paul Fortress, one
of Russia’s most famous historical fortresses, built in 1703. In the grounds
of Peter & Paul Fortress we visit the Cathedral which is the burial place
of the Romanov Dynasty. We end with a guided walk to St Isaacs’
Cathedral, one of the world’s largest and which is famous for the richness of
its interior decoration. Return to the house for lunch and this evening join
your host for dinner in one of St Petersburg’s most atmospheric restaurants.
Day 3 St Petersburg. Today we visit the incomparable Hermitage
Museum which contains hundreds of thousands of works of art. The
museum today is possibly the greatest in the world. One of the five
buildings of the Hermitage Art Gallery Complex is the Hermitage Theatre
that hosts exhibitions and concerts, and the hanging gardens are known
around the world for their exquisite beauty. Enjoy lunch in the museum
followed by a tour of the magnificent Winter Palace, home of the imperial
family before the revolution. Tonight we enjoy dinner at the house.
Day 4 St Petersburg. After breakfast we depart the city for a visit to
Pushkin and the magnificent Catherine Palace. Almost destroyed by
invading troops during WWII, the Catherine Palace has seen many
changes during its time. Starting out as a summer pleasure palace, it now
stands at around 325 metres across in a blaze of white, gold and blue. The
interior houses numerous artworks exuding luxury and beautiful rooms
including the Amber Room, justly regarded by some as the ‘eighth wonder
of the world’. It caused admiration throughout two centuries until it was
looted by the Nazi soldiers during WWII. It has now been brought back
to life and was unveiled in 2003 for the 300th birthday of St Petersburg.
Outside the palace is the divine Catherine Park, comprised of two parts
including the old garden and English Park, which was designed by master
Dutch gardeners. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant followed by the
afternoon at leisure. In the early evening we plan to attend a performance
at the Mariinsky Theatre. Return to the house for a late supper.
Day 5 St Petersburg. This morning we will visit the Russian Museum, the
treasure house of Russian national art. The museum boasts great Russian
art, including the Socialist Realism works of the Stalin era, and countless
masterpieces including 12th century icons and 21st century paintings.
We will have lunch close to the museum and then take a stroll to the
Church on Spilled Blood. Work started on the church in 1883 at the site
where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated two years earlier. It took twenty
four years to complete. The exterior is rather fabulous and the interior
has been wonderfully restored with walls lined with mosaics mimicking
famous Russian artworks. Enjoy some free time this afternoon. Tonight,
drinks in the house will be followed by dinner in a popular St Petersburg
restaurant with a Russian folk show.
Day 6 St Petersburg. Peterhof is known as the Russian Versailles and
located on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. This was Peter
the Great’s summer residence and was badly destroyed during
World War II. After the destruction, the rise of the new Peterhof
palace took place and the grandeur of the buildings and the
grounds were restored, the water fountains became the essence of
the place. The gem of Peterhof is Peter’s favourite cottage known as
Monplaisir. In front of it is a small cozy garden adorned with fountains,
statues and flowerbeds including two trick fountains dating back to the
Petrine era. After lunch at Peterhof we will return by hydrofoil. Dinner
at the house this evening.
Day 7 St Petersburg. After breakfast we take a boat trip: ‘Rivers & Canals
of St Petersburg’. A city built over forty two islands, St. Petersburg is
surrounded by water and interlaced with a complex web of rivers, canals
and channels that seem to bind the city together, while also marking the
borders of its different districts and neighbourhoods. St. Petersburg’s
low-rise classical architecture means that great vistas of the city are often
visible from the water, and therefore an essential part of any exploration
of the city is to get out in a boat and cruise the rivers and canals. After
lunch in a local restaurant we have some time at leisure. Farewell drinks
and dinner at the house.
Day 8 St Petersburg to London. Morning visit to the Palace of Pavlovsk
which originally belonged to Emperor Paul I and his wife Maria
Fedorovna. Catherine the Great gave them the land and appointed
her favourite architect Charles Cameron to start the construction of
the Palace, to commemorate the birth of their son and heir Alexander
I in 1777. Enjoy lunch before transferring to the airport for your return
scheduled flight to London
Prices per person
based on double occupancy
Twin Bedroom
Four Poster Bedroom
Master Bedroom
WINTER & SPRING
IN ST PETERSBURG
WHITE NIGHTS
IN ST PETERSBURG
£1995
£2295
£2495
£2695
£2895
£3095
Prices for sole use are available on request.
Price Includes: Economy class scheduled return air travel, five or seven nights
accommodation at Turgenev House, full board, wine with meals in the house,
a selection of bar drinks in the house, best tickets available for a performance
at the Mariinsky*, sightseeing excursions as described, entrance fees,
transportation, airport taxes, gratuities.
Not Included: Travel insurance, Russian visa.
NB. The final itinerary may vary from date to date depending on opening days of the sites we
are visiting.
* Details for Mariinsky performances will be advised in your pre-departure tour information
approximately six weeks before departure.
+44 (0)20-7752 0000
Master Bedroom
Drawing Room
TURGENEV HOUSE
B
uilt in the 19th century, the Turgenev House has been home to a number of
prominent Russians including Tolstoy, and takes its name from Ivan Turgenev who
lived there between 1860 and 1883.
This unique St Petersburg apartment is situated on the 2nd floor, in a prime location
overlooking the Fontanka River, only fifty yards from the famous Anichkov Bridge
and Nevsky Prospekt and within walking distance of the Winter Palace Square and
Hermitage Museum and the Russian Museum.
Kitchen
Featured in numerous architectural and interiors magazines, this exquisite apartment
was designed and furnished by the eminent Russian scholar and art historian John
Stuart. Stuart was amongst the first in St Petersburg to embark on the interior
restoration of one of the many magnificent buildings in the city. In a Jonathan
Dimbleby documentary for the BBC, it was described as a historical gem and one of
the most sought after places to stay in St Petersburg.
Your Accommodation
Your space
With three bedrooms, the apartment sleeps six.
In addition to your host, Julia or Elena, guests
are looked after by a housekeeper and cleaner,
Lena and Lillia, who speak English, Russian and
Italian.
Drawing Room: This grand room with large
windows overlooks the Fontanka river and is
an impressive example of early 19th century
Russian Imperial style. It has marble effect walls,
birch veneer and gilded double doors and an
18th century parquet floor originally from the
Alexander Nevsky Monastery.
Each room is a work of art; a grand statement
of colour and style – dressed with fine fabrics,
antique furnishings, and rare artworks. All
the advantages of a home from home and
the facilities of a first class hotel hotel. The
apartment offers space, privacy, home comforts
and a personalised level of hospitality and
service.
The bedrooms are all tastefully decorated with
exquisite comfort in mind. Volga linen, large
bath towels and individual hand towel are all
supplied.
Master Bedroom (Pink Room): A spacious and
luxurious double bedroom with a canopied
mahogany sleigh bed, marble en suite shower
room with under floor heating, walk-in cupboard,
en suite dressing room with day bed leading to
en suite marble bathroom with bath.
Four Poster Bedroom (White Room): A spacious
and luxurious double bedroom with four poster
bed. Ante room lined with brown paper leading
to walk-in-cupboard and leading to an en suite
marble bathroom with underfloor heating and
bath.
Twin Bedroom (Yellow Room): A smaller, twin
bedded room with adjacent shower room.
Dining Room: The atmospheric, Napoleonic
style, silk-lined, green and red tented dining
room seats up to ten people in comfort.
Four Poster Bedroom
Dining Room
Green Room: An ante room between the
drawing room and library; with seating for four it
is a quiet place to read a book.
Blue Room: Relax after a day of sightseeing
in the library, which is furnished in early 19th
century Scottish style with seating for six.
Kitchen: Breakfast for six is laid informally in the
kitchen, using the attractive Lomonosov blue
and white gilt china. Tea & coffee trays with
snacks are always available in the kitchen.
View through to the Green Room and Blue Room
Entrance Hall: with 24 hour security personnel
located on the ground floor.
Other Facilities
• Internet Access
• DVD Player with some dvds
• Bang & Olufson flat screen TV with satellite
channels
• CD Player
• Telephone by arrangement
Twin Bedroom
Noble Caledonia
2 Chester Close, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7BE
+44 (0)20 7752 0000 | [email protected] | www.noble-caledonia.co.uk
Our current booking conditions apply to all reservations and are available on request.
Cover images: Front - The Catherine Palace; Back - St Petersburg in the snow
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