ESN UKW Bydgoszcz visa-free cruise to St.Petersburg (10.04.2019-16.04.2019)

Departure 10.04.2019
End date 16.04.2019
Availability 5
Price from 275€

Trip overview

Explore Saint Petersburg on a new visa-free ferry trip: 3 days in Russia and two nights on ferry! Experience top quality culture, take tours to outstanding palaces and sights, have great parties and lots of fun in Russian style! Visa-free for all nationalities. All tours guided in English.

Guided activities

	TRADITIONAL RUSSIAN EVENING — SHOW & DINNER Duration 2h, from 30€ Activity available for departures from 20.03.2019 to 16.04.2019 Definitely one of our most popular, fun-filled programs! The highlight of the evening is the colourful folk extravaganza with Russian songs, dances and party games. By the end of the night, you’ll know everything there is to know about celebrating Russian style! And all of this while enjoying a traditional Russian dinner and drinks! Vegetarian option is possible. This activity availabilty is seasonal, please, have a look at preliminary trip program to double check when the activity is available during next trips. Play video
	THE CATHERINE'S PALACE — PUSHKIN Duration 5h, from 30€ Activity available for departures from 20.03.2019 to 26.04.2019 The gorgeous baroque-style Catherine Palace in Pushkin, formerly Tsarskoye Selo (Tsar’s Village), was a favourite summer residence of the Russian royal family. The highlight of the tour, which takes you around the house and grounds, is a visit to the famous Amber Room, destroyed by the Nazis during WWII and lovingly restored in 2003. On the 45-minute drive to Pushkin you’ll notice the juxtaposition of modern urban development and important historic sites – in stark contrast to the world-heritage protected city centre. A walk around the Catherine Palace park is a wonderful way to relax and escape from the cares of modern city life. This activity availabilty is seasonal, please, have a look at preliminary trip program to double check when the activity is available during next trips. Play video
	THE PETERHOF PALACE Duration 5h-6h, from 30€ Activity available for departures from 27.04.2019 to 31.05.019 Peterhof is a magnificent summer palace on the Gulf of Finland, some 30 km from the city center. of St Petersburg. Founded by the order of Tsar Peter the Great in 1725, it was meant to beat Versailles in glory and splendor. The complex of verdant gardens, luxurious baroque residences, genuine fountains and cascades of marble and gold still remains as impressive as it was on the 18-19th century! Tour includes bus trip to Peterhof with admissions to The Lower Park with fountains and The Grand Palace* and guidance (If Grand Palace is closed on the day of the tour we visit one of the other palaces - Marli, Monplaisir, Cottage, The Bath Block). This activity availabilty is seasonal, please, have a look at preliminary trip program to double check when the activity is available during next trips. Play video*
	OPERA OR BALLET Duration 3,5h, from 50€ Saint Petersburg is known as the cultural capital of Russia. So, what better place to attend a world- famous ballet or opera? You can book tickets through us for the performance scheduled for your trip – the theatres often offer student discounts and transport is included. If you’re interested in any other theatrical event, check out theatre’s website or try your luck at the box office. But don’t delay – tickets tend to sell out pretty fast!. Play video
	NIGHT FEVER — LIMO TRIP Duration 1,5h, from 25€ Discover Saint Petersburg by night in glamourous style! A limousine ride takes you to the city’s most spectacular places, with plenty of stops for taking pictures on the way. Eventually, the limo drops you off at one of the trendiest night clubs in town, where you go straight to the front of the queue. Sparkling wine is available in the Limousines. Play video
	CATHEDRALS OF SAINT PETERSBURG Duration 2,5 - 3h, from 25€ A tour that takes you to three cathedrals from three different centuries. We start with St. Nicholas Cathedral – built in the beautiful baroque style in the18th century. Next it’s St. Isaac’s – one of the largest domed cathedrals in the world and a true demonstration of Russia’s imperial ambitions. And finally, the Cathedral on Spilled Blood – so named because it was built on the site where the beloved Tsar Alexander II was assassinated. You'll marvel at the beautiful architecture and find out about the vital role of religion in the history of this fascinating country. Play video
	State Hermitage museum Duration 2h, included for students / from 20€ for non-students The third largest art museum in the world – based on the collections of the Russian royal family, starting with Catherine the Great in the 18th century. Located in a number of former imperial residences, the Hermitage Museum houses millions of artworks in hundreds of rooms. The tour takes you to the most important exhibits and the most interesting parts of the museum, with a running commentary (in English) provided by a professional local guide. And, as a Timetravels’ clients, you don’t have to queue to get in! Play video
	RIVER AND CANAL CRUISE Duration 1,5h, from 15€ Activity available for departures from 17.04.2019 to 31.05.2019 A definite must-do when in Saint Petersburg! The so-called Venice of the North has a 300-kilometre network of rivers and canals, 800 bridges and 16 kilometres of embankments lined with many of the city’s most beautiful palaces and mansions. On a river and canal cruise you travel back in time to the heart of the imperial city. Breathtaking views are accompanied by beautiful music and of course by Soviet “Champagne” (Russian sparkling wine)! This activity availabilty is seasonal, please, have a look at preliminary trip program to double check when the activity is available during next trips. Play video

*Kindly note that extra activities can only be booked online up to 8 days before the departure. They cannot be cancelled or changed after the booking.

Preliminary trip program

This is a preliminary itinerary. The order of the activities may change in the final itinerary. You will receive the final itinerary 2-3 days prior the trip by email.

Please, remember to bring your passport in original copy and valid at least 6 months after the end of the trip.

DAY 1

transfer to Helsinki (if the departure point you booked is not Helsinki)

15:30    Meeting at Helsinki West Terminal (Länsisatama)

boarding recommended before 17:15. Passport valid at least 6 months is required. If you have a residence permit from a European Union country, please, bring it!

M/S Princess Anastasia departs from Helsinki

21:30    Nightclub folk and variety show "Columbus" bar (7th deck, until 23.00) FREE ENTRANCE

22:30    Nightclub on the 7th deck Crazy party until late!

DAY 2

7:00     Breakfast in the restaurant (8th deck, 7:00-09.00, extra cost).

9:00     Arrival in St Petersburg and Passport control. Please, leave the ferry straight after the arrival otherwise you’ll be late for the city tour!

11:00   Guided city tour (Peter & Paul fortress, The Spit of the St Basil Island etc.) We’ll have a lunch break during the tour. It is useful to have some cash for snacks, so, if possible change some money in Finland, though cards are mostly accepted.

16:00   Check-in at your accommodation (estimated time)

20:00   Meeting at the reception. Departure to activity.



For departure dates from 20.03.2019 to16.04.2019

          Traditional Russian Evening – Show and Dinner – (extra activity*)

          Afterwards transportation to the hotel/hostel. Possibility to stay in the city center for clubbing.

For departure dates from 17.04.2019 to 31.05.2019

          Night River and Canals Cruise* – (extra activity*)

          Afterwards transportation to the hotel/hostel. Possibility to stay in the city center for clubbing.

* weather permitting, if cancelled we will refund the cost

DAY 3

Breakfast (included in the hotel, own cost in the hostel)

09:30   Meeting at the reception. Departure to activity:

For departure dates from 20.03.2019 to 26.04.2019

Pushkin, Catherine's Palace in "Village of the Tsars" (extra activity*)

Location 30km away from the city. Afterwards free time in Catherine's park

For departure dates from 27.04.2019 to 31.05.2019

Guided bus excursion to Peterhof. Includes visit to the Lower Park and visit to Grand Palace - (extra activity*). Location about 30 km from St. Petersburg. Guided tour and free time in the Park.

*If Grand Palace is closed on the day of the tour we visit Marli, Monplaisir, Cottage or The Bath Block instead.

13:00-14:00 departure back to the city.

15:00-16:00 Arrival back in St. Petersburg Free time.

18:00    Ballet or Opera in a St Petersburg theatres (extra activity*)

The exact event is trip specific. We will let you know the exact event and date for your trip as soon as we receive the availability information from the theathres

21:30    End of the performance - transportation to the hotel/hostel (estimated time)

23:00    Limousine tour with sparkling wine (extra activity*) Duration 1,5 hour. Possibility of after-party in a nightclub. If the program will get very popular, we may have to do two departures – one at 21:00–22:30 (for those not attending the ballet) and the second one at 23:30–01:00 (for those attending the ballet)

DAY 4

Breakfast (included in the hotel, own cost in the hostel)

09:30    Check-out. All luggage in the bus. Departure to Hermitage Museum.

Guided tour of the State Hermitage Museum (activity included for students/ extra activity for adults*). Duration apx. 2 hours. After the tour you may stay in the museum or have a lunch or a walk in

the city.

14:30    Cathedrals of St Petersburg tour (extra activity*). Starts from the Hermitage Museum, no transportation from the hotel/hostel. Includes visit to the most beautiful cathedrals of St.Petersburg:   Nikol’skyj Cathedral, St Isaac’s Cathedral and Cathedral on the Spilled Blood. Overall duration of the program – 2,5 hours.

16:30 Bus departure from The Palace Square to harbour

17:00    Passport control and boarding

M/S Princess Anastasia departs for your journey home Same cruise program as on the 1st day

departure time:

at 18:00 on Sunday

at 19:00 on Monady, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

DAY 5

Arrival in Helsinki. Debarking, Finnish customs and passport control.

arrival time:

at 07:00 on Monday

at 08:00 on Saturday, Friday, Sunday

at 20:30 on Tuesday

connection to departure town (if departure point product you booked is not Helsinki).

We recommend to book connections from Helsinki only 3 hours after expected arrival time.

*extra activities price is available in activities part of this website page

  Timetravels reserves the right to changes in the itinerary.

Accommodation

On our student trips we use three star hotels for accommodation. All of the hotels we use are located in the historical city centre and provide good services and easy access to local sights. Due to difficult vacancy situation in the hotels, we confirm the name of the hotel usually 1-2 weeks prior to the departure. The most usual hotels we use are listed below.

Common features to all hotels

Location in the historical city centre, max. 3 km distance to the main sites and action
TWIN rooms with conveniences: twin bed, bathroom, tv in all rooms
Full buffet breakfasts
Free wifi
Security

Moscow***

Moscow hotel is one of the largest in St.Petersburg and thanks to its good location and services our default hotel for student groups.

Ibis***

Ibis St Petersburg Centre is a 3 star hotel offering 221 comfortable rooms. Located in the centre of St.Petersburg, it is close to Nevsky Prospekt (the main avenue of the city)

Dostoyevsky***

Hotel Dostoyevski is a rather new hotel in the heart of the city, opposite to the Vladimirsky Cathedral. Nevsky prospect 0,5 km.

Good to know

Passport and visa issues

Travelling by ferry to Russia with staying 72 hrs in the destination is visa-free for absolutely ALL citizens, as long as the following conditions are met. A) Passenger has a travel passport valid for at least 6 months after the end of the trip. Please note! An EU ID card or any other national ID card will not do! B) Passenger has purchased a package tour, including at least accommodation and a city tour. C) Passenger arrives and leaves Russia using the St Peterline ferry connection (it is not possible to arrive by ferry and leave by train, for instance). D) Passenger has sufficient travel documents for leaving and returning to Finland (either a European/Schengen area passport or Passport and residence permit in an EU/Schengen country if you are not an EU/Schengen citizen). If you need visa for arriving to Finland, make sure it has enough entries left! If you have arrived to Finland with a single-entry visa, you need a residence permit in an EU country in order to travel to Russia. If you are unsure of your situation, please contact our customer service at customerservice@timetravels.fi

Can I travel to Moscow during my visa-free stay?

It is recommended not to leave St. Petersburg area during your visa-free stay, however travelling within Russia is not prohibited. Please inform your tour leader if you have such plans. You do not need to stick to the group after arriving to St Petersburg, but the travel agency is responsible for your stay in Russia and will get into trouble, if you do not show up to the port by the departure of the visa-free ferry. For violating the visa-free rules passenger has to pay high penalties +issue an exit visa from Russia through his own consulate, which is a both money and time consuming process.

Money Exchange

Russian currency is rouble (RUR). While cards are widely in use Russia still has a lot of places where only cash is accepted. Money exchange rate is not stable, you can check current rate here. Roubles can be withdrawn from ATM or changed in numerous banks in the city. We recommend to exchange some money in advance in FOREX, because it will save your precious time in the destination.

Customs regulations

You are allowed to bring alcohol to Finland if you are older then 18 years old (20 for alcohol stronger then 22%). You can take not more then: 1 liter of alcohol more than 40 % of alcohol (e.g. Vodka) OR 2 liters of aperatifs (eg. Champagne, long drinks or other beverages less than 22% of alcohol) + 4 liters of wines + 3 crates of beer (16 liters) + 1 carton of cigarettes

Weather

The weather in St Petersburg is much alike in Helsinki. Typical temperature in Summer is 15-25 Celcius, in Winter anything between +5 and -30 Celcius. Due to closeness of the sea, weather can change rapidly.

Electric devices

Normal European standard plugs and 220 V sockets. No adapters are needed.

Language

English is not widely spoken in Russia so it could be useful to learn some basic sentences in Russian. Your tour conductor will assist whenever you need help.

Safety

St Petersburg is no more or less dangerous than any European metropolis. We recommend to use your common sense, take care of your belongings in crowded places, watch out for traffic and to know your limits for alcohol.

Price level

If compared to Helsinki or Stockholm, St Petersburg is relatively cheap. This applies to groceries, alcohol, cigarettes and public transportation. Eating out and clubbing represent about the same prices as in Finland.

Emergency

In a case of emergency, sickness or accident, contact your group leader immediately. He will contact the medical care, and you will receive help as soon as possible. Doctors will arrive straight to the hotel. If you have purchased a travel insurance with us (5€), it covers all the medical costs and the medical treatment is free of charge. If the group leader is not available, contact the hotel reception. Remember to save all the receipts and doctor’s statement for medical treatment and medicine. Insurance company will refund all the expenses to your bank account.

ATTENTION! Insurances do not cover self-inflected cases, such as anything involving the consumption of alcohol or drugs.
Gallery

Images taken by our travellers in Spring 2016