Protected from the ravages of the North Sea by the double barriers of Denmark stretching northwards and Sweden stretching southwards, the Baltic often enjoys perfect summer weather conditions and a relatively smooth ride. The shallow waters to the east take you all the way to St Petersburg, whilst between Sweden and Finland the Gulf of Bothnia stretches far to the north, and Lapland.
The waters of the Baltic lap the shores of such diverse lands as Germany, west and east, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Finland, Lapland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway – a range of countries rarely high on your ‘must do’ list but which, when combined, offer such history, such art, such literature, such natural beauty, that you wonder how you could ever have thought of passing them by.

The highlight, the jewel in the crown, as it were, has to be St Petersburg. This magical city and its surroundings are so full of interest, that you will almost undoubtedly leave with a resolve to return for more.

Baltic cruises tend to feature one, two or three full days in St Petersburg. Bear in mind also that the smaller ships can usually come right up the river and moor within a stone’s throw of the Hermitage, whilst larger ships stop in the docks, a good half hour’s drive from the city centre.

Even if you normally like to go ashore and ‘wander’ on your own, we would not recommend this in St Petersburg. Not only can you cover so much more ground with a driver and guide, but also you will find the language challenging, and you may not feel very safe. If you are out at the docks, even if you have a visa you will find it hard to get a taxi to take you into town. So join the ship’s tours, book a car and driver, or go for a mix of the two. Either way you will enjoy priority access to tourist sites and a most fantastic experience.

Choosing what to do in St Petersburg to make best use of your time is always a challenge – there is so much to choose from. Some like to make more than one visit to the Hermitage to try and get a full taste of this huge collection of treasures, and many cruise lines offer two visits on consecutive days (to spend a full day there might just be too overwhelming, such is the vastness of the collection). But at least one visit is a must.

It occupies six magnificent buildings situated along the embankment of the River Neva, right in the heart of St Petersburg. The key building is the Winter Palace, the residence of the Russian tsars.
Put together throughout two centuries and a half, the Hermitage collections of works of art (over 3,000,000 items) present the development of the world culture and art from the Stone Age to the 20th century.
Early access is arranged a full hour before it opens to the public, and your guide will whisk you through the downstairs rooms where you will be amazed not only by the pictures, porcelain, sculptures and silverware, the furniture, the sleighs in the courtyards and the magnificent carriages, but also by the very rooms themselves with their painted ceilings and lavish floors, everywhere a tribute to the finest and most expensive craftsmanship in the world. Later on, as you race through the upper ‘modern’ rooms packed full of French Impressionists, a single one of which is a treasure in itself, you wonder at the incredible accumulation of wealth in this remote location, and how the collection was ever created. From the windows, you catch glimpses of a huge and empty square, with the Neva sparkling beyond.

Tour the city and admire its admirable layout – long, straight boulevards, vast spaces, gardens and parks, decorative wrought-iron fences, monuments and decorative sculptures abound. The Neva River itself, together with its many canals gives the city a unique and striking ambience. A city tour by boat is an interesting way to get your bearings. Today, there are 342 bridges over canals and rivers of various sizes, styles and constructions, built at different periods. Over 800 smaller bridges over smaller ponds and streams are gracing public parks and gardens, the popular places for entertainment and leisure.
While many cathedrals and buildings formerly owned by churches and monasteries still belong to the Russian government, since their seizure in 1917, some were eventually returned to congregations. The largest cathedral in the city is St Isaac’s Cathedral, with the biggest gold-plated dome in the world. The Church of the Saviour on Blood is a monument in the old Russian style which marks the spot of Alexander II’s assassination. The Peter and Paul Cathedral, a long-time symbol of the city, contains the sepuchres of Peter the Great and other Russian emperors. . The St. Nicholas Cathedral and the Great Choral Synagogue are near the Mariinsky Opera Theatre. The ensemble of Peter and Paul Fortress with the Peter and Paul Cathedral takes dominant position on the right bank of the Neva river.
St. Petersburg is surrounded by imperial residences. These include: Peterhof , with the Grand Peterhof Palace and glorious fountain cascades; Tsarskoe Selo, with the baroque Catherine Palace (home to the magnificent reconstructed amber room) and the neoclassical Alexander Palace; and Pavlovsk , which contains a domed palace of Emperor Paul and one of the largest English-style parks in Europe. Much of Peterhof and Tsarskoe Selo had to be restored after being dynamited by the retreating Germans in 1944. Definitely plan to visit one or more of these amazing palaces to get a real feel for the astonishing wealth of the Russian aristocracy. Beautifully restored, they are a tribute to both ancient and modern craftmanship.
The ship will proably have on offer an opportunity to go to a performance of music or ballet, and given how important these arts are to this most European of all Russian cities, participation is highly recommended. It may also have arranged for you to visit a private home, which you will find highly interesting. Also make the time to speak with your guide about life in St Petersburg – you will find him or her surprisingly frank, and this is a very good reason to choose a private guide and driver rather than joining a tour.

It is highly unlikely that anyone will ever leave St Petersburg feeling they have seen it all. But every visit can give you a taste for a return at a later date.

HOW TO GET THERE
There is a wide choice of Baltic cruises offering a number of St Petersburg options. Take advice from knowledgeable consultants on which is most appropriate for you. (of course St Petersburg can also be visited as a city break by air – we will be happy to recommend ways to do this).

WHEN TO GO
St Petersburg is very damp, with very high levels of rainfall each year. During the winter months the Neva freezes over, limiting access by water. In the summer months, enjoy the White Nights when the sky is permanently light. The closer to midsummer day you travel (21st June), the lighter it will be. It can be very warm, but this is not guaranteed – rather like in the UK.

WHAT TO WEAR
Take comfortable shoes as you are likely to walk long distances, and be prepared to join queues if you are travelling in the summer months. Prepare for rainfall with waterproof jackets and umbrellas.

DOCUMENTATION
Normally, a visa is required for entry into St Petersburg. If you are joining the ship’s tours, often the ship will have a group visa. If you would like to arrange a private driver and guide, we can arrange the visa for you – but don’t plan to travel independently without ensuring your documentation is in order.