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