OUR TOUR STARTED IN FRONT OF THE HERMITAGE ITSELF BY MEETING OUR APPOINTED TOUR GUIDE MS ALYONA - WE WERE SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT MY WIFE AND I WERE THE ONLY TWO WHO WOULD BE ACCOMPANYING HER - AFTER THE PRELIMINARY INTRODUCTIONS MS ALYONA TOOK US TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE HERMITAGE AND THUS STARTED THE ACTUAL TOUR - IMMEDIATELY WE WERE IN SHE BEGAN EXPLAINING IN VERY GOOD ENGLISH ALL THAT WE SAW - IN SO DOING DEMONSTRATING THE DEPT OF HER KNOWLEDGE OF ALL THAT THERE WAS TO SEE - WE ACCOMPANIED HER AND LISTENED TO HER VARIOUS EXPLANATIONS ON THE MOST IMPORTANT EXHIBITS OF ALL THE COLLECTIONS - THE NUMBER OF EXHIBITS IN THE HERMITAGE IS SO NUMEROUS THAT IT IS SIMPLY IMPOSSIBLE TO VIEW IN ONE VISIT - BUT MS ALYONA DID HER UTMOST TO GIVE US AS MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT ALL THAT WE SAW IN OUR PATH - BEING A CARAVAGGIO AFICIONADO, I ASKED HER IF THERE WAS AT LEAST ONE SUCH PAINTING AND WITHIN THE SPAN OF FIVE MINUTES WE WERE STANDING IN FRONT OF IT - IN SHORT SHE WAS SPLENDID AND WE WERE LUCKY.

Really enjoyable day trip from St Petersburg. There were only three of us plus the guide on this trip, which made getting around so much easier than larger groups. The guide picks you up from your hotel, and private transport to the palace, about an hour away. Once inside the knowledge of our guide was great. Our only problems were larger groups holding us up as we walked around the palace. The gardens are as extensive with all the gravity fed fountains. A great insight into how Royalty lived, and how they were influenced by many other cultures around Europe.

Pick up was on time in a good, comfortable people carrier. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable as she came from the area and gave us a history lesson both on the drive there and back, pointing out all the important buildings and statues which I thought was great. The tour of both Palaces and gardens was wonderful, our guide also told us the local legends as well as telling us the stories behind behind every room. I don’t usually do tours, preferring to muddle through myself but I would recommend this tour without hesitation.

I think it was money well spent. As you drive around to the different sights you get so much more out of it than just the church etc. Very professional. Nice clean comfortable vehicle. Extremely knowledgeable local guide. We then spent a lot of time exploring on our own but got the details from the tour.

There were so crowded in the palace. Some problems occurred but our guide tried her best to solve it even it was not her fault. When we were in the garden, we had very nice moments because of our guide. Thank you .