Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
through narrow, urban waterways, your boat pops out onto the wide Neva River, offering
a grand panorama of the Hermitage, Admiralty, Peter and Paul Fortress, and beyond. Vari-
ous companies offer essentially the same one-hour, 500-R cruise, advertising at touristy
points near canals; most cater to Russian tourists and have zero English information. (Be-
fore booking, specifically ask whether there's any English commentary.) Better yet, hold
out for the one-hour cruise from
Peterswalk,
whose guides not only speak English, but
cater the commentary to passengers' interests. While it costs a bit more, it's worth it (600
R/person, 3-4/day in peak season—but check website for specifics as schedule and offer-
ings are subject to change, departs from Fontanka 53—along the Fontanka River a long
block south of Nevsky Prospekt; same contact details as for walking tours, earlier).
Bus Tours
—
CityTour
runs red, double-decker, hop-on, hop-off buses that make a circuit
of major sights in the center, with recorded commentary. The full circle takes two hours,
but the frequency is sparse (once per hour)—potentially leaving you with more time than
you want at a particular stop. The first buses start around 9:00 and the last one finishes its
route just before 21:00. A ticket good for the whole day costs 500 R; buy it on the bus (tel.
718-4769, mobile tel. +7-961-800-0755,
www.citytourspb.ru
).
▲▲▲Nevsky Prospekt (НевскийПроспект)
Nevsky Prospekt—St. Petersburg's famous main thoroughfare—represents the best and
the worst of this beguiling metropolis. Along its two-mile length from the Neva River to
Uprising Square, this superlative boulevard passes some of the city's most opulent palaces
(such as the Hermitage), top museums (the Hermitage and Russian Museum), most im-
