The beautiful city of St Petersburg, often known as the ‘Venice of the North’, was founded by Peter the Great to demonstrate his wish that Russia was a major power with its roots firmly fixed in Europe. Accompanied by Professor Leporc explore this grandest of cities with its elegant buildings and unsurpassed palaces located both in the city and the surrounding countryside. The visit has been specially planned for November when the crowds are gone, the theatres are open, the vodka and furs come out and the insides of the buildings are kept cosy and warm. Perhaps, most importantly one can enjoy the city’s wonderful architecture and superb museums without the crowds later in the year.
Throughout the six-day visit there will be two visits to the Hermitage with its hundreds of glittering, gilded rooms and its unrivalled collection of European and Russian art. Enjoy a day excursion to Tsarkoye Selo, the spectacular town of Imperial Palaces just outside of St Petersburg. There will by visits to the Peter and Paul Fortress and Yussopev Palace at least as spectacular in its way as the Hermitage but on a smaller scale. The rooms are gorgeous in their richness and variety. For those who wish the journey can be extended to include a four day visit to Russia’s traditional ‘Holy Mother’ – Moscow.
This visit is open the Alumni of Oxford and Cambridge Universities and their family and friends. Please note that Distant Horizons has sole responsibility for the operation of this tour. The participating University has no direct control over the operation of any tours.
Trip Leader: Professor Alexei Leporc
Professor Alexei Leporc is a Curator of Western European Art at the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. He is also Professor of 15th – 20th Century West European art and architecture at St Petersburg Europe University and has previously held research and teaching positions at Institutes of Art History in Vienna, Munich and Berlin.alumni visits to Russia.