St Petersburg Canals

A canal cruise is arguably the best way to see the city, and will be a highlight of your stay. Sail along the rivers and canals and admire the beautiful baroque and neoclassical architecture of St Petersburg, generally agreed to be one of the most beautiful cities anywhere in the world. As you relax, you'll pass famous landmarks and get lost in the fascinating history of the city.

As you travel along, you will pass under a network of drawbridges. These allow large ships to pass between the Baltic Sea and Lake Ladoga, and from there, deeper into Russia. The drawbridges open to a precisely timed schedule, which allow ships to pass with a minimum of delay while still allowing the bridges to function as efficiently as possible. Of course, you may be less concerned with the practicalities of the system and instead be busy taking photographs – many of the drawbridges are spectacular, particularly the iconic Palace Bridge over the Neva.