TRAVEL IN RUSSIA | TOUR GUIDES | ESCORTED TOURS | SHORE EXCURSIONS | VISAS | CLIENTS | RUSSIA TRAVEL GUIDE | HOTELS
| The State Hermitage Museum St. Petersburg |
City of St. Petersburg
Destination guide for independent and cruise travel to Russia
City of Moscow
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Cultural capital of Russia |
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Our Clients
Over the last several years, thousands of cruise passengers have gone on our private and group excursions and we want to thank them all for choosing us as their travel partner in St. Petersburg! Our former guests sailed to St. Petersburg by every major cruise line - Norwegian Dream, Azamara Journey, Regatta Oceania, Regatta Insignia, Celebrity Constellation, Song of Flower, and many others.
Among our clients are some of the biggest players in the world travel industry. American Express Centurion and American Express Platinum Travel Concierge, Executive Travel Associates, The Rotary Club, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, and many others have expressed their confidence in the quality and reliability of our tours by having us arrange their clients' travel in Russia.
Independent Travelers' Feedback
Today you can come across various websites offering private tour services in Russia claiming that they are the best. We choose not to do this. Instead we encourage you to contact our past clients who can share their tour experiences with you.
We believe that such a direct feedback is your best guarantee that your visit to Russia will be handled by a reputed travel agency. We have a substantial legacy of happy clients and welcome you to explore Russia with us!
2010 Cruise Season |
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"NO PROBLEM, NO VISA, NO QUEUE, GOOD ITALIAN AND CULTURE" - Gramiccia Alessandra, Italy - More... |
| Recent response to an email query by a former client - PLEASE READ... | |
| "There was not a wasted moment of time and everything went exactly according to your original two day scheduled tour" - Gerald & Yo Hoerner, USA - More... | |
| "The best guide we had in any of the 7 countries we toured" - Colleen McLain, USA - More... | |
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"We so enjoyed your tour!" - Lee and Bob Martin, USA - More... |
| "Certainly recommend your company to anyone who wants to visit your city" - Tom Brooks, USA - More... | |
| "Lovely three days in St. Petersburg" - Cem Önen, Turkey - More... | |
| "Thank you for arranging a wonderful tour of Moscow" - Victoria Kramb, USA - More... | |
| "Exceeded expectations - the service great - THE GUIDE EXTRAORDINARY" - Miguel Ramirez Olace, Mexico - More... | |
| "Thank you for making our trip to your beautiful city such a great experience" - Keith & Marian Goddard, Canada - More... | |
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"We enjoyed it very much!" - Tom and Sherry Yundt, Canada - More... |
| "Thank you so much for taking such good care of my valued clients!" - Pamela Chesnut, Time to Travel Inc., USA - More... | |
| "Thank you for our fantastic two days in St. Petersburg" - The Hoppes & the Applebys, Canada - More... | |
| "Our two day trip with your tour guide Marina was outstanding!" - Charles Liston, USA - More... | |
2009 Cruise Season |
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"The tour was well organized and our guide was wonderful" - Susan Cassaglia, Gibraltar - More... |
| "We were off the ship on time and into your van at 7:30 as scheduled" - John Ward, Canada - More... | |
| "Thank you for the wonderful three day tour" - Harvey Filkenstein, USA - More... | |
| "We received 5* treatment" - Ken Grundy, USA - More... | |
| "It could not have been more special" - Maria Moskos, USA - More... | |
| "[Will] recommend you and the services of your fine Company to others" - Bob Bodack, USA - More... | |
| ""Go here", "Go there", "Stay longer or shorter", and not worry about a bus load of 25 or 50" - Michael Weigand, USA - More... | |
| "THANK YOU for a most wonderful two days in St. Petersburg" - Bill Gerich, USA - More... | |
| "Grateful thanks for a fantastic 2 days in your city!" - David and Carole Ferdinando, USA - More... | |
| "Fabulous two days of touring St. Petersburg" - Linda and Paul Levin, USA - More... | |
| "Made our stay in St. Petersburg very worthwhile" - Tom Caplan, Canada - More... | |
| "We had a brilliant tour in St. Petersburg" - Sonia Abbott, UK - More... | |
| "The whole day left a lasting impression" - Andrew Watts, UK - More... | |
| "An exceptional experience!" - Cheryl and Terry Jansen, USA - More... | |
| "We were extremely pleased with our Optima tour, our guide, van and driver" - Gary Kress, USA - More... | |
| "WE HAD THE BEST TOUR EXPERIENCE EVER!!!! " - Monique Montiel, Canada - More... | |
| "The arrangements made by your company were of the highest standard" - Anthony Hartley, UK - More... | |
| "Thank you for working with us to make it a unique experience" - Dennis and Pat Miller, USA - More... | |
| "Great satisfaction with our guide and driver!" - Stuart and Ilene Fox, USA - More... | |
| "Everything ran just like clockwork. Will recommend to everyone." - Allan Bushe, UK - More... | |
| "Thank you so much for coordinating our tour in St. Petersburg" - Hilda and Oscar Teel, USA - More... | |
| "Our recent tour of St. Petersburg exceeded our expectations" - Catharine Wilson, USA - More... | |
| "We would just like to say a big thank you for such superb organisation!" - David Granby, France - More... | |
2008 Cruise Season |
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"We had a wonderful time with Valentina as our guide in St. Petersburg and Julia in Moscow" - Anthony (Andy) Johnson, USA - More... |
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"We could not have asked for a better guide... and driver" - Jerome H. Jaffe, USA - More... |
| "St Petersburg is a beautiful city and we now fully appreciate its reputation" - Michele Goffin, USA - More... | |
| "Thanks again for a wonderful three days!" - Dave Barton, USA - More... | |
| "Outstanding service provided by our tour guide and driver" - Dean and Kathleen Olson, USA - More... | |
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"All went smoothly and according to plan. No worries; no problems" - Terry Rogers, USA - More... |
| "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" - Jane Krieger, USA - More... | |
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"Thank you for bringing St. Petersburg to life for us!" - Harriet Achtman, USA - More... |
| "Thank you for a wonderful St. Petersburg experience!" - Mary Traettino, USA - More... | |
| "On behalf of the 6 of us I thank you for arranging such a splendid trip" - Owen Kernahan, UK - More... | |
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"Thank you for a most wonderful and educational experience!" - Gerry Silverman, Canada - More... |
| "It was amazing!" - Christina Bannigan, USA - More... | |
| "Your knowledge is incredible, we don't know how you do it" - Christina Feron, Canada - More... | |
| "Certainly the best way to visit is the Optima way with a private guide and car" - Irwin Reingold, USA - More... | |
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"Wonderful two days in St. Petersburg" - Henry Lange, USA - More... |
| "Our stop was memorable and exceeded our expectations regarding St. Petersburg and our understanding of Russia and its culture" - Josefina Capote, USA - More... | |
| "Thank you for making arrangements for our tour in Moscow" - Stella Gan, USA - More... | |
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"All the arrangements went like clockwork" - David Barton, New Zealand - More... |
| "We had a wonderful time with Alexandra on this tour!" - Pamela Kozlowski, USA - More... | |
| "Thank you so very much for arranging such a wonderful visit to St.Petersburg for us!" - Brian and Margaret Wright, USA - More... | |
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"Top marks to Optima Tours!" - Otto Cornelius, Australia - More... |
2007 Cruise Season |
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"Your tour did what we wanted to do, when we wanted to, and Alexandra and Victor were there to guide us" - Ralph Mangum, USA - More... |
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"We had such a good time, and look forward to returning another day!" - Angela Hamlen, Markham, ON, Canada - More... |
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| "Just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed the tour of St. Petersburg you arranged for our group in August 2007. We highly recommend your company to anyone looking for a high caliber tour!" - Ruth Bentley, Canada - More... | |
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"Our two days in St.Petersburg were the highlight of our Holland America cruise to the Baltic" - Michael Jacqmin, USA - More... |
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"Our tour was fabulous and our guide was fabulous. We enjoyed this tour more than any other city we visited" - Terry Tetelman, USA - More... |
| "I want to say thank you for our wonderful tour of Saint Petersburg! We came away with a wonderful feeling about the city and its people" - Libby McCullough, Centreville, VA, USA - More... | |
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"We were very happy with your company and especially with our tour guide Elena and the driver" - Maggie Fisher, CA, USA - More... |
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"We were able to learn so much more about St.
Petersburg than if we had been in a one of those tour buses with 40 or
50 people... We all enjoyed our cruise and the different
cities we visited but the highlight of our trip were our three days in
St. Petersburg" - Patricia Holland,
Tallahassee, FL, USA - More... |
| "I am pleased to say that the tour and guide were not only as good as we had hoped but in fact far exceeded our expectations... Each night that we returned to the ship our tables mates could not wait to hear about our adventures as they all found the cruise ship tours too crowded and too slow" - Ray and Sandra Myers, Australia - More... | |
| "St. Petersburg was an amazing experience! our guide Alexandra was the extra special bonus for us. She was so knowledgeable, bright and lovely we felt as if we had a well traveled cousin in Russia showing us around" - Serena Kratz, USA - More... | |
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"I am so glad that we used Travel In Russia for
our visa free tour!... I will highly recommend Travel In Russia
to anyone else that I know that is going to the Baltic" - Diane Gottlieb, USA - More... |
| "I wanted to let you know what a great time we had! Alexandra was simply marvelous -- knowledgeable, organized, on-time and fun to be with" - Reba Quastler, USA - More... | |
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"Our guide and driver were wonderful,
knowledgeable and fun. The tour was everything you said it would be and
more....it exceeded everyone's expectations.
Our "hats off" to the Optima team" - Jon Lupia, USA - More... |
| "What a wonderful time my wife and I had in St. Petersburg... Alexandra was a sweetheart and gave us a great tour!... I'm very glad that I listened to you - tourist visas were not required to tour with your company regardless of what the cruise line was telling us" - Don Karper, USA - More... | |
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"We had a wonderful time and St. Petersburg was the highlight of our Baltic cruise" - Nancy Rapadas, USA - More... |
2006 Cruise Season |
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| "I just wanted to let yo know what a fabulous time we had in St. Petersburg! The whole experience was fantastic. Out tour guide guide Valentina was wonderful" - Rosa Hilario, USA - More... | |
| "I just wanted to let you know what a pleasure it was to have Irena as our tour guide. She was so knowledgeable, warm, funny and kept us on schedule... It was an amazing trip, and I will remember it forever. Thank you for your patients and guidance!" - Gladys Sherman, USA - More... | |
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"Our tour was great, thanks to Alexandria's professionalism (and discretion) and Victor the driver's careful and helpful manner... Many thanks for your assistance in organising the tour - I shall certainly recommend you to Tripadvisor" - Jonathan Symonds, UK - More... |
| "I just received an e-mail from my clients, Roger and Ginny Reich. They had a marvelous time in St. Petersburg and were very happy with the tour and driver you arranged for them. Thank you for making this such a great experience!" - Deena Frosaker, USA - More... | |
| "Thanks for the great trip.... I was very apprehensive before I got there that it wouldn't work out but the guide was great. I had a great time. Thanks for putting it together!" - Guerry Glover, Johns Island, SC, USA | |
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"Thank you once again for the very professional caliber of your tours" - Marci Neiman, USA - More... |
| "Your planning was perfect and you delivered everything that you promised! Our tour guide (Natasha) was outstanding in every way and a pleasure to be with" - Doris & Merton Rubin, Highland Beach, FL, USA - More... | |
| "We had a fantastic tour from your company and it exceeded all expectations" - David Marx, USA - More... | |
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"The guide that you sent to meet us was absolutely wonderful and very knowledgeable about the entire city and the country as well" - Linda Holland, Global Travel International, USA - More... |
| "My husband and I want to not only thank you for the wonderful planned 3 day tour of St. Petersburg--but for sending Marina to be our guide through your beautiful city. We had a great time!!" - Suzanne Crone, Pikesville, MD, USA | |
| "I am a seasoned traveler and appreciate it when you receive the quality and experience your company provided" - The Finn Family, USA - More... | |
| "Thank you for organizing our tour to Moscow and our time in St. Petersburg" - Dayna Moneau Brown, Canada - More... | |
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"Everything was first rate!... Natasha and the driver were extremely helpful, enthusiastic and considerate" - Yi-Ming Chen, Sugar Land, TX, USA - More... |
| "We want to thank you for the good service!" - Beverly and Ted Canter, USA - More... | |
| "Our experience in St. Petersburg with your guide and driver was fantastic!" - Beverly Milkman, USA - More... | |
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"We would recommend your services anytime" - Tom Young, USA - More... |
| "We had a wonderful time in St. Petersburg!" - Eleanor Boultinghouse, Canada - More... | |
| "We all thoroughly enjoyed our 2 day visit to St. Petersburg!" - Aletta Vanderham, Select Travel, Chino, CA, USA - More... | |
| "Our trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg was such a good experience!" - Timothy & Jeanne Reisinger, Cincinati, OH, USA - More... | |
| "I consider your agency to be a HIDDEN GEM of the tourist business in Russia" - Bruce Waxman, USA - More... | |
| "The experience on our cruise stop in St. Petersburg was superb" - John Horsting, St. Petersburg, FL, USA - More... | |
| "Our tour guide Valentina was absolutely outstanding!" - Bob Rothman, USA - More... | |
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"Thank you so much for putting this package together for my wife and I... We talk about our cruise a lot and especially about our visit and tour of St. Petersburg" - Robert Gill, USA - More... |
| "The guide and the driver in St. Petersburg were just wonderful!" - Jack Potashnik, TX, USA - More... | |
| "We told all our friends on the ship about our day and many were sorry that they did not arrange to get a Visa on their own. I would recommend it to anyone going on such a cruise" - Joyce Zweig and Jack Halberstadt, Canada - More... | |
| "Thank you very much for arranging a most interesting 2 days in Saint Petersburg for us. I will not hesitate to recommend you to others if the situation were to arise." - Gerald Rothman, USA - More... | |
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"We had a wonderful day in St. Petersburg" - Elaine Herbst, USA - More... |
| "I just wanted to write to you and thank you for all the people and services that you provided for us!" - Steve Bareham, Liverpool, England - More... | |
| "We enjoyed our tours of St. Petersburg and Moscow" - Thom Baird, USA - More... | |
| "The ability to customize our tour before we left home, the driver was superb, the guide spoke excellent English and knew so much about Russian history and the art and architecture of St. Petersburg" - Susan Workman, USA - More... | |
| "We would like to express our gratitude for the excellent travel arrangements you put in place for us" - John YS Mair, Australia - More... | |
Prior Seasons |
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"[The tour] was even more incredible than I ever imagined, and everything went much more smoothly than I could have dreamed" - Victoria Kramb, Springboro, OH USA - More... |
| "Thank you again for such incredible memories!" - Teri Tobias, New York, NY USA - More... | |
| "Thank you and your staff for the wonderful private tours that you organized for us!" - John & Lina Vlavianos, Millersbille, MD USA - More... | |
| "Our tour guide was more than we could have expected!!" - Paul Van Bergen, USA - More... | |
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"Thank you for arranging a perfect trip!" - Judy & Art Getis, USA - More... |
| "We would recommend your company to anyone who needs a great guide in Russia!" - Bob & Ellen Silver, USA - More... | |
| "It is with great pleasure we would like to thank Victor and Marina for such a wonderful and complete tour in St. Petersburg!" - The Zervigon Family, Puerto Rico - More... | |
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"We loved St. Petersburg and enjoyed our visit!" - Mary Ann Lawrence, USA - More... |
| "[The tour] was simply WONDERFUL!" - Maurice (Mick) Hanson, USA - More... | |
| "We highly recommend this company!" - Sharyne Wolfe, USA - More... | |
| "We thank you for two wonderful days with Valentina and Sergei on our tour of St. Petersburg"- Richard and Katherine Smela, USA - More... | |
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"We very much enjoyed our tour of St. Petersburg!" - Howard Wolfmark, USA - More... |
| "Your guide was full of information and did a great job!" - Renay and Rod Gleicher, USA - More... | |
| "Our days in St. Petersburg were choreographed beautifully... thanks to you and your superb team!" - Cathy Kobel & Robert Altbaier, USA - More... | |
| "Dr. Hoffman gave [your guide] Marina very high marks! She was extremely kind, considerate, very knowledgeable and always wanted to please!" - Barbara Crane, Executive Travel Associates - More... | |
| "Your guides and cars are the best!" - Rowena Kelley, Hobe Sound, FL, USA - More... | |
| "This tour was a great value and we'd highly recommend your services to others" - Deb Rentfrow, the Netherlands - More... | |
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"We had a great trip, made all the more special by our guide and the arrangements made by your company!" - Kevin Hyland, USA - More... |
| "Derrick Coleman and I can't thank you enough for such a spectacular tour of your beautiful city" - Bruce Buckenmaier, England - More... | |
| "You do an outstanding service!" - Sidney Blatnikoff, Michigan, USA - More... | |
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"The guide we had was the best!" - Bruce Bronson, USA - More... |
| "Now we are back home after an exhilarating vacation through the Baltic states, I want to write to thank you for arranging our guided visit to St Petersburg. Irina and Sergei, our guide and driver, were delightful people, and gave us a most rewarding, interesting and enjoyable visit to your beautiful city. My family join me in thanking them and you" - Fred Kornhauser, London, England | |
| "Just a note to tell you how much our group enjoyed our two days in St. Petersburg. Sasha (Alexandra) was a most excellent tour guide, very knowledgeable and efficient. We also thoroughly enjoyed the two lunch places, especially day two with the Russian music...a special treat. I have recommended your services to our office and hope to book future groups with you. Only next time I will be sure to book the evening entertainment as well, as the ships ballet was only a very good student group, not a professional troupe, and the folklorico, though enjoyable, was not I am sure of the caliber you offered." - Bette Frankel/ Ladera travel - IATA NO. 05730023 | |
| "Just a quick line to let you know our tour was excellent. Everything went well. Our guide Marina, and our driver Edward were excellent. She took us to a nice place to eat during the tour, and it was a welcomed break... We were very satisfied. Thank you again, and perhaps we will visit again" - Kenneth C. Emery, Royal Oak, Michigan, USA | |
| "Just a quick note to let you know how much we enjoyed our guided tour of St. Petersburg. All of your arrangements were excellent! We were quite impressed by our Guide, Mira, she was most knowledgeable and accommodating to our desires. The driver was excellent and the van was very nice. We would be happy to recommend your services" - Kenneth Coffae, USA | |
| "Just to let you know that we are back after our wonderful holiday on-board Constellation. I also need you to know how happy we were with Julie in Moscow and Valentina in St. Petersburg who are wonderful. They were both informative and great to be with. I've passed your details onto my travel agent Karen and told her to use you. Thanks once again and please convey my best wishes to Julie and Valentina" - Ian Fuller, Morninghill, Johannesburg, South Africa | |
| "We just wanted to send you a short note to say how happy we were with the tour you provided us. Irena and Alexis made our day in St. Petersburg a most enjoyable and memorable experience" - Peter and Karen Baker, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada | |
| "Julia and Alexis were both very professional, personable and pleasures to be with. Julia has an enormous store of information and is a real asset to your organization" - Roger and Enid Briton, Woodbury, New York, USA - More... | |
| "Our trip to St. Petersburg was greatly enhanced by [Alexandra's] personality and knowledge of the city. We couldn't possibly have enjoyed it more!" - Paul and Tina Bower - More... | |
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Official capital of Russia |
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Optima Ltd., 52 Fifth Line, Suite 13, The Basil Island, St. Petersburg, Russia 199004
Russian Federal Registry MBT 000585 | ASTA Member Number 900149383
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