* Excursion to the country hunting residence of the imperial family. Gatchina is an amazingly picturesque place located 42 km from St. Petersburg. Over the years since its foundation (since the beginning of the XVIII century), the owners have changed, but in 1765 an important event took place - Catherine II presented this manor to her favorite Count Grigory Orlov. The construction of the count's country summer residence, a hunting palace in the spirit of a medieval castle, begins under the direction of architect A. Rinaldi. Under Paul I, the new owner, the Orlov Hunting Palace was transformed into a grand ducal residence, and later into an imperial summer palace surrounded by a magnificent landscape park with lakes. Gatchina was a favorite vacation spot for the subsequent emperors of the Romanov dynasty: Nicholas I, Alexander II and Alexander III. Lavish celebrations and receptions, family and cozy evenings, and military parades were held here. Field royal hunts were organized in the vicinity – one of the favorite pastimes of many Romanovs. Gatchina Palace is distinguished from other residences by an underground passage under the palace leading to the Echo grotto near Silver Lake. A huge park located next to the palace is also of interest, where you can see various pavilions, romantic bridges, columns, small islands and the surface of lakes. The swans that live here all year round give the park a special charm. In addition, in a remote part of the park on the shore of the lake stands a unique Priory Palace, built by decree of Paul I for the Knights of the Order of Malta. This building, similar to a medieval Catholic monastery, was built using an unusual technique of earthwork construction. Winter program: 6 hours - The road to Gatchina - Gatchina Palace - Priory Palace Summer program: 8 hours - The road to Gatchina - Gatchina Palace - Priory Palace - Park tour