Visa-Free Cruise to St. Petersburg
by Victoria Brooke Markus
Let's face it; no one enjoys the logistical barriers that bog down vacations; who really wants to spend time waiting in line for a visa? With the increasingly popular visa-free cruises from Five Stars of Scandinavia Inc., that inconvenience can be easily avoided. Traveling between the exciting cities of Helsinki and St. Petersburg, Five Stars' packages provide you with more time to explore vibrant new cultures and less time dealing with mundane travel protocol.
The distance between Finland and Russia is practically a tease – geographically, so close, yet so far away diplomatically. But since May 2009, international tourists have been able to visit Russia visa-free for up to 72 hours when they enter through designated ports, one of which is St. Petersburg. Established in 1989, the U.S. tour operator Five Stars of Scandinavia, offers comprehensive visa-free packages that make the most of the 72 hour window with exclusive activities and engaging activities.
One package, the Three Baltic Capitals Cruise, departs from Helsinki and includes an evening excursion to medieval Tallinn in Estonia. Upon arriving in St. Petersburg, you have a full 72-hour window to explore the city of the Czars. The former Imperial capital of Russia encompasses a wealth of sights, and unique expeditions, including the guided three-hour Panoramic city bus tour, highlights the city's cultural treasures. All the overnight accommodations are with the Finnish Sokos Hotels, and the St. Petersburg location is just across the river from the most famous landmarks, including the Hermitage Museum, St. Isaac's Cathedral, and The Admiralty.
Available from February to late December, these cruise packages vary from one night/two full days in St. Petersburg to two nights/three full days. They include breakfast buffet, onboard dinners, options for private car tours and guides and great amenities on the finely refurbished ships. And you can't beat the visa-free perk. So skip the application; it's more fun to relax on a cruise than wait in a line.
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