Visiting the Palaces Individually.

Санкт-Петербург(St-Petersburg) - Детское Село (Detskoe Selo=Tsarskoe Selo)


Санкт-Петербург(St-Petersburg) - Новый Петергоф(Novyj Petergof=Peterhof)

My boss is visiting Russia in a few months and he wants to go to Tsarskoye Selo.  I'm trying to talk him into going to Pavlovsk as well.  Could anyone tell me how far a drive it is from one to the other?  Thanks!

Not far at all.  Driving seemed pretty easy, about 20-30 minutes from one to the other. There are most likely bus tours to both places. Pavlosk is well worth the little bit of extra time, believe me!
 Gatchina is further afield and some may find it dissapointing.

Thanks Robert!  It's always hard to choos a favorite, but my boss really wants to see the Catherine Palace and I feel like Pavlovsk would be a really nice contrast.  No way he'd go for Gatchina.  It might be too depressing for some, but I'd love to see it.

The Catherine Palace is definitely worth it, so is Pavlosk [I prefer the latter]. Gatchina is not all that cheerful and has been woefully neglected, but restoration is ongoing and I enjoyed it. The village itself is lovely. Not as much of "tourist town" as Tsarskoye Tselo.
 Another good visit is Peterhoff, but besides the magnificent palace and it's parks, the recently restored Island pavilions are worth the little extra effort. And, a few miles down the road, another neglected treasure- Oranienbaum. Ignored by most tourists but the park is very popular with Russians.
 I hope your boss has a personal guide and driver, not a tour bus thing.
 I am now planning personal tour for a friend of mine. I advised against going in the summer, the crowds are unbearable as well as the mosquitos, but that is the only time he has. To avoid as much of both as possible, I am suggesting the above places to visit as well as the "must sees".

I wish we could get some kind of a group from the board to make a visit to Alexander Palace.  I still have not been, but would love to sometime.  I have to admit, not speaking the language has me a little afraid; I think I'd have to do some planned group tour thing, and then I'd risk being rushed through, missing the things I would want to linger on, etc.  So, my solution has been staying put and reading the AP Board. 

Robert, I agree that the summer may be hot, full of mosquitoes and crowded!!
 
It is worth it to note that it is best to try to see the Catherine Palace early in the morning because the line for individual entry is long. And sometimes closed - the tour groups that get in from the back entrance definitely have priority.
 
Last I heard - Oranienbaum was closed for restoration so it may be a good idea to check before going!

Pavlovsk is 6 kms. south of the town of TS - one can drive or be driven in a car, take a mini bus or the train or walk!!

I love the town of TS and have lived there for 6 weeks over 2 visits - it needed that much time to appreciate its history.

But I think that I would recommend Pavlovsk (my 2nd love) and Peterhof for shorter visits/tours.

My first vist was in the winter and  the Catherine Palace was pure magic! Subsequent visits were in spring and autumn. I loved each vist and plan on returning.  But I agree, Pavolosk is simply beautiful.  I knew Oranieanbaum was undergoing restoration but  did not know it m,ay be closed altogether. The  Asian  rooms were open and in decent order when I was last there, and the music pavillion was having a chamber music concert. The deer park is charming.

I would like to see this palaces one day.. But that should wait until I become old enough to go by myself as I'm the only one in my family that will go there.

I presume I am posting this is the right section. If not, would the administrators please move it.

I am thinking of including it on my itinerary from St Petersburg this summer.

Has anyone been there before and can offer some advice?
Alan

Paul Gilbert is offering four books on the Imperial residences and palaces:

http://www.angelfire.com/pa/ImperialRussian/blog/index.blog/1440196/romanov-palaces-and-residences/

Paul Gilbert is offering four books on the Imperial residences and palaces:

http://www.angelfire.com/pa/ImperialRussian/blog/index.blog/1440196/romanov-palaces-and-residences/

I own the Palaces Destroyed book.  A great addition to one's library.  I saw the Tsarskoye Selo in Old Photos book at Dom Knigi.  It was about $15USD in Russia.  Not worth the $50CAD that it's going for on the site IMHO.