The Glories of the Hermitage by World Leaders Travel

The Glories of the Hermitag St. Petersburg, Russia An Exclusive Invitation November 6–14, 2009

y Enjoy private, Hermitage expert-led visits to the famed Hermitage Museum, and the opportunity to travel with a small, like-minded group of travelers.

y Attend opera or ballet at the famed Mariinsky Theatre or a symphony performed by the St. Petersburg Philharmonia.

y Gain privileged access to the Hermitage’s state-of-the-art storage facility.

y Dine at some of St. Petersburg’s finest restaurants and enjoy time at leisure to explore the city.

y Discover the Catherine Palace, the Alexander Nevsky Monastery, and Nicholas, Smolny and St. Isaac’s Cathedrals. y Experience the splendor of St. Petersburg when crowds are few and the cultural season is in full swing.

y Learn about the history of the collections with renowned Hermitage curators. y Spend seven relaxing nights at the luxurious Kempinski Hotel Moika 22, directly across from the Hermitage.

Defined by special access and this is a rare and exclusive opp world’s greatest museums.

Itinerary

Hermitage Scholars Art historian Tatyana Pasynkova

U.S. / ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA Days 1 & 2, Friday & Saturday Overnight flight • Check in to the hotel • Evening at leisure

leads a group of Hermitage experts

selected for our exclusive Smithsonian Journeys privileged access tours. Ms. Pasynkova has dedicated much of her

ST. PETERSBURG Day 3, Sunday Time for independent exploration • Afternoon reception and introductory lecture • Hermitage’s hidden palace of Peter the Great • Dinner at restaurant Bellevue, with spectacular views of the Hermitage (B,D)

life to the Hermitage and her knowledge of and passion for the museum are unrivaled. She has hosted heads of state, royalty, academics, and other distinguished guests from around the world. Pasynkova will be joined

Day 4, Monday Exclusive access to the Hermitage, which is closed to the public on Mondays • Morning visit examining some of the museum’s most exquisite treasures • Lunch in the staff café, typically off limits to visitors • Return to the galleries this afternoon • Brief evening tour of St. Petersburg en route to dinner at restaurant Restoran (B,L,D)

by additional Hermitage curators

Valentina Vakhmenina and Elena Etsina.

Guides

Natasha Sokolova and her colleagues Lena Ferizba and Elena Shesterina will provide guidance for

Day 5, Tuesday Morning visit to the Hermitage galleries including the Hidden Treasures exhibition • Lunch and tea with local residents in a communal apartment • Afternoon tour of Alexander Nevsky Monastery, and Nicholas, Smolny, and St. Isaac’s Cathedrals • Dinner at restaurant Backstage, located next to the Mariinsky Theater (B,L,D)

your overall St. Petersburg experience. Graduates with the highest honors from St. Petersburg University, these highly qualified guides will be with you from the moment you arrive in Russia until the moment you depart, ensuring your comfort as well as providing Petersburg and life in Russia today.

insight and first-hand knowledge of St.

Day 6, Wednesday Morning exploration of Treasury I, one of the highlights of the museum • Lunch at a popular Russian restaurant • Afternoon private access to the Peter and Paul Fortress, closed to the public today • Dinner at the Polovtsev Mansion (B,L,D)

d private tours by Hermitage experts, portunity to discover one of the

Terms & Conditions

Day 7, Thursday Private visit to the Hermitage’s state-of-the-art storage facility • Lunch in the staff café • Afternoon at leisure • Farewell dinner at the Old Customs House, regarded as the best restaurant in St. Petersburg (B,L,D) Day 8, Friday Morning excursion to the Catherine Palace • Afternoon and evening at leisure (B) ST. PETERSBURG / RETURN TO U.S. Day 9, Saturday Morning at leisure • Overnight flight (B)

A deposit of $1,000 per person (payable to High Country Passage) is required to confirm all reservations. Please mail the check to High Country Passage, 500 Third Street, Suite 455, San Francisco, CA 94107. Final payment deadline is due 120 days prior to departure. Reservations and Payments

Deposits are fully refundable if a written notice of cancellation is received by High Country Passage within 30 days of receipt of deposit; after that, they are 100% non-refundable. Cancellations after final payment deadline: 100% penalty. All cancellations must be made in writing. Cancellations and Refunds

Itinerary, Program, and Cost Modifications

The itinerary, as contained in this brochure, is subject to modifications and change by High Country Passage. Every effort will be made to carry out this program as planned, but alterations may still occur after the final itinerary is sent. Costs, although given in good faith and based on information available upon publication of the brochure, are also subject to change and revision.

Deluxe accommodations including seven nights at the Kempinski Hotel Moika 22 (based on double occupancy) • All meals, including welcome and farewell dinners, as noted in the itinerary • Pre-tour information • Tickets to cultural performance in St. Petersburg • Transfers for those participating in or meeting group flights • Services of a professional tour manager and local guides throughout • All gratuities and entrance fees • Bottled water during excursions • Camera fees What Is Included

Round-trip airfare between the U.S. and St. Petersburg is not included in the program rates. We are happy to assist you with your air travel arrangements. AIRFARE

Program Rates

$9,995 per person, double occupancy $2,090 single supplement

cancellation/interruption insurance is highly recommended and should be considered for your financial protection. Another important consideration is medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation coverage. A comprehensive package will be made available to you upon receipt of your initial deposit. Early purchase will provide coverage of pre-existing medical conditions. All participants should be in good health and capable of walking over rough terrain. By forwarding the deposit for passage, the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any physical or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other passengers. Health

High Country Passage (HCP) acts only as an agent for the suppliers and contractors providing transportation and/or all other travel-related services and assume no responsibility howsoever caused for personal injury, or for personal or property loss or damage, in connection with any service. Additionally, responsibility is not accepted for losses or expenses due to sickness, weather, strikes, terrorism, wars, or other such causes. HCP reserves the right to make changes to the published itinerary whenever, in its judgment, conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of the tour. Occasionally, unforeseen changes in transportation schedules or other pressing matters necessitate a change in the land portion of the tour or cause a tour to be extended beyond its scheduled completion; any extra costs incurred in such cases are the responsibility of the passenger. HCP reserves the right at its discretion to alter, change, omit, and/or feature any part of the itinerary or any reservation, conveyance, or routing at any time and without notice and for any reason whatsoever without allowance of refund. HCP also reserves the right to decline or accept any person as a member of the tour, or to require any person to withdraw from the tour at any time, when such action is determined by its representative to be in the best interests of the health, safety, and general welfare of the tour group or the individual participant. HCP reserves the right to withdraw without penalty any tour announced. Personal effects are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times. Responsibility

Insurance Trip

You may register by calling your professional travel advisor or HCP at (800) 395-3288. Please review the terms and conditions provided. HOW TO REGISTER

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Cover: Winter Palace, the Hermitage Back top to bottom: Saint Isaac’s Cathedral; Gold Treasury Comb; Winter Palace Square; Peter Paul Rubens’ The Union of Earth and Water; Armorial Hall of the Hermitage Inside: Raphael Loggias, Hermitage; Two-headed eagle at Hermitage entrance

WHITE

100% K For more information, please contact your professional travel advisor or HCP at (800) 395-3288 or visit www.hcptravel.com

Space on this special program is limited; please call soon to reserve your preferred dates.