Visiting in February we didn't really need the skip-the-line part of this tour as there were no queues, but we did get the benefit of a private tour, as there were just two of us on the tour and the expertise and knowledge of our tour guide. We'd met our guide, Olga, the previous day during our visit to the Hermitage and were looking forward to the tour of Catherine's Palace with her. The Palace is beautiful, breath-taking and stunning. Again Olga's love and passion for art came across during the tour. Olga also pointed out buildings of interest on our journeys, both too and from the Palace. The journey takes about 40 minutes by car, longer by public transport. I booked a transfer as I didn't feel confident in travelling by public transport. After travelling around the centre of St. Petersburg by bus I would consider making my own way there if I were to visit again.

We met Alla our guide at the hotel and she was very pleasant. The drive out to the Palace felt very short as Alla provided us with lots of Russian history related to the various landmarks. The tour of the palace was amazing - Alla was so knowledgeable and could answer all of our questions. Her english language skills are exceptional and we were able to develop an easy rapport with her. The walk in the grounds was spectacular and Alla was most accommodating, answering all our questions about Russian life and culture. At the end of the tour we were so impressed that we requested if she could take us on another tour the next day - she organised this without hassle and made sure we had her for the tour. My mother was on the tour and had an interest in Russian poetry - Alla graciously went out of her way to send my mother translated versions of Pushkin's poems. You wont find a better guide - Thank you Alla you were a highlight of the trip.