Dem bones. View the nearly intact Berezovka mammoth, as well dinosaur and other skeletons at the Zoological Museum. Russian history revisited. Our faculty leader, Professor Norman Naimark, '66, MA '68, PhD '72, an expert in Eastern European studies, will illuminate the history of Russia for kids and adults alike. Toeshoes, nesting dolls and sleigh rides. Decorate a Russian nesting doll to take home at the shop of a craftsman, go dashing through the snow on a traditional sleigh ride and enjoy a performance of The Nutcracker at the famous Mariinsky Theater.

from $7,295 (adults); $6,895 (kids; ages 6-18)

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26 & 27
U.S. / St. Petersburg, Russia
Depart the U.S. on flights bound for St. Petersburg. Arrive on Sunday and transfer to our hotel, located in the historic center of St. Petersburg and just minutes from the city’s main attractions. Spend the afternoon at leisure before meeting fellow travelers at our welcome dinner. ANGLETERRE HOTEL (D)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 28
St. Petersburg
After breakfast at our hotel, begin our exploration of St. Petersburg. December in St. Petersburg is glorious—New Year’s trees glisten all over town, the ballet and opera seasons are in full swing, and men and women crowd the theaters and restaurants, gathering by the fireside and making the most of the waning of the old year and the promise of the new. Today visit the Fortress of Peter and Paul, one of the first structures built in St. Petersburg, and the St. Petersburg Doll Museum to glimpse into the culture of Russian childhood. This afternoon take part in a dollmaking class and visit St. Isaac’s Cathedral where we can climb 262 steps for a view of the city. ANGLETERRE HOTELL (B,L,D)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29
St. Petersburg
On Nevsky Prospekt, often called the backbone of St. Petersburg, stroll by the Gostiny Dvor department store, the Eliseyev food emporium and the Kazansky Cathedral. Tour the world-class Hermitage Museum, which houses one of the largest museum collections in the world. Enjoy lunch independently, then return to the Hermitage to view its Gold Room, which contains works from the 7th to the 1st centuries B.C.E. Enjoy a performance of The Nutcracker this evening at the Mariinsky Theater. ANGLETERRE HOTEL (B,D)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30
St. Petersburg
After breakfast, visit the Zoological Museum where more than 500,000 species are displayed, including dinosaur and mammoth skeletons, such as the nearly intact Berezovka mammoth, recovered in Siberia in 1901. Visit the Kunstkamera (or Chamber of Curiosities) before returning to our hotel for some free time. End the day at the St. Petersburg Circus, one of the oldest circuses in the world. ANGLETERRE HOTEL (B,L,D)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31
St. Petersburg
This morning, tour Yusupov Palace, whose ordinary exterior hides an opulent interior complete with a marble staircase, crystal chandeliers, gilded candelabras and magnificently painted ceilings. This afternoon relax or explore independently before our New Year’s Eve festivities. Adults opting to attend the Tsar’s Ball (at additional expense) depart for the Catherine Palace this evening, while those not going to the Ball may revel at a special New Year’s Eve celebration at a local restaurant that includes dinner and entertainment. ANGLETERRE HOTEL (B,L,D)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 1
St. Petersburg
Drive to Shuvalovka Village after breakfast to experience life as it was in centuries past. Visit a craftsman’s shop to learn how to decorate nesting dolls and clay pots. Continue to Peterhof and tour Peter the Great’s massive Grand Palace.
ANGLETERRE HOTEL (B,L,D)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2
St. Petersburg / Pushkin
Spend an adventure-filled day in the town of Pushkin. Visit the Catherine Palace and learn about the history of the restored Amber Room, a highlight of the palace. Before lunch, bundle up and go dashing through the snow on a traditional horse-drawn sleigh. This afternoon tour Alexander Palace, built by Catherine the Great. Celebrate our journey tonight at a farewell reception and dinner at a Russian dacha outside the city. ANGLETERRE HOTEL (B,L,D)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 3
St. Petersburg / U.S.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for independent flights back to the U.S. (B)

WHAT TO EXPECT
Our family adventures are built from the ground up, keeping families traveling with children in mind.  That means that everything from the timing to the activities and the special events are selected to enhance the overall experience for your entire family. You will spend most of your time on tours together as a family. On occasion the kids will go off adventuring with their counselors while grownups enjoy adults-only activities such as extended museum tours and elegant dinners. Parents and grandparents enjoy lectures by renowned Stanford faculty and scholars while kids meet in their Young Explorer groups. Young Explorers Leaders—one for every 10 kids—come prepared with games, activities and lots of energy to keep kids engaged and entertained.

Schedules sometimes include long days with activities scheduled throughout the day (and sometimes into the evenings). Daily programs involve walking three to five miles from bus drop-off points through the city center, in museums and on city tours, as well as extended periods of standing in museums and on tours. Participants may encounter uneven terrain, including hills and some dirt and cobblestoned paths, and depending on the weather, ice and snow may be encountered. Participants must be in active good health and physically fit.

Winter in St. Petersburg is magical, but it can be quite chilly and cold; temperatures on this program range from the mid 30s (°F) to the upper 20s during the day to the low 20s and into the teens in the evenings.

ABOUT ST. PETERSBURG IN THE WINTER
Many feel that the best time of year to visit St. Petersburg is in winter. It is cold and days are short, but it is also wonderfully atmospheric. The city rarely looks more beautiful than when the sun rises on streets and buildings covered with fresh snow. The cultural life of the city is going at a full pace, with premiers and parties celebrating the arts. One can expect the celebrations to be family-oriented, especially during the holidays when street fill up with people in the evenings and fireworks and decorations contribute to the festive atmosphere.

SIZE
40 participants (minimum age: 6)

COST*
$7,295 per adult, double or triple occupancy
$6,895 per child, double or triple occupancy
$8,295 per person, single occupancy

*Association nonmembers add $200 per person.

INCLUDED

• 7 nights of deluxe hotel accommodations
• 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 7 dinners
• Bottled or potable water on excursions
• Welcome and farewell receptions
• Gratuities to porters, waiters, guides and drivers for all group activities
• All tours and excursions as described the trip itinerary
• Group airport transfers on arrival and departure days (12/27 and 1/3)
• Minimal medical, accident and evacuation insurance
• Educational programs for adults with lecture series and Young Explorer program for kids
• Pre-departure materials, including recommended reading list, selected books, map and travel information
• Services of our professional tour managers to assist you throughout the trip

NOT INCLUDED

• International and U.S. domestic airfare
• Passport and visa fees
• Immunization costs
• Meals and beverages other than those specified as included in the itinerary
• Independent and private transfers
• Trip-cancellation/interruption and baggage insurance
• Excess-baggage charges
• Personal items such as email, telephone and fax calls, laundry and gratuities for nongroup activities

AIR ARRANGEMENTS
International and U.S. domestic airfare is not included in the program cost. Round-trip, economy-class airfare on United from San Francisco to St. Petersburg is approximately $1,400 as of October 2014 and is subject to change without notice.

Eligibility 
We encourage membership in the Alumni Association as the program cost for nonmembers is $300 more than the members' price. Parents and their children under 21 may travel on one membership. To purchase a membership, call (650) 725-0692 or click here for more information.

Deposits, Payments and Cancellations
A $1,000 deposit is required to hold space. Deposits and any payments are refundable, less a $500-per-person cancellation fee, until 120 days prior to departure. After that date, refunds can be made only if the program is sold out and your place(s) can be resold, in which case a $1,000-per-person cancellation fee will apply.

Insurance 
Stanford Travel/Study provides all travelers who are U.S. or Canadian citizens with minimal medical, accident and evacuation coverage under our group-travel insurance policy. Our group policy is intended to provide minimal levels of protection while you are traveling on this program. You may choose to subscribe to optional trip-cancellation and baggage insurance. A brochure offering such insurance will be provided to U.S. residents with their welcome materials. The product offered in this brochure includes special benefits if you purchase your policy within a specified window: 14 to 21 days of the date listed on the welcome letter, depending on your destination and state of residence.

Responsibility 
The Stanford Alumni Association, Stanford University and our operators act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation and ship arrangements and exercise every care possible in doing so. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity in connection with the service of any automobile, motorcoach, launch or any other conveyance used in carrying out this program or for the acts or defaults of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the program. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, force majeure or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger as tour rates provide arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to make such alterations to this published itinerary as may be deemed necessary. The right is reserved to cancel any program prior to departure in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the program. No refund will be made for an unused portion of any tour unless arrangements are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. Baggage is carried at the owner's risk entirely. It is understood that the ship's ticket, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and the cruise company. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance. Neither the Alumni Association, Stanford University nor our operators accept liability for any carrier's cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable ticket in connection with the tour. Program price is based on rates in effect at the time the brochure is printed and is subject to change without notice to reflect fluctuations in exchange rates, tariffs or fuel charges. As a condition of participation, all confirmed participants are required to sign a Release of Liability. 

California Seller of Travel Program Registration #2048 523-50