An attractive social programme is organised before, during, and after the conference for participants and accompanying persons to experience the attractions of the city and surrounding areas.

All tours will take place only in case of not less than 15 participants. You are welcome to book the tour until June 01, 2008 through On-line registration system.
Cancellation should be made in written form only and forwarded to the Congress Service Agency Monomax  PCO by e-mail: osc2008@onlinereg.ru (when writing an email, please inform us of your login number that you got after the registration) or by fax +7 (812) 335 20 39.
For cancellations received before June 15, 2008 the sum of payment will be refunded completely (minus banking costs).  All refunds will be proceeded after the Conference.

Buses departure: from the Conference Venue
Buses arrival: to the Conference Venue.

Date	Tour	Duration	Departure	Price per person
4.07.08	City tour with boat trip along rivers of Saint Petersburg and free time for shopping	5 hours	12.00 from the Conference Venue	1000
5.07.08	The Palaces of Saint-Petersburg	4 hours	10.00 from the Conference Venue	1800
6.07.08	The Russian Pearl of Arctic Science	4 hours	10.00 from the Conference Venue	1000
6.07.08	Night city tour	2 hours	24.00 from the Conference Venue	700
7.07.08	The Great Cathedrals of Saint-Petersburg	3,5 hours	10.00 from the Conference Venue	1400
8.07.08	City tour and Peter and Paul Fortress	3,5 hours	14.30 from the Conference Venue	1000
9.07.08	Excursion to the Hermitage Museum	5 hours	10.00 from the Conference Venue	1000
10.07.08	Whole-day tour to Peterhof with lunch	8,5 hours	09.30 from the Conference Venue	3500
11.07.08	The Russian Pearl of Arctic Science	4 hours	10.00 from the Conference Venue	1000
12.07.08	The Great Cathedrals of Saint-Petersburg	3,5 hours	10.00 from the Conference Venue	1400
12.07.08	The Palaces of Saint-Petersburg	4 hours	14.00 from the Conference Venue	1800

Price includes: Transport; English-speaking guide; Entrance fee to the museums.

ALL PRICES ARE QUANTED IN RUSSIAN RUBLES

City Tour	Back to top

During this sightseeing tour participants will get acquainted to the past and present of the history and culture of St Petersburg and see its main architectural ensembles and monuments.A city tour usually starts with a panoramic view of the center of St-Petersburg from the place called the Strelka (Spit). Here the Neva-river is 200 meters wide and splits into two broad streams. You'll see the magnificent facade of the Winter Palace. The Palace Bridge separates the Winter Palace from the Admiralty built in the classic style. On the left bank of the Neva-river there is the Peter and Paul Fortress with the sparkling gilded spire of cathedral where all Russian emperors were buried. During the tour you will see the former Stock Exchange buildings, the Academy of Science, the State University, Menshikov Palace and the Academy of Arts, the   monument to Peter the Great called Bronze Horseman and the St-Isaac's Cathedral, the main street of Saint-Petersburg Nevsky Prospect full of history and modern life. You'll see the Mikhailovsky Garden and the Russian State Museum, the Michael’s Castle, enjoy the view of the Field of Mars and the beautiful Church of the Savior-on-the-Blood, the Palace Square with the Winter palace, building of the General Staff and Alexander Column. You will have opportunity to make photos on the stops.

Saint-Petersburg is the city of rivers and canals. Someone calls Saint-Petersburg a North Venice because of its numerous waterways. A boat cruise along the channels and waterways will present you the unique view of the city. You will realize that the city looks completely different when viewed from the water.

The St. Peter and Paul Fortress was founded on 27 May 1703 to defend St.Petersburg against enemy raids. From the middle of the 18th century it contained Russian political prison. In addition to viewing the ancient fortifications on the grounds of the fortress, one can visit Peter and Paul cathedral, designed by D.Trezzini, which is the city’s tallest building (the height of the spire is 121.8 meter); the house of the "grandfather of the Russian navy", where exact copy of Peter I’s little boat is kept and the Mint. Located within the St. Peter and Paul Cathedral is the burial vault of Peter the Great and other Russian tsars.

Palaces of Saint-Petersburg	Back to top

Yusupovskiy Palace - a unique architectural ensemble of the XVIII-XIX centuries, historical and cultural monument (architect J.-B. Vallen-Delamot). During 1830-1917, it was owned by 5 generations of a noble family of princes Yusupovs. The palace has retained official apartments, the halls of art gallery, a private theatre, and luxurious living apartments of the Yusupovs family, now open to the public. The palace got into national history as a place where Grigoriy Rasputin was assasinated. The tragedy happened in private apartments of young Prince Felix Yusupov on the night of December 17, 1916. Now these rooms are arranged as a historical and documental exhibition. Since 1925, Yusupovskiy Palace hosted the Palace for Culture of Educators, which in 1990s was reformed into a historical and cultural center comprising in its activity the museum, theatrical, concert, and scientific and educational functions.

The Grand Duke Vladimir's Palace has become one of the architectual germs of St.Petersburg since it was built in the XIX th century by the Russian architect A.Rezanov, for the son of tsar Alexander II. Located in the heart of St.Petersburg, in the neighbourhood of the Hermitage, the residence of the Russian tsars, the Palace represents a perfect example of the Florentine Palazzo style. Here in the unique atmosphere of the Grand Duke Vladimir's Palace, among the exquisite interiors, which have never been restored or redecorated and yet preserved their magnificence and splendor, you can breath History.

The palace of Prince Alexander Menshikov, first governor - general of St Petersburg, was founded on Vasilevsky Island in 1710. It is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the city, and once combined both residential and administrative functions. The unique appearance of the building and its courtyard took shape over the course of construction, which lasted many years and involved European architects and artists: Domenico Trezzini, Carlo Bartolommeo Rastrelli and others. The palace combines both traditionally Russian and new, imported, methods and forms, incorporating all the latest achievements in construction and art of the era. The interior decoration used marble and painting to imitate marble, monumental decorative painting and moulding, antique and contemporary Italian sculpture, as well as Dutch cobalt painted tiles, Russian stove tiles, painted and stamped leather, textiles and woollen tapestries.

The Russian Pearl of Arctic Science	Back to top

The Russian State Museum of Arctic and Antarctic The building of the museum was created by the architect A.Melnikov in 1838. In November 1930 the museum was founded by the order of the Soviet Government as a Department of the Arctic Research Institute called the Arctic Museum, based on exhibits and material, Polar Exhibitions, which were held in Leningrad, Moscow, Arkhangelsk during 1923. In February 1998 according to a decree of the Government of Russian Federation the museum became The Russian State Museum of Arctic and Antarctic. The Russian State Museum of Arctic and Antarctic is the only museum of its kind in Russia. It is one of the largest ones in the World devoted to the discovery and history of exploration, natural environment, and the economy and culture of the polar regions of the planet. It is the only one in the World having both Arctic and Antarctic expositions. Nowadays the museum collection contains near 75,000 exhibits of which many are unique and date back to the XVI century. The museum displays are divided into four categories:Arctic environment, the discovery and history of exploration of the Northern Sea Route, economy and culture of the Northern regions, Antarctica.

Ice-breaker "Krassin" The ice-breaker made according to the drawings of vice-admiral S.O.Makarov was constructed in Britain by «Armstrong and Witworth» company in 1916 under the order of Russian Maritime Ministry. The «Svyatogor» - that was the former name of the «Krassin» - completely met to her heroic mighty name. Contemporaries were amazed by her technical perfection. Three-deck icebreaker had 10 000 tons displacement. It was 99,8 meters long and 21,6 meters wide. Total capacity of steam machines was more than 10 000 horse-powers. The ship developed speed up to 15 bends and overcame ice reaching 4-5 meters thick. Due to her unique characteristics the «Krassin» served in the Arctic fleet more than half a century, up to the beginning of 50-es remaining the most powerful icebreaker in the world.

Night city tour	Back to top

St.Petersburg has more bridges than any other city in the world. There are over 300 bridges in the central part of the city and over 500 on the whole territory of the city. St. Petersburg bridges across the Neva are drawn every night for the period of navigation for the ships to pass up and down the city's waterways. Of course, the breathtaking view of drawing bridges is particularly impressive within the period of White nights (May-July) when the light evening dusk merges with morning and there is an overwhelming feeling of magic all around the city.Even if you are lacking romanticism at all, you will be charmed by a stunning view - the city's marvelous architecture complemented by the peaceful smoothness of water and exquisite beauty of all these bridges. That's why there are always many spectators on the Neva Embankment in the White Nights time. The guided bus excursion gives an opportunity to see the raising of the brightest drawbridges and to learn fascinating stories about them.

The Cathedrals of Saint-Petersburg	Back to top

Built from 1818-1858, St. Isaac’ Cathedral is the largest Orthodox church is St. Petersburg. The gilded cupola of the Cathedral, which dominates the skyline of the city, stands 101.5 meters in the air making it the fifth highest cathedral in Europe. The collonade offers visitors the option of climbing the 300 stairs to the observation deck to see the breathtaking view of the city. The facades of the building are decorated with 112 monolithic columns made from Karelian granite. The outside of the building is covered in beautiful sculptures inculding 24 monumental bronze angels. Today, in addition to being open to the public as a museum, the cathedral continues to offer festive services.

The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, was erected in memory of Tsar Alexander II. On March 1, 1881, the Tsar was assasinated by a terrorist (I. Grinevitskij) on the exact spot of the church’s current location. The church was designed by Alfred Parland and was built from 1883-1907 with money donated by the royal family as well as private donors. Both the inside and outside of the building are decorated with ornate mosaics designed by a group of prominent Russian artists. During the 1930s the church was closed due to the destruction taking place nationwide as the Bolsheviks stormed and ruined many churches. The Cathedral of the Resurrection was reopened in August of 1997 after almost 3 decades of careful restoration. Today the Cathedral is fully restored and remains open to visitors.

The Kazan Cathedral named after the supposedly miraculous Kazan icon. It is the main Cathedral of St. Petersburg, one of the largest cathedrals of Russia and the most magnificent temples of St. Petersburg (architect A. Voronihin). The main facade of the Cathedral is overlooking the Nevsku prospect. In the cathedral are resting the remains of field-marshal M. Kutuzov, the great Russian general.

Excursion to the Hermitage museum	Back to top

Located in the heart of Saint Petersburg the Hermitage occupies five historic buildings, which are the architecture monuments, including the Winter Palace, former residence of the Russian Tsars. The State Hermitage is one of the oldest and largest museums in the world. State Hermitage (Saint Petersburg) is famous for its numerous collections, which encompass world culture from prehistoric times to the present day. In 240 years of its existence the museum accumulated a collection of almost three million exhibits, including significant art collections of Ancient East, Ancient Greece and Rome, Islamic arts, Italian Renaissance, XIX—XX centuries paintings, etc.

The Hermitage is also home for the art pieces from the Saint Petersburg imperial palaces, collections of Russian Emperors dating to XVIII—XIX centuries, as well as numerous art pieces created on the orders of the Tsars by famous artists of Europe. The Italian collection of the Hermitage includes masterpieces by Giorgione, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian. A vast collection of French art includes pieces by such artists as Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Picasso and Matisse. The Hermitage Arsenal collection represents many precious items of Russian, Western European and Oriental arms and armour from the early Middle Ages to the beginning of the 20th century. The Oriental Art collection includes over 180,000 paintings, sculptures and items of applied art, covering the territories of Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Central Asia, Byzantium.

Whole-day tour to Peterhof with lunch	Back to top

Peterhof is one of the oldest summer residences in the vicinity of St.Petersburg. Peterhof means "Peter’s Court". It was founded in 1710, when the Peter and Paul Fortress lost its military significance, and Peter the Great started to build another fortress on Kotlin Island to protect St.Petersburg from the city. The fountains are connected by means of a water-main with springs welling out in the Ropshinsky Heights. It was also the time when the park later named as Lower was established there. In the middle of the XVIII century the palace was augmented upon the project of the architect Rastrelli.

Located on the steep slope in front of the palace the Grand Cascade of fountains embellished with bronze sculptures and bas-reliefs dedicated to Russia’s victories in the Northern war. It consists of 64 fountains. In the center of the cascade there is the famous sculptural group "Samson tearing the lion’s jaws", symbolizing the victory of Russia over Sweden. At the base of the cascade there are the fountains "Volkhov" and "Neva". In the lower park the Marli Palace, the Hermitage and the Monplaisir Palace were constructed. The Monplaisir became the first picture gallery in Russia which contained a large collection of paintings of Dutch and Flemish masters. In front of the palace are a garden with a fountain, a parterre and several sculptures.