Thank you Percy and Paulchili for all your help!

I wonder if we would need to pay an extra fee if we wanted to attempt to see all three palaces (Catherine's, Monplaisire and the Grand Palace) instead of the suggested two.

I was thumbing through a St. Petersburg guide book at the bookstore yesterday and I saw a picture of the Grand Staircase - wow is right. I definitely want to see that.

I spoke with my parents about the hydrofoil suggestion, and they said that it sounded good, so we will be taking the hydrofoil back from Peterhof. Hoping this might save some time so that we can spend a little longer at Peterhof.

Thanks again for all your help!

chepar,
You are welcome and have a great trip. We'd love to hear about it afterwards.

chepar:

The trouble is that there is so much to see and so little time.

If you give Alla the outline of what you want to see at Peterhof, she will do what you want.

If you spend all your time in The Peterhof Grand Palace and then tour Monplaisir, then you will have limited time to see the grounds , which are splendid....

not to

mention the many many fountains ( not including the Grand Cascade.)

As I stated ,I went into Peterhof Grand Place ,saw what I wanted to see and then "forced" myself to leave.

Because I virtually memorized the outlay of the grounds...I knew where everything was.

Here is a short list of what I saw outside at Peterhof:
1.Grand Cascade
2.Oak Fountain
3.Man and Turtle Fountain
4. Triton
5.Roman Fountains

6.Trick Fountains,,Settee and Umbrella and Tulip... these are "fun "fountains because if you come too close or step in the wrong place...they spray water on you !!:)

7.Marly Cascade
8.Sun Fountain
9. Dragon Cascade
10. Adam and Eve Fountains
11. Spring and Summer
12. Neptune
13.Mezheumny
14.Lion
and these are just the fountains.

then there are the other building like Marly Palace
Hermitage( yes there is a Hermitage Building on the grounds of Peterhof), and Cottage Palace

and the Orangerie is very nice to see , it is a nice pink curved building with again...lovely fountains.

So you pick and chose what you want to do at Peterhof.

I saw all this because I did not waste a minute...the other three in my group went to the gift shop.!

Keep in mind that you will be seeing the Hermitage back in

St.Petersburg and the Jordan Staircase in the Winter Palace is really something also.

then you will see Yusupov's Palace too.

They will all amaze you.

Good Luck on your chosing.
Percy (Hi Paulchili)

chepar,
Percy's suggestions about all the fountains are great, but keep in mind (especially as you are traveling with your ?elderly parents) that the grounds are extensive and to see all the fountains involves a fair bit of walking (it could be hot too).
So pick and choose wisely.
You can walk the grounds and have your parents just walk straight from the Grand Cascade along the canal to the Gulf of Finland where you'll pick up the hydrofoil.
How are you Percy?

Good idea Paulchili.

I walked very fast to take in all the places I mentioned.

Also,not also could it be hot but it could be rainy also.

We never seem to count of the rain...but then nothing we can do about is, just a tough break.

I remember when I got to Catherine Palace about 9 AM, it was drizzling rain on the way...but it stopped by the time we got there. Whew !!!

chepar:

I don't expect you to see all that I saw because even those in my group did not... but don't worry , there is so much to see...that

when you are done, you won't feel you missed anything, because there is only so much your brain can comprehend!

Hi Paul ,I am doing fine , Thank you for asking.

Planning another trip for 2009
Good Night everyone.
Percy

So I guess there's no tram to take you around the grounds of Peterhof, like there is at Versailles? :)

A couple years ago we rode the tram down to the last stop near the Grand Canal at Versailles and walked back up to the chateau, but my mother did it at a very leisurely pace.

I think that the recommendation that they walk along the canal to meet the hydrofoil while I take a more extensive visit of the grounds is a good one. Does your guide normally take the hydrofoil with you, or do they ride back in the van?

By the way - what is considered hot? Are we talking temperatures in the high 80s or even 90s?

chepar

Your parent can take in the Grand Cascade and the Grand Canal.. but I am sure you will tour the Monplaisir Palace.

If the guide is NOT with you ,here is what your parent can do.

1. They are on the ground level of the Grand Cascade.
2. Turn so that you face looking down the Grand Canal.

3. Peterhof Palace is at their back.
4. Take the main path at the 45 degree angle to your LEFT.

5. This brings you to the EVE Fountain ( a statue of Eve is in the centre of the fountain).

6.Once at the EVE fountain ,turn to your RIGHT....walk straight down and you will come to the ADAM Fountain.( statue of Adam in the centre)

7.Now walk straight past the Adam Fountain and you will come upon the Monplaisir Palace on your LEFT.

( If your guide is with you ,I am sure she will take you along the path I just outlined.

I was at Versailles in late August of this year.
I walked the grounds for over an hour and toured the Palace and the Royal Chapel...and the Petit Trianon where Maria Antoinette stayed.

In my opinion Catherine's Palace and Peterhof is much nicer than Versailles.

I apologize to all my French friends :)

Your guide may or may not go on the hydrofoil with you..it depends on the outline of the trip.....because from Peterhof ,you may have to go to Catherine's Palace.

For temperatures, it could be in the high 80's.

St. Petersburg is not cold in the Summer.

I recall in my e-mails to Alla, in mid June she told me that it was very hot there right now ..about 88 F on that day !

I think between 75-85 would be the range.