We'll be with a group that offers Peterhof Palace as an excursion - it will cost us $150. My question is should we go on our own instead? Is it easy to get to? What would be our options for getting there?
If this is a reasonable price and much less trouble, we'll go with the excursion. Any thoughts will be appreciated!

If I only knew which country you are talking of...

Knowing the city's name would be even more helpful...

You can go on your own, but it's probably better to go with the group. The groups have appointments, and you'll get a tour of the palace and grounds in English. Groups also time their visits for the fountains - not to be missed!

Actually Sandy, I'm going on my own to Peterhof, and wouldn't THINK of paying $150.00 for a tour-the Russians are getting enough of my money just in their rip-off visa applications and "visa support" services -it can EASILY be handled on your own. As Frommers' points out, the disadvantages with a tour are that you may be stuck having to go to some cheesy tourist restaurant they take you to, and you won't be able to explore the grounds freely.

I'm going to take a hydrofoil there, which they say is breathtaking in the summer early fall months-from there you just get off and walk to Peterhof. Russian Cruises runs the hydrofoil, and offers English language commentary. Website: www.russiancruises.ru

Make that: www.russian-cruises.ru-but I don't believe they have an English translation on their website-their cruise line docks in front of the Winter Palace on the Neva River.

Since you say "us" do you mean for two? Seems pretty reasonable.
May depend on where you are coming from. It is a wonderful tour.

Groups usually don't have to wait in long lines to get in, and I think it's very helpful to have an English speaking guide unless you're fluent in Russian. What time of year are you going? The fountains there are fantastic, but only operate in the summer.

If you have a good guidebook that explains the Peterhof, you don't really need an English guide, and most of those tour guides often don't speak English well enough to give you a good sense of what you are seeing anyway. Plus, you'll be tied to going to where the tour guide takes you, rather than what you want to see. I've never been very impressed with most of those day trips, which tend to be tourist rip-offs in terms of value for money spent. You get a lot more value out of going it alone, and spending a LOT less doing so.

I did it by myself, using the hydrofoil, and I don't speak Russian. I had a lovely time admiring the fountains - I wouldn't have wanted to have to move at the group pace. I certainly wouldn't pay $150, or even $75.

I guess the question about the hydrofoil then is, where do you get it? Is the OP comfortable leaving her group and finding her own way? What time frame does she have to work with? It may not be as simple as "just take the hydrofoil".

grrr, while I too encourage people to post the name of the country or city, let's be honest here. You say, "if only knew which country. . ." Huh? You mean you DO know the answer to her question about a number of Peterhof Palaces, but you don't know which one she is asking about? If she told you which country this specific Peterhof Palace is in, THEN you could offer answers?

If the title had been "Question about Versailles" would you have posted the same response? Just curious.

"most of those tour guides often don't speak English well enough to give you a good sense of what you are seeing anyway." Interesting. That wasn't my experience at all. Our guide (a former professor at St. Petersburg University) was fluent in 4 languages, and quite interested in accomodating the interest of those of us on the tour.

And that's good, 321, I'm happy it worked out for you, but I maintain my position that most day tours provide very bad value for money spent.