Experiences

Within the 100th Anniversary Campaign, Hotel Astoria is delighted
to offer its guests an exclusive private box at the Mariinsky Theatre
(formerly known as Kirov).

Explore hidden corners of the Mariinsky before or after a performance enjoyed from the Astoria own box. As private, invited guests of the theatre, you will hear about the Tsars box protocol and the premieres, learn about the historic machinery behind the scenes and closely examine spectacular settings.
Under artistic direction of Maestro Valery Gergiev today, Mariinsky hosts numerous international festivals also featuring such Russian stars as opera diva Anna Netrebko and ballerina Diana Vishneva.
The last winter celebrations are held at Maslenitsa Festival (Maslenitsa or Pancake Week is an ancient Russian festival of seeing off the winter). The programme on 20-26 of February includes opera Sadko (music by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov), Giselle (music by Adolphe Adam) and Nutcracker (music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky) ballets.
XII International Ballet Festival Mariinsky offers the best of Russian and international ballet.
To order tickets, please contact our concierge service +7(812)4945989. The playbill of the Mariinsky Theatre can be viewed on http://www.mariinsky.ru/en/playbill/playbill/

St Petersburg’s Extraordinary Experiences
Hotel Astoria Concierge Tips

Authentic Russian Banya
Have an incredible, invigorating well-being experience a la russe in a traditional banya (Russian sauna). Accessible only to private club members and their guests, these banyas are akin to exclusive spas. Located not far from the city in a renewed Russian village, it offers national spa treatments – banya with (gentle!) birch-branch beating, herbal bath, full body massage with honey. With the glass of traditional Russian kvass (made of brown bread) you will hear interesting stories about banya traditions and Russian lifestyle. Banya has a powerful physiological effect, increasing blood supply to skin, muscles and joints, increasing oxygen levels and purging impurities.

City of Tsars and Presidents
Explore the Russian history on an exclusive tour to the prominent places connected with Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev. The itinerary includes St Petersburg State University graduated by Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Medvedev, and Vladimir Lenin; St Petersburg’s Government Smolny Palace where you will find out more about current Russian politics. For years the latter was the residence of Vladimir Putin, the city deputy governor in 1991-1999. Finally, St Michael's Castle haunted by its mysterious ghosts, the historical residence of the Emperor Paul I who was killed there was restored due to the efforts of Vladimir Putin, the Prime Minister of Russia.

Learning the Soul of Russians: Maslenitsa Feast
Feel the true spirit of Russia and its old traditions at Maslenitsa in beautiful suburbs of St Petersburg. Maslenitsa is the most spectacular Russian holiday celebrated in February-March (Shrovetide or Butter week or Pancake Fair).

Maslenitsa Fair in snowy Pavlovsky park offers masquerades, sledging, riding on swings, snowball fights, sliding the ice hills, folk performances, shots of vodka, hot chai (tea) from big samovars, caviar, blini (thin pancakes) and lots of fun. At the Catherine’s Palace in Pushkin you will guided through the workshops of the legendary Amber Room which was recently rebuilt after its tragic loss in WWII. Another truly Russian winter experience not to miss is a Troika ride (a fast sleigh set in with three horses) in Dr Zhivago’s style.

The Imperial Porcelain Manufactory and Museum
St Petersburg is a home to the world-famous Imperial Porcelain Manufactory, which was once the official supplier of the Romanovs and is one of the first established in Europe. Before joining a hand-painting masterclass with a workshop leading artist, get inspired with designs by Kandinsky and Malevich from the unique collection of the Factory Museum. On display are 600 masterpieces - from luxurious ceremonial dinner services ordered by Catherine the Great to Bolshevik propaganda chess sets pitting nobles against Soviet workers and peasants. Any object d'art of today you choose at the splendid factory shop will be carefully wrapped for a safe journey.