Extraordinary Experiences
Most guided tours of Russia and Eastern Europe will take you to all the usual palaces and museums. But at Exeter International we are able to grant our clients privileged backstage access.
Using our expert knowledge and local contacts, we can get you past the signs that say, "No Entry to the Public".
We work closely with museum directors and curators to create once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. We call these Extraordinary Experiences.
Hermitage Storage Rooms, St Petersburg
Many people get the chance to visit the world-famous Hermitage in St Petersburg, but few have the opportunity to spend time in the museums vast storage chambers. Located in a closed storage facility 40 minutes from the Hermitage, these chambers hold a wealth of treasures ranging from world-class works of art, to royal carriages, original palace furniture, and imperial wardrobes. For the return visitor to St Petersburg or serious art lovers, the Hermitage Storage Rooms are a must.
Backstage at the Mariinsky (Kirov) and Bolshoi Theatres
Why just see a performance at the Mariinsky and Bolshoi Theatres when you can explore backstage? As private, invited guests of the theatre, you will hear about the Tsars box protocol, the premieres and the history. You may even be backstage when preparations are being made for the evenings performance, with dancers warming up and musicians practising.
Grand Kremlin Palace and Terem in Moscow
Home to the Tsars for 200 years, the Faceted Palace and Terem is now used by the Russian President to entertain foreign dignitaries at the highest level. No palace is more opulent in all of Russia and following a $300million renovation, the glorious rooms of the Faceted Palace and Terem have never looked more beautiful. The Faceted Palace and Terem are strictly closed to the general public.
The Maltese Chapel, St Petersburg
We can arrange an exclusive visit to The Maltese Chapel, part of the Vorontsov Palace in St Petersburg. The chapel was built by Rastrelli between 1749-57 and added to by Quarenghi between 1798-1800 for Tsar Paul I, Grand Master of the Knights of Malta.
Since 1810 the palace has been home to Russias most important military academy, turning out the countrys military elite. Originally the Corps des Paiges, it was renamed the Suvorov Military Academy in 1943, after Marshal Suvorov, one of Russias greatest commanders.
Your visit will be led personally by the chaplain of the church and you may have the opportunity to see cadets during their drills, experiencing school life at Russias most elite and historic military academy.
Exeter International supports the Childrens Hospice charity, founded in 2003 by the chaplain. The charity provides relief and hope for terminally ill children and their parents. A fixed donation will be charged to assist with the charitys work on your behalf. The Suvorov Military Academy and Maltese Chapel are strictly closed to the general public.
The Treasury Vaults of Catherine Palace
These secure vaults beneath the Palace include objects of great historic and cultural value, among them some of the most precious personal belongings of the Romanovs, confiscated after the events of 1917.
The three main rooms of the exhibition focus on the 18th century, 19th century, and on the famous Amber Room. The first room includes beautiful icons and gifts to the Romanovs including a Torah Scroll presented to Nicolas II by the Odessa Jewish Community.
On display are also personal effects of Catherine the Great, including her Semyonov Guards Regiment Uniform Dress.
The 19th century room will give you an insight into the amazing craft of the Faberge jewellers (please note that no Easter Eggs are on display). The Amber Storage room features some of the most valuable objects from the Amber Room that were saved before the Nazi siege.
The Amber Room Workshops of Catherine Palace
We invite you into the actual workshops of Catherine Palace where masters rebuilt the world-famous Amber Room panels. Meticulously, each panel has been fitted with Baltic amber, an exacting process that has been going on for decades. You will see completed panels, works in progress and designs for future pieces - all with the amber masters as your exclusive guides.
A Private Russian Banya
A visit to a traditional banya is one of Russias true insider experiences. Accessible only to private club members and their guests, these banyas are akin to exclusive spas. Treatments include a dry sauna, steam room (Turkish), traditional Russian banya (with birch-branch beating), full body massage, neck and scalp massage, foot and leg massage, honey massage and warm soap massage. Our banya will be reserved for you in its entirety. You will move from station to station to enjoy each massage and treatment, the whole experience taking approximately three hours.
Russians love banya and believe it has a powerful physiological effect, increasing the blood supply to skin, muscles and joints, increasing oxygen levels and purging impurities. It is an invigorating and unforgettable experience, unique to Russia.
Backstage Tour of the Estates Theatre in Prague
Mozart premiered Don Giovanni at the Estates Theatre, laying the foundation for its place in history. By special arrangement, you will be taken through the closed theatre by one of its historians. This is an unmissable experience in Prague, a city of music.
VIP Tour of the Strahov Monastery in Prague
Most visitors view the famous Strahov Monastery through a doorway located at the end of the main gallery. As an Exeter International guest, you will be invited in the backdoor of the monastery and allowed into the exquisite library to walk among the ancient books and artefacts.
Private Tour of the Mestrovic Gallery with a Museum Curator (Split, Croatia)
The Mestrovic Gallery commemorates the work of the most celebrated Croatian artist of the 20th century, Ivan Mestrovic. As an Exeter International guest, you will tour the sculptors magnificent works with a museum curator, who will be your personal guide. The gallery in Split was the original residence of the artist and includes his famous work, Psyche.
Croatian Truffle Hunting in the Istrian Peninsula
Visit Livade, a small village in the Istrian countryside famous for being one of the best truffle regions in Europe. White Istrian truffles are among the most expensive in the world, and harvesting them is a local tradition going back centuries. Enjoy a truffle hunting demonstration, guided by an expert and a trained dog (pigs are no longer used in Croatia). Top off the experience with a fabulous truffle tasting at a local konoba.
Herend Experience
Herend porcelain has grown in popularity over the past decade, but its quality has been undisputed for more than 100 years. As an Exeter International guest in Budapest, you will have the option of spending a day in the Hungarian countryside to visit the Herend porcelain factory as a VIP guest. You will learn how this exquisite porcelain is created, visit the extraordinary Herend museum and then dine in the only restaurant in the world that serves on Herend porcelain. Of course, you will also have the opportunity to shop in the factory shop at significant savings.
Not all of the above experiences are included in the price of our tours. See our escorted tours page for more details. To find out more about our Extraordinary Experiences, or make a booking, call us on 020 8956 2756 or email enquiries@exeterinternational.co.uk