St Petersburg Russia

The whole reason for taking a 12 day Nordic Cruise was for these 2 days in St. Petersburg.  What can I say, it was one of the most fabulous cities we have ever been to.  Although we really enjoyed our time there, we did feel rushed and hurried for those 2 Days.   At the end of the day we were physically exhausted, but we saw lots of sites and felt that we were getting our money's worth.  It was worth it.  

Unless relations between the US and Russia improve, I don't know if we'll ever return.  The easiest way to visit Russia is on a Cruise or an organized Russia Travel Tour.  No independent travel if your not from a country that has Russian favored nation status. Currently, the US State Department even advises against travel to Russia.  American citizens are likely to get harassed by the police they say.  Although after being in Russia I can hardly believe it.

We did the thing that I hate the most, road a tour bus with about 40 other people.  In all, it really wasn't that bad.  Our guides were fabulous, beautiful Russian English teachers.  Anastasia and Katerina.   Then when they introduced the driver as Demtrie, that's when I started to wonder.  I have serious doubts that they were using their real names. The names seem a little bit too common, but when you lived in a society like Russia, it's probably best to blend in as much as possible.  So what did we see? Believe me, it's still a blur.

Day #1 The Petersburg inner-city

Our first stop was the Moika Palace or Yusupov Palace, it was once the primary residence of the House of Yusupov. The palace is where Grigori Rasputin's was murdered in the early morning of December 17, 1916. The palace contained wax figures depicting the murder.  Maybe it was a little hint of what would happen if tourist got out of line on the tour.  

Afterword, we took a cruise on the Neva River.  Petersburg actually sits on a river delta much like New Orleans.  From our boat, we could see many major sights along the river.  The Winter Palace which is also the Hermitage Museum, the Peter and Paul Church, and Fortress, the Cruiser Aurora, just to name a few.  For lunch, we stopped at a downtown restaurant for a traditional Russian meal.  After lunch it's was off to the Church of the Blood.  Probably one of the most recognizable sites in St. Petersburg, because of it's unique Medevil Russian Architecture.   

Our last stop of the day would be the Hermitage or what used to be called the Winter Palace that was stormed during the 1917 revolution. The shot heard around the world from Cruiser Aurora that started the revolution of 1917. Now a museum of both the palace and over 3 million pieces of art. It is the largest Museum in the world, with the 4th largest art collection in the world. This was an assault on the senses, overwhelming. They have Rembrandts last painting here in a Rembrandt wing. A couple of El Greco's and 2 Da Vinci's.  Originally, Catherine the Greats winter home. 

Day #2 Outer Petersburg: The Country Palaces

This day started with a 30 Kilometer bus trip outside the city on the newly construct M-10 Freeway.  Completed especially for the World Cup 2018.  Our destination is Catherines Summer Palace.  A palace that was complete gutted during World War 2 and then meticulously restored.  Famous for the gold that is on the chapel domes and the Gold accented facade and the Amber Room which some consider one of the 8 wonders of the modern world.

We then head to the Peterhof Palace with its magnificent fountains and seaside location.  Built by Peter the Great it is considered the Rusian Versailles.  It is famous for its water features and Gardens.  After the Peterhof, we stop for lunch at a country house that is across the street from Putin's Petersburg mansion, but nowhere near as nice as the palaces.

We then head back to Petersburg to visit Peter and Paul Chapel and Fortress.  Where the remains of the last Czar and his family are interned.  After being verified by DNA they were placed in this small chapel inside the fortress.  Our last stop is the Saint Isaacs Basilica which is the largest Orthodox Cathedral in the world and the 4th largest in the entire world.  It is a massive structure both inside and out. 

Once we get back to the Cruise ship we are delayed because some on the cruise went to see the Brazil and Ecuador World Cup Game.  It was special being in this city during the World Cup, sure the Hermitage was much more crowded because of this.  That didn't matter it was special seeing the world come together for an event that made this city electric and even more special to be in.