As part of my family's recent cruise to several countries in the Baltic (including Estonia, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Finland), we had the incredible opportunity to spend a few days in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Starting with a visit to the world-famous Hermitage, where we were able to reach out and touch an original Michelangelo sculpture (look at the photo - I'm not kidding) and countless Da Vinci paintings, we headed to the Peter and Paul Fortress, the birthplace of modern St. Petersburg; St. Isaac Cathedral, the world's largest domed cathedral; and Palace Square, the rallying point of the 1917 Russian Revolution. We later took a bus to visit Peterhof Palace, the summer home of Peter the Great. Built under the supervision of the French architect Alexandre Le Blond, this small village of palaces, fountains and parks is said to have rivaled Versailles in France back in the day.
The second day, we headed outside of the boundaries of St. Petersburg, to Catherine Palace, the summer residence of many of the Russian Czars. Upon returning to St. Petersburg, we spent some time in the city center, including the The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. I also bought a Faberge egg (well a replica, but it looks darn close to the real thing!).
Click here to see more photos from our cruise ship excursion to Russia.
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