Peter's Stuff: Russia - St Petersburg

After a 4½ hour high speed train ride from Moscow, we arrived in pouring rain in St Petersburg, but it stayed dry after that. It was peak tourist season with White Nights, when the sun never really sets and a dark blue sky can still be seen in the early hours. It was rather crowded for our taste but the sites to see were quite outstanding.

Founded by Peter The Great in the early 18^th century as the capital instead of Moscow, to be closer to Europe and bring Russia closer to the West, it is steeped in history, particularly of the Romanov Tsars until the Revolution in 1917, when it became Leningrad. Its name was restored after a referendum following the fall of Communism and break-up of the Soviet Union. It straddles the Neva River and several canals on the Gulf of Finland.

Notable things that we visited included the Peter & Paul Fortress Island, where many of the Tsars and family members are entombed in a chapel, including the recently discovered remains of the last, Nicholas II, the Hermitage Museum, Peterhof, Catherine The Great’s Palace & Amber Room and St Isaac’s Cathedral.

To say that we were more than saturated after we had finished in the Hermitage would be a gross understatement! In addition, we enjoyed a few meals out in addition to our cultural excesses.