St. Petersburg is a very friendly city! I've made wonderful friends at the Nord Hostel and we are having a ball seeing the sights. There is always someone to tour, eat and drink with! Who are my traveling companions?
Ken a dentist from Australia, Chad an electrician also from OZ, Annika a student from Germany, Fuensanta a communications manager from Spain, Hal an artist from St.Louis, and Fin an actor from Ireland.
Yesterday, we started the day with a walking tour of the city. We learned about Peter the Great's vision for St. Petersburg, which was named for St. Peter, not the Tzar. The city was designed in the early 1700's primarily by European architects. They did a superb job! What's more impressive is that the Russians have managed to maintain the city's beauty and focus on culture for over 300 years. It is a joy to walk down every street!
Seeing the Winter Palace made me dream of attending balls in Catherine the Great's court, and walking in the Summer Gardens was simply heaven by the Neva River. To see the city from a different perspective we also took a boat trip through the canals that weave around St. Petersburg. The area used to be marsh land and has a history of shipping.
After taking in the ornate colored buildings around town, we hit the most famous museum in Russia, the Hermitage. Visiting the Hermitage was another dream come true! We wondered for hours in the remarkable rooms admiring the Winter Palace craftsmanship and impressive art collection.
There is so much to see and do in St. Petersburg I could stay here for ages! This city has a rich heritage and cultural focus!
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