Up early and ready for another day – really nice people in our tour group which makes for a more enjoyable experience.
We had to stop at a tourist souvenir shop so Jeff and the others could try on Russian hats.
Nesting Dolls
Catherine’s Palace, home of the Amber Room, is amazing. The vastness of the building and the grounds is the first thing that strikes you and then the opulence comes next.
We were serenaded as we waited to enter.
First View
The opulence!!!
The Amber Room
The Gardens
Lunch: Borscht, blintzes, black bread and vodka…what else would you expect???
Next stop: Peterhof, home of Peter The Great. Again, we were struck by the size and opulence. There were numerous fountains that depend on gravity as the water flows from higher to lower elevations to get the magnificent vertical sprays.
In addition to the formal gardens and fountains there were smaller gardens with whimsical fountains called follies. They appear to be places to sit and rest and then without warning water springs up and surprises the unsuspecting visitor.
We visited the St. Petersburg subway – again, impressed with the size, decoration, and cleanliness…not like the NYC subways that I’m used to.
Outside entrance
Inside rotunda
Good thing we had a guide…all signs are in Russian with no translations.
Last stop: a beautiful store that sold everything from chocolates, to pastries, to vodka.
Sampling vodkas
Now that I’ve sampled St. Petersburg I would love to see Moscow.
Tip: always bring a rain jacket when in St. Petersburg…and watch out for the folly fountains!
so…