Welcome to our St. Petersburg page, sharing a few scenes from our two busy days in the former Leningrad.  With the benefit of a personal driver and guide, we were able to enjoy so much more of this great city at our own pace.  Peter the Great would be happy to see his old stomping ground, as he dreamed of turning it to the West.  Now, it's almost completely Westernized.  So much to see: palaces, monuments, bridges, museums--including the Hermitage, perhaps the world's greatest museum.
	Token for the Saint Petersburg Metro,  and an experience not to be missed .  Imagine chandeliers and crystal columns mixed with outsize art of the heroes of the revolution.  You'll have to see for yourself because picture taking was "nyet."  So much of the Soviet-era stuff is disappearing, it was exciting to see it preserved in this "People's Palace."
	The Artillery Museum was an unexpected pleasure, thanks to the depth of knowledge of our guide and an incredible assortment of deadly devices.  This shot (by Lizzy) is taken in the special Kalashnikov exhibit, honoring the inventor of the infamous AK-47 assault rifle.
	We are at Peter's Palace (Peterhof), which was especially enjoyable (despite the rain) because of its magnificent fountains and gardens.
	Not only fabulous to view, the Peterhof fountains are a feat of engineering genius.  No pumps, just the carefully managed force of water taken from a holding pond behind the building in the background.  Stunning, even on a miserable day!
	Lizzy and Craig in front of the Cathedral of the Spilled Blood, a monumental miracle of mosaic restoration.
	"And the fish was this big, Comrade"  Usually, the folk dances are good for about five minutes before the yawning starts, but the dance troupe in Saint Petersburg was thrilling for the duration, with their gravity-defying gymnastics and good humor.  We had no idea what they were singing about, but it was wonderful notwithstanding.  Click here for a sample.
	Open bridges are a hallmark of Saint Petersburg.  They close around 2 am and all but one stay open until almost 5 in the morning.  A few open for just 20 minutes in that interim.  Why?  To let the ship traffic pass from the Neva to the sea.  Better head home in time or there'll be some explaining to do.