We booked a guided city tour then did most our exploring on our own.  However we were very lucky to have my nephew also show us around.  Kit has lived in St. Petersburg for 5 years and is more knowledgeable than many of the local guides.  Click here to view photos of when Kit and Katia invited us to dinner. 

The city will celebrate its 300th anniversary next year, so is undergoing major renovation.  Many of the buildings are covered in scaffolding, others are closed, as was the major bridge most convenient to our hotel.  The city should be sparking by next May!.  Click here to view our photos of around the city.

We took a trip out of town to visit Peterhof.  It was completely destroyed in WWII, but now beautifully reconstructed.  En route we also saw a church that has been recently reopened. Click here for the photos.

We bought caviar and souvenirs to bring home.  Click here for photos from our shopping.

We had a great view from our hotel room.  

But the night we went to the ballet, we had an even better view of an outstanding production in the very intimate Hermitage theater.  We could have reached out and touched the first violinist, who was so good we would forget and sometimes watch him instead of the dancers.

We celebrated our last night with a boat ride.