A TRAVELOGUE BY BROCK AND TANJ
  • Blog
  • Where We've Been
    • Travels Together
    • His Travels
    • Her Travels
  • Our Camper
    • U.S. Road Trips Photography
  • About
  • Contact
    • Press
    • Work With Us
    • Contact Us

TZARS AND CAVIAR (St. Petersburg, Russia)

5/30/2012

0 Comments

 
You can't put life on hold, it doesn't wait for you. 
Picture
Sunrise at St. Petersburg. We started our day very early and was fortunate to see the sunrise by the Neva River - the rivers that runs through and around St. Petersburg.
Picture
The highlight of the cruise is St. Petersburg, Russia. Brock wanted to go see Russia and this is his first time here. Russia is one of top countries on my list that I love. Like I said on my previous post, it was convenient to book a tour in Russia for us because I still hold a Filipino passport at this time, and to avoid much hassle on our part. Remember, you cannot go to Russia without a visa (US Passport holders). If you are going on a cruise and you booked a tour through reliable tour agencies in Russia, like SPB Tours, you can get visa on arrival. On the other hand, if you want to do it by yourself, you can go to the nearest Russian Embassy in your area and apply visa.  We are very excited to dock in St. Petersburg and the trip started really early. There is a lot to cover in Russian history and of course, we wanted to see it all. 
By design, it was to be the world's most beautiful city and the capital of its largest empire. The designer was Peter the Great, the Czar of all Russians. Peter the Great hired the best Italian, French, German architects to design palaces and homes in baroque style. The canals and bridges linked the islands. This is one of the most beautiful cities I've seen, as what Peter the Great wanted, he wanted it to rival Venice - so while we were there - we just took it all in. Add it on your bucket list of travels, it will not disappoint you.
Picture
Picture
Rostral Columns. It was originally intended to serve as beacons, since St. Petersburg is a port during those times.
Picture
Picture
Picture
The famous St. Petersbug Metro. This is one of the deepest subway systems in the world - it takes at least 4-5 minutes to reach the ground. 
Picture
View of the Hermitage Museum on the Neva River
Picture
We did a hydrofoil ride going to Peter the Great's Palace - it surely is the best way to see St. Petersburg, the colossal architectures peeping through and the city vibe from the river. 
Picture
This was the view that greeted us. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Peterhof Palace. This is built to rival Versailles, Peter the Great's palace boasts a classical facade and stunning gardens and fountains.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
View of the Grand Cascade
Picture
View of the center fountain - Samson and the Lion by Mikhail Kozlovsky.
Picture
Picture
Grand Cascade and the status of Samson and the Lion Fountain.
Picture
 The long stretch canal.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
St. Isaac's Cathedral is the largest (literally gigantic structure) Russian Orthodox church in Russia.
Picture
Can you see the people walking around the pillars? The pillars are so wide - I cannot begin to describe in this picture how big the structures are.
Picture
Picture
On the left is the monument of St. Nicholas I on Isaac's Square
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Inside Isaac's cathedral.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
As you look closer, there is a dove at the center of the great dome.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Church of Savior on Spilled Blood. The moniker of "Spilled Blood" is most popular in preference to the likes of the Church of the Resurrection, Church of our Savior on the Blood and etc.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Mosaics are used to decorate the interior of the church.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
View of Peter and Paul Fortress from the Neva River. This formidable bastion on the Neva River is the city's birthplace.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
The cathedral is the burial place of all Russian tzars from Peter I to Alexander III with the exception of Peter II.
Picture
One notable part of the trip, in addition to the magnificent sites, the tour company let us eat on a restaurant that literally caters for Russian people, called Mimone, not your typical tourist trap restaurant. Their savory pies are really good and deserves to be mentioned here. 
Picture
Picture
We headed back to our cruise ship, with sore feet and legs but with eyes opened, minds enlightened and our heart is at awe with all the sites and rich history that St. Petersburg had shown us. We are so ready for day two! 
Categories: Europe, Russia, Scandinavia and Baltic Cruise, Food Adventures
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

follow us on instagram @a_Travelogue

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR 
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Get destination guides + tips + giveaways and more.​

SEARCH 

   other categories

+ balkan road trip
+ scandinavia and baltic cruise
+ food adventures

+ living in south korea
+ living in usa
+ marriage and wedding
+ our story
+ pets
+ travel reviews
+ travel tips

+ videos

HELLO WORLD!

Picture
We are husband + wife, adventurers + visual storytellers, who love to see the world together. Our goal is to see 100 countries in our lifetime and we are halfway there.

let's connect

Join our travel forum here!

AS SEEN ON

Picture
Copyright © 2014-2020. All photos, design, and content belong to Wandering Hearts - A Travelogue by Brock and Tanj unless stated otherwise.