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Rivers Cruise and Canals Boat Tour 25 €

• duration: 1.5 hours
• price: 25 €
• order: Book

What You Will See on the Rivers and Canals Boat Tour

Neva River Cruise or St Petersburg Canals Boat Tour is worth taking in summer on a sunny day. You will take a relaxing boat trip passing by Moika and Fontanka Canals to observe the Neva River:

• a magnificent Summer Garden,
• Michael’s Castle,
• Mars Field ,
• the Cathedral of the Savior on the Blood ,
• Pushkin’s house,
• the first permanent Circus in Russia,
• the Summer Palace of Peter the Great,
• the Spit of the Basil island ,
• a symbol of October Revolution - Cruiser Aurora and so on

The Anichkov Bridge is famous for its sculptures of four bronze horses and their trainers. The widest bridge in St Petersburg is “The Blue Bridge” crosses the Moika Canal near St Isaac’s Square . The Lomonosov Bridge crossing The Fontanka River in St Petersburg is one of the oldest in the city. It is a severe stone drawbridge with four rectangular towers. The Bankovsky Bridge to cross the former Catherina Canal is one of the most attractive.

Boat Neva River & Canals Tour lasts 1.5 hour and during this time you will:

• understand why St Petersburg is often called Northern Venice or Little Holland
• learn why the city is still safe from numerous floods which used to threaten to St Petersburg
• see St Petersburg as a mysterious place for all famous writers and poets living and working there and meet their cultural heritage on the River Neva banks
• catch the spirit of the great city and realize why St Petersburg has never changed in spite of IT progress and global international innovations

History of Canals and Neva River in St Petersburg, Russia

St Petersburg is situated on the Neva Rive r which is the main waterway in the city. As a result of the Northern War between Russia and Sweden the Valley of the Neva River became a part of the Russian Empire. In 1703 the city of St Petersburg was founded in the mouth of the Neva River by Peter the Great.

During Peter’s reign, there were no bridges over the Neva River. The Emperor wanted the people of St Petersburg to share his passion for sailing so riverboats were the common transport. Later there were floating bridges over Neva River. Only in the mid - 19 th century they were finally replaced with permanent bridges made of metal. Each of St Petersburg’s bridges has its own distinctive structure and appearance. They can be plain and elegant, large and small, subtle and imposing. Their decorative iron railings coupled with granite embankments give the face of the city a charming look.

There are 332 bridges stretching St Petersburg waterways including 21 drawbridges.

The earliest bridges were known by the bright colors in which they were painted: “blue”, “green”, and “red.

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Boat & jet ski rentals in St. Petersburg, FL and Tampa Bay’s top choice for water sports rentals since 1994. Come play on top quality boats for a day of sightseeing, fishing, tubing, or wakeboarding.

Tierra Verde Boat Rentals is conveniently located in Tierra Verde next to St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach, and is an easy highway drive from Tampa or Orlando. We have the best water location, close to all the desired water destinations on Florida’s beautiful Gulf Coast. Hop aboard and set a course for Egmont Key, Shell Key, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, and St. Petersburg Pier, or other beautiful landmarks including Tampa Bay and the Gulf Coast. Explore our boat rentals to complete your Florida vacation!

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The boat was fast enough for my daughter to wakeboard and everyone was able to tube. We also tied up at shell island and had time to play. Bluetooth connection to the boat stereo lets you play your favorite sunshine playlist. 6 adults & 1 kid fit comfortably.

Our son was home from the army so we rented a 21’ deck boat for the day. We had an awesome time on the water. We were on the water shortly after we arrived. They make renting a boat super easy. We will definitely be back in the near future.

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• Moscow — St. Petersburg
• Moscow — Astrakhan
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Moscow to Saint Petersburg

13 days – 12 nights

Collapse Full Itinerary

Gold, Platinum  Airport transfer / Check-in at centrally located Marriott Aurora***** or Ararat Park Hyatt*****

Imperial : Private airport transfer / Check-in at the luxurious Four Seasons Moscow***** only a minute from the Kremlin and Red Square

Volga dream experience:

Gold: City Tour / Novodevichy Cemetery Imperial, Platinum:  City tour / Lunch in a Moscow City Skyscraper / Novodevichy Cemetery / Sparrow Hills

Meals: Breakfast

Platinum / Imperial

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Gold:  Moscow Kremlin / Armory Museum / Red Square / GUM Department Store

Platinum:  Moscow Kremlin / Armory Museum / Red Square / St. Basil’s Cathedral / GUM Department Store / Park Zaryadye

Gold:  Tretyakov Gallery / Moscow Metro Tour.

Platinum:  Leo Tolstoy House-Museum in Hamovniki / Tretyakov Gallery / Moscow Metro Tour.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Gold, Platinum:  Town of Uglich / Church of St. Dmitri-on-the-Blood

Volga dream experience: Costumed Russian Tea Ceremony & Russian Cooking Class

Gold, Platinum:  Yaroslavl City Tour / Governor’s house 

Volga dream experience: Sun Deck Barbeque

Gold:  Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery  

Platinum:  Ferapontov Monastery

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Russian Dinner with Vodka Tasting

Gold, Platinum: Kizhi Island / Lake Onega

Volga dream experience: Piano Concert – Compositions by Tchaikovsky and Rakhmaninov

Gold, Platinum:  Svirstroy village / Local resident’s home / Local primary school

Volga dream experience: Farewell Dinner, Captain’s cocktail

Gold:  City Tour / Peter and Paul Fortress

Platinum:  City Tour / St. Isaac’s Cathedral / Canal boat / Yusupov Palace

Gold:  The State Hermitage Museum / Peterhof: Park and a historic Cottage

Platinum:  The State Hermitage Museum (Early Entrance!) / Gold Room / Peterhof: Park and a historic Cottage

Gold:  Catherine’s Palace / Amber Room

Platinum:  Faberge Museum / Catherine’s Palace / Amber Room

Meals: Breakfast / Imperial

Gold, Platinum, Imperial: Check-out / Airport transfer

Volga dream experience: -

The rates are set for a cruising season. The price is not dependent on the month within a selected year

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All rates are per person, based on double occupancy. Actual size of cabins can slightly differ within one category.

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Evening Dining Yacht St. Pete Beach Area

Starlite sapphire dining yacht.

Ready for a dazzling dinner and night out? StarLite offers a fine dining experience, entertainment and dancing with some of the best waterfront views in all of the Gulf Beaches from brilliant vistas to starlit evenings, every StarLite cruise is special. Our dining service includes a full, restaurant-style menu featuring continental cuisine prepared fresh on board. Entertainment is a mix of live selections and a wide variety of recorded songs to satisfy any musical request. Full bar and your own server ensure your enjoyment.

EVENING YACHT DINING MENU ~ ST. PETE BEACH AREA LOCATION

Blackened Chicken Alfredo a tender boneless breast of chicken prepared blackened style and placed atop a nest of fettuccine pasta Alfredo, served with chef’s selection of seasonal vegetable 24.95

Herb and Bell Pepper Red Snapper a roasted red snapper filet topped with herbs and bell peppers, finished with a squeeze of lemon, served with chef’s selection of rice and seasonal vegetable 26.95

Flat Iron Steak Argentine tender flat iron steak seared to medium and topped with a traditional Argentinian green chimichurri sauce, served with garlic red skin mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetable 31.95

StarLite Chicken Spinachi breaded boneless chicken breast stuffed with a mix of goat and Parmesan cheeses, artichoke hearts, and sauteed spinach, served with chef’s selection of rice and seasonal vegetable 26.95

Vegetarian Harvest an assortment of lightly seasoned, roasted garden vegetables combined with fettuccine and tossed in a garlic infused olive oil 18.95

Stuffed Shrimp five large blue water shrimp filled with blue crab and Italian herb stuffing, drizzled with our Cajun remoulade, served with chef’s selection of rice and seasonal vegetable 34.95

Boneless Pork Ribeye tender pork ribeye prepared with our own dry rub seasoning, roasted in its own juices and tastefully accented with a red wine reduction, served with garlic red skin mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetable 27.95

Oven Roasted Salmon filet of salmon complimented with shallot and lemon beurre blanc sauce, served with chef’s selection of rice and seasonal vegetable 28.95

Chateaubriand classic beef tenderloin slow-roasted to medium-rare and topped with our homemade bearnaise sauce, served with garlic red mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetable 35.95

Land and Sea a pairing of our two favorites - chateaubriand and stuffed shrimp, served with garlic red mashed potatoes and chef’s selection of seasonal vegetable 35.95

Entrees are ordered and prepared on board the vessel. Entrees are served with a mixed greens salad, bread and house dessert. A 20% gratuity will be added to parties of seven or more guests. Menu changes may occur as we strive to provide the freshest products and ideas.

CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY OR AN ANNIVERSARY?

Make it an event you won't forget with a Special Occasion Package

The package includes: • a bottle of house champagne or wine • a Birthday or Anniversary mylar balloon • a decorated birthday cake or 3 roses in a vase for an anniversary

Price of package is $50.00 – subject to sales tax. All packages should be ordered a minimum of two days prior to cruise date in order to guarantee package availability.

2 1/2 - 3 HOUR EVENING DINING YACHT CRUISE Small parties booking this Evening Dining Yacht Cruise purchase an admission ticket covering the cruise and entertainment. Once on board, you will order and pay for your dining service in much the same way you would in any other restaurant.

In addition to our selection of entrees, appetizers , wine selections , and full cocktail service are available for purchase on board.

• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday - Boarding at 6:30 pm; Departing at 7:00 pm
• Sunday - Boarding at 5:30 pm; Departing at 6:00 pm
• Departs: 3400 Pasadena Ave. South - St. Pete Beach Area ( Directions, Parking & FAQ )
• Guaranteed window table seating for parties of 6 or less, may be added for $25
• Tax is additional
• Children are ages 3-12
• Infants ages 2 & under are FREE but must be included with your reservation
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Saint Petersburg (Russia)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Baltic - Norwegian Fjords - Russia

Local Time 2024-09-16 23:04

Saint Petersburg is Russia's largest cruise port and second largest city (after the capital Moscow ). The city is located on Neva River, while the seaport is at Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea). St Petersburg is one of Russian Federation's all 3 federal cities - together with Moscow and Sevastopol .

The city has federal status. It was named Saint Petersburg in 1703. The name was changed to Petrograd in 1914, and to Leningrad in 1924, and back to Saint Petersburg in 1991. Tsar Peter the Great established it on May 27, 1703. Between 1713-1728 and 1732-1918, it was Russia's imperial capital. The central government bodies moved to Moscow in 1918. St Petersburg is Russia's 2nd-largest city (after Moscow) with population over 5,3 million, as well as country's largest and most important Baltic Sea port.

St Petersburg is Russia's most westernized city, its cultural capital and also world's northernmost city with population over 1 million. The Historic Centre (downtown) and Related Groups of Monuments are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is home to The Hermitage, one of the biggest art museums in the world. A wealth of international corporations, foreign consulates, businesses and banks have offices here.

IMPORTANT: Since 2020, foreign cruise tourists visiting Russia via Port St Petersburg are required to have E-Visas (single-entry visas). They are issued via the website government.ru, valid for 30 days and allow entries for max 8-day stays. E-Visa applications must be applied within 20 days of disembarkation (intended arrival) but no later than 4 days prior arrival. E-Visas allow tourists to go through the city's immigration checks multiple times during their stay.

After the port city is named the 2009-built icebreaker Sankt-Peterburg .

Port St Petersburg

In peak-season June 2017 alone, the cruise port handled a total of 56 ships and 122,770 passengers. Two new ships (TUI's Mein Schiff 6 and Regent's Seven Seas Explorer ) made inaugural calls. On May 2, 2017, was the maiden call of the newbuild ship Viking Sky ( Viking Ocean Cruises ). In 2017, the port handled 243 ship calls with over 540,000 passengers (19% increase over 2016). The port had 20 long-term berthing contracts with cruise companies and the ferry operator MOBY LINES .

In 2017, the cruise port had a total of 105 ship days and handled 441451 tourists. Just in the week July 10-16, the port received 17 liners with a total of 36,233 passengers. On July 11 and 12 here docked 7 liners with 23,458 passengers. July 2017's total ship days and handled passengers were, respectively, 34 and 130,283.

For season 2019, the cruise port had scheduled/booked 262 ship calls (including 10 maiden visits) with estimated 625,000+ passengers. However, the season (April 28 through October 21) ended with handled 265 ship calls (270 in 2018) and 647,640 passengers. Compared to season 2018, port's cruise passenger shipping traffic increased by 4% due to vessels' increasing capacity. Based on the berth bookings, the traffic in 2020 will increase to 648,000 passengers via 258 ship calls (including 11 new cruise ships ). Also in 2020, Tallink Group (Baltic Seas's largest cruiseferry operator) plans to use Passenger Port St Petersburg for the first time.

Port's busiest cruiseship day so far was in 2018 (June 30), when were handled 18,000+ tourists from 6 vessels (Norwegian Breakaway, Regal Princess, Britannia, Mein Schiff 1, Zuiderdam, Oceania Marina). In August 2019 was inaugurated the new sports and fitness center (in the seaport area) which mainly serves ships' crew while their ships are in port. Also in 2019 was started the Berth 7's extension (by 42 m) to 484 m (1588 ft). When completed in 2021, Berth 7's capacity will be two large passenger liners simultaneously, each with max LOA length 330 m (1083 ft).

Regularly scheduled St Peter Line ferries connect St Petersburg with Helsinki (Finland) , Tallinn (Estonia) and Stockholm (Sweden) . The ship operating the route (St Petersburg-Helsinki-Stockholm-Tallinn) is Princess Anastasia (crossing time 62,5 hours). To Helsinki are offered 2 weekly crossings (13 hours travel), to Tallinn 1 weekly crossing (14 hours) and to Stockholm1 weekly crossing (39,5 hours).

For FY2018 (fiscal), the port authority company (Sea Port of Saint Petersburg JSC) reported a record year with handled 7,7 million cargo tons (12% increase over FY2017). The traffic growth was attributed to terminal developments of facilities dedicated for transshipment cargoes (cast iron, metal scrap, ores, fertilizers, TEU-containers). Port's exports increased 15% (to 7,45 million tons), while imports decreased 38% (to 252,000 tons). Exports are ~97% (imports ~3%) of seaport's throughput.

Next statistics relate to cargo transshipments.

• Total general cargo increased 5% (to 6,67 million tons, of which 3,74 million ferrous metal).
• Mineral fertilizers increased 75% (to 477,000 tons).
• Non-ferrous metal decreased 10% (to 1,24 million tons). Wood pellets transshipment increased 1% (to 297,000 tons).
• Metal scrap decreased 38% (to 825,000 tons).
• Dry bulk cargo increased 260% (to 597,000 tons, of which 328,000 tons of ore).
• Bulk mineral fertilizers increased 270% (to 106,000 tons).
• TEU throughput (containers shipped on boxships ) increased 30$ (to 33,300 TEUs) of which over 27,000 export and over 6,000 import.

On June 5, 2019, Maersk (world's largest container shipping company) started the construction of its new cold storage warehouse (3-chamber facility) specializing in storing perishable goods (fresh and frozen produce). For the project was contracted the Russian company PNK Group, which as of 2019 owns and operates 28 industrial parks in Russia. The new warehouse is within PNK Park Sofiyskaya KAD and sized 23700 m2 (255,100 ft2). It has 35 loading/unloading docks (daily capacity 200 container trucks), max storage capacity 50,000+ tons (30,000+ pallet locations) and is operated by 200+ employees. ~40% of the warehouse is planned to serve exclusively Fyffes plc (Japanese-owned fruit company headquartered in Dublin Ireland ).

In February 2020 was established the state-owned (100%) company "Passenger Port of Saint Petersburg Marine Facade" as a sole operator for all passenger terminals. Marine Facade now operates all 6 passenger terminals and all 9 berths at Port St Petersburg, plus 1 rive cruise terminal and 6 berths serving riverboats (at Morskoy Vokzal).

In December 2020, for Container Terminal St Petersburg were ordered two STS (ship-to-shore) container cranes from Konecranes Oyj (Finland). As of 2022-Q1 (new cranes' deliveries), the cargo terminal has (all Konecranes-built) 6x STS cranes plus 24x RTG (rubber tyre gantry) cranes. Both new STS cranes were specially designed for operation at -40 Celsius, with power chains (instead of cable festoons) and with Collision Avoidance System.

Saint Petersburg cruise terminal

The following photo shows St Petersburg cruise port's ship terminals.

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St. Petersburg   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Getty Images |

18 Best Things To Do in St. Petersburg

Updated Feb. 12, 2021

St. Petersburg is a great city for sightseeing, with an abundance of art-filled galleries and brilliant architecture to explore. Stroll along the Nevsky Prospekt and have a coffee at a local cafe, explore north end's sites like the Winter Palace and

• All Things To Do

Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace

Catherine the Great founded the Hermitage Museum in 1764 as a place to house her private art collection. The main museum complex comprises six buildings, including the Winter Palace, which was the home of the czars for almost 200 years. It finally opened to the public in 1852, and since then has been one of the largest and most interesting museums in the world. It draws more than 4 million visitors each year – in fact, this museum is the main reason some travelers visit St. Petersburg in the first place. Recent travelers offered fulsome praise for both the art on display and the opulent building housing the works. For many, the only downside was the constant crowds.

Bursting at the seams with art from masters like Leonardo da Vinci and Pablo Picasso, the Hermitage demands a substantial commitment of time to see even a portion of its collection, which encompasses 3 million works of art and artifacts. Some previous visitors reported spending seven hours touring the grounds. If you plan to spend a considerable amount of time admiring the works, consider purchasing the two-day entrance ticket.

Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood is one of the main attractions in St. Petersburg, drawing crowds to its ornately decorated onion domes and the stunning mosaics housed within. Alexander III commissioned the construction of the church in 1883 as a tribute to his slain father, Alexander II, who was assassinated on this site by a group of revolutionaries. The church's name references this murder and much of the art inside has a martyrdom theme.

Recent visitors invariably raved about the beauty of the building, with the intricate mosaics inside regularly cited as being especially remarkable. Travelers also said the church is small, so you'll probably be able to tour the inside in less than an hour.

St. Isaac's Cathedral St. Isaac's Cathedral

The construction of St. Isaac's Cathedral was ordered by Alexander I in the early 1800s. This neoclassical marvel was finally completed in 1858 after 40 years of construction. St. Isaac's has an interesting history: it survived Nazi shelling in World War II and even briefly served as a museum of atheism under the Soviet regime.

St. Isaac's Cathedral possesses an imposing exterior presence with its single massive dome, but you'll also want to check out its opulent interior, with its multicolored marble floors and stunning frescoes, which never fail to impress visitors.

Peter and Paul Fortress Peter and Paul Fortress

The Peter and Paul Fortress is where St. Petersburg was founded. Peter the Great commissioned the building of a fort on Hare Island in 1703 and initiated construction of the fortress. Among its attractions is the Peter and Paul Cathedral, which has a bell tower that remains one of the tallest structures in the city. Along with its impressive height, the cathedral also houses the remains of centuries of Russian czars and their families. The Grand Ducal Burial Chapel, which is connected to the older cathedral, contains the tombs of other members of the Romanov family. At various times, including during the Soviet period, the fortress was used as a prison. Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Maxim Gorky, Mikhail Bakunin and Leon Trotsky are among the notables who were held there. Now it operates as part of the State Museum of the History of St. Petersburg. The St. Petersburg Mint also forms part of the fortress.

The fortress exerts a powerful draw for history buffs. Visitors often single out the cathedral as especially impressive. The fortress is a popular destination and can be crowded, especially in summer. Past visitors suggested timing your visit for noon, when the fortress cannon fires a blank shot. The cannon shot was once used to signal the beginning and end of the work day and commemorate special state events, among other things.

Catherine Palace and Park Catherine Palace and Park

Though it's located about 20 miles outside St. Petersburg proper, the Catherine Palace and Park certainly merits a visit by anyone in the area, especially enthusiasts of elaborate and fanciful architecture. In 1717, Peter the Great commissioned a building for his wife, Catherine, who succeeded him after his death, but her namesake palace only began taking on its grand stature in 1743, when their daughter, the Empress Elizabeth, engaged a series of architects to expand upon it. The result was a massive building with ornate blue and white facades decorated with real gold. The interior is no less spectacular. What's more, the surrounding 1,400-acre park features multiple fountains and bridges.

Recent visitors offered lavish praise for the palace's extravagance and the opulence of the furnishings. The Amber Room was a particular highlight for recent visitors. The original Amber Room, which was decorated with six tons of amber and other semiprecious stones, was looted by Nazis during World War II. The whereabouts of the original Amber Room remain a mystery, but in 2003 the palace unveiled a reconstruction of the room – which is what visitors can admire today. The only downside to all this beauty? The palace is known to attract crowds year-round, according to reviewers.

Peterhof Palace & Garden Peterhof Palace & Garden

If you're visiting St. Petersburg in the summer, the Peterhof Palace & Garden is an absolute must-see. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Peterhof was the brainchild and summer palace of Peter the Great. The palace is frequently likened to Versailles , which inspired its design.

While the palace is an impressive site, the manicured gardens and numerous fountains really steal the show, according to recent visitors. Reviewers also add that you shouldn't bother with the palace if you have time constraints, because exploring this palace can easily take an entire day.

Russian Museum Russian Museum

The Russian Museum boasts the world's largest collection of Russian art. Its main exhibition space has been housed in the neoclassical Mikhailovsky Palace since 1895. The Russian Museum also consists of several other buildings, including the Marble Palace, the Mikhailovsky Castle (St. Michael's Castle), the Stroganov Palace and the Benois Wing. For many travelers, a visit here offers the chance to view artwork not often seen outside of Russia.

The complex is massive, so be prepared to spend several hours here, according to past visitors. It's a good idea to figure out what you want to see beforehand, so you can better plan your tour of this fascinating museum. The rooms in the Benois Wing, which hold works by Kandinsky and Malevich, are particularly popular (and often crowded). The museum usually has at least one excellent special exhibit on display. With a massive collection of more than 400,000 works from the 10th to the 21st century, the museum may be best viewed with a tour guide or by using the corresponding free English-language smartphone app , which offers an audio guide.

Fabergé Museum Fabergé Museum

The Fabergé Museum in the Shuvalov Palace houses the world's largest collections of works by Peter Carl Fabergé, including nine of the renowned, bejeweled imperial Easter eggs for which the artist is best known. In addition to the Fabergé pieces, which had originally been collected by the prominent American entrepreneur Malcolm Forbes, the museum boasts a collection of more than 4,000 works of Russian decorative and fine arts. Fabergé, who was born in St. Petersburg, crafted his famous eggs for the last two Russian emperors, Alexander III and Nicholas II. He also made jewelry, religious objects, silverware and other items, examples of which can be seen in his eponymous museum. The 4,700-square-foot palace inside which the museum is located qualifies as a popular destination in its own right.

While the eggs may be the main attraction, visitors frequently are impressed, if not awed, by the quality and quantity of other works of art on display. Many also enthuse about the beauty of the building itself.

Mariinsky Theatre Mariinsky Theatre

Iconic not only for its grand architecture, but also for the legendary performances held here, the Mariinsky Theatre is a must-see for fans of opera and ballet. According to some, seeing a performance here is as essential as paying a visit to the Hermitage Museum to understanding Russian life. Along with the premieres of "Sleeping Beauty," "The Nutcracker" and "Swan Lake," this theater is where dancers like Anna Pavlova and Mikhail Baryshnikov honed their skills, not to mention opera singers like Feodor Chaliapin. Dating back to 1860, the theater building itself is also an impressive sight thanks to its opulent interiors.

Past visitors highly recommended seeing a performance here while in St. Petersburg. Reviewers gushed about the theater's lavishness and the talent of the performers.

Summer Garden Summer Garden free

After battling the crowds at the Hermitage and taking in countless masterpieces at the Russian Museum , you're going to need a place to unwind. So why not go to the same spot Peter the Great used to go for some rest and relaxation?

Most come to the Summer Garden to just soak in the atmosphere, which travelers describe as tranquil. Classical gardens, Italian statues and lovely fountains will let you know that you made the right call to visit. Other structures housed here include the Summer Palace, which is maintained by the Russian Museum and available for touring for a fee. Because the Summer Palace is modest in comparison to some of the city's other noble structures (it's just two stories and houses seven rooms), many past visitors chose not to tour the interior.

Alexander Park Alexander Park

Located near the Catherine Palace and Park , the nearly 500-acre Alexander Park is less formal than its neighbor. The Alexander Palace, which was a frequent retreat for the last czar, Nicholas II, sits inside the park. Though the palace is currently closed for renovations, there are still several other attractions within the park worth seeing. The park also contains the remains of the Chinese Theatre, an opera house designed by Antonio Rinaldi (who also designed the Chinese Palace still standing in the Oranienbaum State Museum Reserve ), which was destroyed during World War II. A Chinese Village remains, and its restored cottages were made into apartments, and many of the park's adornments have an Asian motif. The park also features miniature versions of some of St. Petersburg's most famous buildings.

The park is often described as peaceful, pleasant and relaxing. Its pathways accommodate walkers, runners and bicyclists (as well as users of wheelchairs). Past travelers said Alexander Park makes for a nice addition to any visit to Catherine Palace, but they also said it's not worth the trip from St. Petersburg if you don't plan to also tour Catherine Palace.

Yusupov Palace Yusupov Palace

Also known as the Moika Palace, Yusupov Palace is a St. Petersburg landmark. It was the main residence of the House of Yusupov, which was a wealthy family of Russian nobles.

Travelers come here to take in the luxurious interior. Those with a deep interest in Russian history find the palace especially fascinating. Others said the palace provided a more convenient option than Peterhof Palace & Garden , which sits about an hour outside St. Petersburg.

Oranienbaum State Museum Reserve Oranienbaum State Museum Reserve

While Menshikov Palace deserves exploration, the palace is part of a larger estate known as the Oranienbaum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area also encompasses the Palace of Peter III and the Chinese Palace, both of which were designed by the Italian architect Antonio Rinaldi. The Oranienbaum consists of an Upper Park and a Lower Park. The former features artfully planned canals, ponds and bridges, while the latter was decorated with fountains and sculptures.

Recent visitors praised the impressive gardens adorning the Oranienbaum's grounds and said the palace and its attractions are not as popular as some of St. Petersburg's other royal residences, so the Oranienbaum is much quieter and less crowded. Reviewers were also quick to recommend touring the inside of the Chinese Palace for its opulence.

Grand Maket Russia Grand Maket Russia

Grand Maket Russia, or Grand Model Russia, is a more than 8,600-square-foot scale model of the country that showcases Russia's urban and rural life. With illumination from half a million electric lights, the model reproduces the country's roads, railroads and waterways. The interactive display also has numerous buttons allowing visitors to put various vehicles in motions. To see all of the display's intricacies, visitors can even borrow binoculars.

Recent visitors expressed amazement over the model's high degree of detail. While frequently described as kid-friendly, this is a highly entertaining thing to do for people of all ages, according to reviewers.

Menshikov Palace Menshikov Palace

The Menshikov Palace, the first large structure built with stone in St. Petersburg, was constructed for Prince Alexander Menshikov, a close associate of Peter the Great, in the early 1700s. It was used for formal state functions until Menshikov fell out of favor with the emperor's successor. It currently belongs to the Hermitage and displays some of the museum's paintings and sculptures. The palace, which sits on Vasilyevsky Island on the banks of the Neva River, combines extravagant appointments, including ample use of marble, with everyday domesticity. Its blend of traditional Russian architecture and Western European style became known as Petrine Baroque.

Visitors tend to find the architecture rather fascinating and appreciate the views of the river. Though some pointed out this felt more like a grand house and less like a palace. Others said it's not worth making a special trip to the island. However, the palace is typically not as busy as some of the city's other things to do and may provide a respite from the crowds.

The Naval Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Kronstadt The Naval Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Kronstadt

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Nevsky Prospekt Nevsky Prospekt free

Erarta Museum Erarta Museum

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Dragon Boats Return: Paddlers ply Flathead River

The Silver Linings team launches during Saturday's Montana Dragon Boat Festival, aided by a Canadian steersman Alex Severe. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)

Three dragon boats race for the finish line on the Flathead River in the 200-meter course, during last Saturday's Montana Dragon Boat Festival in Polson. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)

Women in pink give a fervent high five before boarding their dragon boat during Saturday's races on the Flathead River. The festival attracted eight teams from across Montana and Canada. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)

Dragon at the bow of the aptly name Montana Dragonboat Festival, held Saturday in Polson. The festival sprang back to life after a four-year hiatus, presented by the Silver Lining Montana Foundation. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)

Kelley Provost, MC of the Montana Dragon Boat Festival, is a cancer survivor and member of the Silver Linings team. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)

Women in pink, or wearing glitter from head to toe, lined up to slide into their seats in the 40-foot-long dragon boats.

“We’ve got a full boat,” shouted one.

“Right side, push away,” commanded the drummer (who was wearing a tutu and dragon tail). “Everyone lean out. Paddles up. Take it away.”

The vessel, adorned with a carved dragon head at one end and a tail at the other, quickly headed to the starting line, just south of the Polson Fairgrounds on the Flathead River. Two other dragon boats, each with brightly attired crews, followed suit.

Once the boats were lined up, the starter asked, “Are you ready?” then “Attention!” Five seconds later, with the sound of an air horn, the 200-meter race began. In under three minutes, boats had crossed the finish line and were circling back to the fairgrounds staging area to unload and reload.

It was just one in a series of races that kept the 10 teams participating in the Montana Dragon Boat Festival engaged Saturday morning. The afternoon session featured the 500-meter finals.

This year’s festival marked a return of dragon-boat racing to Montana after a five-year hiatus that began with COVID, and it was the first to be held at the Polson fairgrounds – Bigfork and Lakeside were home to pre-COVID events. The atmosphere was festive and friendly, with spectators on lawn chairs or standing by the river and vendors pedaling everything from raffle tickets to pastries, coffee and cotton candy.  

Billed as “a soft launch” by its organizer, the Silver Linings Foundation, registration was open to 10- and 20-member teams, as well as individuals.

The three dragon boats were brought to Polson from Lethbridge by veteran racer and coach Kevin Kwan and Elemental Racing. The Canadian vendor also supplied personal flotation devices, timers, paddles and instruction, with Kwan announcing each race.

While friendly competition was certainly part of the event, camaraderie and cooperation were the dominant themes.

Steerswoman Alex Severe arrived with the Lethbridge team and lent her talents to several different crews. The steerer, who stands at the rear of the boat and wields a large steering oar, sets the course, communicates commands and is essential to a boat’s safety and success – “like a human rudder.”

According to Severe, the job is all about “having a balance,” especially since she’s the only person standing up in the narrow boat, which typically measures four feet across at its widest point.

Nancy Taylor is a member of the Silver Linings team from Missoula, a group of breast cancer survivors who hosted this year’s festival.

The drummer, sitting at the front of the boat and facing the crew, keeps the pace, she explained. For inexperienced paddlers, he or she will count while drumming to help the paddlers find a rhythm.

“Some of these teams have never done this or we haven't been together before, so someone has to tell us the pace,” said Taylor, who has been involved with dragon boats for at least seven years. “An experienced team just knows their pace.”

In addition to paddlers from Canada, this year’s festival also fielded teams from across Montana, including Missoula, Kalispell, Bozeman and Helena. The goal was to enlist at least 11 teams, but racer and MC Kelley Provost, also a member of Silver Linings, suspected they fell slightly short.

While a full crew typically consists of 20 paddlers, boats can compete with fewer – and several races Saturday had crews of 10. “It’s no big deal,” said Provost.

What’s more important is to be evenly matched with the teams you’re competing against, and to make sure weight is carefully distributed.

“So there've been times where we've been in competition and some of our strongest paddlers got out of the boat for the betterment of the team – which can be a scary thing when you're talking about women and self-esteem and self-worth,” she said.

According to Provost, the boat has three sections. The front, “which sets the pace for the whole thing. The engine room is what we call the middle six and they are the brute force and we have our strongest paddlers there. Then in the back we have people that can pay attention and keep you in line.”

She’s paddled all those positions on either side of the boat, but prefers the front “because I'm able to really use my strength.”

Provost, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2017, says this marks her seventh year of dragon boat racing. She was on board this summer when Silver Linings attended the Calgary Dragon Boat Festival in July and brought home a gold medal. 

They paddle, in part, to honor “our fallen sisters,” and have lost two members of their 20-member team to cancer in the past year. “We do it because we can,” she adds.

“It's just a fun way to be a part of something when you go through something that traumatic,” she said. “It's so beautiful to hop in a boat and feel your strength, feel your sisterhood.”

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Boat Trips and River Cruises

A city built over 42 islands, St. Petersburg is surrounded by water and interlaced with a complex web of rivers, canals and channels that seem to bind the city together, while also marking the borders of its different districts and neighborhoods. St. Petersburg's low-rise classical architecture means that great vistas of the city are often visible from the water, and therefore an essential part of any exploration of the city is to get out in a boat and cruise the rivers and canals of St. Petersburg.

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