The “Stars of the White Nights Music Festival” is being held between May and July. I booked a ticket to see “Pagliacci” at the Mariinsky Theatre. The history of the Mariinsky Opera Company dates back to 1783 when Empress Catherine II issued a decree on … Continue reading →

What a day to visit the Lower Gardens of the Peterhof Palace estate – sunshine and 20 degrees. Took the 30 min hydrofoil from Lion Pier straight to the gardens. The fountains were sparkling brilliantly and hundreds of people were … Continue reading →

Rainy and grey day – perfect for visiting the Hermitage museum.  Founded in 1764 when Catherine the Great acquired an impressive collection of paintings from a Berlin merchant. A collection of over 3 million items, including the largest collection of … Continue reading →