This small modest house was the very first residential building in St. Petersburg where Peter the Great spent 5 years of his life. It is made of wood and resembles a traditional Russian house with elements of Dutch construction. His desire, however was that all buildings in his new city are built of stone, like in the west so he ordered for the facade to be painted as "bricks". The original interior and Peter the Great's belongings are still intact inside this fascinating small museum with huge historical significance.
This touching museum in the beautiful Fountain House of the Sheremetev Palace is dedicated to one of the greatest Russian poets of the 20th century - Anna Akhmatova. The exhibition traces her life and work through the years and sheds light on her relationships with family, friends and acquaintances such as Josef Brodsky and her son Lev Gumiliev.
The astonishing vision of a magical palace with gorgeous gardens and overflowing fountains is just a short trip outside of St. Petersburg. Peterhof Palace was built and designed for Peter the Great as his Summer Palace and the wishes of the tsar were followed closely throughout the construction. The palace itself is reminiscent of Versailles but the gardens will leave you absolutely speechless with their out-of-this-world beauty and countless fountains.
This expansive museum, focused entirely on Russian contemporary art, is a true gem for all art lovers! On one side, the permanent collection showcases thousands of creative, underground pieces from the 1950s to this day and is arranged in a unique way to further enhance the experience. On the other hand, there are a variety of temporary exhibitions where items are also for sale. Visit the Erarta to get a feeling of a different Russia!
This is one of St. Petersburg best kept secrets! The museum was founded by the rich baron Stieglitz as an inspiration to future generations of artists and designers who attended the School of Design and Applied Arts. The intent was for the students to see the masterpieces of his own private collection from around the world, draw ideas and increase their knowledge. Later, as the collection grew, the palace itself was designed specifically to house it and each room was in its own distinct style with ornaments and details pertaining to it - from Baroque to Renaissance and more. After the revolution, the palace and its interior were changed, painted over and used for other purposes but today, the renovations and restorations are actively underway and slowly, the museum is going back to its origins. Fining the Stieglitz Applied Arts Museum is another challenge however! Enter the School of Applied Arts and ask your way to stumble upon the museum... It will be hard but it will be totally worth it!
The gorgeous Shuvalov Palace on the Fontanka River houses one of the most exquisite museums in St. Petersberg - The Faberge Museum - and its incredible art collection. The highlight, of course, are the nine famous Imperial Easter Eggs, the Faberge Eggs, regarded as some of the finest jeweled works of art in the world. Additionally, the museum displays wonderful masterpieces by renowned Russian artists from the 19th and the 20th centuries.
Russia's first museum, Kunstkamera, also known as the Museum of Ethnology and Anthropology, was established by Peter the Great himself to display curiosities of the world and educate his people about the human nature to dismiss superstitious beliefs.. Some of the most fascinating items are related to genetic mutations and those are as incredible as creepy to see - babies in jars, Siamese twins skeletons and other, so called, "freaks". Aside from those exhibitions, there are sections dedicated to tribes and indigenous people of the world as well as the completely reconstructed laboratory of Lomonosov.
Catherine the Great, one of the most passionate art collectors of all times, founded the Hermitage Museum to house her private collection. Later, in 1852, the museum was opened to the public and today its constantly growing collection consists of millions of items of which a few hundred are on display across the numerous buildings of the museum surrounding the Palace Plaza and beyond. Some of the most notable structures are the Winter Palace, home to Russian tsars for a couple of hundred years, the Old and New Hermitage, the Small Hermitage and more. The wealth of art which the Saint Petersburg's largest museum holds includes masterpieces by artists like Michelangelo, Da Vinci and Picasso. This world class museum, one of the largest in the globe, can take days to explore so plan ahead!
The glamour of imperial Russia is still very much alive in Saint Petersburg, the city built by Peter the Great and further enriched by the generations of Tsars. Often called "the Venice of the north", St. Petersburg is lined with rivers and canals adding that extra flair to the majestic architecture designed by the greatest western and Russian masters. The city's cathedrals are so breathtaking with their colorful mosaics and elaborate Russian Orthodox traditions that they will leave you speechless. Known as Russia's cultural capital, St. Petersburg is where Russian music, ballet and art are at their finest! The Hermitage alone, spanning over a number of luxurious palaces. features one of the world's most expansive art collection of all times and you can easily spend days exploring it. The classic performance art and the contemporary underground scene co-exist and feed off of each other to create that exciting feeling of indulgence. Visit the city during its famous White Nights when the day is endless and so is the line up of adventures!
The glamour of imperial Russia is still very much alive in Saint Petersburg, the city built by Peter the Great and further enriched by the generations of Tsars. Often called "the Venice of the north", St. Petersburg is lined with rivers and canals adding that extra flair to the majestic architecture designed by the greatest western and Russian masters. The city's cathedrals are so breathtaking with their colorful mosaics and elaborate Russian Orthodox traditions that they will leave you speechless. Known as Russia's cultural capital, St. Petersburg is where Russian music, ballet and art are at their finest! The Hermitage alone, spanning over a number of luxurious palaces. features one of the world's most expansive art collection of all times and you can easily spend days exploring it. The classic performance art and the contemporary underground scene co-exist and feed off of each other to create that exciting feeling of indulgence. Visit the city during its famous White Nights when the day is endless and so is the line up of adventures!
Known for being one of the most beautiful countries in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is surprisingly lesser known for its beaches... That means, now is the time to visit them! Enjoy the sand dunes, blue warm waters, palm trees and spectacular vistas before they become overcrowded. Here are the absolute best beaches to escape, relax and forget about everything else!
Known for being one of the most beautiful countries in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is surprisingly lesser known for its beaches... That means, now is the time to visit them! Enjoy the sand dunes, blue warm waters, palm trees and spectacular vistas before they become overcrowded. Here are the absolute best beaches to escape, relax and forget about everything else!
Let's be honest, The Midwest is not precisely the first destination that comes to mind when thinking "where to go next?"... We will however prove the opposite! There is so much to see and do in the US Midwest, that will blow your mind - from incredible architecture to mesmerizing nature, history, shopping and wonderful warm people who will make your travel escape a wonderful experience. Here are the top 10 places to visit while there.
Let's be honest, The Midwest is not precisely the first destination that comes to mind when thinking "where to go next?"... We will however prove the opposite! There is so much to see and do in the US Midwest, that will blow your mind - from incredible architecture to mesmerizing nature, history, shopping and wonderful warm people who will make your travel escape a wonderful experience. Here are the top 10 places to visit while there.
Myrtle Beach is the ultimate family vacation destination! The center and entertainment mecca of the Grand Strand with miles of beautiful brown-sugar colored sandy beaches that invite for all day fun-in-the-sun and reveal breathtaking scenery at night for all romantics taking a quiet walk. Sit by the water and enjoy an outstanding meal or go on a shopping spree. Take the family and venture to the classic amusement parks or learn while you play at the cool museums. Why not a great round of golf by the scenic oceanfront?! Whatever you do, you'll create wonderful memories for a lifetime!
Myrtle Beach is the ultimate family vacation destination! The center and entertainment mecca of the Grand Strand with miles of beautiful brown-sugar colored sandy beaches that invite for all day fun-in-the-sun and reveal breathtaking scenery at night for all romantics taking a quiet walk. Sit by the water and enjoy an outstanding meal or go on a shopping spree. Take the family and venture to the classic amusement parks or learn while you play at the cool museums. Why not a great round of golf by the scenic oceanfront?! Whatever you do, you'll create wonderful memories for a lifetime!
Situated along the Danube River, Budapest is an architectural treasure of a city where Neoclassical, Baroque, Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings shape the mesmerizing outlook of Hungary's capital. Not by accident is it called "Paris of the East"! The outstanding cuisine, hipster ruin pubs, chic cafes and trendy restaurants welcome visitors and provide a place to sit back, enjoy and take in the unique atmosphere of Budapest. Famous for its thermal baths, Budapest has been a favorite healing and pleasurable soaking place ever since the Romans. The rich history of the country is also concentrated and commemorated throughout the capital where traces of World War II, communism and turmoil can still be seen but they are overshadowed by the new beginnings, symbols of liberty and prosperity.
Situated along the Danube River, Budapest is an architectural treasure of a city where Neoclassical, Baroque, Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings shape the mesmerizing outlook of Hungary's capital. Not by accident is it called "Paris of the East"! The outstanding cuisine, hipster ruin pubs, chic cafes and trendy restaurants welcome visitors and provide a place to sit back, enjoy and take in the unique atmosphere of Budapest. Famous for its thermal baths, Budapest has been a favorite healing and pleasurable soaking place ever since the Romans. The rich history of the country is also concentrated and commemorated throughout the capital where traces of World War II, communism and turmoil can still be seen but they are overshadowed by the new beginnings, symbols of liberty and prosperity.