Oranienbaum Palace, also known as Lomonosov, is one of the oldest imperial palaces around St. Petersburg. It features some beautiful buildings designed by prominent architects and a wonderful park for leisurely strolls.
The beautiful salmon-pink palace, designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, is one of the most fascinating baroque buildings of St. Petersburg. Built for the rich Stroganov family, the palace was elaborately decorated with its main highlight being the Andrey Voronikhin interiors. Tour the perfectly restored State Rooms to admire the suburb detail, colors and mastery in design. Today, the Stroganov Palace is a part of the Russian Museum, housing a section of its impressive collection. But there is another famous fact about it... This is the place where the family chef first invented the delicious beef dish with sour cream and mushroom sauce, world-wide known as Beef Stroganov.
The Menshikov Palace was at one point the most incredible one in all of St. Petersburg, considered even better than the tsar's palace, which earned it the honor to host a variety of official events. Until one day, the powerful owner was accused of treason and expelled from the country. Today, Menshikov Palace still maintains the old style charm it has always possessed but as a part of the Hermitage Museum. It now houses the vast collection of European and Russian applied art from the early 18th century along with wonderful sculptures and paintings.
Built by Peter the Great as the center of a new modern capital city, Peter and Paul Fortress is the birth place of St. Petersburg. The fortress actually never fulfilled its intended defense function but it did go through many uses throughout the centuries, all reflected in its variety of architecturally different buildings. Within the walls is St. Petersburg's oldest cathedral, Peter and Paul, which fascinates with its powerful facade and richly decorated interior. Nearly all Russian Imperial rulers are buried inside Peter and Paul Cathedral. The complex has so much to see, do and explore, from historic buildings to old traditions and new popular spots.
The Yusupov Palace, also known as the Moika Palace for its location on the Moika River, is one of the two surviving residencies of the ultra rich Yusupov family. The gorgeous palace has an even more impressive interior with astonishing gilded chandeliers, silks, frescoes, tapestries along the many painted halls in different styles, one more luxurious than the other. Luckily the original decor and furniture have remained as they were in the palace throughout the years, even after it was seized by the Bolsheviks. The Yusupov Palace is also famous for being the place of Rasputin's assassination where he was poisoned, shot, beaten and finally thrown in the freezing Moika River... At the end, he actually died of hypothermia. Today, the impressive palace is open to the public for tours and its beautiful theater is used for wonderful cultural events.
Take a romantic stroll along the gorgeous gardens designed for Peter the Great with him personally overseeing the project. Following strict geometrical forms, the Summer Gardens are a wonderful display of rare plants, exquisite statues and overflowing dreamy fountains. Go, relax and take in the fresh air and all that beauty, just like the Russian Tsars did.
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.
The astonishing blue, white and gold facade of Catherine Palace is only surpassed by the fascinatingly rich interior! This summer residence, named after Catherine, the wife of Peter the Great who succeeded him, was actually the brainchild of their daughter, Empress Elizabeth who commissioned the expansion of the original palace. It was supposed to be as grand as Versailles... And it was! Today, it is perfectly preserved with its enormity in size and splendor! The absolutely breathtaking rococo design with gold elements, bright colors, exquisite mosaics and furnishings, paintings and sculptures... Every corner of this incredible palace is a masterpiece and it truly showcases the grandness and wealth of imperial Russia!
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!
Honolulu, the capital city and historic center of Hawaii, showcases incredible beauty and features some of the best entertainment and activities spots of Oahu. Just hop over to the famous Waikiki Beach for some fun in the sun or take a walk around the historic district where you can marvel at the gorgeous Iolani Palace. If you crave the nightlife scene, no doubt you'll enjoy the entertainment spots of Honolulu Chinatown.
Honolulu, the capital city and historic center of Hawaii, showcases incredible beauty and features some of the best entertainment and activities spots of Oahu. Just hop over to the famous Waikiki Beach for some fun in the sun or take a walk around the historic district where you can marvel at the gorgeous Iolani Palace. If you crave the nightlife scene, no doubt you'll enjoy the entertainment spots of Honolulu Chinatown.
Ah, the blissful heavenly beaches of Thailand!
Ah, the blissful heavenly beaches of Thailand!