St Petersburg, Russia

Situated in the west, on the Baltic Sea, St Petersburg is a city of magnificent palaces and elaborate churches in grandiose Baroque and neo-classical designs. Highlights include Trezzini's gold-spired landmark of St Peter and St Paul, the bright color, domes and gold of the Church on Spilled Blood and the carved and gilded extravaganza of St Isaac's Cathedral. On Nevsky prospekt, St Petersburg's main thoroughfare, the styles of three centuries, from classical to Baroque to Style Moderne, have created one of the most beautiful streets in the world.

Adding to the beauty of the buildings are the canals and rivers, which cross Nevsky prospect and have been compared to Venice. The winding waterways lead to the broad River Neva, at the heart of St Petersburg. Although the capital moved to Moscow after the revolution, St Petersburg is certainly Russia's first city in terms of beauty. It is also the center for classical culture - from opera to ballet to music - with historic venues, such as the Mariinsky Theater.

Things to see and do

* Hermitage museum
* Isaakievsky sobor (St Isaac's Cathedral)
* Petropavlovskaya krepost (Peter & Paul Fortress)
* Muzeh-domik Petra I (Cabin of Peter the Great)

Cruise Season - March - Nov
Currency - Russian Roubles (Rb)
Language - Russian
Land Area - 600km's
Population -5,000,000.
Electricity - 2 round pins European style
Time - GMT plus three hours
International Country Telephone Code - + 7

Port Location - Morskoy vokzal, the Marine Passenger Terminal, on Vasilevsky Island is situated at the West end of Bolshoy prospect, Morskoy Slavy Square 1.

Transport Links - Pulkova II is located some 17km (10.6 miles) southwest of St Petersburg and has links with most European and International countries.

It is possible to travel to and from St Petersburg by rail from most European capitals via Warsaw, Berlin, Helsinki or Moscow.

There is also national and international coach connections to and from St Petersburgh.

Most people in St Petersburg rely on public transport, so the city is well served by buses, trams and trolley buses.