Russia 2012: St. Petersburg City

Russian shawls purchased with Natasha's help. Each has a name - Kate's is called Foreign Woman, Anna's Sunny Summer.

Just off the train from Moscow - ready to see this new city.

Meat pies at Stella's for our first lunch.

St. Petersburg is Russia's most western city.

Kazan Cathedral at night.

One of many statues commemorating Russia's history.

Kazan Cathedral.

Fancy desert for Anna.

Kate has one too.

Evidence of the Soviet era - Mr. Lenin.

Shopping for scarfs.

Nevsky Prospect at night.

Bridge near our hotel. 

Natasha Kulagina - our guide for the week. We really enjoyed her.

Statue to honor Dostoevsky who wrote his books near here.

Another beautiful cathedral near Dostoevsky's flat where Crime and Punishment was written.

Plaque marking the location where Dostoevsky lived.

The apartment where Dostoevsky wrote Crime and Punishment.

St. Petersburg is simply an incredible city. Even with more than 5 million people and bustling economy, the city has preserved its history - and what a rich history it has. From name changes - St. Petersburg to Petrograd, to Leningrad then back to St. Petersburg; to its revolutions in 1917; to its seat of the Russian Empire for almost 200 years; to the 3 year siege by the Nazi armies during the Second World War; to its Soviet Era then back to market economy - it has many stories to tell. We enjoyed our time here immensly. When not seeing it palaces, museums and cathedrals with Natasha, we enjoyed walking its streets and exploring. Near our hotel is where Dostoyevsky wrote Crime and Punishment, and a 10 minute walk put us right on the famous Nevsky Prospect. We took advantage of the longer and longer days to enjoy evening walks, but enjoyed the city at night, too. The people were wonderful. We simply adore St. Petersburg and its people.