A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
Referred to as the ‘City of the Czars,’ St Petersburg provides a captivating insight into Russia’s historical treasures. It is among the most lavish and aesthetically pleasing cities on the periphery of Western Russia. Furthermore, there are numerous exceptional activities to experience throughout St Petersburg.
The magnificence of Peterhof, Peter the Great’s summer imperial palace located on the Gulf of Finland along the Baltic Sea, is reminiscent of Versailles. Peter the Great visited Versailles in 1717 and returned to Saint Petersburg inspired to enhance his royal summer residence. Set within 1500 acres of formal gardens and parkland just 18 miles from Saint Petersburg, Peterhof Palace boasts 173 glorious fountains fed by underground springs that are 14 miles away. Much like the nearby Catherine Palace, Peterhof faced devastation during World War II, yet reconstruction efforts based on historic photographs have restored its former grandeur. Visitors typically arrive at Peterhof via organized tours, often taking a hydrofoil along the scenic Neva River for about 45 minutes.