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The most sought-after destination on the Baltic Coast, St. Petersburg is a multifaceted jewel with a host of historic, artistic and scenic lures. Set along the Neva River, most visiting cruise ships visiting opt for two nights in port -- the better to giver their passengers a panoramic view of the city founded by Peter the Great more than 300 years ago.

Though most newcomers instantly recognize the onion-domed turrets of the Church of the Savior on the horizon, other familiar sights await in St. Petersburg -- the renowned treasures of the Hermitage Museum, the baroque architecture of the Winter Palace and the gilded appointments of St. Isaac's Cathedral, to name a few. The Mariinsky Theater and its namesake ballet draw art lovers; sites dedicated to Dostoyevsky and Nabokov draw fans of Russian literature. In addition, tours tracing the turbulent rise of the Russian Empire, most focusing on the powerful czars and their often ill-appointed advisors, give travelers some insight into this fascinating region.

Language: Russian     Currency: Rubles (RUB), US$