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St Petersburg Russia Slideshow The "Venice of the Baltic". Peter the Great's greatest achievement, his "Window on the West".  The city was christened St. Petersburg, reborn as Petrograd, renamed Leningrad and is now back to being St. Petersburg once again. St. Petersburg began life as the Tsarist capital. It survived an attenuated seige during World War II.  But it is now being invaded once again - this time by hordes of tourists.  Packs of them.  And always accompanied by linguistically gifted, flag-toting guides. Independent tourists have to devise their own strategies to combat the group tours - especially in summer.  It is possible, but requires planning. Unfortunately, August can also harbor some of the rainiest days of the year.  During our stay, clouds and rain crowded out most glimpses of the sun. Nevertheless, the town still gleamed.  The Hermitage and Russian Museums garnered the usual awe. And downing a few blinys and shots of vodka helped ease any feelings of dreariness. August 201139 Images2906 visitsAlbum by David KohlPhotos by David Kohl & Ross Rosenberg

View of Peter and Paul Fortress View of the Fontanka area from Vasilevskiy Island View of the Church of Spilled Blood View of the Church of the Spilled Blood Interior of the Church of the Spilled Blood Another interior view Interior view of the mosaics Domes of the Church of the Spilled Blood Church of the Spilled Blood Another view - from the canal Bliny stand Bliny creation Bliny creation Finished bliny Wedding photo along the Neva River Peter and Paul Fortress church Peter and Paul Fortress - Romanov emblem Statue of Peter the Great Front of the Hermitage Me and Matisse Ross and Matisse Interior of the Hermitage Interior of the Hermitage View of the square in front of the Hermitage Griffon on bridge over the Griboedov Canal Courtyard of our hotel Entrance to our hotel Room at St Petersburg City Guide Subway escalator Subway platform Subway interior - with chandelier Upper deck of our ferry back to Helsinki View of St Petersburg (at dusk) as we leave St Petersburg docks Panoramic view of St Petersburg Deck of ship - at sunset Sunset on the Baltic Nightclub on the ship Room on the ship