ST.-PETERSBURG

St. Petersburg's most renowned novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky in perhaps his greatest novel "The Brothers Karamazov" wrote about three brothers who represent three worlds: the intellectual, the spiritual, and the sensual. And no matter which world you more closely identify with, we believe that modern St. Petersburg offers a fascinating juxtaposition of all these worlds, which will make your stay here a unique and memorable one.
Whether you are walking along one of the Venice of the North's many picturesque canals or the wide Neva River during a dreamy white night, taking in the world-renowned ballet at the Mariinsky Theater on a magical winter evening, enjoying an early autumn afternoon in one the city's outstanding suburban parks, or delighting in the world-class art collection at the Hermitage Museum, you are sure to appreciate the unique beauty and rich culture of the city on the Neva.

Although just 300 years old, St. Petersburg has a rich and exciting history, full of dramatic events and major historical figures. From the early days of Peter the Great's "Venice of the North" to the modern events of the 1991 coup d'etat, the city has always bustled with life and intrigue, revolution and mystery. Founded in 1703 by Emperor Peter the Great as his "window on the West", St. Petersburg enjoys a vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere and some of the most beautiful architecture in Europe. For those interested in culture and history, St. Petersburg is the perfect holiday destination.

St. Petersburg is a beautiful and fascinating holiday destination and one of the most intriguing and
historically significant cities in Europe. Whether you chose to visit the city in the midst of a romantic and snowy Russian winter or during the dazzling White Nights of the summer months, you will be spellbound by St. Petersburg's culture and beauty. Have a browse through our Virtual Tour and see the city's most famous attractions for yourself .....

In summer, in June, when White Nights with legendary midnight sun descend over the city, Saint Petersburg is plunged into an intriguing and exotic mood. In autumn, the city's parks strike by bright colors and variety of tints and in winter Saint Petersburg takes on a new romantic quality as snow covers its famous landmarks in an icy blanket.
Spring reawakes the city's life and fills the air with sunlight and joy as the last winter ice flows dramatically down the Neva River and out into the Finnish Gulf.
The city of Saint Petersburg is known as the cultural treasure house of Russia and it is often referred to as an Open-Air Museum. There are more than 140 museums and around 100 theatres in Saint Petersburg. Such highlights as the Hermitage and St Isaac Cathedral are located in the city.
Known in Soviet times as Leningrad, Saint Petersburg is strategically located at the head of the Gulf of Finland on both banks of the Neva River and on the islands of its delta. Russia's second largest city is a major seaport, rail junction, and industrial, and scientific center of the Northwest Region.
The city s seaport is one of the largest in the world. The river port, one of the most important in the country, stands at the end of two artificial waterways, the Volga-Baltic and the White Sea Baltic. The city's diverse industries include shipbuilding, metallurgy, oil refining, printing, woodworking, food and tobacco processing, the manufacture of machinery, electrical equipment, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and textile.

By right, Saint Petersburg is considered to be one of the main centers of Russia's political, academic and cultural life. With the arrival of the twenty-first century, a new page in Saint Petersburg's history was opened with the 300th anniversary of the founding of the city conducted in 2003. In preparations for the celebrations more than 130 objects in and around the city have been renovated. This new century in the city's chronicles will be dedicated to reinforcing the city's status as a world center of culture, arts and tourism.