A visit to Russia is not complete without a trip to St. Petersburg, the second-largest city in Russia, built by Peter the Great. The city’s network of canals and baroque and neoclassical architecture gives it a European flavor. With hundreds of museums and theaters, there are many cultural gems such as the Winter Palace, the Kazan Cathedral, and the St. Peter and Paul Fortress, as well as a number of places of interest off of the beaten path.
THE TSAR BELL AND CANON
Two of the Kremlin’s more curious structures, the Tsar Bell and Canon are located just beyond Cathedral Square. They are curious because the bell was never rung and the canon was never fired. The bronze canon, built in 1586, is 16 feet in length, weighs over 40 tons, and is one of the largest canons ever made. Originally created to defend the Kremlin against attack, it has been an example of Russian workmanship ever since. The bell is also made of bronze and was commissioned by Anna the First in 1734. Considered to be one of the world’s largest ringing bells, the Tsar Bell was damaged by fire in 1737 while it was cooling off in its casting pit and has remained silent since.
THE ALTAY MOUNTAINS
Located in Southwestern Siberia near the Mongolian border, the Altay Mountains are one of the most serene and beautiful settings in the world. The rivers and beautiful lakes are also renowned, and the Telefskoye Lake is the largest lake in this region. Located near the Chusky Trakt, the scenic Telefskoye Lake is a popular tourist destination.
FISHING
Embark on a fishing adventure in some of the most scenic and isolated regions in the world. Travel by car from camp to fishing areas, or helicopter to favored fishing holes that are often kept a trade secret. Catch delicious fish such as beluga (white sturgeon with black caviar) in the Volga River Delta. In the far northwest, Kola Peninsula and its famed Ponoi River is a known destination for prolific Atlantic salmon fishing. The Kamchatka peninsula stretches out the other side of Russia into the Pacific. Flights from Anchorage, Alaska, have opened these streams to more business, but visitors can still be assured their paths won't cross another's. Farther into the Pacific is Sakhalin Island, stretching from the continent 589 miles to Japan, and also reachable from Korea. Depending on the time period, you will be able to fish for perch, salmon trout, silver salmon, flat fish, East Siberian char, and Sakhalin taimen (the largest salmon species in the world), among many more.
MOSCOW CITY BALLET
Formed in 1988 by the successful Russian choreographer Victor Smirnov-Golovanov, Moscow City Ballet is one of Russia’s most extensively touring ballet companies. With a well-deserved reputation for delivering classical ballet productions of the highest standards, the Moscow City Ballet has delivered passionate, enchanting performances all over the world. The company is particularly successful in the UK, where it has given more than 1,500 performances since 1991.
CITY SPACE
Housed within the distinctive 34-story glass and steel Swissotel Krasnye Holmy is one of the most stylish bars in Moscow. City Space resides within the bowl-like structure at the top of the tower and offers its visitors a panoramic, vertiginous view out over the lights of Moscow. Serving an impressive array of classic and signature cocktails as well as Japanese cuisine, this stylish setting is just heavenly.
THE WINTER PALACE & HERMITAGE MUSEUM
Perhaps the most stunning attraction in St. Petersburg, the Winter Palace was the main residence of the Russian Tsars from the 1760s onwards. With its countless baroque architectural touches, this magnificent green and white three-story palace has over 1, 000 rooms. It also was the site where in 1917 Bolsheviks commenced their coup d'etat, and after the revolution, the palace’s Hermitage Museum, the largest art gallery in Russia, was opened to the public. Works by Leonardo da Vinci, Andrey Cherny, and Rubens are just a fraction of the works in this spectacular art collection.
THE MARIINSKY THEATRE
The Mariinsky Theatre, known as the Kirov during the Soviet era, reverted to its original name in 1992. An architectural marvel created by Albert Kavox, who also created the Bolshoy in Moscow, is a historic venue for opera and ballet in St. Petersburg. The sea-green exterior houses a five-tier theater done in pale blue and gold. Those attending the opera or ballet wear formal attire, so be ready if you want to participate.
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