Vodka Tasting in St. Petersburg, Russia

We started our day in Russia watching the sun rise over the water.

It seemed appropriate that we also end our day on the water while watching the sun set.

Our day tour ended at 6pm when Irina dropped us off back at the ship with a warm hug.  We still had 4 hours before we set sail.  There was no way we were going to waste it aboard the ship, so after a quick hour to freshen up, we headed back out through passport control.  This time we were met by Inna from TJ Travel (Sergei was our driver for both tours)  for an evening tour including a vodka tasting and river cruise.

We boarded a little boat thinking that we would be joining other tourists, but it ended up just being me, Matthew and Inna.  She provided us with some wonderful zakuski's (snacks) and a small bottle of vodka.  After teaching us how to drink the vodka the Russian way (deep breath, drink it down in one shot and take a bite of a snack) we relaxed into an amazing boat tour of the city. 

Matt collects bank notes and was thrilled to point out that the view we were passing was the same one on the notes in his pocket.

I still can not get over our day in St. Petersburg.  It was fascinating and inspiring.  I will never forget sitting at the back of that boat with Matthew, looking out over this amazing city and thinking "I'm in Russia.  How did I ever get here?" and then "How will I get back?"

(A special thank you to Tatyana, Irina, Sergei, Inna and Olga with TJ Travel for coordinating our day in this amazing city and getting us safely back to the ship in plenty of time for sail away.)

Have you been to Russia?  What was your experience?

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   *Our day excursions with TJ Travel were complimentary for the purposes of review.  We were so happy with their service that we booked our evening tour with them at the standard rate. 
All photos, writing and opinions are 100% my own.
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Peterhof - the Capital of Fountains

 This week I'm featuring *photo essays from our day in St. Petersburg with TJ Travel.
 
During the afternoon, we took a hydrofoil boat to the Peterhof Palace, the imperial palace and park designed by Peter the Great at the beginning of the 18th Century.  We didn't actually go into the Grand Palace but did tour the smaller Monplaisir Palace, a small summer palace. 

When you arrive by boat the first site that greats you is the Grand Cascade that runs from the water's edge all the way to the entrance of the Palace.  There are 64 fountains and over 200 statues covered in gold leaf. 

The gardens are full of unique fountains and water features.  The entire system is gravity-fed. 

Apparently, Peter the Great was a big joker and enjoyed getting his noble guests wet. Like this little pathway.  Several times a day, the guy in the green overalls turns the crank and the street is drenched with streams of water.  There are trees that spray water and fountains that squirt you if you are unlucky enough to step on a certain brick.  And watch where you sit, the guy hidden behind the tree in a green box just might turn on the tap.

 

You can see why it is often called "The Russian Versaille" or "The Capital of Fountains."

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*I hope you don't consider my "photo essays" as a cover for lazy blogging.  We saw so much during those 15 hours in St. Petersburg and I really want to share it with you. 

Church of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood

 This week I'm featuring *photo essays from our day in St. Petersburg with TJ Travel.

As we were touring St. Petersburg in the morning, our guide pointed off into the distance and I caught my first glimpse of the onion domes of the Church of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood.

I had one of those travel moments that I live for, a deep intake of breath,

tears stinging my eyes and a dream suddenly becoming a reality.

The Russian Orthodox church was completed in 1907 and is dedicated to Tsar Alexander II who was assassinated along the canal at this site in 1881.
Inside there is a shrine and you can see the actual cobbles where his blood was spilled.

The outside is fantastic but when I walked inside I was completely speechless.

Soaring domed ceilings and every inch covered is the most beautiful glittering mosaics,

over 7,500 square meters of mosaics. 

This must be what it feels like to be inside an intricately bejeweled Fabergé egg.  

The Soviets closed the church in the 30's and it was used for food storage.

The damage from the revolution and the soviet era was extensive.
It was once earmarked for demolition and even used as a temporary morgue.
An artillery shell was dropped onto the main dome but luckily didn't explode.
 After extensive restoration the church reopened in 1997.

 

It is one of the most magical and beautiful structures I've ever seen.

I still can't believe that I was able to experience this place.
I could not stop taking pictures.  They had to drag me to the next site. 

Where is the most beautiful church you've ever visited?

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 *I hope you don't consider my "photo essays" as a cover for lazy blogging.  We saw so much during those 15 hours in St. Petersburg and I really want to share it with you.