PETERHOF GRAND PALACE AND GARDEN

Peter the Great's "Versailles by the Sea," is located on the Gulf of Finland and was built between 1714 and1723. The mirrored rooms are decorated with paintings and gilded wooden carvings. One room's walls has 300 portraits by the same artist. Catherine the Great bought every painting the artist had because she liked his work! Outside, the Great Cascade is made up of three waterfalls, 64 fountains and 37 statues. Its system of waterworks has remained unchanged since 1721, bringing water from 12 miles away without pumping stations. The fountains are turned on at 11am and a band outside played rousing music. It was a beautiful sunny day so the effect was quite spectacular.
































We left St. Petersburg on the Neva River and saw the sunset by the new bridge. Our "Meet the Crew night" was festive and fun. Champagne toasts were plentiful. Dinner was followed by piano music in the Sky Bar. We have liked talking to the Russian kids who work on the boat.