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SOVIET LENINGRAD...
ST PETERSBURG Having spent the first two years of my life living in Soviet Leningrad, I was desperate to see what the city now known as St Petersburg had in store for us. Although my memories of my previous visit are very limited, the six days we spent touring this spectacular city as part of the Kirker Palaces & Galleries of St Peterburg escorted tour, exceeded my wildest expectations in every way. The Kirker guide who leads this holiday, Tatiana, did not live up to the frosty Russian stereotype at all. Her engaging and informative style meant that the varied group of clients all felt comfortable within minutes of arriving, and we had just the right balance of comprehensive information and a relaxed pace. For many visitors to St Petersburg, the highlight and even the reason to go, is the stunning collection held at the Hermitage within the Tsar's Winter Palace. This dazzling array of western art includes masterpieces from Ancient Greek sculpture, through the Italian Renaissance to 19th Century Impressionists and 20th Century masters such as Matisse, Picasso and Kandinsky. For me however, the Russian Museum which we visited the following day, was an equally astonishing (and less crowded) experience with its rich collection of Russian icons, oil paintings and Socialist propaganda.
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After witnessing some of the world's finest paintings and sculpture, there is only one cultural experience with which to round off a day in St Petersburg - a visit to the world-famous Mariinsky Theatre. I had never been to the ballet before, and did not know what to expect, but our seats in the stalls were the prime position from which to enjoy the spectacle of Swan Lake - and a glass of champagne in the interval made the evening all the more enjoyable! There was still one treat in store before the end of our trip, and it was a gloriously sunny May day as we drove out of the city to visit the Tsar's Summer Palaces. Peterhof was the most impressive, with its elaborate gilt decorated façade and an awe-inspiring cascade of golden fountains which lead towards to the Baltic sea. A fitting end to a glittering holiday.
ÂŁ SAVVI TRAVEL Savvi Travel can arrange a holiday for you: call your Travel Consultant on 01572 842012 for more information or pop into Savvi at 7 The Maltings, Oakham.