Venice of the North

3rd September

As a first stop in Russia, St Petersburg is an easy start. Despite beautiful canals, massive and somewhat imposing buildings, there is a real sense that it is geared up for tourists and ripping them off.

Our hostel, which was down a dirty alley by the football stadium, was a high walled no window affair with frowning staff. None the less, it did the job and was a mere 30 minute stroll from the centre.

We covered the normal tourist route; a hike around the Hermitage, a boat trip around the canals and a night at the ballet. All very nice.... and a little dull.

Much better was a dusty bus ride through the suburbs seeing the communist housing projects that stretch far south of the city, our destination, Peterhof, a palace and beautiful grounds on the edge of the Gulf of Finland.