Russia, A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

After our five month cruise from Marathon, Florida to Rhode Island, we arrived home fifteen days before our vacation which was flying to Russia for a twelve night cruise on the longship Viking Ingvar.  It was an amazing trip and we both agree that it can best be shared with our friends using pictures instead of words.  Sit back and enjoy!

A cruise from St Petersburg to Moscow

We boarded the boat in St Petersburg and then spent three days exploring the city that was under siege for almost two and a half years from September 1941 until January 1944.  It is the longest time any city has been under siege, and reconstruction is still underway.

Cruise terminal, first row are all Viking longships

Our stateroom

Our balcony

The Hermitage, a world famous museum.  It is mainly in this building, the official Winter Palace of the Tzars

Statue on entrance staircase

Exquisite vase on display

A fireplace in the Malachite Room, showing only a small portion of the famous green stone decorations

The small throne room in the winter palace

Ceilings are meticulously constructed

Some walls have picture collections

Lots of arches and columns

Wooden door, nicely inlaid

Sculpture collection

Finely carved teak

Marble Cupid by Etienne Maurice Falconet

Holy Family by Raffaello  (Joseph without beard)

Antonia Zarate by Goya

Wooden floor, inlaid looks almost like a painting

Bill taking a turn to gather tour group  (or is he providing a modesty screen).

Palace Square and Alexander Column and the Imperial Army General Staff building

Impressive statue on top of the Triumphal Arch of the Army General Staff building

Grand Cascade at Peterhof Palace

St Petersburg's picturesque Neva River

Band performing at entrance gate to Catherine's Palace

Catherine's Palace inside courtyard and sculptures between the windows

A dining room in the Palace

Reproduction of one of Catherine's gowns

One of the impressive chandeliers and gold leaf columns

The Ballroom

A painted ceiling and to right a candlerabra

Small sitting area in a large room

The back side of  Catherine's Palace

Golden Gate entrance to Catherine's Palace