Day 12 - Arrival in St. Petersburg, Russia

 

We arrived in St. Petersberg, Russia this morning, the first of two days here.

Today we did the three-hour “Panoramic St. Petersburg” bus tour with three photo stops along the way.

Tonight’s on board entertainment is the Mariinsky Singers. Tomorrow is tours all day including the Hermitage. Weather continues to cooperate...


Docking in St. Petersburg, just another beautiful day...

Bus tour through St. Petersburg. Peter and Paul Cathedral within the like-named fortress across the Neva River, spire is 404 ft high...


Russia was hosting the FIFA World Cup Soccer tournament while we were in St. Petersburg, there were signs and posters everywhere...

One of the stadiums they were using for the matches.


First photo stop - rostral column on Vasil’yevskiy Island...

Since it was a photo stop, Angela posed for a photo...


Second photo stop - Church of the Savior on Blood

Since it was a photo stop, John posed for a photo...


The topmost spire was wrapped for renovation, bummer. That said, the rest of the church was still breathtaking...

Another view


Per our tour guide, Sunday is Russian Navy Day. Accordingly, there were a number of military vessels in port and anchored along the Neva River... 

... and where there are ships, there are usually sailors - we saw this band of sailors/cadets walking down the street probably looking for a good time ...


Final stop - St. Isaac’s Cathedral... just stunning.

Is that a Burger King in St. Petersburg?  Please!