Wednesday, May 30, 2018 - Visit Petershof Palace, Katherine Palace and Neva River Cruise

Today, our itinerary includes Petershol Palace, Katherine Palace and the Neva River Cruise.  Some of us had visited all three attractions when we visited St Petersburg previously from our Baltic Cruise.  However, the beauty of these attractions make us willing to re-visit with pleasure.  Petershol Palace is as great as always. We followed our local tour guide to see the palace interior first, then we visited the famous garden and fountains.   This time we had enough time to wait for the fountain to operate with music and had a wonderful experience again.  Then we had free time to wondering around the garden for more photos.

Petershof Palace Grand Entrance

Petershof Grand Ballroom

Petershof Palace Dining Room

Grand Cascade Top View

Grand Cascade with Fountain in Operation

Petershof Grand Palace Church 

We had our lunch at the Podvorye Restaurant close to Katherine Palace.  The restaurant is situated in a typical Russian log house with interiors filled with wooden panels, bear skins and traditional Russian decorations. The atmosphere and service were relaxed, friendly and efficient. They also provided Russian singing and dancing while we were eating. As part of the lunch, they also provided Russian vodka, some of us did over do it a little bit and it showed as they walked out of the restaurant. However, we all had a fun lunch. Then we got few photos of the unusual building exterior before we boarded the bus.

Lunch at Podvorye Restaurant

Lunch at Podvorye Restaurant

Outside the Podvorye Restaurant

We visited Katherine Palace , the great Grand Ballroom, Green Dinner Room, Palace Chapel, and Amber Room in the palace just brought back all fun memories again.  We truly enjoyed every minute of the tour.  Then we had free time to wondering in the garden and look this beautiful palace from outside again.  

Entrance of the Katherine Palace

Katherine Palace - The Grand Ballroom

Katherine Palace - The Grand Ballroom

Katherine Palace Garden

Patio in the Katherine Palace Garden

Afterwards, we drove back to St. Petersburg to have the Neva River Cruise excursion.  It was a river boat just for our group sailing passing all main attractions in St Petersburg downtown. 

Neva River Cruise

Neva River Cruise

Neva River Cruise