Update:
St. Petesberg today....Rainy and a bit raw. Fall has set in. The city is a mix of architecture which I was not expecting..some classic, some italian, some baroque, some classic russian. Much more classic European than I expected, with colored stuccoed buildings a la Venice.
I highly recommend a "private tour" with Red October or a reasonable facsimile with a group of 8 or less. It is well worth the money. I'd cut corners elsewhere. The city is fascinating and there is a lot to see...much more than can be seen in two days. Our tour guide has done a very nice job of introducing us to the Russia of old and new and we are looking forward to tomorrow.
Our day began with a city tour and photo ops and a church visit and a visit to the gold room this am. The gold room is a must see and is a short visit. It is filled with quite beautiful artifacts. We returned to the ship for lunch and then went an hour out and visited the palace of Peterhof. A Versailles like afternoon.
As far as "sourvenirs"....I notice that you can buy things like amber, wood objects and dolls, lacquer boxes, enamel faberge egg jewelry pendents, faberge eggs almost everywhere (museums, Red October Stores, Churches, Souvenir shops). Prices vary considerably. Red October offers a 12% discount to its customers. I bought a pendant for 199EU and got a 10% discount and another 12% discount at their store. It was $345 at another store. Wood objects as small souvenirs range from 2Eu for a spoon to $144EU for a teacup to $500 for a lacquer box. I haven't priced eggs.
Some other comments:
1.This is a great cruise and I would do the 10 day cruise in a year or two. There is a lot to see and it is very worthwhile and I would not feel I was repeating the cruise.
2.Compass Rose Dinners are themed to each stop.
3.Do not push yourself before the cruise...do not do this cruise jet-lagged. There is no down time.
4. Copenhagen:Greg says the Ascot is a good 3 star hotel with a great location and great breakfast and large family sized rooms. I heard others complain about the 4 and 5 star hotels. We were pleased with the Marriott.
5. Tallin: Gloria's Restaurant got rave reviews. It is expensive ($120 for 2); The City Museum is excellent and the City Hall tower offers excellent views.
6. Visby: Cute story...a couple ooed and awed over a Tallin couple's basset hound and they were invited in to see their historic home and to hear a history of Tallin for the afternoon.
7.Things available to purchase: Amber everywhere...Kosta Boda good deal in Stockholm.
Greg sends a big hello to all of you
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