Hermitage = Name Dropping

So we are in St. Petersburg. Pretty awesome place. The hostel/hotel we are staying in is really nice. We did a walking tour yesterday after we got here. Everything is so beautiful. The city is on a bunch on islands on the Neva River and it's very European as far as style goes, in my opinion. All I could think of was that Belle from Beauty and the Beast was going to come walking around the corner at any minute. We saw the Winter Palace from the outside and it is gorgeous! I wish I was a tsarina :-)

Today we started out by going to St. Isaac's Cathedral. Absolutely gorgeous inside, I was literally tearing up because of the shear height of the dome and the intricacy of the mosaics. Then we did the 3 hour hermitage tour to see all the great masterpieces as fast as possible because there is just SO MUCH to look at. It would legitimately take years to see it all. The beauty of the interior of the palace as well as the magnificent artwork. It's just unbelievable. I wish I could've seen the interior of the palace when it was in use as a palace. As far as artwork goes it was all about name dropping, seriously. Da Vinci, Michelanglo, Renoir, de Goya, Monet, Van Gogh...it was incredible.

We're chilling in the room for a little while because we're pretty much exhausted from the day but in a little bit we're going to go get some groceries and such. Then we might go do something tonight or hang out in the room...not sure yet. Tomorrow is Peterhof and also the ballet (Swan Lake of course :-) ) tomorrow night.

Love&Miss Ya'll :-)

Francesca