Peterhof

This is Peterhof, or as the Russians call it, Petrodvoryets, a Versailles-like palace and grounds west of St. Petersburg on the Gulf of Finland. Begun by Peter the Great in the 18th century and added on to by Empresses Elizabeth and Catherine the Great, it is famous for its huge fountains, like the one you see here of gold Samson tearing apart a lion's jaws (symbolizing Russia conquering Sweden), and more playful ones like squirting flowers and hidden jets that spray passersby (Peter was a playful joker). I particularly enjoyed just strolling through the groomed forests of birch, cottonwood and rowan trees around the fountains -- nice to get away from the noise and traffic of the city. We took a bus there in the morning, and on the way back we zipped across the gulf on a hydrofoil boat, which was exciting. --Posted by Scott