Peterhof

 The town of palaces and parks was built by Peter the Great to rival Versailles. It lies on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland, 22 miles apart from the city of St. Petersburg. You will stroll through this picture-perfect setting of parks and gardens with its incomparable network of gilded fountains using almost 7,500 gallons of water per minute. Pay a visit to its magnificent Grand Palace built for the first time as the Summer Residence for Peter the Great in 1714-1725 and then rebuild for his daughter-Elizabeth the first in 1747-1752, famous for its shining gilded woodcarving on the walls and ceiling paintings.