St. Petersburg, Russia

St. Petersburg is rich in cultural heritage, and a masterpiece of architecture that embodies the soul of Imperial Russia. In 1703, Peter the Great built a fortress on the banks of the Neva River, and by 1712 a new city had emerged. Elegant façades, glorious cathedrals and grand residences were built along the city's canals. Construction flourished under Catherine the Great, and the city gained new splendor with elaborate palaces, lovely parks and magnificent squares designed by French and Italian architects. St. Petersburg is the most European-influenced city in Russia, and certainly the most spectacular.

Learn more about St. Petersburg Download Port Explorer guide provides a useful overview and history of this city, as well as maps, points of interest, and other essential information for tourists. (You will need Adobe® Acrobat to view this PDF. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, download it now.) The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss While you're in St. Petersburg, take time to explore the Hermitage Museum. This museum is one of the world's greatest treasures and features more than 3 million exhibits. And that doesn't include the impressive building itself or its beautiful furnishings. Other Fun Things to Do Explore the sights of St. Petersburg, including Peter and Paul Fortress, birthplace of modern St. Petersburg; St. Isaac Cathedral, the world's largest domed cathedral; and Palace Square, the rallying point of the 1917 Russian Revolution. Visit Peterhof, the summer home of Peter the Great. Built under the supervision of the French architect Alexandre Le Blond, this town of palaces, fountains and parks rivals the great palaces of Versailles. Get a Taste of Local Flavor Typical Russian dishes include borscht, a beetroot soup; beef stroganoff, thin slices of beef braised with mushrooms, onions and sour cream; and the famous chicken kiev, chicken breasts wrapped around garlic butter, usually breaded and sauteed. The Russians are also famous for their caviar, often served with finely chopped hard-boiled egg and onion on blinis (miniature pancakes). Local Currency The unit of currency in Russia is the ruble (RUR). It is a controlled currency, so it is illegal to bring it in to or remove it from the country. In the past, the U.S. dollar was widely accepted, but recent laws restrict the use of foreign currencies. For this reason, we recommend returning your unused rubles to the same exchange office where you purchased them. Gdańsk, (Gdynia) Poland Gdańsk has been one of the Baltic Sea's most enchanting seaports since the Middle Ages. Its eclectic blend of traditional German, Polish and modern influences adds to its charm. And today this once sleepy fishing village is one of Poland's hot spots for contemporary art with plenty of exciting nightlife and spectacular restaurants. A must-visit for culture vultures. Download Port Explorer guide provides a useful overview and history of this city, as well as maps, points of interest, and other essential information for tourists. (You will need Adobe® Acrobat to view this PDF. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, download it now.) The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss Follow in the footsteps of kings and queens as you stroll Gdańsk's Royal Way. You'll be surrounded by a treasure trove of 14th - century architecture that includes churches, towers and elaborate city gates. Other Fun Things to Do Stroll the Great Armory. This impressive example of Renaissance architecture is now an art academy and shopping mall. Visit the largest Gothic castle in Europe, built by the Teutonic Knights in Malbork. Search for amber, "the gold of the Baltic," in the city's many fine shops. It's used to make everything from jewelry to chess sets. Explore the city's historic waterfront and view rare wildlife by canoe.

Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki is the sparkling capital of Finland, an elegant city of spectacular architecture, beautiful gardens, and harborside parks. The Finns have long been admired for graceful design and imaginative architecture. Many styles from centuries past and present are represented here, from medieval to neoclassical, as well as the superb ultra-modern creations by Aalto, Saarinen, and other Finnish masters.

Be sure to learn more about Helsinki Download Port Explorer guide provides a useful overview and history of this city, as well as maps, points of interest, and other essential information for tourists. (You will need Adobe® Acrobat to view this PDF. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, download it now.)

The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss The heart of Helsinki is the bustling kauppatori or market square. Also known as the fish market, it is surrounded by graceful 19th-century buildings - of which many were destroyed during the devastation of WWII all around Helsinki. Visit Havis Amanda, the lovely mermaid statue and fountain just west of the fish market. The statue was designed in 1906 by one of Finland's most beloved artists, Ville Vallgren. Also known as Manta, it is commonly regarded as the symbol of Helsinki - if not all of Finland. Other Fun Things to Do Explore the city of Helsinki. Visit Temppeliaukio, one of Europe's most unusual modern churches. Stop at the Olympic Stadium, site of the 1952 Olympic Games. Visit Sibelius Park, where you can see the unique stainless-steel monument erected for the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Immerse yourself in the history of Porvoo, the second-oldest town in Finland. See the majestic medieval cathedral as you walk the cobblestone streets of this old wooden town. Explore the Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, and the Senate Square. Get a Taste of Local Flavor As in other Scandinavian countries, the smörgâsbord is popular. It's a buffet with a wide range of hot and cold dishes featuring plenty of seafood, including Baltic herring and smoked salmon. There is a variety of ways to serve reindeer, including cold and smoked, much like salmon. Bear and elk may appear on the menu, and there is always plenty of game. You'll also find many pastries and desserts, as well as cloudberries, a slightly tarter variation on raspberries. Local Currency The Euro (EUR), the currency of the European Union, is the official currency of Finland. Many stores and restaurants also accept major credit cards, which usually offer you a good exchange rate. When shopping, remember there is a Value-Added Tax on most purchases.