St. Petersburg is a magically beautiful city dotted with stunning palaces and bisected by romantic canals. The best time to go is during the "white nights" of summer when the whole city revels in the near-constant light.

This is not a city that is designed for children, but there are enough eye-popping sights to occupy--and educate--for days.

Relics of its role as the seat of government for 300 years, St. Petersburg's public parks and monuments are a pleasure to explore.

St. Petersburg is full of Soviet-era curiosities and fun, creative modern diversions.

Get out of the city to explore midieval villages, commanding forts, beautiful churches and bucolic villages that will give you a real taste of Russia.