General 

Truly the guides that show you what others only tell you, this book features stunning 3D and cutaway views of museums, cathedrals, and other must-see sights; detailed street maps; a handy phrase section; advice on the best places to eat, drink, shop, sleep, and be entertained; and a Survival Guide to help the traveler sort out essential information such as currency, transportation, and communications. As world traveler and TV personality Michael Palin says, "the Eyewitness Travel Guides are irresistibly seductive.... They also deliver where it matters most -- uncluttered and accurate information." More than 750 color photographs capture the palaces and other visual pleasures in DK's Eyewitness Travel Guide: St. Petersburg. Dividing the city into five districts (Vasilevskiy Island, Petrogradskaya, Palace Embankment, Gostiny Dvor, and Sennaya Ploschad), precise street-by-street maps and 3-D aerial overviews guide you to all of St. Petersburg's most magnificent attractions. Visit the splendid Winter Palace, a superb example of Russian Baroque architecture, with a stunning illustration surrounded by photos of its key highlights. The glorious treasures of the Hermitage are vividly depicted in an eight-page section featuring illustrations, photos, complete floor plans, and collection highlights by Gauguin, Matisse, Rembrandt, and da Vinci. Additional special features showcase such sights as St. Isaac's Cathedral and the Russian Museum. Two guided walks are outlined--one along St. Petersburg's waterways, detailing the route's grand architecture, and another covering the Kamennyy and Yelagin Islands. The guide also goes beyond St. Petersburg, especially Peterof, Peter the Great's Palace, and Tsarskoe Selo, both depicted in stunning four-page sections complete with aerial overviews and photos of their highlights. The city's absorbing history, colorful royal personages, cultural centers, and flavorful cuisine are among the numerous subjects covered throughout this outstanding guide. If St. Petersburg is on your itinerary, be sure you pick up this invaluable guide before you go. - from Amzon