catattack

except to say, it’s awesome. And one thing I’d like to note: the palace, the “warehouse” for the art, is as good as the collection. It’s incredible to see. The 3rd floor containing the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, was my favorite, but I really loved the gallery rooms themselves.

We went to the ski lift/museum and the huge sculpture garden. I would love to return and explore those outdoor cafes by the port…

That I’ve been to Estonia. I was just there last week, just for a few hours, but what a few hours! A charming town, doesn’t seem like a city, and its people are brave and fiercely independent.

It wasn’t a long visit, but I got a clear sense that these people are optimists, seek beauty, wonderful. I would love to go back.

I just spent two days there last week; unfortunately, they were jet-lagged days. And it was raining, so all of my photos don’t quite show the brightly colored buildings. It’s an incredible city, and I’d love to return.

I was just in St. Petersburg, just for a brief time. It’s amazing. The people have been revitalized. The grand buildings are awesome. The Hermitage is unequalled. An amazing, happening city.

I definitely want to see Helsinki. I’m guessing the weather in mid-summer will be very pleasant. But I’m more anxious to see how Finland compares to Norway, Sweden, and, yes, Russia….architecturally, culturally, etc.

We have made our plans for an escorted excursion into the Hermitage. Should be very exciting! I have a friend who is already gathering her list of what she wants me to buy in the gift shop.

And I’m so excited that I will be there in July 2006! We have two days there, and have a couple of escorted excursions planned.

is that song, “Wonderful Wonderful Copenhagen,” which my high school friend used to play, over and over. But it’s one of the places we visit on the cruise, so we’re coming! When the cruise gets closer (late June 2006, early July), I’ll be reading more about it.