Moscow and St Petersburg have always remained pivotal to Eastern Europe’s culture and unsurprisingly harbour some of the world’s most influential history, finest architecture, most stunning art and artefact collections, and thus almost always feature on today’s travellers’ wish lists of ‘must see’ destinations. First to Moscow – for many steeped in mystery, the grand “Cold War” Soviet parades are long gone now, yet the city still retains a tantalising, almost remoteness from Europe’s other great capitals. Top of any visitor’s list is the extraordinary Kremlin complex, three cathedrals, great palaces, the Senate, the remarkable Treasury plus several grand squares and towers. Equally recognisable are St Basil’s Cathedral with its amazing multi-coloured domes, plus the monumental Red Square – home to Lenin’s tomb, whose worldwide influence like Stalin’s, remains undeniable if somewhat tainted. Yet there is so much more to Moscow than the awe inspiring sights and politics. See the city’s fine university where famous writers like Chekhov, Sakharov and Pasternak studied and the stunning Bolshoi, arguably the world’s finest ballet. Shopping takes on a refreshing novelty in the grand arcades of Tverskaya Street and bohemian Arbat Street. Gorky Park, Stalin’s Bunker, the Gulag Museum, Victory Park and Tolstoy’s house…. the list of fascinating places goes on, and all linked by the legendary metro with its cathedral – like stations and grand designs – Moscow is utterly unique. Next, one of the world’s most beautiful cities, St Petersburg, Imperial capital of the Tsars, founded in 1703 by Peter the Great and truly worthy of an emperor! The majestic boulevards and splendid baroque buildings, threaded by winding canals and set amongst great parks are so redolent of the classical Italy which inspired Peter’s great vision. A magnificent monument of old Russia, the Tsar’s winter palace, the Hermitage houses one of the world’s finest art collections; the magnificent St Isaac’s Cathedral is simply inspiring and the waterfront’s grandeur has to be seen to be believed. The Peter and Paul Fortress with its ornate cathedral featuring marbled columns and glittering chandeliers is the Romanovs’ final resting place. St Petersburg though has another face too: lose yourself in the parks, take a stroll along the canals criss-crossing the city or window shop in the city’s department stores and markets. Then there is the Kirov (now known as the Mariinsky), one of the world’s most famous ballet companies where Nureyev, Nijinsky and Anna Pavlova gained worldwide recognition. Other famous St Petersburgers include Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Stravinsky and Pushkin whose wonderful cultural legacies still endure. The city was founded by an emperor and was home to Catherine the Great and the Romanovs. Subsequently the Revolution radically changed the course of 20th century world history and then came a change of name to Leningrad; the arrival of Stalin the Second World War’s brutal three year siege followed by the ‘Cold War’. Recently it has been time for two more St Petersburgers to take centre stage: Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin. Today St Petersburg has emerged wonderfully from this turbulent past, reclaiming its rightful place amongst the world’s most beautiful and fascinating cities.