This was my second night and I was still having problems sleeping waking up at 2am despite exhaustion then falling asleep by 5am adjusting to the time difference. Last night I had back problems but today I slept a bit better.I watched tv in mute and planned my route waiting to fall asleep or head down for breakfast. This is an older Soviet conference hotel. The river facing rooms are now available for paying guests. The rear facing city views are used by large sc...

Heading back toward the Hermitage I was going to pass thru Admiralty Square and it's arches onto Nevsky Prospekt, 'the most famous street in Russia', and most expensive shopping district.I was heading to the Stroganov Palace a few blocks up. It was easy to find on the corner but I couldn't find the actual entrance at first.There were many elaborate state rooms inside with splendid works of art to enhance the grandeur.Many of the rooms have only been restored in r...

Leaving the State Hermitage Museum I was heading out along the English Embankment so that I wouldn't have to come this way again, covering the sights at this end.I was heading to the Rumyantsev Mansion which I thought was a private stately home. It was in fact now used as a museum of the occupation and siege of Leningrad the former name of St Petersburg during WWII.There were some interesting displays and a wooden upper staircase to the top floor. It was deserted...

Next on my walking tour after the Peter and Paul Fortress was the State Hermitage Museum. This is probably the most famous attraction in St Petersburg, and I was to see, most popular, and chaotic when it comes to ticketing.The Hermitage is not included in the tourist pass I purchased. I read on wikitravel how to line up to purchase tickets, or you can buy it online at higher cost. Originally I was going to opt for the cheaper option in person, but by some paranoi...

I had a full days itinerary planned and the next stop after the Tatar Mosque (see last entry) was the Peter and Paul Fortress. My route was going to circle round to The Hermitage later in the day.My 3 day St Petersburg card included admission to The Peter and Paul Fortress. I got there by 10am expecting it to be open by now.There were other museums such as a waxworks, torture, or viewing platform which I thought were all included but they kept saying it wasn't. I...