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The Hermitage is the biggest museum in Russia and one of the most important art museums in the world. The vast collection of more than 3 million objects is displayed at six different buildings. The most important one is the Winter Palace – the official residence of the Russian Tsars. The collection was first established by Catherine the Great, who bought art collections from all over Europe. Today the collection includes European art from the 13th-20th centuries, displayed in more than 120 rooms of the Winter Palace and the other buildings: The Small Hermitage, the Old Hermitage, and the General Staff Building. Even if you are not an art fan – this is a place you must visit when visiting St. Petersburg. The beautiful oversized Winter Palace, with its beautiful halls and rooms, is fascinating. In addition, there is an excellent audio guide in several languages that gives valuable information and covers all essential objects and places. I highly recommend buying tickets online upfront. The lines to the ticket office are terrible. If you didn't buy online, try to reach the tickets Kiosk placed outside the Online tickets entrance, or buy them at the General Staff Building, where the lines are much shorter. I bought tickets for two days, but it was too much for me. If you are not an avid art lover, it is too much. The clutter of art objects is incomprehensible, and after a few rooms, it all looks the same. At least that's how it is with me. The Winter Palace of Peter the 1st, which is just next to the central Hermitage (the entrance is from the riverside), is very lovely – but hardly essential. There are private rooms of the Tsar to see and a small display. Although hosted in an old building, the museum part of the General Staff Building is relatively modern and displays permanent and temporary exhibitions. To the museum website The Palace Square The Winter Palace Building The Winter Palace Collections General Staff Building Winter Palace of Peter the Great

Maxim Gorky was a famous writer in Russia. At first, he was very close to Lenin and the Socialist cause. Still, with time his criticism of the Bolshevik regime grew, and the government persecuted him. After he died in 1936, Stalin rewrote his biography, saying he was a strong supporter of the revolution. On the street he lived in for several years, the statue was erected here, and the nearest metro station called upon his name: Gorkovska. I have a special feeling for Gorky. He was a big fan of the Jewish national poet – Hayim Nachman Bialik. He used his relationships with Lenin to allow Bialik's family and ten more Hebrew writer's families to leave the Soviet Union. They had to escape from a regime that was persecuting them for wanted to revive the Hebrew culture.

Catherine the Great was a very popular Empress due to her efforts to improve ordinary people's lives. The statue stands here from 1873, near Nevsky Prospekt, in the middle of a small garden in front of Alexandrinsky Drama Theater and the Russian National Library.

For telling the truth, I had no intention of visiting this museum. I wanted to see the Peter and Paul Fortress and happen to walk near it. However, I was curious and went in. It is a very modern museum, showing the fascinating history of Russian politics: the Tsars, the uprisings, the reforms, and of course, the Communist revolution. The museum is located in Kshesinskaya Palace, built by Nicholas II for his lover, the ballet dancer Mathilda Kshesinskaya. It is also the building where the Bolsheviks placed their headquarters in 1917 – the year of revolutions so that the visitors can see Lenin's temporary study. There are audio guides in several languages, but the whole museum is written in English too. I had only two hours, so I managed to visit only two exhibitions. I needed at least two more hours to see all the displays. Nevertheless, it was a very enriching visit, and I definitely recommend it for all those who want to know more about the history of this country. To the museum website

This museum is housed in the last apartment of Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky, one of the most famous authors of Russia. The writer lived here twice: in 1846 and afterward from October 1878 until he died in January 1881. The house was reconstructed according to the memoirs of his wife. Therefore, the visitors can walk through the family residence with an audio guide. Next, you can see the study, where he wrote "The Brothers Karamazov." In addition to the apartment, there is an exhibition about the writer's life and work. To the museum website

The name Peterhof means in Dutch "Peter's Court." This compound served as the Tsars' resident until the communist revolution in 1918. The vast complex has extensive gardens, palaces, and fountains and is spectacular. Although it's located 30 km from the center of St. Petersburg – it means that you'll need something like a 50-60 minutes' drive to get here – It can't be skipped no matter what. Peterhof is considered to be the most significant fountain complex in the world. The all place was built from the beginning of the 18th century by Peter the Great. There are several palaces in here, and they are all museums now. Don't miss the Trock Fountain Water Road in 13:00, 14:00, and 15:00 – Peter the Great built it in 1721 to amuse his guests: 300 almost unseen jets that will cool your day. The entrance tickets to the garden and the royal residence must be purchased separately. After so many palaces in St. Petersburg, I preferred to spend my time in the park. But I did buy tickets for the beautiful Church. Peterhof Palaces Peterhof Gardens Church

The Pushkin House Museum is dedicated to the last few months of the great poet life that died in a dual at 37. The visitors get and audio guides, which tell the hallucinatory story that ended the poet's life. He got killed in a duel with an enthusiastic suitor of his wife, a former military man. The suitor was so obsessed with the poet's wife that he even married her sister so he could be near her. The house is well preserved. Visitors are required to wrap their shoes in unique covers during the visit. To the museum website

St. Petersburg (also called Sankt Peterburg) is the 2nd largest city in Russia. It's a vast northern city, lay on the banks of the Baltic Sea, with ample parks, boulevards, and a vast number of Palaces and museums. Most of the city's attractions are grouped in one central area, making it very easy for tourists. The metro is cheap and effective. Uber rides are very competitive, allowing driving to distance sites without any hesitation. However, it seems like all the drivers are crazy: pushing, speeding quickly, very aggressive. So it's better to take the metro whenever possible. Because of the sanctions of western countries on Russia, the ruble rate is low, which makes almost everything in Russia very cheap: Hotels, flights, restaurants, transportation – it's all cheap. Many people don't speak English here. Google Translate saved me more than once - it's a must. Liat was invited to be a keynote speaker at a fascinating conference at St. Petersburg University. We came to the city in the evening time. We took an Uber ride from the airport to our hotel, located in Vasileostrovsky District, one of the Islands in the city's heart. We immediately searched for a place to eat. The hotel receptionist recommended an excellent Soviet-like restaurant designed like an apartment from the Soviet era: Sovestkoye Kafe Kvartirka. It was a great choice. We ordered some traditional Russian dishes, accompanied by vodka, and went to sleep happy and kind. The next day, I walked Liat to the university and continued to Peter and Paul Fortress. Unfortunately, it took me a long time to understand that most museums on this island are close. All the museums in St. Petersburg have different days off. On Wednesdays, Peter and Paul Fortress got no open museums and churches. Anyway, I strolled on the tiny island for my pleasure. I was impressed by the massive and decorative buildings and gates. The island is like an open museum, with explanatory panels everywhere. I took a panoramic view from the top of the fortress's walls. Then, I used the same ticket to enter a very short but unique hidden tunnel that was just discovered and open for travelers a few years ago. I remember that a few minutes before noon, I got an urgent phone call. While I was talking, I suddenly heard the noise of a loud explosion. It was horrifying. But I saw lots of people standing and looking at the wall. Then, I realized that this was the traditional cannon shot – every day at noon. Too bad I didn't have the time to get ready for it. At noon, I walked into the Military Historical Museum of Artillery, Engineers and Signal Corps. I had already visited several military museums. When it comes to the middle ages, they are the same: armors, shields, swords, lances, and clothes of knights and horses. This museum also features gums and cannons from the 17th-century onwards, an impressive Tanks display, missiles, and communication technology exhibitions. There is also an exhibition on Kalashnikov – a Russian national hero that developed the famous gun. Unfortunately, the whole display is written in Russian, with no translation into English or other languages. After this visit, I went back to the university to hear the lecture of Liat – which was terrific as usual. Finally, we closed the day with dinner at Neva Cafe on the bank of Neva River and went to sleep. Liat joined me on the 3rd day for a few hours. Then, we took the metro to Gostiny Dvor station, named after the first shopping center of St. Petersburg and one of the oldest in the world, founded in the 18th century. After a short walk in the mall, we went to see Eliseevy Merchants' Shop - a one-of-a-kind deli - with all kinds of chocolates, pastry, wines, and so on. Liat was very curious about a sugared pepper. Not my taste… We started walking on Nevsky avenue towards Palace Square. On our way, we saw the monument of Catherine the Great, the Kazan Cathedral, The Singer House – once the home of the sewing machines company and now the largest bookstore of St. Petersburg. Besides its unique appearance, it's also a great place to visit the restrooms. We spent half a day in several different buildings of the legendary Hermitage. The central part is consists of The Tzar's Winter Palace, the old Hermitage, and the new Hermitage. Besides being an art museum, it's a gorgeous palace with great rooms and spectacular halls. The 2nd part is just across the Palace Square, in the General Staff Building. From the inside, it's a modern museum with lots of exhibitions. The 3rd place we visited was the Winter Palace of Peter I – a fascinating peep to the living rooms. The kitchen, the dressing room, and the study of the Tsar. We walked back to our hotel through the Spit of Vasilievsky Ostrov - the green tip of the island in front of the Ols St. Petersburg Stock Exchange and just between the two Rostral Columns. We closed the day in a great restaurant called Joy & Spices, not far from our hotel. The next day Liat went to her conference. I took the metro to Gorkovska station – names after the admirable Russian writer Maxim Gorky, who lived nearby. They place a statue there for his honor. Just next to the station – the central Mosque of St. Petersburg. I got inside for a few minutes and headed to The Museum of Political History in St Petersburg. The Museum of Political History is the most impressive. Unfortunately, I had only two hours for this visit, but I could have stayed at least an hour and a half more. I met Liat at noon. We were both starving, so we entered the closest place we found: the Old Customs House Restaurant. It was an exclusive chef's restaurant. Because of the low currency rate, we decided to check it out. They gave Liat a menu without prices… only the men get to see the prices in this kind of place. They gave us a complimentary Parmesan chocolate-coated ball. Marvelous. Then we got our order: Mushroom soup, ribs, and hot spinach. For dessert, we ordered a magnificent Crème Brulee. It was the most expansive meal we ate on this tour, but I must say that we would pay five times for such lunch in Israel. We wanted to learn more about the ruthless siege of Leningrad (It was the name of the city during the Soviet era) that took place during the Second World War. Seven hundred fifty thousand people died from hunger because of the Nazi siege. It was pouring, so we invited an Uber ride – but we found out the siege museum is closed due to a massive reconstruction. However, the Pushkin House was not far away. So we manage to arrive on time for self-tour in the apartment served the poet in his last months, before he got killed in a duel with his wife's ardent suitor. From there, we went to see the Church of the Saviour of the Blood, built by Alexander the Second, after surviving an assassination attempt. It is a spectacular view – from the outside and from the inside. I never saw anything like it before. It was almost 18:00, and most of the St. Petersburg museums are closing. So we decided to take an Uber ride 10 km south to the vast monument to the Heroic Defenders of Leningrad. It's an impressive memorial for the terrible siege of the city. Unfortunately, it was rush hour, and the town was jammed. It took us 50 minutes to get there: a large square surrounded by a highway with no visual access. We almost surrounded the entire square until we found an underground passageway. Except for the monument, there is also a museum under the square, but unfortunately, it was already closed. We closed the day in a great restaurant near the square and headed back to our hotel. I started the 5th day by visiting the house of the admirable writer Dostoyevsky. It was his last house before he died. Lovely home with six rooms. Using the audio guide, I learned a lot about Dostoyevsky and his family, his work habits, and I saw the study where he wrote the book "Karamazov Brothers." In front of the apartment, there is a small exhibition telling the story of his life. It's a lovely place, highly recommended for literary fans. Afterward, I took an Uber ride, picked up Liat from the university toward the palaces and gardens compound in Peterhof. It was a one-hour drive. If we thought that everything we saw until now was exaggerated, we learned that it was only the appetizer. There is no such thing as "too much" when it comes to the Tsars. Spectacular gardens with sculptured fountains everywhere, and more palaces, and beautiful church – everything is big, unique, spectacular. Unfortunately, we couldn't sit and rest anywhere because of the rain, so we only walked there for three hours… Our next stop was a shopping mall, halfway to our hotel—just a typical mall, with all the familiar brands and prices. After five days of museums and palaces, it doesn't hurt to walk around a place that looks familiar. The next day we left the hotel. We had a noon flight, so I took Liat to Peter and Paul Fortress. The Cathedral was open – the burial place of the Romanov dynasty. And we also had the chance to see the Canon fire. A lovely way to end our remarkable trip to the great city of St. Petersburg.

The The easiest and cheapest way to use your phone in Poland is to purchase a local dim Card. You can buy prepaid sim card almost in every drugstore, just remember they have to activate the sim card, so ask them if they can do it before you buy. You will have to present your passport before for the activation process.

Poland is part of the Eurozone, but the Euro is not official currency yet. They use zloty. The zloty is divided into 100 groszy (grosz in singular). The frequently used Banknotes are 10zł, 20zł, 50zł, 100zł and 200zł. The commonly used coins are 1gr, 2gr, 5gr, 10gr, 20gr, 50gr, 1zł, 2zł and 5zł.

St. Louis used to be one of the most important cities in the USA. It was the starting point for many explorers who wanted to learn the secrets of the west, a significant base for the Blues music genre, especially the Saint Louis Blues subgenre. The area was a central site for the historical American Indian Mississippian culture. A few significant events regarding abolishing slavery in America have started here. Today, the city is divided into many neighborhoods – each one with its character and style. My three-day visit couldn't cover the entire options the city has to offer. So I will only write about the places I've visited without passing judgment on the whole town. We needed three flights (23 hours total) to get to Saint Louis for Liat to attend her conference: Lessons and Legacies XV. We arrived exhausted and went to sleep right away. We planned to take advantage of the first day to visit several exciting sites in the city – Liat had time until the evening. Unfortunately, the weather changed our plans a bit - blowy winds and rain made it impossible for us to tour anywhere without a roof. So, our first site was the city's icon – The Gateway Arch. It took us some time to find where to park and how to get there. Apparently, the entrance has changed, and now it's in front of the Old Courthouse. Visiting the Arch was a unique experience: We sat in a tiny, crowded tram-car without windows, got a ride to the top of the Arch, 63 stories in height. From the vantage point at the top end of the arc, you can see the whole city lies at your feet. Afterward, we visited the new museum they built under the Arch. The museum tells the story of the large icon and the background story: the journeys that set out from here to explore the west and to expand the territory of the United States of America. Next, we went to the near Old Courthouse - A beautiful place where two very significant trials were held in the history of the United States. The Dred Scott case, which in the end sparked the civil war, and that of Virginia Minor, which sought to allow her and other women to participate in the elections. In the evening, we went for a drink and a live music show in the Soulard neighborhood. There is a cluster of bars with live music performances - we skipped between several bars and chose one with a pleasant and less drunken atmosphere. I started the 2nd day by visiting the Blues Museum downtown. This kind of museum in the USA is quite typical: an explanation about the history of the subjects, large images, a small number of authentic objects (like artists' clothes and instruments), and some interactive games for children that try to give some experiential demonstrations. However, it feels to me a little like they created the museum in a production line, not necessarily something created by a genuine desire for it. Afterward, I decided to visit the City Museum, although I had no idea what it is. I paid 14$ to reveal it's addressed mainly for children. It's a four-floor building, full of tunnels, staircases, slides, canals, and various constructions throughout children go from one place to another. There are a few galleries in the buildings, but there is no central theme or logic. After a quick lunch of pizza and a local beer, Liat joined me. We drove to Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, the remains of the largest native civilization north of Mexico. We had a short visit to the visitor center, including watching a short movie, and went climbing on the central Mound of the clan's chief. It's a fascinating place to visit. Afterward, it was already 17:00 – the closing time of most museums in the city – so we drove to the Outlets Premium mall in Chesterfield, a 20-30 minutes drive from Saint Louis. We found some great deals over there. Finally, we closed the day in an Italian Restaurant nearby. I wanted to start my last day in St. Louis, Saturday, with breakfast in one of the many farmer's markets in town. I chose the closest to my hotel: The Midtown Farmers Market. However, I must say it was a big disappointment: a small market with an inadequate supply, everything looks very sleepy. If you want to visit a market in Saint Louis – try one of the others. We walked around the Loop - the Walk of Fame of Saint Louis celebrities, looking for some coffee. We saw the stars of Tina Turner and Chuck Berry, who also got an impressive statue on the street. A lovely stroll in the Missouri Botanical Gardens cheered me up. A charming place, beautiful and calm. I could have stayed there for the whole day. I also paid a visit to the Missouri History Museum – pleasant but not remarkable. Finally, I drank a beer next to the lovely lake of the vast Forest Park. I spend the afternoon at Washington University, listening to my wife lecturing. It was a very impressive lecture… To conclude, the essential place to visit in Saint Louise is the Gateway Arch and the Old Courthouse. Then, if you have the time, go to the Botanical Gardens and drive to visit the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site. I also recommend visiting Forest Park. Finally, if you have children, the City Museum is cool, and the Blues Museum is also lovely for children and adults.

The Loop is a walking route in Delmar Street, including the local Walk of Fame, with 150 stars and informative plaques embedded in the sidewalks, telling the stories of all St. Louis's VIPs. The Loop is full of restaurants, bars, boutiques, and galleries. I walked the Loop on Saturday morning, so it wasn't as vibrating as I expected it to be, but maybe St. Louis people awake late. To the Loop Website