a) Dostoyevsky wrote
b) Tchaikovsky composed
c) Baryshinikov danced

If you guessed all three, then you'd be right. Conceived as Tsar Peter's 'Window on the West,' St. Petersburg is Russia's artistic eye; penetrating and absorbing all that is stirring and graceful. Laced with romantic waterways, the "Venice of the North" ravishes the visitor with the golden glow of its domed churches and the striking silhouettes of its cathedrals. Add a world-class symphony, the theater where the Russian Ballet was born, and perhaps the most stunning royal residence ever built, and you have a destination no tourist in search of cultural pleasures should miss. And the government knows this. The rubles are pouring in hand over fist to polish and restore this gem of a city.

Lovers of art have always heeded the call of St. Petersburg. Crowning the banks of the Neva River, the Hermitage is part of a five-palace, several-hundred room complex ready to dazzle the senses and inspire the imagination. Begun by Catherine the Great, the collection now holds a stunning 2.2 million treasures representing every era and culture where artist has held a brush to canvas. Rafaels, Titians, Rembrandts, da Vincis, and a collection of French Impressionist art that is the envy of Paris adorn these dramatic walls. The buildings alone, chock full of rare objects belonging to the former Russian Tsars, are more than enough to make visiting a must.

With so much to take in, St. Petersburg can be overwhelming, which is why many visitors prefer to have an experienced guide in their corner. The first American ever to receive his doctorate from the prestigious Russian Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Dr. Mike Donnelly has been escorting groups to Russia's fairest city since 1993. A specialist in Russian Itinerant Artists and Russia's unique Theater Art, Donnelly's knowledge spans everything from religious icons to Russian Realism and Romanticism, right up through Modern and Contemporary genres. He is the representative of over 10,000 Russian artists who paint in every conceivable style.

Art lovers can take advantage of Donnelly's expertise and special relationship with many of the best artists working in Russia today. Group members with a favorite style or period are able to set up appointments with artists whose work might interest them. Fancy Impressionist-style paintings? Donnelly will bring ten artists to your hotel for a private showing of their work. He'll negotiate the sale and the paperwork so that you can hang that beauty over your fireplace the day you go home. Enjoyed the play at Mariinski? Donnelly can arrange to have a beautiful piece of Theater Art commemorating the experience signed by the artist and performers.

Contrary to rumors of menacing Mafiosi, Donnelly feels "safer in Russia than in Savannah, GA." The biggest danger for his tourists is a lack of luggage. "Bring two suitcases-one empty," warns Donnelly, having learned from experience how much visitors will want to take home.

About the Author: Michael E. Donnelly, PhD Find more at http://www.mmarttravel.com