This immense palace is named after Peter the Great's second wife and not Catherine the Great although Catherine the Great spent much time there as well as quite a bit of money remodeling the palace. It is closed in the evening and Seabourn had arranged a private tour and concert. Turned out to be a lovely evening. Our group was met at the entrance with a military band and escorted to the main entrance. We then toured the major rooms which have all been sumptuously restored (where does all this $$ come from for all this gold used inside and out?). The high light was the Amber Room as shown below in the picture. The original panels had been removed by the Nazis and taken to Germany and have never been recovered. So this entire room was redone again with real amber. We were told that this room alone cost millions and millions with some of the $ provided by the Germans. It is an amazing sight. Please note my lovely booties which we had to put on on all these tours. Al suggested I take some home in my pocket so that all guests could be expected to wear them in our home!!!!
After the tour we were served champagne and seated in the Grand Throne Room for what turned out to be a lovely concert presented by a small orchestra.
As with Peterhof Palace, the vastness and lavishness in their restored state is hard to comprehend.
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