now buzz 24-hours a day, and offer a wealth of historic sites, plush new hotels, internationally-stocked shops and thousands of eating establishments. Her sister-city, St Petersburg, host of Russia's golden age and cradle of revolution, and surely Russia's soul, was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great. One of the most graceful and well-proportioned cities in the world, filled with baroque and classical architecture, and known as the Venice of the North for its scenic canals, it is easy to see how St Petersburg became the inspiration for musicians, artists, poets and writers. This 4th edition of the Odyssey guidebook contains a wealth of information on these two great cities and the regions surrounding them, including the Golden Ring, a series of ancient Russian towns set in the stunning countryside around Moscow. It provides a historical overview and is a guide to cultural sites of the two cities and the Golden Ring towns such as Yaroslavl, Vladimir, and Suzdal.There are literary excerpts from writers such as Pushkin, Dostoevsky, and Dumas, and a recommended reading list.