Eighteenth-century palaces and Dudergof Heights

Great Gatchina Palace is one of the main architectural landmarks of the Leningrad region. It was built in the 18th century by order of Catherine II for her favorite, Count G.G. Orlov, but after his death the palace was purchased by the Empress for her son and future Emperor Paul I.
Subsequently the owners of the palace were only members of the imperial family until the February Revolution in 1917, after which it was decided to make the palace a national museum, which it is today.
Inside the palace you will see an exhibition that will tell you about the history and the owners of the place. You can see the personal belongings and rooms of Pavel I, visit the palace's signal tower, which offers an incredible view of the park, and even visit the palace's underground passage, the total length of which is 130 meters!
Please note, the palace is open daily for self-guided tours from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00. From 12:00 to 14:00 visit only by sightseeing sessions.

Next, we will go to the Priory Palace, which, of course, is not as luxurious as many others, but because of that it is no less attractive, and moreover, it is the hallmark of Gatchina. The unique thing about this building is that it is the only monument of earthwork construction of the 18th century in Russia.
The name of the palace goes back to the knightly rank of the Great Priory, which was approved by Paul I in 1797. The palace was built by order of the emperor for the Prince Conde, a prior of the knightly order, who was in exile. It is hard to believe, but once on the site of the palace was a drying bog, which had to be drained, ditches and ditches dug to erect here the Earth Palace, as it is often called.
Today the building houses an exhibition of Eastern art, an exposition devoted to the history of the palace, the technique of earthen building and the architect himself - N.A. Lvov.

Next, we will go to Podvorye Restaurant, which is considered "the most Russian restaurant in Russia" for lunch. This institution is beloved not only by locals, but also by foreign guests. The menu of the restaurant offers a large variety of dishes of the original Russian cuisine, as well as an extensive children's menu.
Here you can taste homemade pelmeni and borshch, royal fish soup, pancakes with caviar or pirozhki with cranberries. The restaurant interior won't leave you indifferent either: stuffed bear holding a tray with two glasses of vodka, accordions, balalaikas and wooden furniture.

The next place of our visit is the Pavlovsk Museum-Reserve, an example of 18th-century Russian culture. The Pavlovsky Palace here is the main attraction of the entire ensemble.
A few centuries earlier the palace served as a summer residence of Paul I. Great composers often gave concerts there: Mikhail Glinka performed in the Pavlovsk Concert Hall, and Johann Strauss gave his concerts. Today in the halls of the Pavlovsk Palace you can see collections of paintings, books, furniture and sculptures of those times, see the apartments of the royal family, concert and gala halls.
You can see the exposition on your own or in the company of an experienced guide, who will be happy to introduce you to the history and secrets of the palace.
Please note, Paulovsky Palace is closed to visitors on Mondays.

Dudergofskie Heights is a unique natural monument, where the highest point of St. Petersburg is located. From here you have the best panoramic view of the nearest fields and the outskirts of the city. The park has wooden stairs to climb steep ditches, cleared paths, and a 2.5-kilometer eco-trail. Here you can enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings, peace and quiet.

Our journey is coming to an end, and it's time to head to the Nordic restaurant for dinner. The interior here is a complete reflection of the Nordic style: panoramic windows, spacious shapes, small bright accents and even an open kitchen equipped with the latest technology.
Only farm-fresh produce is used in the preparation of dishes, which inspires confidence. Here you can taste such Scandinavian dishes as lamb tartare with roasted eggplant, boletus soup, pizza on rye dough with seafood, ice cream with flax, porcini and cornflower flavors, and also the restaurant has an extensive bar list with strong drinks rich in aromas of herbs, berries and cones.
Hours of operation: Monday - Thursday, Sunday: 12:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Friday - Saturday: 12:00 - 23:00