b'Home of the TsarsJONATHAN VAN BILSENI am often asked what my favourite city is, which is a difficult choice, but St. Petersburg, in north western Russia, has to be near the top of my list.Cruise ships travelling the Baltic Sea usually dock in this former capital of Russia. I made my way to the capital of the Tsars, on an overnight train from Moscow.RidingtheRussianrailswasan interesting experience. I was handed a broomstick when I boarded and was told to secure it against my cabin door whenIretired.Thiswastoprevent anyonefromaccidentallyentering.It was quite funny, as absolutely nothing happened, and it being an overnight trek, I slept most of the way.IstayedatthebeautifulAstoria Hotel, located in the centre of the city, next to Saint Isaacs Cathedral and the statue of Nicholas the first.Saint Isaacs Cathedral, one of the worlds largest, was built in the early 1800s, during the reign of Tsar Nicholas thefirst.Theentirebuildingweighs 300,000 tons and is supported by thou-sands of wooden piles, driven into the marshy ground. The massive cathedral currently functions as a museum, with occasional church services.Mostcitieshavemainstreets, knownworldwideforshoppingor sightseeing.LosAngeleshasRodeo Drive, Edinburgh has Princess Street, Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood.44FOCUS - FEBRUARY 2023'