visiting moscow and st.petersburg
 

My daughter and her husband are traveling in Europe and will be visiting Moscow and St. Petersburg for 2 days each. Can anyone suggest, what to see there for such a short time.

In St. Petersburg, definitely see the Hermitage Museum.

I was just in Moscow and St. Petersburg two weeks ago and didn't have much more time than that in either one. We were able to pack in a lot in both cities, but we did have the benefit of a tour company moving us around and getting us into various sites without standing in line.

In addition to the Hermitage in St. Petersburg (which can take a better part of one day), I enjoyed the Peterhof gardens (but that will require about a half day to get out there and back), St. Isaacs Cathedral, an evening boat ride on the Neva, a ballet, and walking along the Nevsky Prospekt and some of the side streets/canals.

In Moscow, definitely visit Red Square in the evening (a much different feel than during the daytime). Ride the metro, particularly the circle line and look at the art in the stations. If they enjoy art, the Tretyakov Gallery is very nice; it has one of the world's premier collections of icons. And a visit to the Kremlin and the Armory Museum is a must. I also found the newer Victory Park (war memorials) very interesting and moving, but that may take a bit more time as it isn't right in the center.

I recently posted a trip report and some photos, in case any of this is helpful:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34654471

In two days they will barely have time enough just to get a general impression of St. Petersburg.
Besides the above-mentioned Hermitage museum, Peterhof and St. Isaac's cathedral among the must-see sights are: Peter-and-Paul fortress, the Church-on-Spilt Blood, Catherine's palace in Pushkin, Pavlovsk palace, the Russian museum, Usupov palace.
It would be a good idea to spend the first day in the historical center (a panoramic city tour visiting the cathedrals plus an excursion at the Hermitage), and the second day - going by car to the suburbs to visit the palaces in Peterhof, Pushkin and Pavlovsk (it is possible to do all three in one day, if you go by car). On the other hand, if they'd only want to visit Peterhof, they can go by hydrofoil. Get in touch at [email protected] if you have more questions.

I would second the Metropoliten (subway) in Moscow. Unique and beautiful. Bolshoi Theater if they like ballet. The Red Square and St Basil Cathedral. Old Arbat is arguably the soul of Moscow...

Good luck!