Because of St. Petersburg’s far northern location, from late May through early July, there’s just an hour or so of darkness every night. This year, beginning May 23, and until July 10, an exciting schedule of music, drama, dance, art and hundreds of other events are offered throughout the historic city.

Major attractions include the Marinsky Theatre’s classic ballet and the lively Dixieland Jazz Festival along the Neva River’s English Embankment. Popular visiting sites are the Peter and Paul Fortress, Mikhailovsky Theatres, Mariinsky Concert Hall and Michael Garden.

One of the most popular at any time of year is the huge Heritage Museum. It was built as a royal Winter Palace during the 18th Century reign of Empress Catherine the Great. There are nearly three million items displayed in four massive buildings next to the Neva River. hermitagemuseum.org

St. Petersburg, 440 miles north of Moscow, is served by Pulkovo International Airport (LED), 14 miles from the city center. Among airlines schedules there are Luftansa, Aeroflot, Air France and British Airways.