Neva River, St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg was built around the point where the main channel of the majestic Neva empties itself into the Gulf of Finland. Flowing about 75 kilometers from Lake Ladoga to the east of the city, the river achieves a romantic grandness as it sweeps before the city's classical riverfront facade and historical hotspots. In winter the river ices over for four months or more, and one can take a chilly stroll from the Peter and Paul Fortress straight across to the Winter Palace.