On this second day, we set off early to visit one of the most famous museums in the world.  As a group, we were able to pass by the long entrance lines.  We were fortunate to have Olga once again as our personal guide.
   The Hermitage looks just as stately in the morning as it did the night before--notice the blue skies!

  There's so much to see and discover at this museum!  We learned that part of it was once a palace for the tsars.  Seeing the rooms where the collections are on display is amazing.  Each one seems more elaborate than the one before.

    I had to consider seriously what to photograph because I wanted to save so much of what I saw!  It was rather startling to learn from Olga that almost all of The Hermitage's collection came from artists and countries outside Russia.  We saw a great deal and still barely scratched the surface during our visit.  Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Roman sculpture, ancient Egyptian art - it was all there.

  
   After awhile, we needed a break to regroup and talk about what we'd seen so far.  For our tour, Olga used a microphone with wireless receivers that made it easy for us to hear her amid other people and distractions.  I really appreciated this since it's hard to focus on great works of art and also be straining to hear!

   As usual, Rick's itinerary was perfect.  Our group had had a lot to digest on our visit to The Hermitage.  The rest of the day was 'free time.'  Dawn and I spent our time outside enjoying the great weather.