For travellers, the best thing about Latvia is that it is so compact. Its 500 km of sandy beaches are easily reached from historical towns, where medieval hanseatic foundations support baroque and art nouveau buildings, that become venues for cultural festivals during the summer. Families of storks happily give their seal of approval to the unspoilt nature, fresh air and clean water around them. In addition to Riga, its spectacular gateway, there are 6 other UNESCO world heritage listed sites. A

The most western town of Russia. Baltiysk once being German Pillau is the most western outpost of Russia. The town is situated on Samland Peninsula in the Primorskaya bay, where the Vistula Spit begins, stretching for 65 km. The town has an amazing history of military conquests. It was repeatedly occupied by Swedish, German and Russian troops. But even in the German time Pillau was closely associated with Russia: Peter I visited the town three times, and now Baltiysk has a monument to Peter the

Hotel Astoria occupies an unrivalled setting in St Isaac's Square at the hub of St Petersburg's city centre. Complementing the beauty and heritage of St Petersburg, the 169 rooms at Hotel Astoria are carefully furnished with comfort and tranquility in mind. Contemporary facilities share a harmonious space with elegant decor, luxurious marble bathrooms. Rocco Forte's Hotel Astoria is not only the ideal resting place for leisure visitors to this historic city. Business travelers are welcomed with