Kaliningrad – Калининград

The entire Kaliningrad oblast (former East Prussia) was a German territory until 1945 with the exception of a short period of 1758 - 1762 when East Prussia was part of the Russian Empire. The city of Koenigsberg (currently Kaliningrad) was founded in 1225. Despite heavy destruction the city suffered in 1944-45 it preserved some West European features.

The Kaliningrad Gothic Cathedral. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The famous German philosopher Emmanuel Kant lived in Koenigsberg and taught philosophy at local university. After his death in 1804 he was buried at the cathedral. His tomb can found behind the rose marble colonnade.

The cathedral stands on an island which is currently entirely taken by a leafy park. Before 1945 it was a densely populated area. Photos of old Koenigsberg can be seen inside the cathedral.

Some fortifications built in 17th-19th century survived and were restored. The Friedland Gate.

The Fredericksburg Gate.

The former Stock Exchange.

Fish Village - a replica of the pre-WWII Koenigsberg.

Kaliningrad is a sea port.

svetlogorsk – светлогорск

Svetlogorsk (former Rauschen) is a very pleasant nice looking seaside resort with a well developed tourist infrastructure. Spa hotels, sanatoriums, a big theatre. It is a short 35 km drive from Kaliningrad.

Svetlogorsk has perhaps the prettiest water tower in Russia.

A sundial on the seafront decorated with a mosaic of the zodiac.

September. The scales.

yantarny – янтарный

If you are after wide long sandy beaches then you'd better proceed to Yantarny (former Palmnicken).

The Schloss Hotel.

Jesus is made of amber.

Yantarny literally means "amber town". Divers hunt amber nuggets off the coast.

curonian spit – куршская коса

The Curonian spit is a narrow landmass lined with sand dunes, deserted beaches and forests.

The dancing forest is a quite remarkable sight of the Curonian Spit.