St. Petersburg, Russia, was just named the best destination in Europe by the World Travel Awards.
To determine the World Travel Awards winners, thousands of travelers and people working in the travel industry vote on certain categories in regions around the world.
St. Petersburg won as the Leading Destination in Europe. The city's ornate palaces and churches and the rich history behind them make it an ideal destination for travelers.
Keep scrolling to see why St. Petersburg took the number one spot.
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The uniquely colorful Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood marks the spot where Alexander II was attacked in an assassination attempt in 1881 (hence the church's name).
To learn more about the Church of Our Savior on Spilt Blood, click here >
As if its exterior isn't breathtaking enough, the interior is covered in bright mosaics.
The Winter Palace is also known as the Hermitage Museum. The palace was completed in 1762, the same year that Catherine II rose to power.
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