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The Johnston Collection is located in a terrace house on a quiet suburban street in East Melbourne which was the final home to William Robert Johnston (1911-1986). Known as Fairhall, it’s a hidden little know treasure. Image credits: The Johnston Collection by Anthony Knight - 1997 publication

The State Hermitage Museum is one of the largest museums in the world. It includes over 3 million exhibits. Its foundation dates back to 1764, when Catherine the Great purchased a big collection of Western European paintings. Image credit: dreamstime.com

The Winter Palace which was the official residence of the Russian monarchs from 1732 to 1917 and along with four other buildings forms complex we know as The Hermitage. Image credit: dreamstime.com

On the outskirts of St Petersburg is Catherine Palace. Named after Catherine I, commissioned by her husband Peter the Great, in 1717. Their daughter, Empress Elizabeth, chose Catherine Palace as her chief summer residence. Image credit: saint-petersburg.com

On the outskirts of St Petersburg, Peterhof was the favourite residence of Peter the Great. It consists of a set of palaces and gardens that until 1917 was home to the Tzars. They are known as the Russian Versailles and are an UNESCO World Heritage site. Image Credit: wikipedia

St. Petersburg was the capital of the Russian Empire from its foundation in 1703 until 1918, the year in which Moscow became the capital. One of the most famous palaces is Yusupov Palace – home of an important aristocratic family in imperial Russia. Image credit: wikipedia

Perched atop a Californian hill, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles at San Simeon, Hearst Castle is a stunning tribute to the incredible wealth of one of the 20th century's most important businessmen and his extravagant tastes. image credit: Hearst Castle - A Pictorial Tour Guide