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Saint Petersburg Travel Guide: 3,407 reviews and 7,102 photos
Peter the Great modelled the city after European capitals and it has long been referred to as Russia's "Window on the West." In some ways, the similarities can be disconcerting ~ the canals, palaces, churches and museums are reminiscent of other cities I've visited. . .but the city isn't entirely welcoming to tourists (outside of groups at least). It takes an extra effort on the part of a visitor ~ in language, in planning, in legwork to obtain the requisite papers ~ to make a visit a success. That said, we put in our effort and were richly rewarded for it.
May is an ideal time to visit ~ you get the benefit of the longer hours of sun without the heavier crowds. . .and you can share in the residents' happiness in welcoming great weather.
The memories I will treasure most:
*Church services ~ the choirs, the chanting and the mesmerizing aroma of incense are unforgettable
*Sunlit walks along Nevsky and its neighbouring streets at 11 pm ~ coming out of a Canadian winter, it was heavenly
*Riding through the network of canals ~ a renewed look at the city's rich architecture
*The Church on Spilled Blood ~ the interior and exterior decoration defy description. . .you'll simply have to see it for yourself
*The Russian Museum ~ a wonderfully arranged introduction to masterful artists whose work tells the history of the country
An additional point is needed ~ to go this far from home and not include Moscow in your itinerary would be a big mistake. Check out my Moscow page for a look at the fascinating "other" capital of Russia.
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Located between Italianskaya Ulitsa and Nevsky Prospekt (the western end of the city centre, near Anichkov Most), Malaya... more travel advice
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For our first day in St. Petersburg, I had arranged a two-hour guided oriention (by car) to the city. In our jet-lagged... more travel advice
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Saint Petersburg Travel Guide
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- "St. Petersburg: a City for all Seasons"
- "St Petersburg : City of Peter the Great"
- "St. Petersburg in Spring"
- "STUNNING ST. PETERSBURG!"
- "St. Petersburg - City of cathedrals and bridges"
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Comments (73)
Hi, Stevie! ~ Great pages here at VT! Thanks!
Hoping to get to St. Petersburg in the not-too-distant future. This church is stunning! Your pages are great.
A beautiful pic of ST.PTSBERG
Thanks for a good overview of St. Petersburg. I'm thinking of a visit while on a Scandanavian cruise and need to get oriented.! Greetings from Augusta, Georgia ~ Marcia
Thank you for your kind treatment of my city, I not realize Americans so intersted in Russia and the culture here. We are noyt the evil people some thought we were.
Gr8 St.Pete and Pushkin pages with OCHIN HARASHOW pics and tips. I moved to Leningrad CCCP in `89 and left St.Petersburg, Russian Federation in 1994. Thx for the memories!Tim
Beautiful photography Canadienne! One of my students has a picture site; el-caro.spb.ru come back soon!
Great site, just want to correct you on the momunet of Peter the Great - it was not modelled on Pushkin's poem "The Bronze Horseman" - rather Pushkin had it in mind while writing the poem!
We want to visit there with friends who were BORN THERE, but it looks like they can learn of St. Petersburg from your pages, will be back to study more, thanks.
WOW WOW WOW... your Russia Pages are just fantastic, gorgeous pictures and very helpful tips... good work!!!