"White Nights" a Saint Petersburg Travel Page by lifeisatrip

We went in early July and although it sort of got a little darker after 1:00 a.m., it was still dusk-like. It was pretty light at midnight that I didn't think it was that late. Needless to say, we stayed way past our bedtime every night that we were there.

I felt pretty safe walking around late at night because it was not dark and because there were always people out and about.

I read that July is the hottest month of the year in St. P, if that were true I'd hate to be there in the winter! We packed according to the forecast on Underground Weather, mid to high 60s, cloudy, no rain. Unfortunately, what I read about the ever changing weather was also true. Our summer outfits didn't keep us warm when it rained, or when the wind blew. Layering is the name of the game.

There is no denying St. P is beautiful with all it's architecture and canals. Everywhere we looked there was an imposing elegant building staring at us. It does give the impression of opulence. But don't let that fool you. Talking to some locals, we found out that although there is a big chunk of upper class, there is a very small middle class and a much bigger lower class. So it was really disappointing that they treat tourists the way they do, when tourism seems to create jobs for the middle and lower class. 'Tourist' price is ridiculously high! The cab drivers charge the tourist a different rate from the locals, and the rate goes up according to weather, time of day, demand and sometimes, we thought, just out of a whim. 300 Roubles ($12+) was the lowest we paid for a couple of blocks away. Same distance after 10:00 p.m. costs 700 Roubles, 600 Roubles when it rained.

It was unfortunate that our hotel was quite a ways from the nearest Metro station. And we never saw a bus go by. It was either we walked or we paid the outrageous cab fare. Live and learn! :(