Sovetskaya, Saint Petersburg

Advantages: Big collection of (international) arts
Disadvantages: Simply too big to cover in one day

...The place to visit once in Saint Petersburg! Even when you're not that much interested in arts or history, it's the place to be an feel the atmoshpere of the old Russian times. Exhibitions change from time to time and can be checked at www.hermitagemuseum.org Make sure you get a map when entering, otherwise you will get lost. Give this visit an early start when you want to get the most out of it or make a selection before. The exhibitions give an impression of the life of the old tsars, their power and wealth. The history of Saint Petersburg, his people, etc. The biggest part of the collection is arts collected by the tsars. For example, more then 50% of the work of the famous Dutch painters is shown in The Hermitage. Tickets can be purchased online to avoid the sometimes long lines for the counters. The Hermitage is open from Tuesday... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A wonderful, beautiful city with a rich history
Disadvantages: None

...Introduction Stepping off the train from Moscow (and not without some relief in having finally arrived) into St Petersburg the change in atmosphere hit us as quickly as the icy Baltic breeze. Visited in succession it is hard to believe that these cities, the two largest in Russia, are even in the same country, let alone only 5 hours apart by train. St Petersburg, dubbed the Venice of the North thanks to its network of canals, has experienced a turbulent history. Foundered by Peter the Great in 1703 to provide access to the Baltic, St Petersburg was raised from the inhospitable Neva marshland. The strongest legacy of the city's 300 year history is the magnificence bequeathed to the city by the Russian Tsars. In the 20th century St Petersburg has endured more mixed fortunes. Renamed Petrograd in 1914 it was the scene of the 1917... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: CHEAP!! - really good value for money - brilliant public transport
Disadvantages: a fair bit of red tape in repect of sorting ones own trip there!!

...of the romanovs. My first day was very hard, it was almost like your first day at school. In fact it was my first day at school - The Benedict International School Russia. The weather was cold to say the least. the cold air was biting at my nose but nothing could dampen the splendour of this fantastic city. geographically St Petersburg is situated at the extreme east of the gulf of finland and is a series of islands not unlike Venice - in fact many tourists refer to it as the venice of the north. The majority of buildings in the city centre are very grand and each and every one has its own secrets. the river was frozen solid all it appeared good for was the odd ice hole fisher or as was being demonstrated by a bunch of soilders close to a bridge by the wonderful peters and pauls fortress, a game of football. I hope they dont fall in i though... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful