Been a few years since I last Ciao-ed - and it's all changed *again* !! Trying to get back into the ...
Been a few years since I last Ciao-ed - and it's all changed *again* !! Trying to get back into the swing...
Member since:21.07.2000
Reviews:27
Members who trust:3
INTRODUCTION
Having spent a great deal of my life in this fair city, I have seen it go through some pretty drastic changes. I have been there as a tourist, student and worker, and ultimately, it is a very hospitable place, as long as you make the most of your stay. It is brimming with culture and beautiful buildings and places (often copies of Western structures – much of the architecture is by an Italian, Rostrelli), and it is well worth paying a couple of measly quid to see both the sights or to go to one of the many theatres of the city. The metro system is cheap (so is everything as long as you stay away from the tourist centres) and simple, and can take you to most places in the city, so it doesn't really matter where you stay, and if you need to get anywhere, you can flag down any car, and pay them £1 to take you almost anywhere. Of course, being such a tiny place you can probably walk anywhere you want – remember that the bridges close in the winter at about 3am (ish – check local timetables) – so don’t be stuck clubbing on one of the islands… The flea-markets are also worth a visit or two.
SIGHTS
Ultimately the must-sees are as follows: the Hermitage (state museum), Pushkin (Catherine's Palace and the Lycee), Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Isaac's Cathedral, Church of the Spilt Blood, Nevsky Prospect (worth walking down and checking out some of the shops – slowly being taken over by Western big names… and Macdonald’s). There are hundreds of museums, as well as theatres and lovely little cafes, especially away from the tourist centres - buy yourself a city guide, and try some of the little restaurants (e.g. "U tyoscha na blinah" on Zagorodni Prospect), or stick to the more expensive places (all around Nevsky, e.g. Propaganda on Fontanka). Some of the smaller cafes on Nevsky stay open until the early hours of the morning.
TRAVEL
Well, the metro, as I mentioned before, then there are loads of trams and buses which go almost everywhere – get a map and have a look! From the train stations you can get almost anywhere in the local countryside. Travel to Novgorod and have a look at the river and hundreds of churches… or don’t.
GENERAL
General advice: don't drink water out of the tap, make sure bottled water brought to you in restaurants is unopened, don't be afraid to complain, stay away from tourist centres for a much broader experience of the place, be aware that all public transport is pretty reliable and very cheap. Night clubs: again, try the more Russian clubs, e.g. Griboedova, just off Ligovsky Prospect - check your guide for more info. Don’t, I repeat, don’t try to drink a Russian under the table – you’ll end up looking very silly. That said though, if you stay off the vodka and try some of the local beers (I recommend Baikal 5), you’ll last a bit longer…
Any other questions, e-mail me.
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I have read lods aout this city, and I am hoping to visit in the near future, so thanks for the advice! Rach x
Morgenhund 04.01.2002 17:47
There is a lot of useful info in this op, although I was expecting something from the ticket that would be a ream an even tell me things like how to get cheap tickets to see Zenit (spelling?) or how to queue-barge at KFC (the answer to that would be "Katolik-li papa!")! Mike
jambo6 30.12.2000 16:40
Good op, I was in Leningrad in 1984, but thats so long ago that I can only remember I liked it a lot. The amount of canals was surprising, for some reason.
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Advantages: so much to see and do, fabulous architecture, the Hermitage, boat tours round the city Disadvantages: need to purify your water - apart from that, NONE!
weebagpuss 29.04.2001 (04.05.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of St. Petersburg (Russia)
Advantages: so much to see and do, fabulous architecture, the Hermitage, boat tours round the city Disadvantages: need to purify your water - apart from that, NONE!
weebagpuss 29.04.2001 (04.05.2001)
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Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of St. Petersburg (Russia)
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