St. Petersburg, often referred to as Russias most westerly city, is the second largest after Moscow and was the capital of Russias imperial empire. This city is steeped in culture and is the perfect winter tourist destination. St. Petersburg is argueably one of Russias most beautiful cities, its lavish architecture and cultural significance remind us of it’s important role as the centre of the third largest empire in history.
Art is also something that this city has in abundance and anyone with an interest in art should make their way to the Hermitage, the largest art museum in the world. The impressive collection of over three million items makes this a must see. A range that extents from Egyptian antiquities, Spanish fine art, Pre-historic pottery to an impressive collection of Neoclassical, Impressionist, and post-Impressionist art, this museum has something to offer all the culturally aware.
The city has a large assortment of restaurants, bars and cosy cafes where you can enjoy some authenic Russian cuisine or a glass of wine. Ensure to order yourself a portion of Borscht, a thick, traditional beetroot, beef and vegetable soup, served piping hot with a dollop of sour cream and a shot of vodka. This will certainly help to combat the cold of the Russian winter.
Finding somewhere to stay in St. Petersburg presents no significant problem and as you would expect the range of the scale is quite vast. Grand, historical imperial buildings that have been transformed into hotels make for an interesting experience but can be quite pricey. More moderate apartments or cheaper B&B’s suit the traveller with a smaller budget.
A trip to the Mariinsky Theatre to witness the majestic ballet on a snowy winter evening is an absolute must whilst visiting the city. Opened in 1860, the Mariinsky Theatre is lavishly decorated with crystal, azure and gilt. Even if you are not a huge fan of the ballet or opera, the splendid architectural aspects of the building are awe inspiring.
Taking place throughout December and January, the Arts Square festival is a great winter activity. The event showcases a number of traditional Russian classical musicians and local artists, making for a unique and diverse experience which is definitely worth a look.
This is a truely magical place in winter, settled snow on the glistening golden domes of Saint Isaacs cathedral, frozen rivers and the well known image of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood provide the perfect backdrop for those holiday snaps.
Picture: dorena-wm/ flickr.com
