Tag Archives: Russia

5 Must-See Attractions in St. Petersburg  

Whilst not a country famed for its tourism, Russia is becoming more and more, an ideal destination for travelers looking to step outside the most well known of the worlds idyllic destinations.

St. Petersburg is a vibrant and charming city, whose largely untouched history and strong cultural personality shine through in almost all of its attractions. These are just five of the best, which are sure to give first-time visitors a fantastic insight into life and culture in Russia.

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photo: Arian Zwegers

Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

By far one of the most famous attractions in the city, this church is both aesthetically stunning and historically relevant. Although built 200 years later, its design is highly reminiscent of the famed St Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow – an image that has for long defined Russia to the outside world.

Incredibly, it was built to mark the spot where Russian Monarch, Alexander II, was stabbed in a fatal assassination attempt by rebel group, The People’s Will. Now its winding spirals and colorful columns provide joy for visitors of all ages.

Winter Palace

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Photo: Creative Commons

The Winter Palace, and the surrounding Palace Square, is another much-loved attraction by visitors to the city. Not only is the building a dominating force on the surrounding area, with intricate architecture and bright colors drawing all eyes in its direction, it also is a politically pivotal structure that has had much influence on the city’s 300 year culture.

Many tours are available and the building is now also the site of the world famous Hermitage museum, so visitors can gain an in depth understanding of the Palace’s history and the importance it has played.


State Russian Museum 

For the visiting intelligentsia, and lovers of art and culture, this museum is an essential stop. Rivaling the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow for the greatest, and most comprehensive, collection of Russian art anywhere in the world, it’s the ideal spot to soak up some of the country’s greatest creative triumphs.

It houses collections from the historical icon paintings, right up to installations from trailblazing artists of the present day. The adjacent Marble Palace is also used for temporary exhibits, and recently showcased the Ludwig Collection of modern art.

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Peterhof


Photo: Alberto Garcia


This largely overlooked municipal town, located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, is known locally as the Russian Versailles. Home to the breathtaking Peterhof Palace, and surrounded by a picturesque park and gardens, it’s the ideal spot for a tranquil afternoon stroll.

Dripping with golden statues and endless, charming water features, the grandeur of this site is something that can only be appreciated with your own two eyes. It’s easily accessible by train or only an hour’s drive from the city center, so makes for a perfect day-excursion for any visitor.

Summer Garden

If you want to soak up the natural beauty of the masterfully sculpted botanical Russian parks, without traveling so far, then the Summer Garden makes a fantastic local alternative. Located just next to St. Michaels castle, this site is easy to get to using the inner-city metro.

The gardens were created on a unique island, bordered by the Fontanka, Moika,  Neva River and the Swan Canal, allowing for cool waterside breezes, and making it the perfect stop for a relaxing summers day.  The site also houses a tea and coffee shop so you can grab a quick drink, and bite to eat, whilst taking in its natural beauty.

The charms of Russia are still largely under the radar of the mainstream traveling community, making it the perfect time to visit! Book your St. Petersburg holiday now, before it becomes overrun with crowds of tourists!

20 Jul 2016

Want Luxury? 5 Reasons You’ll Love St. Petersburg

Displays of wealth like this is one one of the reasons you’ll love St. Petersburg...

When you think of a decadent, luxurious holiday destination, Russia might not be the first place that springs to mind. But you may be pleasantly surprised to find out what St. Petersburg has to offer to the discerning tourist with a taste for the finer things. The former imperial capital of Russia and second largest city, St. Petersburg is also a major cultural centre and bustling metropolis, home to some incredible and unique tourism hotspots. Below, we list out the reasons you’ll love St. Petersburg if you are an unapologetic lover of all things luxury…

1) Hermitage Art Gallery

Housed in the awe-inspiring Winter Palace which was built for Empress Elizabeth by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the Hermitage Art Gallery is home to one of the biggest art collections in the world, with 360 rooms exhibiting some of their 3-million strong catalogue of artworks and exhibits. Founded by Catherine the Great in 1750, the vast collection at the Hermitage is considered by some to be the most comprehensive overview of Western European art, so naturally this trip may require a little forward planning to see everything you want to see – see https://www.hermitagemuseum.org for more information.

2) Ballet 

A visit to Russia would simply not be complete without seeing the ballet – and the original Mariinsky Theatre, where many of the greatest works of Russian ballet & opera were first performed, is the perfect choice. Founded in 1860, the Mariinsky continues to stage both modern and classic performances – see what’s on during your trip at http://www.mariinsky.ru/.

3) Nightlife

St. Petersburg is often referred to as the ‘beer capital’ of Russia, and many breweries and distilleries call it home. There is a great nightlife scene in St. Petersburg, and some bars & nightclubs are so exclusive you may find yourself turned away IF you have not booked in advance! The Mayakovsky bar on Pochtamtsky per 5 offers sophisticated cocktails, smooth jazz, moody lighting and sumptuous velvet interiors – ideal for a classy evening out.

4) Hotels 

St. Petersburg’s many hotels offer a wide range of options to suit all tastes and budgets, but to truly revel in the old-school splendour of mother Russia, you could do much worse than stay at the 5-star Corinthia, boasting a spa and workout room, multilingual staff, full concierge service and lounge bar, the Corinthia captures the true essence and grandeur of its historic location at Nevsky Prospect, and offers the ultimate in Russian hospitality, comfort and decadence.

5) Dining 

With so many amazing cultural destinations in St. Petersburg, you can expect the very best of their cuisine too. Russian food may not be a byword for fine dining, but the eateries offering traditional fare in St. Petersburg will blow you away. One of the leading high-end restaurants in St Petersburg, ‘L’Europe’ located in the Belmond Grand Hotel Europe on Nevsky Prospekt effortlessly blends handsome turn-of-the-century décor with flawless haute cuisine, offering a mix of Russian and European cuisine, including a sumptuous caviar and champagne brunch on Sundays.

04 Aug 2015