Why visit Saint Petersburg? To be honest, we don¡¯t know why one wouldn¡¯t.?
It was once home to Russia¡¯s ruling Tsars and is filled with elaborate constructions that are simply stunning.?There¡¯s breathtaking beauty everywhere.?It has a thriving arts and culture scene. And the city¡¯s historical narrative is still evident in its streets, parks and galleries.?
In fact, there¡¯s a famous saying among locals that can be loosely translated as ¡°Moscow is for working and St Petersburg is for falling in love¡±. So if you are looking for an international getaway that inspires without leaving you broke in the first quarter of 2020, we tell you why St Petersburg is a perfect choice.?
Most European holidays easily set you back by Rs 45,000 to 50,000, and we¡¯re only talking about flight tickets. Budget in accommodation, local sightseeing tours, food and drinks, and shopping, and it¡¯s easy to want to set aside the plan altogether. But flight connections to St Petersburg are relatively cheap, as little as Rs 30,000 for a trip that commences within a fortnight. Isn¡¯t that a deal to seal?
Just last year, in October, Russia began offering free e-visas for Indians planning a trip to their cultural capital. The online application takes four days to process. The e-visa is valid for a period of 30 days and allows visitors to stay for a period of eight days. Travel has never been more hassle-free.?
The grandiose of the city¡¯s baroque palaces from the Tsarist era is awe-inspiring. Nowhere is that feeling more powerful than at the Winter Palace, once the official residence of the legendary Romanov family. Visit it in the winter months when the city is under a fresh blanket of snow, and it is easy to be transported back in time to get a glimpse of the extravagance the imperial family once enjoyed. Still feeling like royalty? Check out the six other major palaces and 50 imperial residences around the city.
sneha mahale??
Walking around St Petersburg is like wandering through a living museum. But a trip to the city would be incomplete without a visit to its crowning glory, The Hermitage. Russians are incredibly proud of their contributions to the world of art and culture, and this museum alone houses more than three million masterpieces from artists like Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci, Kandinsky and Van Gogh. Other hidden gems include Pushkinskaya 10 that offers a fascinating insight into the underground soviet art world; the Faberge Museum, home to nine Easter Eggs crafted for the last two Russian tsars; and the sprawling State Russian Museum that houses the world¡¯s largest collection of Russian works.
sneha mahale??
If St Basil¡¯s Cathedral makes Moscow a must-see destination, then there are three compelling reasons to visit St Petersburg. The striking Church of the Savior of the Spilled Blood is built in medieval Russian architecture and claims to have the largest collection of mosaics in the world that depict scenes and characters from the Bible. The Kazan Cathedral is dedicated to Our Lady of Kazan and richly decorated with sculptures and reliefs, and the beautiful St Isaac¡¯s Cathedral, the largest cathedral in the city, with a dome that is illuminated with gold and twelve statues of angels.?
The stats are impressive. There are over 200 parks and gardens, plus over a thousand tree-lined streets and more than 700 leafy squares in St Petersburg. But it¡¯s most jaw-dropping attraction lies just outside city limits. We are talking about the Lower Park of Peterhof, also known as the ¡°Russian Versailles.¡± Its gilded fountains, statue-lined lanes and picturesque canals attract millions of visitors annually. Find the impressive Grand Cascade directly below the Grand Palace, the one designed like a black and white chessboard, and Chinese dragons. Entry is free in the winter months when the fountains are switched off and the park is usually under a blanket of snow.?
One of the best ways to be dazzled by the striking beauty of the city is by walking down Nevsky Prospekt, the main avenue of St Petersburg. Famous and majestic landmarks along the way include Stroganov Palace, Winter Palace, Kazan Cathedral, the Dom Knigi bookstore, the Admiralty, Mertens Building and Vorontsov Palace. It is also the city¡¯s central shopping street and is popular for its nightlife options. Take a stroll along the avenue in the evening, and watch the place come alive under the lights.?
It¡¯s not without reason that St Petersburg is called the 'Venice of the North.' A cruise along its many canals and rivers allows you to explore the city with a new perspective. Head down the Neva River and all major attractions can be seen from a boat tour. For the Court Stables, the Glinka State Academic Capella and St Isaac¡¯s Square, take a cruise along the Moyka River. And it¡¯s not uncommon to spot loved-up couples steal a moment at the Winter Canal, which is thought to be the most romantic spot in the city. Lastly, a sight not to be missed is the Rising of the Bridges over the Neva. From April to November, when the ice is thin enough for cargo ships to break through, thousands of people can be seen lining up each night to watch the bridges opening up in succession.?
Its magnificent beauty attracts visitors during the day, but St Petersburg is also a city to see at night. If you have had your fill of Russian vodka, Kvass and specialty cocktails at one of the several bars in the city, then visit its ice rinks that are open to the public all night long. Or go flower shopping. And if you do happen to be in Russia during the White Nights, do experience the ¡®Night of the Museums¡¯ when museums are open throughout the night.