Let’s start with the Truths about St Petersburg
So this page is a bit of fun, it is not meant to be a wiki one-stop-shop. It has some of the interesting stuff about St Petersburg, and then a bit of the trivial stuff, including our take on the place.
Location
The 3 C’s
Continent
Eurasia (or Europe & Asia)
Country
Russia
Capital
Moscow
St Petersburg sits on the far west of Russia, just a 100 miles (160km) from the Finnish border. It’s home to the world famous Hermitage museum, and is considered the most westernised city within Russia.
The focal area for a mini-break though will be the Palace Square. A central point next to the Hermitage museum.
National Flag
Regional Flag
It’s good to talk
What speaks?
Language
Russian, English generally good in the tourist hot-spots.
Dialing code
+7
Currency
The Ruble ₽ (RUB)
What time
Timezone
Moscow Time (MSK)
Difference from UTC
+3 Hours
So what’s this Trivia then?
Famous for?
Did you know?
Food & Drink
Vodka
Of course, that goes without saying. It’s worth visiting the Vodka museum. In the same building dine on fine Russian cuisine at Russian Vodka Room №1, and take your pick from the wide selection of Vodkas (over 200 available)Stroganoff
That world famous dish of sliced beef sauteed with onions and finished with soured cream.Blini
These pancakes, served with soured cream and caviar – worth a try.Pelmeni
These minced meat ‘ravioli’ dumplings are superb, you’ve got to try them if meat’s your thing. Served with … No prizes for guessing here.Varenyky
Or Peirogi. Another form of dumpling, can be sweet or savory – Gary had dark, sour, cherry filled ones which went down well.Borscht
Deep red beetroot based soup. Served here with the addition of beef, and of course soured cream.
See & Do
Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
Stunning church in a similar style to St Basil’s in Moscow.Palace Square
Great open space from which to explore St Petersburg in all directions.The Hermitage
The world famous museum – we didn’t allow enough time to dedicate to exploring its treasures.St. Peter’s & St. Paul’s fortress
Zayachy Island contains the fortress, and the catherdral. There’s also a beach – now that surprised us.Nevsky Prospect
Home to Gostinyy dvor, the Singer building, various churches, cathedrals & palaces and crosses numerous canals & rivers, including the Anichkov Bridge across the Fontanka river.A river cruise
No better way to take the weight off your feet and see St Petersburg from the water.
The churches & cathedrals of St Peterburg are stunning, strolling the streets is so rewarding and the bridges & waterways lend support to St Petersburg’s unofficial tag of the ‘Venice of the North’.
Movies & Music
James Bond: Goldeneye
Remember Pierce Brosnan’s first outing as 007? and remember that famous tank chase? Well that was set in St Petersburg. The good news is that the city has had a decent lick of paint since 1995.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Again Gary, I’m not a Russian music buff.
If you mention Russian music I immediately think of Tchaikovsky, and 3 pieces spring to mind the 1812 Overture, Swan Lake & The Nutcraker. All fabulous pieces.Gary
Now this is tenuous – over to Gary
The Pet Shop Boys 1985 hit, ‘West End Girls’, contains the line “From Lake Geneva to the Finland Station”, Well the Finland Station in question is in St Petersburg, and that line references Vladimir Lenin’s route back into Russia to take a leading role in the October Revolution in 1917. Gary
And your thoughts on the place?
Return-a-bility
or What are the chances of us revisiting?
(0% – You’ll have to drag us over hot coals to go back 100% – Why am I not there now?)
Notes
We would like to return, potentially dedicate a chunk of time to the Hermitage (careful planning to avoid the worst of the crowds). St Petersburg in winter looks stunning, so maybe something as a post Christmas trip. (We need to remember Russia celebrates Christmas later as it follows the Julian calendar for religious celebrations).
Value for Money
Our value for money index.
Don’t forget we’re Londoners, and that means our baseline is quite high.
(0% – How much? I wanted to buy a drink, not the bar 100% – How much? I’ll take two.)
Notes
Prices seem to be on par with London in 2014, but we are aware that the exchange rate has fluctuated making slightly more expensive now. The architecture is stunning, and walking the streets is free.
Behind the wheel – the driving karma
What’s it like driving in the country.
Which side of the road do they drive on? They drive on the right.
(0% – They’re suicidal – they’re out to kill us 100% – I’m in driving paradise.)
Notes
Guess what, we didn’t drive in Russia. However, the taxi ride from the airport can also be an indication and everything was rather pleasant. One thing we noticed was the odd oligarch, in their supercar, may like to draw attention to themselves blasting up & down Nevsky prospect. Is it that different to the Kings road, London?
Janis’s Hi’s & Lo’s
Highlight
I know there is a pattern forming here, but it has to be the colourful architecture. Palace Square and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood stand out as particular examples.
lowlight
Organising the Visa’s prior to departure.
Gary’s Hi’s & Lo’s
Highlight
Without wishing to sound like a broken record, it has to be the architecture. Simply stunning.
lowlight
Our fault really – we struggled to find a decent bar whilst out walking. On returning home we found some bars with nondescript exteriors, that hid wonderful interiors, we wandered by because we didn’t understand cyrillic, or Russian for a bar.