An Introduction to St. Petersburg and Its Specialities

Ask anybody in Russia what they think about St. Petersburg, and you'll see, that most of the people have an image about St. Peterburg as the beautiful city of channels and impressive architecture, great historical heritage and vibrant cultural life, the home for many famous artists and poets, a symbol of Russia on the Baltic sea. At the same time, St. Petersburg is completely untypical Russian city. Being the closest Russian city to Europe St.Petersburg expresses everything European Russia has to offer, but in a unique and a strange way mixing with old traditions.
  Many think it's a mad city with all that water, smokes and even nights, which are white - typical place to get mad and commit a suicide. But it is a very poetical too, most of the Russian culture and poetry especially was born there. Even nowadays, people in St.Petersburg are considered to be more intelligent, smart and polite while Moscow people are considered to be more to themselves, business-like, and fast, but it's just a stereotype.

Here are some special things you can do while in St. Petersburg, and enjoy them:
- Walking along the Nevsky Prospekt street and quiet neighbourhoods around.
- Going inside the courtyards of old houses.
- Taking a boat trip along the channels.
- Climbing up St.Isaac cathedral to have a view on the city (see the photo above).
- Having a nice Russian vegeterian meal in the best place we ever experienced in Russia – Idiot Restaurant (see Eating Out). 
- Oh, visiting Hermitage, of course, but not all at once. It's better to choose something specific you might be interested in and to come there especially for that (see Museums).
- Walking along Moika river embankment in the evening (see Map).
- Going out to see what's on in a former squat - presently art center - Pushkinskaya, 10 (see Art)
- Going clubbing (see Clubs)
- Sleeping in a nice family hotel or your own apartment (see Accommodation).