St. Petersburg Travel Tips: What I Wish I Knew
Planning a trip to Russia? Here are six essential St. Petersburg travel tips I wish I knew before going, from the Hermitage to local Wi-Fi.
Saint Petersburg·Tallinn (May 2016)
Turandot at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg
I traveled back to St. Petersburg just to see a performance at the historic Mariinsky Theatre. Here's my experience watching the opera Turandot!
Leaving Tallinn for St. Petersburg
Exploring modern Tallinn's skyline and reflecting on heartwarming travel encounters before catching the bus back to St. Petersburg.
Outside the City Walls in Tallinn
Exploring outside the Old Town walls in Tallinn, discovering beautiful handmade crafts in a watchtower, and visiting the moving Broken Line memorial.
Old Town Viewpoint and Lake in Tallinn, Estonia
Exploring the highest viewpoint in Tallinn's Old Town, meeting friendly seagulls, and enjoying a relaxing afternoon by the lake outside the city walls.
Raeapteek: Europe's Oldest Pharmacy in Tallinn
Exploring Raeapteek in Tallinn, Estonia—Europe's oldest continuously operating pharmacy since 1442. A fascinating mix of a museum and a working pharmacy.
Losing My Passport in Sunny Tallinn
A stressful morning of losing my passport in Tallinn turns into a heartwarming encounter and a lesson in not judging a city by a bad hostel experience.
Kompressor: Famous Blini in Tallinn's Old Town
I visited Kompressor, a famous blini spot in Tallinn's Old Town. How does Estonian blini compare to the ones I loved in Russia? Read my honest review!
Tallinn's Dome Church: St. Mary's Cathedral Views
Exploring the Dome Church (St. Mary's Cathedral) in Tallinn, Estonia. Is the 5 EUR tower entrance fee worth it for the fairytale views of the Old Town?
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Tallinn, Estonia
Exploring the beautiful weather, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and the pink city hall in Tallinn's Old Town, Estonia, along with my daily travel expenses.
Exploring St. Nicholas Church in Tallinn, Estonia
Discover the unique art and the haunting Dance of Death inside the historic St. Nicholas Church (Niguliste) in Tallinn's Old Town.
Tallinn's Fairytale Old Town and Town Hall
Exploring the medieval charm of Tallinn's Old Town and Town Hall. From fairytale streets to Olde Hansa, here is my walking tour of this UNESCO site.
Review: Red Emperor Hostel in Tallinn, Estonia
An honest review of the Red Emperor Hostel in Tallinn, Estonia, covering its pros, cons, and why it might be better suited for group travelers.
Bus from Russia to Estonia: My First Border Crossing
Join me on my first-ever land border crossing as I take an overnight Ecolines bus from St. Petersburg, Russia, to Tallinn, Estonia.
Exploring Peterhof's Lower Park in St. Petersburg
Discover the stunning golden fountains of Peterhof's Lower Park in St. Petersburg, along with practical tips for budget travelers and backpackers.
Peterhof Summer Palace on a Budget: Upper Park
Taking a budget-friendly bus ride from St. Petersburg to Peterhof's Summer Palace to explore the stunning, free Upper Park before heading to Tallinn.
St. Petersburg's 313th Anniversary Concert
I attended the free 313th anniversary concert in St. Petersburg, enjoyed world-class opera, and listened to Viktor Tsoi's legendary music on the streets.
Dostoevsky's Footsteps in St. Petersburg
Join me on a walking tour of St. Petersburg as I trace the real-life locations from Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, including Raskolnikov's house.
St. Petersburg 313th Birthday Concert Rehearsal
Stumbling upon St. Petersburg's 313th birthday concert rehearsal in front of the Hermitage convinced me to change my travel plans and stay for the ballet.
A 6-Hour Walk Around St. Petersburg
Join me on a spontaneous six-hour walk through St. Petersburg, from dodging rain showers on Nevsky Prospect to hunting for Mariinsky Theatre tickets.
Exploring the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg
Join me for a local-guided tour of the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, featuring incredible works by Malevich, Kandinsky, and more.
Neva River Night Boat Tour in St. Petersburg
My experience taking a freezing but unforgettable night boat tour on the Neva River in St. Petersburg to see the famous Palace Bridge opening.
Planning My Next Trip in St. Petersburg
Taking a quiet day in St. Petersburg to figure out my next travel destination, extending my stay, and planning a few more Russian adventures.
A Secret Rooftop Tour in St. Petersburg
Join me on a thrilling, slightly illegal rooftop tour in St. Petersburg, Russia. Experience breathtaking sunset views over the city's endless skyline.
Savior on Spilled Blood, St. Petersburg
Explore the stunning Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg, featuring incredible mosaics, a tragic history, and my daily travel costs.
Inside Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia
Explore the stunning Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg. Discover its unique architecture, the famous Our Lady of Kazan icon, and its solemn atmosphere.
Jamming at a Djembe Class in St. Petersburg
Join me for a unique djembe class in an abandoned St. Petersburg factory, where the entry fee is just a snack and the jam sessions are incredible.
Walking the Neva River in St. Petersburg
A scenic 8km walk along the Neva River in St. Petersburg, taking in the beautiful architecture and monuments before heading to a local djembe class.
Alexandrovsky Park in St. Petersburg
A relaxing afternoon at Alexandrovsky Park in St. Petersburg, featuring beautiful lawns, flower beds, and the famous Bronze Horseman statue.
St. Isaac's Cathedral Observatory, St. Petersburg
Climbing the endless stairs to St. Isaac's Cathedral observatory rewards you with breathtaking views of St. Petersburg. Plus, tips on what to bring!
St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg
Explore the stunning exterior and mosaic-filled interior of St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg, plus tips on tickets and the colonnade view.
Pyshki in St. Petersburg: A Cheap Russian Donut Brunch
Trying pyshki, the classic and incredibly cheap Russian donuts, for a quick and sweet budget-friendly brunch in St. Petersburg.
Walking Nevsky Prospect in St. Petersburg
A walking tour down Nevsky Prospect in St. Petersburg, taking in world-class architecture, Anichkov Bridge, and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood.
A Weekend in St. Petersburg: Park Vibes
Spending a relaxing weekend in a St. Petersburg park watching locals enjoy slacklining and music, plus some interesting chats about Russian welfare.
Oreshek Fortress near St. Petersburg
Exploring the historic Oreshek Fortress near St. Petersburg, a former prison and WWII battlefield that now feels like a peaceful island playground.
Banya at a Dacha: Russian Sauna in St. Petersburg
Join me for a traditional Russian banya (sauna) experience at a local dacha near St. Petersburg, complete with endless food, vodka, and great company.
Hermitage Museum Art & Da Vinci in St. Petersburg
A photo diary of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, featuring masterpieces by Da Vinci and Raphael, plus tips for navigating the massive galleries.
Dutch Paintings at the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg
Explore the beautiful Dutch paintings at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, featuring works by Honthorst, Ruisdael, and more in this travel diary.
Rembrandt at the Hermitage, St. Petersburg
Explore the incredible collection of Rembrandt paintings and the famous Peacock Clock at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.
Visiting the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg
A personal travel diary of visiting the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, from navigating the ticket lines to joining the crowds in a photo-taking race.
Volshaya Morskaya Inn: A Budget St. Petersburg Hostel
I stayed at Volshaya Morskaya Inn in St. Petersburg for a week. Despite its quirks, this budget hostel offers unbeatable location, cleanliness, and quiet.