Has anyone been to St. Petersburg, Russia? Going there after the holidays.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

I just watched a show on the Travel Channel about it and it didn't look at all friendly or inviting. I am going because it is part of a trip to the Baltics where my parents were born and raised. I am excited about going to Estonia and Latvia, but I am a bit apprehensive about the week I will spend in Russia. Any advice is appreciated.

[liontamer]

1. I went and had a great time

It is very very cold. but the people are friendly the vodka flows copiously and the city is beautiful. The water however is gross. You will want use only bottled water while you're there.

[LisaL]

2. I used to live their, drink tap water, and somehow I am still alive.

Go figure.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

3. Thank you for the tips.

I am looking forward to it. I guess I'm just a little apprehensive. I needed to hear that the people are friendly because on this travel show, they were all quite unfriendly to show's host. But he did seem to be a bit of a dick. :freak:

[LisaL]

4. It's really very beautiful. If you are into art, you can

literally spend years in the museums, just to see it all.

[tjwmason]

5. When are you going?

I ask because the Russian Orthodox keep Christmas on January 7th (celebrations starting on the evening of 6th) due to the Julian calendar - apparently it's a wonderful thing.

St. Petersburg was built as the new capital to reflect a more western (Europe) orientated Russia - many folks think of it as far more beautiful than Moscow. It has many of the old Imperial palaces, including the ultra-famous Hermatige museum.

I've never been - but it's quite high on my 'got to go and visit' list.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

6. Oh, I'm not going until March, but I'm starting to gather information

now and appreciate any help I can get. The Christmas celebration sounds lovely but too late for my travel dates. Yes, I plan to hit some of the museums, and I'm looking forward to checking out the shops and restaurants too.

[Kire]

7. Have you read War & Peace?

there's still time, it's suppose to capture the essence of the Russian experience and the Peace part is set in St. Petersburg, I'm jealous

[tinfoilinfor2005]

10. I wonder if they have it on tape. I bet it is.

I spend a lot of time driving, and I like to listen to books on tape. That's a great suggestion.

[Kali]

8. Here is a great resource

can read any of it - will have to join to post - no big deal username password the usual

http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/categories.cfm?catid=15

I haven't been there, but my parents have and last year my father married a Russian woman. So I think they must be friendly enough - she is a delight. (Mom passed away in '96)

[tinfoilinfor2005]

11. Kool!

I checked it out and bookmarked it. Great site; thanks!:thumbsup:

[YellowRubberDuckie]

9. We were watching the History channel just this yesterday...

and they were talking about when Peter the Great created the city. It was a series called Land of the Tsars. It was a really cool, interesting show about the legacy of the rulers of Russia. Apparently, Peter took over the area from Sweden and made the nobility build their summer homes there. He told them where and what, and they took care of the rest. He wanted to make a new capitol, a new center of the country. He wanted a place that rivaled the beauty of Versailles. He spent a lot of time travelling thru Europe and to England learning EVERYTHING he possibly could. He built ships and homes, learned surgery and dentistry, and he worked right along side his people building ships for his navy.
His people loved him. He created museums and places of learning. Right before he died, he rushed into the cold sea to save some sailors who had crashed on the rocks. He died a few days later, having never named an heir. It's all a very neat story. It really made me want to visit the place and Russia. You might try to find a copy of the show or try to catch it again. It's a very awesome story. The history of the place after that gets bloody and corrupt, but it is VERY interesting. If you're a history buff, I highly recommend it.
Duckie

[tinfoilinfor2005]

12. Rats. Figures I missed this show, but saw the crummy one

on the travel channel. Hopefully it will run again.

[Deja Q]

13. Wasn't St Petersburg originally named Leningrad?

And why rename it to St Petersburg? Who is St Petersburg, and isn't religion still a no-no in Russia?

[yvr girl]

15. You're kidding, right?

[LisaL]

17. It used to be Leningrad, up until the middle of 1990th.

[LisaL]

16. It wasn't originally named Leningrad. Considering Peter the first

was the one to build it, it was named after the Saint Peter-St. Petersburg, when it was build. I think around 1917, it was renamed Petrograd. Then, after Lenin died, it was renamed Leningrad, and about 15 years ago, it was renamed St. Petersburg again.

[Shine]

14. My hubby went there years ago on a biz trip. It was very cold.

Think Layers.

Have fun and safe journey to you!
:hi:
Shine

[tinfoilinfor2005]

18. Thanks! It will be a challenge...I live in the Florida Keys

and my entire wardrobe consists of shorts, tee shirts and sandals. Will be making a trip to the Goodwill store to stock up on warm weather clothing that I can shed once I get back.:+