Helsinki or St Petersburg for a long w/e...

[Matt Cyclone]

Slightly odd question, but Mrs Cyclone and I fancy a long weekend away seeing some proper snow as such in Northern Europe early next year (not skiing though)...

The only twist is that we are stuck using the BA Avios routes for flights - I have a fair few so we are looking for where we would go using those...

The only choices (that grab me at first) were St Petersburg and Helsinki, but I am more than open to other suggestions... Stockholm/Oslo and Bergen are the most Northern options...

It just for a short break really, bit of sightseeing/walking around/drinking vodka (or similar) - mainly something to look forward to after Xmas!! I think we just have a 'nice' picture of strolling through a snowy park, into a warm bar with a log fire!

[GCH]

Both are great, but HEL will be easier as you dont need a visa which you will do for st petersburg. Not a huge issue but a little more expense and hassle.

Stockholm is fantastic by the way-spent a lot of time there as have family there. Much preferred to the above two personally and definitely a walkable city.

With any of them though, dont underestimate how cold they can get in winter!

Edited by GCH on Monday 22 October 22:54

[Puggit]

St Petersburg is great - I get to visit every January for work. As above, it gets cold. Frigging cold!

You can hire local guides, which really doesn't cost much. Luckily we have plenty of young ladies at work who can't wait to show us around

[chilistrucker]

All great places, visited all, ( in the lorry) but went out in each. St Petersburg is fantastic, really liked a lot and can't wait to go back, but, if I were going with the mrs, I'd choose Bergen. It's bloody expensive, and we only had a very short time there, but it was beautiful. Def - for a long weekend with the mrs when I get a chance!
Also, if anyone wants a great drive, Oslo to Bergen by road is cracking, even in a wagon.

[sneijder]

Haven't been to St Petersberg, would like to though.

Helsinki is good.
Copenhagen is better.
Zurich is something else.

Few more options there for you !

I live in Oslo, I think if you're after a touristy 'nice' trip with the Missus, Bergen would be the better choice, but honestly you'll spend all your time looking at your bank balance.

[ClaphamGT3]

St Pete's is awesome! Absolutely beautiful and the people are charming, cosmopolitan and welcoming in a way that Muscovites simply aren't

Two things to bear in mind; its Oh-My-God expensive and, at this time of year, its dark for about 20 hours a day.

I think the best time to go there is in early June for the 'white nights'

[Puggit]

ClaphamGT3 said:

St Pete's is awesome! Absolutely beautiful and the people are charming, cosmopolitan and welcoming in a way that Muscovites simply aren't

Simply put, the residents of SPB are European in outlook - Muscovites are typically Russian

However both sets of people are fiercely patriotic!

[CHIEF]

I came back from Bergen a couple of months ago. It's a great place but Christ its expensive, like £38 for 3 drinks!!! If this is one of your options I can give you some pointers but again it's a brilliant place to go to.

[probedb]

No real input, but I'm off to SPb next year, made a few friends through vkontakte and learning Russian and they'll all lovely people Can't wait to go!

[Output Flange]

We went to Helsinki a couple of years ago, and while we enjoyed our long weekend there, we found it a little....dull.

Perhaps we just didn't find the right places to go.

[Puggit]

I've just been invited to the Opera in SPB in January - I'm a cultural neanderthal, but I'm quite looking forward to it!