St Petersburg, Russia, November

[Gylen]

I've always fancied going so the girlfriend and I have decided to visit for the week of my birthday towards the end of November.

Right now, I'm looking for recommendations, what's on, where to go and any good websites to start planning stuff on.

Stuff we'd like to do:

Eat somewhere nice

See a show (some Russian circus or something)

Find some good, late night drinking spots (stylish, rather than strip-club)

Find a good cigar-lounge

Find a what's on website

Any PHers been?

[Wildsea]

I've been, but was working, so did The Hermitage Cathedral of spilled blood etc.... One thing to remember is you need a Russian visa.

[llewop]

agree on the Visa - we didn't need one as we were there on a cruise a month ago (2 days or so Visa free)

Obviously can't comment on restaurants etc, but the obvious places to visit are Hermitage for a start - allow yourself plenty of time! Peter and Paul cathedral was interesting too - tombs of the czars

We did a canal boat tour which was fun - you get a very different view of the city - although could be a tad chilly in November!

[GreigM]

to be fair, I haven't been for a decade, so some of this might not hold true anymore, but...

November - its gonna be cold....colder than you can possibly imagine (unless you're very lucky) - rivers/canals will probably be frozen and there'll be a foot of snow on the ground....bear that in mind.

St P isn't like Moscow - its not as "westernised" and feels more like old-school Russia. The Mafia rule all - good restaurants will be difficult to find and when you do find them will be very expensive.

Also, most people wont speak English, and no signs will be in English - if you can find someone to translate/be a guide that would make a big difference.

Aside from that it's a wonderful place - go absorb something quite unique.....

[Wildsea]

GreigM said:

St P isn't like Moscow - its not as "westernised" and feels more like old-school Russia. The Mafia rule all - good restaurants will be difficult to find and when you do find them will be very expensive.

Also, most people wont speak English, and no signs will be in English - if you can find someone to translate/be a guide that would make a big difference.

Aside from that it's a wonderful place - go absorb something quite unique.....

Yeah agree with that, didn't see a single sign in English, and no-one seemed to speak English when I was there last year. A lot of armed police around, but apparently there was an important meeting going on, no furthur details were given, and Pink Floyd were playing so this may be the reason.

[Gylen]

Wildsea said:

GreigM said:

St P isn't like Moscow - its not as "westernised" and feels more like old-school Russia. The Mafia rule all - good restaurants will be difficult to find and when you do find them will be very expensive.

Also, most people wont speak English, and no signs will be in English - if you can find someone to translate/be a guide that would make a big difference.

Aside from that it's a wonderful place - go absorb something quite unique.....

Yeah agree with that, didn't see a single sign in English, and no-one seemed to speak English when I was there last year. A lot of armed police around, but apparently there was an important meeting going on, no furthur details were given, and Pink Floyd were playing so this may be the reason.

Helpful posts guys, thanks. To be honest, we're sort of hoping for that. I like the idea of going on a completely un-holilday like holiday and just seeing what we find. The cold isn't a problem really - I like the cold and we'll be dressing appropriately. Deffo not packing flip flops! Visa noted as well - we'll get that sorted.

[NAS]

I was there a few years ago during the summer.

Hermitage is a must-do, familiarize yourself with the Russian alphabet before you go and it's easy enough the navigate, the metro system is fantastic.

As for a night out, we went to the ballet, which isn't on any guys hitlist usually, but the Russians are very good at it, and the theatre (walking distance form the Hermitage) was very impressive. So all in all recommended.

It's a very cool place, and I loved being there. We went out to a student night club one night which an all female security staff (who I'm sure competed in shotputting, javelin throwing and plenty of other sports like this) and it was very good fun. Especially ebcause there were in-promptu stripping competitions going on, main price being (of course) free Vodka for the evening.