Welcome to the TravelPod forums

[rudyflaviis]

[quote name='littlekate' date='Mar 24 2009, 10:30 AM' post='94386']
Russia, St. Petersburg – starter kit

Hi, very nice information about SP.
I'll visit SP from 30th March to 3 April. I've got a lot of doubts related with the weather. I don't know if it's worth visiting Peterhof without fountains working, I don't know if in this time it is advisable to plan walking tours. Could you help me? Also, regardind ballet shows, woul you advise to buy tickets on-line from balletandopera.com? Do you know if I can thrust them? Also I would like to have dinner in a restaurant with russian folk show. Are there any you recommend?
Many thanks if you can answer some of theses questions.

Rudy

[littlekate]

Dear Rudy,
Of course, there are some weather disadvantages in the season you are choosing. The temperature will be something from -5C to +10C. This year is very snowy, this means very wet and icy spring. So all this huge amount of snow will be melting in the day time and turning into ice after the sun set. This means ice and water in the pavements, fresh and promising spring air, and you need some good boots. Some electrical devise to dry your footwear also will be of use. The parks will not be beautiful – all covered with snow (or very wet), trees naked, marble statues boxed. But the royal palaces will be OK, and no tourists!
April 3 – April 4 night will be the Easter night with overnight church service – a big public event you need to see.
As for the tickets, you can buy them from Mariinsky theater itself http://www.mariinsky.ru/en
As for the restaurant with Russian folk show, I promise to take some investigation and let you know the results.
Katherine

[rudyflaviis]

Thank you for your advise. It's a pity we have to leave 3 April evening, we are going to loose Easter...
Considering that during our stay the weather will be very cold, what do you advise us to do in 3 days?
We are 6 portuguese couples.

Rudy

[littlekate]

Rudy,
I found some restaurants for you.
1. "Kalinka-Malinka", Italianskaya street, 5 (Between Russian museum and Nevsky prospect) – very convenient location, just in the midst of tourists attractions. They have Russian folk shows on special orders (about 40 Euro/hour).
2. "Na zdorovije" Bolshoy prospect P.S. 13. The location is not so good – needs some special efforts to get there from the area, where the tourist attractions are. They have regular Russian folk shows on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. On other days they have gypsy shows, which were very popular here before revolution, and now must remind of comfort and prosperity of the old times.
3. "Russkaya Rumochnaya No.1" Konnogvardeysky bulvar 4 – very convenient location next to the St.Isaak's Cathedral. They have regular gypsy shows on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and they reproduce general atmosphere of some Russian restaurant in the end of the 19 century.
All of them have no websites in English, but I telephoned them to confirm the information I got in the reference book and Russian Inernet.

The weather will not be so cold. You just need some warm sintepon (or leather) jackets and woolen sweaters, and good boots – something you normally wear in winter, or when skiing in the mountains. This will make you equipped well enough for walking around.
By the way, I was in Nevsky yesterday – it was perfectly brushed up - means, no water and ice in spring. I advise to walk around in the center. By the way, have you got any guide?
Katherine

[littlekate]

You are welcome. I'm not a traveller at all, I'm just a local liver and the only way I can help you is telling about "how things are in my native city".

[littlekate]

A must-see, of course, but not because of the Hermitage. I do not think Louver is any worse, and the Hermitage offers the arts quite similar to what you can find in Louver and other European museums. To art lovers I'd rather advise Russian museum – a museum of Russian arts. In the exposition of 19th and 20th centuries you will find excellent, unique art you would not find anywhere else (Moscow excluding).

[littlekate]

More good news: yesterday I noticed instructions in English on Sennaya Ploshad - an important transfer ststion in the center, which also can be useful to a foreign tourist. They also install instructions in the newly launched stations which are usually far away from the touritic routs.

[greekcypriot]

Hi Kate,
Good news indeed.... by the time I visit you, I am sure everything will be in English, and probably I won't need to let you know so that you can pick me up from the airport!
I will find the way by myself since there will be English signs, and surprise you!

[littlekate]

- That's me welcoming you in LED airport under the English sign!

[jeroenandlinda]

Great post LittleKate

We just arrived in St Petersburg for a couple of days before starting the trans Siberian in Moscow, tomorrow we'll start exploring the city. Your post is most helpful on giving us an idea about the city. Hope to post some blog posts shortly (if Internet in Russia permits).

Cheers

Jeroen
http://www.travelpod.com/members/jeroenandlinda

[greekcypriot]

I found snacks in coffee shops in St. Petersburg quite expensive for the average local.

[6111978]

I found snacks in coffee shops in St. Petersburg quite expensive for the average local.

Did you find them more expensive, then in European big cities?
I know quite a lot of places with good coffee for 5 dollars... It is OK, if you don't go there evety day )

[greekcypriot]

Probably it was because I expected a Russian city much cheaper since most people receive very low salaries and cannot afford to go to these places very often. It was not that expensive for me, but I always consider and think of the locals how they cope.

[6111978]

Probably it was because I expected a Russian city much cheaper since most people receive very low salaries and cannot afford to go to these places very often. It was not that expensive for me, but I always consider and think of the locals how they cope.

OK But the locals in SPb and Moscow have rather good salaries )
The clubs, cafees and restaurants are overcrowded every weekend and we have traffic jams at nights because Moscow and Saint-Petersburg never sleep ))

[greekcypriot]

It is probably because you belong to the upper class!

[6111978]

It is probably because you belong to the upper class!

Noooo!!! I am just middle )

[greekcypriot]

I have one question. Why is it when I want to get to your profile I get nothing? (6111978) Is this a phone number?
Just a question!

[6111978]

It is probably because you belong to the upper class!

Noooo!!! I am just middle )

No, it's not a phone number. It's strange... I thought, I wrote a name there... And what info do you want to find?

[greekcypriot]

I just wanted to check your profile.
The purpose and aim of TravelPod is to have members who write and post photos. Why don't you become a real member and start writing about your beautiful country?
If you check my profile you will find the blog about St. Petersburg. I have some beautiful entries and photos there.

So, I look forward to seeing your entries on your blog.
Why don't you start blogging and write about St. Petersburg. You know, it is no need to be travelling to write about a destination you know well.

[6111978]

I just wanted to check your profile.
The purpose and aim of TravelPod is to have members who write and post photos. Why don't you become a real member and start writing about your beautiful country?
If you check my profile you will find the blog about St. Petersburg. I have some beautiful entries and photos there.

So, I look forward to seeing your entries on your blog.
Why don't you start blogging and write about St. Petersburg. You know, it is no need to be travelling to write about a destination you know well.

Yes, I will!!!
Just need a little more free time )

P.S. And I can change this stupid figures to my name... it's a pitty