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I will be going to Sant Petersburg in June to meet a lady I have been in contact with from Siberia. I do not know Saint perersburg at all! Can you please give me an idea of where to stay and what todo when I am there?

... in response to Saint Petersburg, posted by AndrewinOH on May 3, 2003

There's lots of good advice below.  Consider it all.
I've stayed in hotels and I've stayed in apartments.  I recommend the latter as the best overall option.

If you decide to stay in a hotel, I'd say the Moskva is as good as it gets, all things (price, location, etc.) considered.  I took an unrenovated room both times that I stayed there.  It wasn't all that bad, considering that I seldom used it.  

Since you are going in the summer, I would suggest hanging out in the parks if you find some open time.  That can be a blast all by itself, especially if there is a band nearby.  The Nevski embankment and the palaces outside the city are also nice places to just hang out during good weather.  The women I've met seem to enjoy that, too.  If you are young enough, you might appreciate that, during the summer break, SPb attracts college students from all over.

... in response to Saint Petersburg, posted by AndrewinOH on May 3, 2003

When I visited I stayed at the hotel Moscova.    It was clean, over priced for the very small room, but everyone spoke english.   Restaurants were not great, but I am from a very restaruant town, so If you are from Kansas well it may not seem that bad to you.  It is near the main drag, Nevski Prospect, (sp) and walking down it is nice and there are lots of restaurants there.   It was about $125 a night and in reality motel 6 rooms are better.   Get the the rennovated room or a suite,

Robert D.

... in response to Saint Petersburg, posted by AndrewinOH on May 3, 2003

St. Petersburg is celebrating its 300th anniversary at the end of May, and into June. Prices for accomodations can be twice as much as usual for this time of year. I agree that an apartment is the best alternative to staying in a hotel. I have friends in St. Petersburg who have been invaluable to me during my 3 visits there. Contact them, as they can arrange to have you and/or your girl picked up at the airport and/or train station. Nina is a recently certified guide at most of the local attractions, and she is an independent guide, not one affiliated with any guide or tourist agency. You'll get a far better deal with her, than you will through an agency. She's as honest as they come! Her friend Nadya has a rental apartment, and even rents out her own personal residence. I've stayed in both places, and they're clean, conveniently located, and reasonable. I built them a little website to help promote Nina's flower delivery business. I'm not making a dime off referrals, I'm just happy to see Nina get some business, and honest traveling folks get a better value. Send them an e-mail! Tell them Chris sent ya! Let me know how things work out.

 flowersbynina dot com

... in response to Saint Petersburg, posted by AndrewinOH on May 3, 2003

Hi. Going there myself next Wednesday for the 7th time. Definately stay in a serviced apartment instead of a hotel if you can. I recommend Pulford very highly (can't remember the website, do a search) about $100/night which is really good this time of year. Nice apartments. There are others, though. For dinner-good Mexican-Senor Pepe's or La Cucaracha. Decent Spanish (Paella) with Flaminco dancing-Torrez. Patio Pizza or Stroganov cafe (or something like that) for casual lunch. Really nice restaurant-Old Custom's House. Best restaurant you've never been to-Gostiny Dvor (Noble Nest). Absolutely fantastic-old mansion, best service anywhere. Figure $200 with wine total. All these places on or near Nevsky Prospect-you don't want to stay or hang out anywhere else! Also do a boat ride along the canals. Of course the Hermitage, Peter and Paul cathedral (Czars and Romanov's tombs), and Peterhoff. Just walking along Nevsky is an experience. Wear a black leather jacket-you'll look (a bit) less like a westerner. June is perfect. The coats come off and the skirts go up. I was recently in Paris, and I swear, you'll see more beautiful women in 2 hours on Nevsky on a Friday night than you would in 10 days in Paris. REALLY!

... in response to Yes, indeed..., posted by anzo on May 3, 2003

Gostiny Dvor is the huge yellow mall-like thing on Nevsky. The Noble Nest (can't remember the Russian name) is the awesome restaurant.  Remember, she's already been to the touristy places, but, unless she's been at the date-the-westerner game for awhile, she hasn't been to the better resaurants. Lots of touristy guides are available once you get there.
Anzo

... in response to Saint Petersburg, posted by AndrewinOH on May 3, 2003

You better get your ducks in a row now!  Finding a flat / hotel will be difficult that time, especially this year.  Prices will be higher than usual.  I suggest you contact Jack if you are interested in a flat / guide.  Get a flat off of the Downtown Nevsky Prospect area.  The Prebilskaya (spelling error) hotel is about $55 per night about a five minute walk to a subway line.  Try to get a flat / hotel near a subway line.  Learn the subway system prior to going ie. search for a map on the internet.  The Hermitage museum is a must as are the Ethnology museum, Peterhof (outside the city, if you get a chance), The Russian Art Museum, Peter the Great's Hall of Oddities, The Wax museum - all of these museums are very close to each other.  The Kirov is a must.  The Church of the Spilled Blood as well as St. Isaac's cathedral are musts.  Limon is a good cheap restaurant with three different locations.  To see a nice, though "mafia type" disco / club downtown I recommend "Hollywood Nights."  Well, thats on the top of my head and should get you started.  Others will add many other things.  Good luck.

... in response to Saint Petersburg, posted by AndrewinOH on May 3, 2003

I envy you.  St. Petersburg is celebrating it's 300th anniversay this year and there should be lots going on.

In June because of the Northern Latitude, it will stay light late into the evening. This period is called, "The White Nights," and there are many festivals during this period.

Do not miss the world famous Hermitage Museum.  Also, the recently restored "Amber Room," located in the Winter Palace.

It is a great city to walk around in and the boat trips are worth taking as well.  The city is like Venice and Stockholm, laced with canals, and the River Neva delta.

I recommend the "DK Dorling Kindersley Travel Guide, St. Petersburg."  It is a little dated but the pictures and maps are very helpful.  Check out the "St. Petersburg Times," web site.  The "Times," is an English language newspaper published in St. Petersburg.  

Unfortunately, because of the celebrations accomodations may be hard to find. Wish I could be more helpful.