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A Short Break With A Difference St Petersburg
n times gone by many more accessible than ever.
Brit's (James Bond aside) Perhaps there has never been a
wouldn't give the idea of better time to visit this great
heading over to Russia for a city.
holiday break a second thought.
However, for the more progressive In terms of site seeing, St.
of travellers out there the Petersburg will leave you spoilt
magnificent city of St. for choice. However, there is an
Petersburg offers an abundance of undisputed jewel in this cities
rewards and will leave a lasting crown - the Hermitage museum.
memory with anyone who chooses to While the museum lacks the
visit. international renown of the
Louvre in Paris the collection on
St. Petersburg is quite simply a display is only narrowly behind
city steeped in history and in terms of size and quality.
culture. Built on the Gulf of With over three million works
Finland by Peter the Great, the within the museum, one could
city is the an imperial capital spend years exploring the
which has the distinct atmosphere abundance of breathtaking
of a city that time forgot. The collections from the likes of
enchanting architecture of its Rembrandt, Picasso, and Matisse.
great palaces and crystalline
squares all provide a real sense The museums extensive collection
of Russia's imperial past. Post began with the cities founder
communist Russia is becoming Peter the Great who travelled
increasingly interested in its extensively across Europe in his
past as it copes with the younger years building an
confusion of social change - enviable collection of art and
which means the historical gems items of historical significance.
which St. Petersburg are becoming The collection was added to
further by future generations of covered from the outside world by
Russian monarchy before the a protective brick structure the
Hermitage was first opened to the cottage still remains in
public after the Revolution in surprisingly good condition and
1917. Trying to take in the provides a fascinating insight
wonders of the Hermitage is into the mind of Peter. Rumours
almost impossible in one visit that he spent much of his time in
and taking a number of trips disguise working as a labourer
across several days comes during the cities construction
recommended. For further were almost certainly true.
information try the excellent Indeed unlike many Tsar's of the
http://www.hermitagemuseum.org. past Peter seemed to have a very
keen awareness of the social
In many ways St. Petersburg is a divide and spent much of his time
city best seen on foot for a among his citizens hiding his
number of reasons - not least wealth.
that it is the best way to take
in the wondrous architecture and St. Petersburg is definitely a
give you a real feel for its city one can visit during any
imperial past. From the placid part of the year - although peak
canals to the atmospheric Palace season is from May until
Square, one truly feels they are December, where hotel prices are
in a city from times past. at their most expensive. Good
alternatives to this are in April
Providing a sharp contrast to the and October when the weather is
grand buildings throughout St. still fairly mild and the city is
Petersburg is the humble wooden far less crowded. As long as you
cottage that first housed Peter don't mind the cold weather it is
the Great while he supervised the also perfectly feasible to visit
cities construction. Although now during the winter months and the
city has a number of musical undoubtedly one of Europe's most
events and winter festivals on at beautiful cities. While the
the time. Finding knowledgeable tourist industry is starting to
travel agents in the UK to boom it is still some way from
support you is becoming easier. A being a recognised holiday
good place to start would be destination which make this an
short break specialist excellent time to visit the
http://www.superbreak.com who northern capital of Russia. While
have a number of hotels available many of your friends may be
for booking in St. Petersburg via aghast at the thought of a short
their website. break in Russia, we are sure it
is a decision that you will
Overall St. Petersburg is certainly not regret in anyway.
About the Author:
Robin is a UK based travel writer who is also the webmaster of http://www.travel-tips.co.uk
Source: www.isnare.com
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