<\/a><\/span> $\"Peterhof\"$ <\/a><\/span>

Photo attribution: Taylor Trah<\/p><\/div>\n

The first thing I noticed driving through the city was how massive the buildings were\u2014 landmarks are more like grandmarks in Russia.\u00a0 With architectural elements borrowed from France and Italy, there is a definite sense of \u201cone-uppance\u201d in Russian culture. In fact, Peterhof Palace, located in the outskirts of St. Petersburg, is often referred to as the \u201cRussian Versailles\u201d due to its similar gardens and grandeur. In an effort to preserve the city\u2019s larger-than-life buildings, it\u2019s not uncommon to see scaffolding and major preservation efforts underway year round.<\/p>\n

The Hermitage Is Incredible<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/span> $\"3Graces\"$ <\/a><\/span>
Photo attribution: Taylor Trah<\/p><\/div>\n
When you\u2019re searching for things to do in Russia, don\u2019t skip the Hermitage. I spent nearly four hours in the Hermitage Museum and barely skimmed the surface of its exhibits. Founded by Catherine the Great in 1764, the museum spans seven buildings and includes more than 3 million artworks. Names like Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, and Rembrandt litter the Hermitage\u2019s hallways, as well as art that dates back to prehistoric times.<\/p>\n
Borscht Is Delicious<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/span> $\"Photo$ <\/a><\/span>
Photo attribution: Flickr\/Creative Commons\/liz west\/Via\/https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/8EMz1m<\/p><\/div>\n
Beets aren\u2019t everyone\u2019s cup of tea, but you might enjoy them in a cup of soup. A traditional Russian dish made with beets, cabbage, and beef broth, borscht is the perfect dish to warm your bones on a chilly afternoon\u2014just be sure to check your teeth afterward for a purple glow \u00e0 la Dwight Schrute.<\/p>\n
Soak City Has Nothing on St. Petersburg<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/span> $\"waterways\"$ <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
When you think of stunning canals, the sweeping streets of Venice or bridges of Amsterdam come to mind. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the great number of waterways in St. Petersburg. The Neva River is the main estuary, but in total there are 11 major rivers and canals that run through the city. We took a boat tour of the city, which was stunning, but our \u201cluxury cruise\u201d ended up being\u00a0 a bunch of lawn chairs on a barge\u2014those Russians sure know how to upsell.<\/p>\n
Locals Sure Do Love Their History<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/span> $\"Peter\"$ <\/a><\/span>
Photo attribution: Taylor Trah<\/p><\/div>\n
While visiting Russia, we were hard-pressed to find anyone who would talk to us about the current political climate. However, locals were eager to discuss Imperial Russia (think a lot of people with \u2018the Great\u2019 after their names, lands being seized, and epic plots devised by women named Catherine). From our guide\u2019s refusal to discuss Russia\u2019s politics to \u201cI <3 Putin\u201d t-shirts for sale everywhere, it\u2019s safe to say that St. Petersburg\u2019s inhabitants didn\u2019t feel they could speak freely to foreigners.<\/p>\n
A Frown a Day Keeps the Doctor Away<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/span> $\"TurnThatFrown\"$ <\/a><\/span>
Photo attribution: Taylor Trah<\/p><\/div>\n
In the footsteps of celebrities trying to stay wrinkle-free such as Victoria Beckham and Kim Kardashian, Russians don\u2019t smile. Alright, they\u2019re not so much worried about their skin as they are their sincerity. In many cultures, the smile is used as a greeting, or to encourage communication between two people. But Russian society frowns upon throwing smiles out willy nilly! The friendly grimace is reserved for moments of genuine happiness, which can be jarring to foreigners.<\/p>\n
Petersburg Is a City of Contrast<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/span> $\"OldCar\"$ <\/a><\/span>
Photo attribution: Taylor Trah<\/p><\/div>\n
Majestic churches adorned with spray-painted gold pillars and plastic flowers, instead of solid-gold columns and freshly cut roses: Contrast was as abundant as fur hats in St. Petersburg. The most unsettling being the grand scale of government buildings juxtaposed with the crumbling concrete apartment complexes that composed the residential neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
There Are Stunning Churches at Every Turn<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/span> $\"SpilledBlood\"$ <\/a><\/span>
Photo attribution: Taylor Trah<\/p><\/div>\n
While the city\u2019s residential areas are definitely lacking, one thing\u2019s for certain: St. Petersburg is home to some of the most intricate churches in the world. The vibrantly colored tiled mosaic inside the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, the mind-blowing altar inside the Peter and Paul Cathedral, and the heavenly golden domes of the Church of the Sainted Apostles Peter and Paul will have you wishing you brought a professional photographer along to document your journey.<\/p>\n
Russia\u2019s Souvenir Game is Strong<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/span> $\"DollStore\"$ <\/a><\/span>
Photo attribution: Taylor Trah<\/p><\/div>\n
Looking to adorn your loved ones back home with faux fur hats and Matryoshka dolls out the wazoo? You\u2019ve come to the right place. There are countless souvenir shops and street vendors in St. Petersburg, so be sure to shop around and get the best bang for your rubles. If you find beautiful nesting dolls, they\u2019re probably hand painted, which means they\u2019re going to be pricier. Word to the wise: Don\u2019t trust the toothless guy outside the Hermitage trying to convince you that his fur hats are real mink.<\/p>\n
Vodka Is the Real MVP<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/span> $\"RussianBreakfast$ <\/a><\/span>
Photo attribution: Taylor Trah<\/p><\/div>\n
Whether you\u2019re sipping some liquid courage at the Russian Vodka Museum or enjoying a drink with dinner, the vodka in St. Petersburg can\u2019t be beat. Brands like Stolichnaya, Russian Standard, and Putinka (named after–you guessed it–Putin) all call Mother Russia home. Indulge during your stay, but don\u2019t walk too close to the Neva while under the influence, or you might find yourself at the bottom of the Baltic Sea.<\/p>\n
Although Russia is experiencing a myriad of political and economic issues, at its core, the city of St. Petersburg is bursting with culture, naturally stunning waterways, and vibrant historical landmarks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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