If you’re visiting St Petersburg on a Baltic cruise, then the novelty of being on a boat may have worn off! However, a canal cruise in St Petersburg is arguably the best way to see the city, and will be a highlight of your stay. You will sail along the rivers and canals and admire the beautiful baroque and neoclassical architecture of St Petersburg, which is generally agreed to be one of the most beautiful cities anywhere in the world. As you relax, you will pass famous landmarks and hear more about the fascinating history of St Petersburg.

As you travel along, you will pass under a network of drawbridges. These allow large ships to pass between the Baltic Sea and Lake Ladoga, and from there, deeper into Russia. The drawbridges open to a precisely timed schedule, which allow ships to pass with a minimum of delay while still allowing the bridges to function as efficiently as possible. Of course, you may be less concerned with the practicalities of the system and instead be busy taking photographs – many of the drawbridges are spectacular, particularly the iconic Palace Bridge over the Neva.

There are also many static bridges too, many of which are just as beautifully designed and as striking as the drawbridges. Interestingly, bridges were not part of the original city plan – Peter the Great expected citizens to get across the rivers by ferry, and by sledge in the winter. It was only after he died that the more practical system of bridges was designed. Highlights include the Griboyedov Canal, with its colourful bridges, and the Fontanka River, which has the beautiful stone Prachechny Bridge, and the Trinity Bridge over the Neva, which is a beautiful Art Nouveau structure, partly designed by Eiffel.

For the most part, cruises last around 60 or 90 minutes. However, more than one type of cruise is available. You can sail on a cruise that includes a drinks reception, dinner, or a performance by a group of Russian folk artists. Some cruises include dinner. If you are lucky enough to be visiting St Petersburg during the White Nights, then you can enjoy an evening cruise.

Alternatively, you may wish to travel on the St Petersburg waterways as a journey, as well as for pleasure. You can take ferry cruises to some attractions outside town, like the Peterhof Fountains. If you are travelling further into Russia, then you can also cruise from St Petersburg to Moscow.

St Petersburg cruises operate from April until November, or until the city’s waterways freeze during the long Russian winter.

Many of St Petersburg’s attractions close down during the autumn or winter. However, in August, you will be able to take a canal cruise, view and play in the Peterhof Fountains, and get the most out of the city’s parks and gardens – there are said to be more green spaces here than in Paris. There are also the museums and churches that St Petersburg is famous for, and August is one of the best months to take a walking tour of the city to see them. You won’t get stuck in a traffic jam and will hopefully enjoy some fine weather as well as the city’s beautiful architecture.

However, not everything is accessible. After the cultural highlights of the White Nights, many of the city’s famous theatres take a break. For example, the Mariinsky is closed for the whole of August. If you want to take in a ballet, opera or a classical concert, then you should either visit during the White Nights, or at any other time between September and May.
It is not just the theatre performers who are on holiday in August, either. Many locals head to the countryside to visit dachas, or for vacations further afield. This means that St Petersburg can feel rather dominated by tourists. This can be a plus if you are happy taking excursions to key sites, but it can be a drawback if you want to get an idea of how people in St Petersburg live.

When you’re planning what to pack, bear in mind that the average temperature will be around 20-25C during August, although it may be getting cooler towards the end of the month. Take shorts and t-shirts, but also take warmer items like a fleece in your backpack. At any time of year, the weather in St Petersburg can be somewhat unpredictable. Even if the morning appears to be gloriously sunny, you should stow a lightweight raincoat or folding umbrella in your backpack, as you may need it by lunchtime!

When you’re considering accommodation, you may find that a Baltic cruise is good value. Hoteliers and restaurateurs hike up their prices during the peak season for foreign tourists, and staying on board can be a better option. You will also get to see other cities around the Baltic Sea at their best.

St Petersburg in August can be busy, however, and you will need to plan carefully to maximize your time in the city. A cruise stop combined with a private tour of St Petersburg will often allow you to skip queues at key attractions like the Hermitage, and will move you around the city as efficiently as possible.

August may not have the immediate appeal of St Petersburg during the White Nights. However, for many travelers, it remains the best month to visit this amazing city.

Firstly, the famous White Nights can be experienced during roughly the first two thirds of July. During the White Nights, people take advantage of the extended daytime hours to visit the parks, have parties, go swimming and revel in the heady atmosphere. The White Nights of St Petersburg have inspired countless poets, writers and other artists – and visiting in July gives you the chance to see why.

As well as the informal parties, summer in St Petersburg is full of cultural events. The renowned Mariinsky Theatre is the venue for the Stars of the White Nights festival, which includes ballet and opera performances, as well as classical concerts. There are also film festivals, parades, and much more. Although the ‘official’ end dates of these festivals are usually around the 15th – 20th of July, there are plenty of associated events held later in the month too. July is also a good month to catch major Western artists – if attending a pop or rock concert is more your scene than ballet, check the listings before you book.

Aside from the cultural events, visiting St Petersburg in July gives you the opportunity to make the most of the city’s outdoor attractions. These include the Peterhof Fountains, the parks and the gardens in and around the city, the Piterland Aqua Park and walking tours of the city. Because July is a very good month to be out of doors in St Petersburg and generally coincides with the school holidays, this is the best month to visit with a family.

The temperature in July is also the hottest of the St Petersburg year. You’ll have the best chance of experiencing wonderful sunshine, and be able to do day trips in shorts, t-shirts and sandals rather than jeans and fleeces. If you’re visiting St Petersburg as part of the Baltic Cruise, then the other destinations on your route should also have the best weather of the year. However, when you’re packing, remember that the St Petersburg summer should be changeable, and take some items that you’ll be able to wear if the temperature dips or it rains.

However, there are some downsides to visiting in July. Hotel and restaurants tend to increase their prices for the peak season; staying on a cruise ship can actually work out better value than sleeping and eating in the city itself. If you’re particularly interested in the Hermitage, the churches or historical attractions, then you might prefer to visit St Petersburg during the shoulder season, when you’ll be able to visit the museums when they are more peaceful. All key attractions get crowded during July and you are likely to have to spend at least some time in queues, although St Petersburg private tour guide will be able to provide you with queue-jump passes for many of the busiest attractions.

Overall though, if you are coming to St Petersburg for a hedonistic break where you can enjoy the best of the city nightlife, want to sample the famous White Nights for yourself, or are travelling with your family, then July is a great month to visit.

As well as informal gatherings, the White Nights are associated with a series of festivals, and high art and culture.

The most famous of these, the “Stars of the White Nights”, is held at the Mariinsky Theatre. The “Stars of the White Nights” is a series of classical ballets, operas and orchestral concerts, which include plenty of big-name performers and well-known shows.

The “Stars of the White Nights” began in 1993, and was created by Valery Gergiev, Artistic and General Director at the Mariinsky. In its opening year, the “Stars of the White Nights” ran for ten days. It was enormously popular from its inception, and today it lasts for two months, and includes dozens of productions.

If you are new to ballet, opera or classical music, then many of the performances are very accessible. For example, some shows include excerpts of famous pieces from several different ballets. Many will be at least partially familiar; shows like Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Carmen, Madame Butterfly and other equally well-known productions make up a large part of the playbill, as do recitals of pieces by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, much of which will be instantly recognizable.

If you frequently attend ballet, opera or orchestral concerts in your home country, then you will enjoy the chance to see some of the world’s most famous artists, who frequently perform during the “Stars of the White Nights”. Alternatively, you may enjoy some of the lesser-known shows that are performed only rarely. For committed opera fans, Wagner’s Ring Cycle is occasionally performed.

Aside from the shows it stages, the Mariinsky is an attraction in itself. It is a beautiful building, both inside and out, built in the 1860s and a classic example of belle époque architecture and theatricality. Throughout its history, many world-famous ballerinas, composers, musicians and singers have performed here. Whether or not you want to attend a performance, you can find out more about the Mariinsky by arranging a backstage tour.

Tickets can be quite difficult to get for both backstage tours of the Mariinsky and festival performances. If you are travelling to Russia as part of a Baltic cruise, then you will be able to discuss these options with your St Petersburg private tour operators. You can check in advance to see which ballets, operas and concerts are going to be performed – the playbill is usually published in late March or early April.

The White Nights are an amazing time to visit St Petersburg. The long hours of sunlight are marked with endless performances of theatre, film, music and dance. For many visitors, their White Nights experience is a once in a lifetime occasion. Speak to tour guides to arrange tickets to any events you are interested in, and enjoy the spectacle and the drama of St Petersburg’s most magical time of year.

Traditionally, Russians believe that on Easter, Jesus walks on the earth and mixes with the ordinary people, while the Devil is consigned to hell. To honour Jesus, rich people treat the less well-off to a meal, and everyone visits their friends and relatives.

Everywhere, you will see the Cyrillic letters “XB”. These stand for “Hristos voskres” which means “Christ is risen!”, and is something you will hear many times if you visit Russia during Easter. This phrase is usually replied to with “Voistinu voskres”, which means, “He has truly risen”.

As elsewhere, Easter is associated with sweet foods, and the breaking of a fast. The most impressive is the elaborate kulich, a rich cake made with candied fruit. Enormous versions of this are produced and taken to church the day before Easter to be blessed. Another Eastern tradition is Paskha, a type of cream cake. There are many different kinds of paskha, and you should definitely try at least one during your visit. Gingerbread decorated with, or shaped like, animals associated with springtime are also popular.

For the main Easter meal, families cook the best foods that they can afford. This traditionally comprised of 48 different dishes to represent the 48 days of Lent, and the first dish to be prepared on Easter morning was pelmeni, a type of Russian ravioli. Sturgeon, beef stew, and plenty of eggs, which are usually the first element of an Eastern meal.

Eggs are as important to the Orthodox Easter as they are to the Western tradition. As elsewhere, eggs were a pagan fertility symbol, incorporated into Easter by early Christians. Eggs are dyed different colours, including red to represent the blood of Christ, and children play games with eggs, painting them and then bashing their egg against an opponents’.

Farmers and artists produce wooden eggs, which are beautifully designed and painted, sometimes with individual saints as well as general Eastern motifs. These make lovely souvenirs, and are readily available in St Petersburg markets. Of course, the most famous eggs in Russia are those designed and produced by Faberge for the Romanovs. These are outstanding pieces of artwork, and you can see them in the Armoury during your visit to Moscow.

The best way to experience part of the Orthodox Easter holiday is to visit a church service, which usually include processions of holy banners and icons. If you stand at the back and remain unobtrusive, no-one will mind if you can’t follow proceedings or are not sure what to do. However, some of the elements of the service should be recognizable if you regularly attend church at home.

In short, the Easter Holiday in Russia is a fabulous festival and any visitor will enjoy the mixture of both the exotic customs and the familiar symbolism. If you are travelling to St Petersburg in April, do not miss the opportunity to visit remarkable orthodox cathedrals with your St Petersburg private tour guide and learn more about Russian Easter traditions.