{"id":97066,"date":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelstartblg.wpenginepowered.com\/summer-in-st-petersburg\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T13:52:56","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T13:52:56","slug":"summer-in-st-petersburg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/summer-in-st-petersburg\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer In St Petersburg"},"content":{"rendered":"

“I arrived in the city early August. Summer was in full swing and summer time in St Petersburg means the city is alive late into the night with tourists and locals alike taking in the warm weather and late sunsets.”<\/em><\/h3>\n

\"Peterhof
\nPeter the Great conjured up the great city of St Petersburg out of mud and marshland in 1703. Dreaming of a \u2018Window to Europe\u2019 the magic is still apparent in this modern day version of the city with every twist and turn, every canal and bridge, every church and palace.<\/p>\n

Good to know:<\/strong>\u00a0Turkish Airlines flies daily<\/strong> to St Petersburg from Cape Town and Johannesburg.<\/p>\n

\"Caviar<\/p>\n

St Petersburg has been through a lot in its 350 year history. Founded in war when Tsar Peter the Great reconquered the land from Sweden in the Great Northern War, its violent history continued through uprisings, revolutions, assassinations, two world wars and the Soviet era.
\n\"Winter<\/p>\n

A city of many names<\/h2>\n

During World War 1 Sankt Peterburg <\/em>was seen as too German and changed names to Petrograd. Following Lenin\u2019s death in 1924 the city was again renamed. The Communist Party chose Leningrad inspired by the revolution led by Vladimir Lenin and as a means to intimidate the Resistance. Following the devastation of World War 2 and suppression of the Soviet era the people of Leningrad voted to restore its original name, Saint Petersburg, on 6th<\/sup> September 1991, which coincided with the collapse of the Soviet Union that same year.<\/p>\n

“The river itself is also full of life as flotillas of party boats race the opening bridges downriver into the early hours of the night.”<\/em><\/h3>\n

I arrived in the city early August. Summer was in full swing and summer time in St Petersburg means the city is alive late into the night with tourists and locals alike taking in the warm weather and late sunsets. \u201cWhite Nights<\/strong>\u201d is the period when the sun hardly ever sets and is usually around mid-June to early July. Revellers party late into the night and this is one of the most popular times to visit the city.<\/p>\n

Another summer time tradition is to watch the Neva River bridges open to allow larger ships and boats to pass. This occurs around 1:30am and the banks of the river are packed with people watching the bridges open. The river itself is also full of life as flotillas of party boats race the opening bridges downriver into the early hours of the night.<\/p>\n

“you can\u2019t help but feel its history in every public square, opulent palace and winding canal.”<\/em><\/h3>\n

\"Canal
\nThe city is best explored on foot or by boat and you can\u2019t help but feel its history in every public square, opulent palace and winding canal. We began our tour of St Petersburg with a sunset cruise<\/strong> along the Neva River. As we sailed under the many low bridges we took in the sights of the city\u2019s skyline.<\/p>\n

The following days were spent taking in the various highlights of the city. The Hermitage Museum<\/strong> collection, housed in the Winter Palace, is so large it would take you 15 years to view all the museum\u2019s exhibits. A visit to this great museum of the world should be on everyone\u2019s to do list.<\/p>\n

Peterhof<\/strong>, also known as the Russian Versailles, is located in the countryside outside St Petersburg. Built as Peter the Great\u2019s Summer Palace a full day could be spent here taking in the beautiful fountains,gardens and buildings which have been perfectly restored to their former shimmering glory. Church of our Saviour on Spilled Blood<\/strong> is St Petersburg\u2019s most elaborate church and it\u2019s 5 domes are synonymous with the skyline of the city. You can\u2019t help but be taken in by all the details. Peter and Paul Fortress<\/strong> was one of the first buildings ever erected in this city dating back to 1703. It also includes the Peter and Paul Cathedral which is the final resting place for the Tsars including Peter the Great. The gold dome of St Isaac\u2019s Cathedral<\/strong> is another famous landmark and you can taking in amazing views over the city from its viewing platform.
\n\"St
\nWe stayed in the Belmond Grand Hotel Europe<\/a> which just celebrated its 140th<\/sup> birthday. Located just off the main shopping street of Nevsky Prospekt<\/strong> , a short walk from the Hermitage and many other sights, this luxurious hotel is ideally situated to take in all that this wonderful city has to offer.
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