We will be in St. Petersburg for 8 nights the first week of April. We know it may be cold and are are looking for suggestions for places to visit that aren't outside. We plan to go to the Hermitage several times and the Russian museum once. Also, any favorite restaurants? Thank you.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
The Sheremetov Palace is a mansion that now houses a museum of musical instruments. Both the instruments and the house itself are wonderful, and as a bonus, it's not well known, so you have it to yourself. Don't miss the video of the tiny violins being played!
Don't miss the Yusupov Palace. It's actually somewhat intimate and feels livable, as opposed to the "good place for a barn dance" feeling of some palaces. The theater is especially wonderful.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
If opera interests you and you can't get tickets to the Mariinsky, consider the Musorgsky theater. It's a lower-tier company compared to the Mariinsky, but perfectly enjoyable. I visited St. Petersburg around the same time of the year as your trip, and they offered a different opera almost every night. I can't even begin to remember the name of the restaurant right around the corner (facing the Russian Museum), but the borscht there was delicious.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4140 posts
The Faberge Museum in the Shuvalov Palace . Not only is the collection spectacular , but the renovation of this palace is magnificent . One tip - go after 18:00 , when you can go independently ( not on a tour ) . You can go at a more relaxed pace and will be able to drink it in without being rushed .The available Audio guide is very good , especially for visitors without an extensive knowledge of Faberge . Bring Kleenex to control the tendency to drool on the displays ! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faberg%C3%A9_Museum_in_Saint_Petersburg,_Russia and http://fabergemuseum.ru/
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4140 posts
Also , on the Wikipedia link , click on the descrption for " The Duchess of Marlborough Egg " . Made for the American heiress , Consuelo Vanderbilt , a real life " dollar princess " ( think " Downton Abbey " ) , it links the British aristocracy and the nouveau riche American Vanderbilt family , A visit to Newport , Rhode Island , completes this circuitous connection .