Saint Petersburg Travel Forum

Hi:

My wife and I are thinking of a trip to St Petersburg in 2008. We want to have decent weather for sightseeing, but most importantly, miss the huge croweds. Especially the cruise ships. It looks like it all kicks in big time early May. To complicate matters, it looks like Easter 2008 is late next year. April 27th I think for the Orthodox church.
My questions:

1- Is Easter a big problem for sightseers in St Petersburg I am guessing not, given recent history, but are things changing? Problem?

2- Would like to take some boat tours. To Petershof? and the canals for examples. Reading the tour books, it looks like they do not begin until mid may. True? Alternatives?

3- I know April may be a bit of an iffy month, but in general late April Ex. 20th to 30th. should be okay?

4- I know we need visas and rooms to go with it. Anything else that time of the year we should book well in advance?

We are in our early 60's, good health and have done a fair amount of independent travel around western and southeastern europe, it that gives you any insight into answering our questions.

Thanks in advance for advice and your time.

Bob

Thank you so much Lev to the great information. It was much appreciated.

If you were to advise a friend that wanted to avoid large tourist crowds, but still visit St Petersburg, would you recommend spring or fall? Late April or early October for example.

1. I think Easter time is not a problem to visit our city. But this period is not so beautiful as White Nights period - in April there there are no leaves on the trees and may be very dusty.
2. Boat tours start in May

About early autumn - I think it may be better - not so many tourists and the weather in early autumn usually is nice. Parks and gardens are very beautiful this time. But - who knows - it may be raining weather.

As for me - I like the summer better: many tourists but not so many locals :-)

I wish you to have a nice time in our city! If you have any more questions - don't hesitate to contact me.

Thanks Natalya et al. It is great for your information and I do appreciate the your time and thoughts.

Bob

Crowds of tourists are never a problem anyway except in museums like the Hermitage. The city center is crowded indeed, but mostly by local residents.

The fountains at Peterhof are turned on in MAy, so you may want to wait.
Easter is no problem for tourists. Cruise ships are constant, but no problem to visit Pweterhof, you take a hydr0foil formthe Hermitage for about an hour to get there.

End of September it is pretty if no rain and October starts snow. Fall is a very nice time to be in St. Petersburg as the tourists lighten up Sept. 1. May is the first nice weather and June 15 is the heigth of the White Nights and the days go on forever. We can suggest viitng several times of year for a feeling for the moods of the city. We put some winter tips on our St. Peersburg pages to show it is not too bad, but dress for cold. The rivers are frozen and snow at least on the sides of road and ice onthe sidewalks in Jan-Feb (except new year) are quiet from tourists and museums are all open after the new year holidays.

Hello. My name is Paul. Am working like a tour guide and driver in St.Petersburg. And I can organise tours for you. If irs interesting please contact me. Paul.