Saint Petersburg Travel Forum

Hi

We're wrinklies and are thinking of doing a Page & Moy organized trip to St. Petes - we've heard horror stories on TV about hotel guests getting knocked up by the housekeeper & security bringing back their laundry demanding money - friends have done cruises and have been begged by tourists to join their ship as they've felt unsafe in hotels and people getting mugged - case of when not if.

Quite frankly we just don't know what to believe and how much has been hyped up. Can anyone please give us an accurate up-date - St. Pete's is one option - as is China & India - may be there just as unsafe.

All replies greatfully received.

I have not been to St Petersburg (but it is high on my Must See list) - and in my opinion, the good I have heard about it far outweighs any negative. Nor have I been to India. So I cannot comment on those places. But I have lived in China for a year, travelled across NE to NW and return in China by train (and buses) and I can honestly say that I have never felt unsafe in China. Even when by myself and surrounded - literally encircled - by a group of men, I have never felt unsafe. But I can tell you that if I was circled by a group of men in my city in Australia, I would be very very worried and feeling very very unsafe.

There will always be warnings and dangers. There are always warnings against pick pockets in many (wonderful) cities of the world. But it does not mean that you will get pick-pocketed.

Negative things can befall you in your own "backyard". So, if you want to go, GO - and yes, be cautious, but don't be fearful and expecting the worst, otherwise you'll never enjoy your trip.

Also -- the people that do perpetrate these sort of crimes you have heard about smell fear. If you seem afraid, then you'll stand out even more.

And in Aussie slang, "knocked up" means "pregnant"! (but I am sure that is not what you meant???).

Helen

I never encountered anything like this when I went to St Petersburg, and felt perfectly safe. There were a few drunken sailors around at night, but that was all. Obviously, with any city, you need to be careful with your possessions and not flash expensive jewellery and cameras around, but that is just common sense.

St Petersburg is a beautiful city and well worth visiting.

Sorry you are concerned. I went to St Petersburg in Jan 2007 and was not worried at all, nether have I felt at risk on my two visits to India and a trip to China.

I am of course perfectly preserved but far from young! Walk tall, look as though you are poor (no bling) carry a big showy bag but keep valuables next to your skin. Take sensible precautions and keep aware of what goes on around you and you will be fine.

As for laundry, take enough clothes with you! Also you may well find Ladies of the Night in Hotel foyers but they are not interested in you!

You will miss some of the greatest treasures the world can offer if you fail to go and that would be a pity. Enjoy.

just interesting, in what country such TV stories are shown? :-))

I've been to St-Petersburg with my mother in May 2006. I was 43 then and my mother 73. We planned the trip on our own, stayed at a Bed&Breakfast, and walked/took the metro to all the sights on our own. And we went out in the evening for dinner. We never never felt unsafe. Ofcourse we kept always an eye on our belongings as we always do where ever we go. I would say "go". It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. And if you go in the summer, don't forget to visit the fountains at Peterhof.

St. Petersburg is a city of 6 million people, but we feel much safer here than in New York, Chicago or Los Angeles. Most hotels are very respectable, they are rated, have staff that speak english, and normal security. People are out walking inteh center 24 hours a day in summer and it feels safe on all main roads. Perhaps the stories you heard were from the first years after teh fall of teh soviet union when there was more confusion. I woudl be curious to know the origin of such stories.
Come to St. Petersburg, use the normal common sense, stay in public areas, at night don't go alone, take a traxi at night. ( Telephone 600 00 00 for taxi if you get lost)
Use a necklace purse under you clothes and no pickpockets will find your money.
Like every big city there are some guys looking for an easy purse or camera snatch. Don't have loose cameras hanging behind you, keep all close to you.

Have a great trip, plan to be safe and all will be wonderful.

I was born in this city, and unfortunately have to go back every 2-3 years because my parents still live there. I would NOT recommend you to go there by yourself - the crime level is extremely high, and you are not protected by the local police as they are all corrupted as well as all other city officials. Having said that, I would absolutely recommend you to go there with the organized tour, where somebody will take care of you showing you around, the city is beautiful and has many wonderful museums and parks to offer.
I would recommend you to go on a tour: St. Petersburg - Estonia - Latvia - Lithuania with the extended time in the last 3 Baltic medieval countries. Good travels!

I am not yet a wrinkie, but I am sitting here with my Russian girlfriend on my second trip. The first trip I stayed in a regular hotel (with restaurant, little bar and English-speaking staff). I rarely ventured out after 9 p.m. and never had any problems. This time I am staying in a "mini-hotel" (14 rooms) with non-English speaking staff farther away from north Nevsky in an area that looks just a little more dodgy -- and yet, have had no problems, nor have I heard of any. Perhaps it helps because I have a native who accompanies me most places. I suspect that during the days and early evenings you should not have any problems, particularly if you are with a tour.

Despite the fact that this is my girlfriend's home, I consider SP second only to Paris (if that) for art, architecture and art.

My impression of the tours to SP are -- everyone travels in a group, they never take the subway, rather they utilize tourist buses. Taxis (especially downtown) can be spendy; when we use them (from the airport), my girlfriend calls and arranges one. MUCH cheaper than flagging one down.

Go. You won't regret it.

PS: We just returned from Catherine Palace (in Pushkin's town). The park is not as spectacular as Peterhof, but the palace is impressive, especially the Amber Room (when I get home I will write a tip about it here since no one has yet done so).