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About Sydney
Located in New South Wales is the city of Sydney, one of the largest cities in Australia. The city is famously known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, originally designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon. The structure was eventually finished by an Australian team of architects. The city has massive harbours that connect with many Asian and Oceania countries.
Best time to visit Sydney
Sydney has two diverse seasons which are perfect for a trip. From September to November and March through May, the temperatures are very amiable, especially for tourists. For Sydney, the peak tourist season is between December to February as the temperature ranges between25 degree Celsius to 26 degree Celsius. Not only is the summer pleasant but also tourist-friendly. However, it does come with a cost, that being the expensive flight and hotel costs in Sydney. The temperatures are warm enough for Australians to flock over to the continent's capital, but for an outsider, the prices could be quite steep. Hence, the months leading up to the summer and the ones leading up to winter are ideal for tourists with a budget constraint. Between September and November, the number of tourists in the city is considerably less, giving you ample time and space to soak in the beautiful city's spirits. Plus, the season also brings some amazing festivities such as Sydney Fringe Festival, Night Noodle Markets, Taste of Sydney, Sculpture by the Sea and Festival of the Winds. The events are undoubtedly perfect for invoking the foodie in you.
Similarly, even March through May sees alluring weather with decent temperatures and fewer tourists. With less crowd, the city certainly brings a whole new vibe that would go well with tourists who prefer solitude. Not just the temperatures but even the number of tourists starts to drop during these months while the city prepares to welcome the winters. For those who wish to make the most of the season and have a liking towards the wildlife, you will also enjoy this time. It is known to be the start of the whale-watching season in Sydney, and if you're interested in something like this, then you should plan your trip according to this time. Sydney also rings in some lovely events and festivals such as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, Sydney Royal Easter Show, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival and Vivid Sydney, to name a few. The city bustles with vivacity during this period, and you would thoroughly enjoy being part of all the fanfare. Plus, the additional perk of choosing this season is a drop in the hotel and flight ticket prices. You can book your flights to Sydney as well as accommodations without worrying about exorbitant costs.
Places to visit in Sydney
Sydney's primary location for tourists to head is either the Sydney Harbour or the Bondi beach, but there are far too many things that should also be explored in the city. You can actually start with the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which is quite close to the Opera House. Since the area brims with many tourist attractions, it is the best way to kick off the tour. From the bridge, you can further head to check out the harbour. It is touted to be the most beautiful harbour in the entire world right now. Through the harbour, you can swing past the Sydney Opera House. It would be something to actually get tickets to a show at the Opera House. For the beach bums, beaches such as Manly Beach, Bondi Beach and Coogee Beach are big highlights. These places are always packed with tourists or even the locals who cannot do without water. Aside from the Sydney Harbour, the Darling Harbour is just as alluring and is located close to the Australian National Maritime Museum. Do not miss out the Royal Botanic Garden, which spews fresh air to the city.
Things to do in Sydney
The best way to spend time in Sydney would be not just to indulge in visiting new places but also to engage in some cruising fun. You can make some prior bookings for a cruise and set off from the Sydney Harbour. The cruise can even take you to the Blue Mountains, which is one of the natural wonders of the world. Further, you can actually book a hotel in the vast green mountains and complete the trip. You can also take up various activities at the beaches from surfing to strolling to sunbathing. Most importantly, do a little gallivanting around the city and find some impeccable food establishments as well as watering holes. If everything seems too much for you to do or if you need a day off to just relax, you can visit The Rocks and opt for a leisure stroll instead of the heart-thumping adventure fun. You can do the same at the Royal Botanic Garden as well.
Food and restaurants in Sydney
Sydney's cuisine is majorly influenced by European and Asian cuisine. Since the country does have many immigrants residing from these continents, the food also celebrates their cultures. The elements from these cultures have brought forth some of the finest food establishments in the city. You will find a sizeable galore of Asian and European dishes in places such as Fortune Village Chinese Restaurant, The Spice Room and Medusa Greek Taverna. These places bring about the finest culinary classics which would definitely be the best to go on your trip. Aside from these, you can also visit more ethnic cuisines that are district specifics, and these include, Little Saigon and Cabramatta in the Italian-rich region of Leichhardt and the famous Chinatown area. While these places do favour international cuisine, you can also go in deep to explore some of the rich and traditional Australian meals.
Despite some of the classic Australian dishes that will be at your perusal, they all do have influences in terms of cooking styles and flavours that go back to the international cultures. You will notice that meat is the base of every dish. The Aussies like to involve meat in all their dishes. It reflects perfectly well with their meals. If you do enjoy variations in meat, you will be happy to know that they have such provisions made. In fact, the cattle business is high in this region due to the constant demand for cattle meat of all kind. Sydney is also high on seafood as it is located close to the harbour. In fact, you can visit Darling Harbour's Cargo Bar, Sydney Opera House's Opera Bar and to get some amazing breakfast at Pancakes on the Rocks. You can further extend your food expedition by visiting the city during their food festivals. From Sydney's Night Noodles Markets to Taste of Sydney, these festivals celebrate food, and you will get to savour the most.
How to reach Sydney
Flight connectivity to Sydney from India is quite good with multitudes of flights flying in and out of the country regularly. However, there are no direct flights that fly to Sydney and requires changing of routes. The most popular route to Sydney from India is via Hong Kong. Airlines such as Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific use the Hong Kong international route to reach Sydney. By flying from these airlines, you will have only one flight to change to reach Sydney. From Hong Kong, you can change flights to Sydney and make it in about 18 hours. The layover in Hong Kong is usually for two hours. There are airlines that take the Singapore route as well to reach Sydney. Airlines such as Qantas Airways and Singapore Airlines use this international route to reach Sydney and have layovers of about an hour or two before they fly from Singapore. The flight duration to Sydney from Mumbai, via the Singapore route, would take approximately 15 to 18 hours to reach. However, sometimes, due to unavailability of direct flights to Sydney from Singapore or Hong Kong could lead the airlines to take a second layover at Melbourne so they can connect to the country's capital.
Travelling to Sydney is rather time-consuming, but the flight tickets are decently priced. If you book your flight tickets to Sydney well in advance, you will be able to enjoy some amazing online flight deals. There might be some discounts for tickets to Sydney, which you can avail as long as you make the right choice of flights and airlines. Make sure that you also book your hotels in Sydney while you're getting your travel sorted. There are a plethora of cheap flights to Sydney that you will find if you peruse through thoroughly. Depending on the season and peak time, the ticket costs will see a spike and drop. You will have to ensure that you make a note of these things before you make your flight bookings. The city has multitudes of options for hotel accommodations. It ranges from ultra-exquisite to cheap and decent, for you to choose from. Again, booking your hotels in Sydney, well in advance will only be beneficial to you as that would give you many offers and deals to enjoy.
About Saint Petersburg
Russia's famous port city, Saint Petersburg, is located on the coast of the Baltic Sea. The city raves some of the best tourist attractions for being one of the big cities in all of Russia. The city was part of the imperial capital for two centuries before the baton was passed to Moscow. While it is not the capital anymore, the city continues to remain the cultural hub of Russia.
Best time to visit St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg enjoys cold weather throughout the year. The temperatures even tend to go in the negative as the geographical features are such. During winters, you will actually get to experience negative temperatures that range from -5 degree Celsius to -2 degree Celsius. With such extreme temperatures, winters shut down the city. While some domestic businesses do function, the city mostly shut as traversing within St. Petersburg is quite risky. With frostbites and breathing problems that could crop up due to the extreme cold, many avoid winters to visit St. Petersburg. The days are short during winters, and the temperatures certainly don't spell 'vacation'. Hence, the best thing to do would be to avoid the months of October through mid-April. Some festivals do take place in the city. However, the cold temperatures make it tough to enjoy the fun, vibrant events. The hotel prices do take a dip as the tourism industry sees less action. This is probably the only time when you will get to enjoy the inexpensive hotels in St. Petersburg.
As long as you are open to brave the cold and freezing winters of the city, booking flights and hotels in St. Petersburg during winters will get you multitudes of discounts. Months from June through September see the best of St. Petersburg. Although the temperatures don't really escalate to a pleasant 25 degree Celsius to 30 degree Celsius, the average 20 degree Celsius does uplift the city's spirts. Many festivals take place during these months as the sun is present for 24 hours. The city is literally awake the whole time during the summer months, and it only adds to the beauty of St. Petersburg. Restaurants and bars also extend their working hours as the city is practically awake the whole time. This doesn't mean you will have a smooth trip. The summers experience a massive surge in the hospitality sector as many tourists from around the world flock over to visit St. Petersburg. Booking a hotel in St. Petersburg during their summers is quite challenging and comes with an exorbitant cost. However, as long as you make advance hotel bookings in St. Petersburg, you might be able to avail good discounts.
Places to visit in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg has a plethora of art galleries and architecture that you will enjoy. You can start exploring by visiting the Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace. Built in 1764, the structure was originally reserved for private art collections. However, it has come out to be one of the most famed attractions in St. Petersburg. Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood is another such attraction that will pique your interest with its story. Plus, the architecture of the place further makes it an alluring sight. St. Isaac's Cathedral is a beautiful neoclassical structure that has managed to survive a lot of ordeals, including the Nazi shelling and World War II. You should also visit Peter and Paul Fortress. It is actually the place where the city of St. Petersburg was founded, hence holds a lot of historical relevance. Do not miss the Catherine Palace and Park. The fanciful structure, with its Russian-inspired architecture, is something worth exploring. You can learn about the royal heiress too. UNESCO has recognised Peterhof Palace and Garden as a World Heritage Site.
Things to do in St. Petersburg
The city's museum is perfect for you to learn more about Russian history. Do visit the Russian Museum for the same. You can also go to the Fabergé Museum for more cultural enlightenment. Opera and ballet are recognised to be popular art. You can catch a show at the Mariinsky Theatre which has shows of Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. A walk around Alexander Park is also a good way to spend your time in St. Petersburg. The large expanse of the garden is perfectly designed to bring about a lovely and serene vibe. During the warm seasons, the bars and pubs are open till late in the night. Perhaps you can actually hang out there, maybe chat up with the locals and have a good time downing some vodka. There are boat rides too that are available in the city. You can take it up and soak in the beauty of the city.
Food and Restaurants in St. Petersburg
Much like Moscow, even St. Petersburg has a slew of lovely Russian cuisine along with international flavours. Although you might not be able to find those contemporary Mediterranean dishes, it would still be quite a fancy spread. The Russian cuisine is a testament to their geographical features and lifestyle. To combat the excessively cold winters, they need to keep their body warm. This means to consume as much stews and borschts that one can find. Don't be surprised to get hold of the classic Russian dishes as the city has them aplenty. Food spread including borscht, stroganoff, caviar and cabbage stew, are staple to the city. The good thing about food in St. Petersburg in comparison to the country's capital, Moscow, is that the prices are cheap and affordable. Moscow's restaurants put quite an exorbitant price on the menu for the dishes. However, in St. Petersburg, you wouldn't have to worry about that. The restaurants and food establishments make exquisite dishes and are pocket-friendly. When you're in the city, there are some must-haves that you should add to your list.
Aside from the traditional staple food that you'll find, do not miss the Russian version of crepe and pancakes that comes with caviar stuffing. These snacks are affordable and perfect to be relished under the Russian sun. There are many street vendors that are present in every corner, serving piping hot stews and such comfort food on the go. However, if you wish to upscale your dining experience just a notch, then head to Literary Cafe, located on Nevsky Prospekt. They serve the traditional Russian meal and once played host to celebrities such as Pushkin and Dostoyevsky. If you wish to see some variations in the Russian dishes, Hamlet + Jacks have some interesting meals, including Siberian venison and Baltic herring. Phali Hinkali is also a good place to chow down hearty delicacies which are inspired from Georgian cuisine. The city does have fusion food with an elegant setting. Places such as Palkin, Probka and Bekitzer, to name a few, have some interesting food that will go down well with your system. They are a little pricey, but the vibe is what they sell.
How to reach St. Petersburg (Transportation)
There is no direct way to reach St. Petersburg from India. One will have to face layovers and change flights to reach the Russian city. The flight connectivity to St. Petersburg from India is decent. It could be better, but due to the little demand the city has from India, there are fewer airlines and flights connected to reach St. Petersburg. The most popular route to reach St. Petersburg is through Warsaw in Poland. Warsaw has the best flight connectivity to St. Petersburg. Hence, you will have to go through the European route to reach St. Petersburg. Airlines such as Uzbekistan Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch, Aeroflot, Swiss, Lufthansa, Emirates, to name a few, offer dedicated flights to St. Petersburg. Much of the layovers take place in cities such as Warsaw, Frankfurt and Paris. In fact, Paris is another popular international route to St. Petersburg that is favoured as the connectivity from the French capital is immaculate. There are layovers and flight changes that you will have to deal with on your way to St. Petersburg. Not to mention how a transit visa will also be required.
Since a majority of the popular routes to St. Petersburg fall in European cities, a Schengen transit visa is required. However, acquiring a visa would be quite easy. You can get in touch with the embassy for the same. The flight duration is close to 14 hours if you opt for the Paris route to reach St. Petersburg. It is by far the best international route to choose to reach St. Petersburg. However, depending on the airlines and flight ticket costs, the duration also varies. The summers in St. Petersburg are peak season for tourism so there might be a surge in flight tickets to St. Petersburg. Hence, to avoid paying excessively for flight tickets to St. Petersburg, you can make prior flight bookings online. It would be convenient and might also come with some online discounts and deals. You can make your flight and hotel bookings in St. Petersburg together to avail some online deals and discounts. Plus, the peak season would lead to a lack of good hotels, so it is best to make hotel reservations in advance to avoid any problems later.
Frequently Asked Questions
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About Sydney
Located in New South Wales is the city of Sydney, one of the largest cities in Australia. The city is famously known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, originally designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon. The structure was eventually finished by an Australian team of architects. The city has massive harbours that connect with many Asian and Oceania countries.
Best time to visit Sydney
Sydney has two diverse seasons which are perfect for a trip. From September to November and March through May, the temperatures are very amiable, especially for tourists. For Sydney, the peak tourist season is between December to February as the temperature ranges between25 degree Celsius to 26 degree Celsius. Not only is the summer pleasant but also tourist-friendly. However, it does come with a cost, that being the expensive flight and hotel costs in Sydney. The temperatures are warm enough for Australians to flock over to the continent's capital, but for an outsider, the prices could be quite steep. Hence, the months leading up to the summer and the ones leading up to winter are ideal for tourists with a budget constraint. Between September and November, the number of tourists in the city is considerably less, giving you ample time and space to soak in the beautiful city's spirits. Plus, the season also brings some amazing festivities such as Sydney Fringe Festival, Night Noodle Markets, Taste of Sydney, Sculpture by the Sea and Festival of the Winds. The events are undoubtedly perfect for invoking the foodie in you.
Similarly, even March through May sees alluring weather with decent temperatures and fewer tourists. With less crowd, the city certainly brings a whole new vibe that would go well with tourists who prefer solitude. Not just the temperatures but even the number of tourists starts to drop during these months while the city prepares to welcome the winters. For those who wish to make the most of the season and have a liking towards the wildlife, you will also enjoy this time. It is known to be the start of the whale-watching season in Sydney, and if you're interested in something like this, then you should plan your trip according to this time. Sydney also rings in some lovely events and festivals such as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, Sydney Royal Easter Show, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival and Vivid Sydney, to name a few. The city bustles with vivacity during this period, and you would thoroughly enjoy being part of all the fanfare. Plus, the additional perk of choosing this season is a drop in the hotel and flight ticket prices. You can book your flights to Sydney as well as accommodations without worrying about exorbitant costs.
Places to visit in Sydney
Sydney's primary location for tourists to head is either the Sydney Harbour or the Bondi beach, but there are far too many things that should also be explored in the city. You can actually start with the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which is quite close to the Opera House. Since the area brims with many tourist attractions, it is the best way to kick off the tour. From the bridge, you can further head to check out the harbour. It is touted to be the most beautiful harbour in the entire world right now. Through the harbour, you can swing past the Sydney Opera House. It would be something to actually get tickets to a show at the Opera House. For the beach bums, beaches such as Manly Beach, Bondi Beach and Coogee Beach are big highlights. These places are always packed with tourists or even the locals who cannot do without water. Aside from the Sydney Harbour, the Darling Harbour is just as alluring and is located close to the Australian National Maritime Museum. Do not miss out the Royal Botanic Garden, which spews fresh air to the city.
Things to do in Sydney
The best way to spend time in Sydney would be not just to indulge in visiting new places but also to engage in some cruising fun. You can make some prior bookings for a cruise and set off from the Sydney Harbour. The cruise can even take you to the Blue Mountains, which is one of the natural wonders of the world. Further, you can actually book a hotel in the vast green mountains and complete the trip. You can also take up various activities at the beaches from surfing to strolling to sunbathing. Most importantly, do a little gallivanting around the city and find some impeccable food establishments as well as watering holes. If everything seems too much for you to do or if you need a day off to just relax, you can visit The Rocks and opt for a leisure stroll instead of the heart-thumping adventure fun. You can do the same at the Royal Botanic Garden as well.
Food and restaurants in Sydney
Sydney's cuisine is majorly influenced by European and Asian cuisine. Since the country does have many immigrants residing from these continents, the food also celebrates their cultures. The elements from these cultures have brought forth some of the finest food establishments in the city. You will find a sizeable galore of Asian and European dishes in places such as Fortune Village Chinese Restaurant, The Spice Room and Medusa Greek Taverna. These places bring about the finest culinary classics which would definitely be the best to go on your trip. Aside from these, you can also visit more ethnic cuisines that are district specifics, and these include, Little Saigon and Cabramatta in the Italian-rich region of Leichhardt and the famous Chinatown area. While these places do favour international cuisine, you can also go in deep to explore some of the rich and traditional Australian meals.
Despite some of the classic Australian dishes that will be at your perusal, they all do have influences in terms of cooking styles and flavours that go back to the international cultures. You will notice that meat is the base of every dish. The Aussies like to involve meat in all their dishes. It reflects perfectly well with their meals. If you do enjoy variations in meat, you will be happy to know that they have such provisions made. In fact, the cattle business is high in this region due to the constant demand for cattle meat of all kind. Sydney is also high on seafood as it is located close to the harbour. In fact, you can visit Darling Harbour's Cargo Bar, Sydney Opera House's Opera Bar and to get some amazing breakfast at Pancakes on the Rocks. You can further extend your food expedition by visiting the city during their food festivals. From Sydney's Night Noodles Markets to Taste of Sydney, these festivals celebrate food, and you will get to savour the most.
How to reach Sydney
Flight connectivity to Sydney from India is quite good with multitudes of flights flying in and out of the country regularly. However, there are no direct flights that fly to Sydney and requires changing of routes. The most popular route to Sydney from India is via Hong Kong. Airlines such as Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific use the Hong Kong international route to reach Sydney. By flying from these airlines, you will have only one flight to change to reach Sydney. From Hong Kong, you can change flights to Sydney and make it in about 18 hours. The layover in Hong Kong is usually for two hours. There are airlines that take the Singapore route as well to reach Sydney. Airlines such as Qantas Airways and Singapore Airlines use this international route to reach Sydney and have layovers of about an hour or two before they fly from Singapore. The flight duration to Sydney from Mumbai, via the Singapore route, would take approximately 15 to 18 hours to reach. However, sometimes, due to unavailability of direct flights to Sydney from Singapore or Hong Kong could lead the airlines to take a second layover at Melbourne so they can connect to the country's capital.
Travelling to Sydney is rather time-consuming, but the flight tickets are decently priced. If you book your flight tickets to Sydney well in advance, you will be able to enjoy some amazing online flight deals. There might be some discounts for tickets to Sydney, which you can avail as long as you make the right choice of flights and airlines. Make sure that you also book your hotels in Sydney while you're getting your travel sorted. There are a plethora of cheap flights to Sydney that you will find if you peruse through thoroughly. Depending on the season and peak time, the ticket costs will see a spike and drop. You will have to ensure that you make a note of these things before you make your flight bookings. The city has multitudes of options for hotel accommodations. It ranges from ultra-exquisite to cheap and decent, for you to choose from. Again, booking your hotels in Sydney, well in advance will only be beneficial to you as that would give you many offers and deals to enjoy.
About Saint Petersburg
Russia's famous port city, Saint Petersburg, is located on the coast of the Baltic Sea. The city raves some of the best tourist attractions for being one of the big cities in all of Russia. The city was part of the imperial capital for two centuries before the baton was passed to Moscow. While it is not the capital anymore, the city continues to remain the cultural hub of Russia.
Best time to visit St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg enjoys cold weather throughout the year. The temperatures even tend to go in the negative as the geographical features are such. During winters, you will actually get to experience negative temperatures that range from -5 degree Celsius to -2 degree Celsius. With such extreme temperatures, winters shut down the city. While some domestic businesses do function, the city mostly shut as traversing within St. Petersburg is quite risky. With frostbites and breathing problems that could crop up due to the extreme cold, many avoid winters to visit St. Petersburg. The days are short during winters, and the temperatures certainly don't spell 'vacation'. Hence, the best thing to do would be to avoid the months of October through mid-April. Some festivals do take place in the city. However, the cold temperatures make it tough to enjoy the fun, vibrant events. The hotel prices do take a dip as the tourism industry sees less action. This is probably the only time when you will get to enjoy the inexpensive hotels in St. Petersburg.
As long as you are open to brave the cold and freezing winters of the city, booking flights and hotels in St. Petersburg during winters will get you multitudes of discounts. Months from June through September see the best of St. Petersburg. Although the temperatures don't really escalate to a pleasant 25 degree Celsius to 30 degree Celsius, the average 20 degree Celsius does uplift the city's spirts. Many festivals take place during these months as the sun is present for 24 hours. The city is literally awake the whole time during the summer months, and it only adds to the beauty of St. Petersburg. Restaurants and bars also extend their working hours as the city is practically awake the whole time. This doesn't mean you will have a smooth trip. The summers experience a massive surge in the hospitality sector as many tourists from around the world flock over to visit St. Petersburg. Booking a hotel in St. Petersburg during their summers is quite challenging and comes with an exorbitant cost. However, as long as you make advance hotel bookings in St. Petersburg, you might be able to avail good discounts.
Places to visit in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg has a plethora of art galleries and architecture that you will enjoy. You can start exploring by visiting the Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace. Built in 1764, the structure was originally reserved for private art collections. However, it has come out to be one of the most famed attractions in St. Petersburg. Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood is another such attraction that will pique your interest with its story. Plus, the architecture of the place further makes it an alluring sight. St. Isaac's Cathedral is a beautiful neoclassical structure that has managed to survive a lot of ordeals, including the Nazi shelling and World War II. You should also visit Peter and Paul Fortress. It is actually the place where the city of St. Petersburg was founded, hence holds a lot of historical relevance. Do not miss the Catherine Palace and Park. The fanciful structure, with its Russian-inspired architecture, is something worth exploring. You can learn about the royal heiress too. UNESCO has recognised Peterhof Palace and Garden as a World Heritage Site.
Things to do in St. Petersburg
The city's museum is perfect for you to learn more about Russian history. Do visit the Russian Museum for the same. You can also go to the Fabergé Museum for more cultural enlightenment. Opera and ballet are recognised to be popular art. You can catch a show at the Mariinsky Theatre which has shows of Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. A walk around Alexander Park is also a good way to spend your time in St. Petersburg. The large expanse of the garden is perfectly designed to bring about a lovely and serene vibe. During the warm seasons, the bars and pubs are open till late in the night. Perhaps you can actually hang out there, maybe chat up with the locals and have a good time downing some vodka. There are boat rides too that are available in the city. You can take it up and soak in the beauty of the city.
Food and Restaurants in St. Petersburg
Much like Moscow, even St. Petersburg has a slew of lovely Russian cuisine along with international flavours. Although you might not be able to find those contemporary Mediterranean dishes, it would still be quite a fancy spread. The Russian cuisine is a testament to their geographical features and lifestyle. To combat the excessively cold winters, they need to keep their body warm. This means to consume as much stews and borschts that one can find. Don't be surprised to get hold of the classic Russian dishes as the city has them aplenty. Food spread including borscht, stroganoff, caviar and cabbage stew, are staple to the city. The good thing about food in St. Petersburg in comparison to the country's capital, Moscow, is that the prices are cheap and affordable. Moscow's restaurants put quite an exorbitant price on the menu for the dishes. However, in St. Petersburg, you wouldn't have to worry about that. The restaurants and food establishments make exquisite dishes and are pocket-friendly. When you're in the city, there are some must-haves that you should add to your list.
Aside from the traditional staple food that you'll find, do not miss the Russian version of crepe and pancakes that comes with caviar stuffing. These snacks are affordable and perfect to be relished under the Russian sun. There are many street vendors that are present in every corner, serving piping hot stews and such comfort food on the go. However, if you wish to upscale your dining experience just a notch, then head to Literary Cafe, located on Nevsky Prospekt. They serve the traditional Russian meal and once played host to celebrities such as Pushkin and Dostoyevsky. If you wish to see some variations in the Russian dishes, Hamlet + Jacks have some interesting meals, including Siberian venison and Baltic herring. Phali Hinkali is also a good place to chow down hearty delicacies which are inspired from Georgian cuisine. The city does have fusion food with an elegant setting. Places such as Palkin, Probka and Bekitzer, to name a few, have some interesting food that will go down well with your system. They are a little pricey, but the vibe is what they sell.
How to reach St. Petersburg (Transportation)
There is no direct way to reach St. Petersburg from India. One will have to face layovers and change flights to reach the Russian city. The flight connectivity to St. Petersburg from India is decent. It could be better, but due to the little demand the city has from India, there are fewer airlines and flights connected to reach St. Petersburg. The most popular route to reach St. Petersburg is through Warsaw in Poland. Warsaw has the best flight connectivity to St. Petersburg. Hence, you will have to go through the European route to reach St. Petersburg. Airlines such as Uzbekistan Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch, Aeroflot, Swiss, Lufthansa, Emirates, to name a few, offer dedicated flights to St. Petersburg. Much of the layovers take place in cities such as Warsaw, Frankfurt and Paris. In fact, Paris is another popular international route to St. Petersburg that is favoured as the connectivity from the French capital is immaculate. There are layovers and flight changes that you will have to deal with on your way to St. Petersburg. Not to mention how a transit visa will also be required.
Since a majority of the popular routes to St. Petersburg fall in European cities, a Schengen transit visa is required. However, acquiring a visa would be quite easy. You can get in touch with the embassy for the same. The flight duration is close to 14 hours if you opt for the Paris route to reach St. Petersburg. It is by far the best international route to choose to reach St. Petersburg. However, depending on the airlines and flight ticket costs, the duration also varies. The summers in St. Petersburg are peak season for tourism so there might be a surge in flight tickets to St. Petersburg. Hence, to avoid paying excessively for flight tickets to St. Petersburg, you can make prior flight bookings online. It would be convenient and might also come with some online discounts and deals. You can make your flight and hotel bookings in St. Petersburg together to avail some online deals and discounts. Plus, the peak season would lead to a lack of good hotels, so it is best to make hotel reservations in advance to avoid any problems later.
