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About Toronto
Toronto is one of the popular cities in Canada and a tourist destination that you must add to your travel list. Even though the city is majorly known for its skyscrapers and modern buildings, you will love your time in the city. Toronto has a very eclectic dining scene and a great nightlife, too. It houses over 200 ethnic groups, who speak over 140 languages, and is known for welcoming a lot of people irrespective of their religion or ethnicity. While the city does have quite a lot of tourist attractions, you can explore the city like any other normal city. Since the city has a lot of diverse cultures, interacting with a lot of people should be on your itinerary if you love socializing. It is also home to one of the tallest free-standing towers in the world called CN Tower. You will also feel like you have explored a lot of other countries and cultures when you visit Toronto. You will also love the restaurants in the city and signing up for a food tour is something you must do.
Best Time to Visit Toronto
Even though the spring and fall seasons are the best times to visit Toronto, the city experiences peak season in summer from June to August. The temperature ranges from 15 to 26 degree Celsius. Since it is peak season, you will have to book your hotel in Toronto for several weeks in advance. You will also have to book your flight tickets to Toronto well in advance to avoid the surge in prices. Not to mention, it will also be difficult to find decent hotels at an affordable price at the last moment. You can attend events like the North by Northeast Festival, Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival, Toronto Pride, Toronto Jazz Festival, Toronto Fringe Festival and Caribana. You might have to wait in long queues at some of the major tourist attractions since there are a lot of tourists in the city. If you don't like crowded places, this might not be the best time for you to visit Toronto. This is a busy time for the city with tourists buzzing around in Toronto. You can also add tourist sites closer to Toronto in your itinerary. Sign up for a tour of the city or explore it on your own.
April and May is the spring season in Toronto. It is also an ideal time to visit the city since the temperature ranges from 4 to 18 degree Celsius. There are fewer tourists in the city, and the weather can be quite chilly during early spring, so you might want to pack your warm clothes, too. You will also come across exciting flight deals to Toronto and discounts on hotels. Attend the Canada Blooms, Toronto Comic Con and Tastemaker Toronto during spring. September and October are when the fall season kicks in, and the temperature ranges from 7 to 20 degree Celsius. The weather is warmer initially, but since it heads towards winter, it might get colder towards the end of it. You can attend the Toronto International Film Festival and the Toronto International Art Fair in the fall season.
November to March is winter in Toronto, and it sees a dip in tourists. The temperature ranges from -7 to 4 degree Celsius, and the city experiences heavy snowfall. You can book a hotel in Toronto at the lowest prices and might even get cheap flight tickets to Toronto. Even though there are fewer tourists in the city, there are quite a lot of events that you can attend, like Cavalcade of Lights, Holiday Magic on Bloor-Yorkville, Toronto International Boat Show and Winterlicious. Make sure that you are carrying a lot of warm clothes. Christmas and New Year celebrations in the city are quite grand. Though dining at high-end restaurants might be pretty expensive, the festive spirit only makes you want to spend a little bit more. You can also make the most of all the shopping destinations in the city during the festive season.
Places to Visit in Toronto
CN Tower is one of the major highlights of Toronto. The 553m tall building is to Toronto what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. The breathtaking view of the city from up top is what attracts tourists to it. On a clear day, you might even be lucky enough to spot Niagara Falls and New York state from up there. The Royal Ontario Museum is home to an enchanting collection of art, cultural and natural history from different periods across the world. The architecture of the museum is stunning, and it has also become a recognizable building in Toronto. If you want to experience wildlife, you can visit High Park. You will find llamas, reindeer, bison and other animals. The park also has quite a few sunken gardens, nature trails, hanging basket gardens, natural ponds and streams where you can enjoy a peaceful time. The park also has quite a few activities for you like a train tour, swimming and wading pools and so on. Distillery District is a neighbourhood in Toronto that has a lot of boutiques, artists' studios, restaurants, galleries and the Toronto Christmas Market that is quite popular here. The outdoor scene here is eclectic, and you will love it.
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada is one of the most pleasant places to visit. The museum has an underwater tunnel with a moving sidewalk that attracts most tourists to it. Casa Loma is a castle in Toronto that was built in 1914 and was transformed into a winter wonderland later. It is one of the best attractions to visit, especially during winter. St Lawrence Market was built in 1850 and came with a rich history. It was the first-ever permanent farmer's market, and you will love the cheese and bacon sandwiches here. You can also head to the nearby beaches like Bluffer's Park, Kew-Balmy, Woodbine, Cherry and Sunnyside Beach.
Things to do in Toronto
You can go on a sightseeing tour of the city to cover all the major museums and parks. You can also sign up for a tour of the Toronto Islands. You can head to the beaches near the city and indulge in a lot of water activities. You can also head to St Lawrence Market that has a lot of shops and outdoor restaurants. You can also sign up for a luxury bus tour of the Niagara Falls from Toronto. The city is also known for its diverse food culture and signing up for a food tour of the city. If you are planning a trip to the city during high season, you might even get to attend a lot of parties. The nightclub scene in the city is quite exciting, and you will certainly have a lot of fun here. You can also take a French language class or a cooking class to learn a few French cuisines.
Foods and Restaurants in Toronto
Toronto is one city where you will find cuisines from a lot of cultures. Whatever you feel like eating, you will find it in Toronto. The city has a Little Italy, Chinatown, Koreatown, Little Iran, Greektown and the Bazaar neighbourhood that has restaurants serving delicious Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines. St Lawrence Market is yet another locality where you will find a lot of great restaurants that come with a lovely ambience. Scaramouche Restaurant is a popular restaurant that serves authentic French cuisine. You will also love the ambience and service at the restaurant. New Orleans Seafood and Steakhouse, as the name suggests, serves the best seafood and steaks. You can also head to Moxie's Grill and Bar for a nice time. Kit Kat is an Italian restaurant that has a unique decor, and you can head here for a delicious meal. If you feel like heading to a pub or a bar, The Tilted Dog Pub and Kitchen is a great place to visit. It offers traditional Canadian food, and you can order whatever you want with a glass of beer. You can also try Rasa on Harbord Street if delicious food with beer is what you have in mind. Lavinia restaurant is popular for its Spanish cuisine.
How to reach Toronto
The Toronto Pearson International Airport and is the largest, busiest airport in Canada. The airport is named after the 14th Prime Minister of Canada and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lester B. Pearson. The flight connectivity to Canada from India is excellent. Canada is a very popular destination for Indians. KLM, British Airways and Cathay Pacific Airways have frequent flights to Canada from India with layovers at Amsterdam, London and Hongkong. If you book at the right time, you might even get exciting deals on flights to Canada online. It is very convenient to get taxis and car rentals from Toronto airport. The airport also has a lot of facilities like premium lounges, restaurants, cafes, duty-free shops, currency exchange, prayer area, children's areas and smoking area, too. The airport staff will also help you with last-minute hotel accommodations if your itinerary has any unforeseen changes.
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 Toronto
Toronto is one of the popular cities in Canada and a tourist destination that you must add to your travel list. Even though the city is majorly known for its skyscrapers and modern buildings, you will love your time in the city. Toronto has a very eclectic dining scene and a great nightlife, too. It houses over 200 ethnic groups, who speak over 140 languages, and is known for welcoming a lot of people irrespective of their religion or ethnicity. While the city does have quite a lot of tourist attractions, you can explore the city like any other normal city. Since the city has a lot of diverse cultures, interacting with a lot of people should be on your itinerary if you love socializing. It is also home to one of the tallest free-standing towers in the world called CN Tower. You will also feel like you have explored a lot of other countries and cultures when you visit Toronto. You will also love the restaurants in the city and signing up for a food tour is something you must do.
Best Time to Visit Toronto
Even though the spring and fall seasons are the best times to visit Toronto, the city experiences peak season in summer from June to August. The temperature ranges from 15 to 26 degree Celsius. Since it is peak season, you will have to book your hotel in Toronto for several weeks in advance. You will also have to book your flight tickets to Toronto well in advance to avoid the surge in prices. Not to mention, it will also be difficult to find decent hotels at an affordable price at the last moment. You can attend events like the North by Northeast Festival, Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival, Toronto Pride, Toronto Jazz Festival, Toronto Fringe Festival and Caribana. You might have to wait in long queues at some of the major tourist attractions since there are a lot of tourists in the city. If you don't like crowded places, this might not be the best time for you to visit Toronto. This is a busy time for the city with tourists buzzing around in Toronto. You can also add tourist sites closer to Toronto in your itinerary. Sign up for a tour of the city or explore it on your own.
April and May is the spring season in Toronto. It is also an ideal time to visit the city since the temperature ranges from 4 to 18 degree Celsius. There are fewer tourists in the city, and the weather can be quite chilly during early spring, so you might want to pack your warm clothes, too. You will also come across exciting flight deals to Toronto and discounts on hotels. Attend the Canada Blooms, Toronto Comic Con and Tastemaker Toronto during spring. September and October are when the fall season kicks in, and the temperature ranges from 7 to 20 degree Celsius. The weather is warmer initially, but since it heads towards winter, it might get colder towards the end of it. You can attend the Toronto International Film Festival and the Toronto International Art Fair in the fall season.
November to March is winter in Toronto, and it sees a dip in tourists. The temperature ranges from -7 to 4 degree Celsius, and the city experiences heavy snowfall. You can book a hotel in Toronto at the lowest prices and might even get cheap flight tickets to Toronto. Even though there are fewer tourists in the city, there are quite a lot of events that you can attend, like Cavalcade of Lights, Holiday Magic on Bloor-Yorkville, Toronto International Boat Show and Winterlicious. Make sure that you are carrying a lot of warm clothes. Christmas and New Year celebrations in the city are quite grand. Though dining at high-end restaurants might be pretty expensive, the festive spirit only makes you want to spend a little bit more. You can also make the most of all the shopping destinations in the city during the festive season.
Places to Visit in Toronto
CN Tower is one of the major highlights of Toronto. The 553m tall building is to Toronto what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. The breathtaking view of the city from up top is what attracts tourists to it. On a clear day, you might even be lucky enough to spot Niagara Falls and New York state from up there. The Royal Ontario Museum is home to an enchanting collection of art, cultural and natural history from different periods across the world. The architecture of the museum is stunning, and it has also become a recognizable building in Toronto. If you want to experience wildlife, you can visit High Park. You will find llamas, reindeer, bison and other animals. The park also has quite a few sunken gardens, nature trails, hanging basket gardens, natural ponds and streams where you can enjoy a peaceful time. The park also has quite a few activities for you like a train tour, swimming and wading pools and so on. Distillery District is a neighbourhood in Toronto that has a lot of boutiques, artists' studios, restaurants, galleries and the Toronto Christmas Market that is quite popular here. The outdoor scene here is eclectic, and you will love it.
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada is one of the most pleasant places to visit. The museum has an underwater tunnel with a moving sidewalk that attracts most tourists to it. Casa Loma is a castle in Toronto that was built in 1914 and was transformed into a winter wonderland later. It is one of the best attractions to visit, especially during winter. St Lawrence Market was built in 1850 and came with a rich history. It was the first-ever permanent farmer's market, and you will love the cheese and bacon sandwiches here. You can also head to the nearby beaches like Bluffer's Park, Kew-Balmy, Woodbine, Cherry and Sunnyside Beach.
Things to do in Toronto
You can go on a sightseeing tour of the city to cover all the major museums and parks. You can also sign up for a tour of the Toronto Islands. You can head to the beaches near the city and indulge in a lot of water activities. You can also head to St Lawrence Market that has a lot of shops and outdoor restaurants. You can also sign up for a luxury bus tour of the Niagara Falls from Toronto. The city is also known for its diverse food culture and signing up for a food tour of the city. If you are planning a trip to the city during high season, you might even get to attend a lot of parties. The nightclub scene in the city is quite exciting, and you will certainly have a lot of fun here. You can also take a French language class or a cooking class to learn a few French cuisines.
Foods and Restaurants in Toronto
Toronto is one city where you will find cuisines from a lot of cultures. Whatever you feel like eating, you will find it in Toronto. The city has a Little Italy, Chinatown, Koreatown, Little Iran, Greektown and the Bazaar neighbourhood that has restaurants serving delicious Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines. St Lawrence Market is yet another locality where you will find a lot of great restaurants that come with a lovely ambience. Scaramouche Restaurant is a popular restaurant that serves authentic French cuisine. You will also love the ambience and service at the restaurant. New Orleans Seafood and Steakhouse, as the name suggests, serves the best seafood and steaks. You can also head to Moxie's Grill and Bar for a nice time. Kit Kat is an Italian restaurant that has a unique decor, and you can head here for a delicious meal. If you feel like heading to a pub or a bar, The Tilted Dog Pub and Kitchen is a great place to visit. It offers traditional Canadian food, and you can order whatever you want with a glass of beer. You can also try Rasa on Harbord Street if delicious food with beer is what you have in mind. Lavinia restaurant is popular for its Spanish cuisine.
How to reach Toronto
The Toronto Pearson International Airport and is the largest, busiest airport in Canada. The airport is named after the 14th Prime Minister of Canada and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lester B. Pearson. The flight connectivity to Canada from India is excellent. Canada is a very popular destination for Indians. KLM, British Airways and Cathay Pacific Airways have frequent flights to Canada from India with layovers at Amsterdam, London and Hongkong. If you book at the right time, you might even get exciting deals on flights to Canada online. It is very convenient to get taxis and car rentals from Toronto airport. The airport also has a lot of facilities like premium lounges, restaurants, cafes, duty-free shops, currency exchange, prayer area, children's areas and smoking area, too. The airport staff will also help you with last-minute hotel accommodations if your itinerary has any unforeseen changes.
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.
