St. Petersburg is splendid and breathtaking. It’s a very romantic city. Some people compare St.Petersburg to Paris, Amsterdam, or Venice. There are some similarities but I’d say it’s very different. The city, of course, has its own character. At times it’s perceived as aristocratic, noble and even “cold”, with the grandeur of its embankments, bridges, and cathedrals. At times you’re overwhelmed with its modern vibe and friendliness. When the days are grey and gloomy you can spend a whole day exploring palaces and museums. When the sky is blue and sunny you’ll see the city in its full glory, with shining domes and spires, picturesque rivers and canals, bright colors, and welcoming parks. The unique feature of St.Petersburg is its architecture. And of course, our pride and joy is Nevsky Avenue – “Nevskiy Prospekt” as we say here – the most beautiful street! If you come in summer, the days are very long and you can walk until midnight in almost full daylight and see so many delightful streets, boulevards, squares, and palaces. When night falls, life in the city continues. Along the Neva river there are crowds of people cheering, chanting, enjoying the sights of draw bridges… And that’s where you can’t resist its emotive power and romantic appeal!
We had dinner with Elena and Sasha on January 8, 202. Elena met us outside her apartment and gave us a history of the building, the area, and her family’s presence there. Then we went inside for a tour of their home and the feast began. Wonderful food and conversation that went on for hours. We even got to taste some Vodka! My favorite dishes were the carrot roll, a pastry dish and the potatoes with wild mushrooms. A chance to visit in a Russian home was a highlight of our trip. I recommend this experience to everyone who visits St. Petersburg and wants to get off the tourism trail for a lovely evening with a family. And they have cats – one who does tricks! If I get back to St. Petersburg, I will do this again with them.