Australia to St Petersburg | Australia to Санкт-Петербург - Any advice is welcome

Russia is probably as antithetical to Australia as a place can be and, even for a couple of seasoned travellers like myself and Faith, thinking about going there leaves us feeling a little uneasy. I'm not worried about the FSB picking us up and interrogating us before sending us to a Siberian Gulag facility however it's Russia you know? It's not like I'm off to the California or something right? It's Россия!

I speak four languages fluently: Australian, English, American and the international language of love and can speak a little French and Italian but nope, no Russian. Not a word. Despite that we would really love to go there and are hoping that 2020 will be the year we get to do so. We have heard it's amazing and want to find out for ourselves! Image above courtesy of @tarazkp

We are heading back to Europe in 2020 with the main purpose being to see @smallsteps, @tarazkp and @momone. (Wouldn't mind also meeting some other steem-users if they are around there also - Yep, I'm probably as strange in real life as my blog makes me seem - But I'm fun) Anyway, we'll fly from here to Europe and spend 4-5 days in Vienna or Amsterdam before heading over to Finland to spend some time with my family there - Two brothers, two sister in-laws, two nieces and the other associated people I know there. We intend to do a side trip from Finland and were thinking Estonia or somewhere like that although would dearly love to go to St Petersburg if we can make it work.

The city of some five million people is considered the cultural centre of Russia and as far as I can tell offers up a lot of beautiful architecture, museums, art, parks, gardens and white-night festivities in the Summer months. I've heard that it dazzles and I'm bloody intrigued!

---

The city is apparently colloquially known as Piter I believe however has also been known as Petrograd and Leningrad before its original name, St Petersburg, was restored in 1991 - Thankfully. The name speaks of grandeur and elegance. It's also called Venice of the north and names like that punctuated by stunning imagery on the interwebs...Well, what's not to like?!

---

The intention would be to take a train from Helsinki, a trip of around three and a half hours I believe. This would allow us to see some sights along the way and as we would probably be travelling with my family me and @smallsteps could raise some hell in the train on the way! Not enough for the FSB to take notice though. I think we could take a boat as well which might solve some accommodation issues once there I suppose. Decisions, decisions.

My brother and sister in-law have been there already so I assume have some idea on the whole process . I'm pretty sure, as my wife and I travel on Australian passports, we have to obtain tourist visa's to get into Russia, allowing us between 1 and 30 days in the country; This is done here in Australia through the Russian Embassy. It involves application and then an invitation to visit Russia by the government and then the process begins. I'm pretty certain it won't be a problem...I mean it's me right? The g-man! Who wouldn't want me in their country?

So, I'm currently in talks with my brother about our plans and what is possible and what is not. I'm hoping St Petersburg works out and will be really excited if it does. Still, if we don't make it Tallin will be just as good - No FSB there I think.

I was hoping someone in St Petersburg might see this post and weigh in with some information, things to see and do, places to eat and the like. It would be handy to have an insiders perspective. From what I've read the people in St Petersburg are generally welcoming, friendly and happy to see tourists - Correct me if I am wrong in that assumption and they are in fact grumpy and rude. (I don't think that's the case though.) If you live there, or have visited, please feel free to hit me up with some intel and if you know someone there that may not see this blog please tag them. All help will be greatly appreciated and I will reward those that do with my gratitude and good-energy.

Here in Australia I have met no one who has been to Russia and whilst bragging rights are a good motivation I don't really care too much about that. I look for experiences in life, things that make my heart sing and put a smile on my face which happens a lot in real life and not so much in photographs. St Petersburg is on my hit list and places that make that list usually get a visit from the g-man and his girl so...Санкт-Петербург, Россия keep an eye out around June/July 2020, the Aussie's are coming!

---

Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default and aim small, miss small.
Discord: @galenkp#9209 🇦🇺

im src | im src | im src