Exploring St. Petersburg, Russia

Where do I take my RP Purple Bag? To one of the most famous squares in the world - Palace Square in St. Petersburg!

The Alexander Column (Russian: Алекса́ндровская коло́нна, Aleksandrovskaya kolonna)…is the focal point of Palace Square in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The monument was raised after the Russian victory in the war with Napoleon's France. The column is named for Emperor Alexander I of Russia, who reigned from 1801–25. The column is a single piece of red granite, 25.45 m (83 ft 6 in) long and about 3.5 m (11 ft 5 in) in diameter. The monument is 47.5 m (155 ft 8 in) tall and is topped with a statue of an angel holding a cross. Without the aid of modern cranes and engineering machines, the column, weighing 600 tonnes (661 tons) on 30 August 1832 was erected by 3,000 men under the guidance of William Handyside in less than 2 hours. It is set so neatly that no attachment to the base is needed and it is fixed in position by its own weight alone. 

One of my other favorite places to visit in St Petersburg is the Hermitage Museum where I studied art as a child. It brings lovely childhood memories of weekly art classes in this magnificent Museum...packing painting supplies, listening to art history lectures, sitting in museum grand halls learning from masterpieces and make sketches. Although I didn’t become a painter the way my mother envisioned (she is an art teacher), art is a big part of my life and has influenced all aspects of my life - travel, dance, home decorations and fitness. 

Russia is also foodie heaven! I love coming to Russia for many reasons and trying new restaurants is one of them! I started my tour of St. Petersburg with authentic Russian lunch at Shtakenshneider Restaurant and Hotel. Long time classics - salad Olevie with smoked salmon, Studen/Holodez, Frozen Elk shredded and served on ice... true celebration of tastes and colors!

@ Ресторан - гостиная Штакеншнейдер

Of course, no meal is complete without a dessert. St. Petersburg at its birth had strong influence from France and the desserts show it. Lunch at Shtakenshneider restaurant dessert menu as long as food menu. So we decided to try Pavlova, Rom Baba and Eclairs. 

Enjoy your visit to St. Petersburg!

For more tips on travel visit: https://www.aleksandra.com/travel-tips