Saint Petersburg

If you're going to the Hermitage, be prepared to do some walking. I did not think a museum could be that big. Or that Catherine the Great owned that much stuff.

Fascinating city, crossed by a net of canals, like Venice ! Astonishing a night cruise on the river Neva.

If you plan on doing the Dostoevski/ Raskolnikov walk, or just plan on being down in the hay market, try not to be there after dark. The area can get fairly sketchy at night, especially if you're on foot.

Nice historical city but so so dangerous

P.S. You have to try the ice cream! It's sold on almost every corner.

The true Venice of the North. Hermitage is great, Cathedral is overwhelming, Peter Paul fortress is cool (particularly when the locals are sun-bathing against the walls a day after it snows). Must do: Swan lake in the Mariyinsky.

The food is fantastic! Try pelmeni! Peterhov placae and gardens are a must. Good at barganing? Go shopping in the beer gardens near the Hermitage. Don't get stuck on the wrong island late at night - the draw bridges stay up until morning, it is a beautiful sight though. Buy a travel guide for all the little things you might not know about like cool statues and train museums. Oh - and if you're into oddities - check out Kunstkamera. There's so much to see. I can't wait to go back.

St. Petersburg is the Venice of the North; you can get a lovely overview of this gorgeous city by taking a boat tour! And after you've toured the museums and palaces, be sure to catch an opera or a ballet at the incomparable Mariinsky Theater. If you have time, try to learn the Cyrillic alphabet before you arrive -- it is very helpful when navigating the subway system.

Fantastic parks. Winter palace just take the breath away from everybody

I really enjoyed my stay in Saint-Petersburg. I had never seen such beautiful churches before! If you visit Saint-Petersburg, don't forget the hermitage.... You will need at least two days to see all of it, but entrance is free for students.