If you've been to Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania or other previous Russian invaded countries, you'll notice certain likeness in appearance.

St.-Petersburg is a historical city, with huge palaces and colorful churches there's plenty to see (especially the church of blood).

Though few tips for first timers in Russia:
1. Few Russians understand/speak English
2.The water is yellow in Petersburg
3.The toilet paper does terrable things to lady-parts
4. Never pour vodka in a restaurant (the waiter/waitress pours it for you). If you do pour your vodka in a restaurant you're messaging the restaurant owner that the service is awful (especially if a woman pours the vodka!)
5. Don't yell "hui" it means penis in Russian.
6. If the first cash register doesn't give you the cheaper ticket to the museum, try the next register. ( One cash register didn't want to let me through as a student, I would have had to pay 50% more, when I went to the other register I was a student after all)

And the few positive tips:
1. You can find cheap souvenirs, you'll just have to walk a bit further to find them
2. There are cheap restaurants! Try the cafés and sandwich bars.
3.The metro is safe and chep!

Have a nice trip ;)