St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg, also known as the “Venice of the North” (although without the gondolas or canals), is a city located in Russia that has a long and interesting history.

The city was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, who was said to be inspired by a vision of a great European city while he was enjoying a particularly wild night of vodka shots. He figured building a city would be a great way to sober up, but also to show off Russia’s power and wealth to the rest of Europe.

To achieve his vision, Peter brought in over 20,000 serfs to build the city, which he described as “the most beautiful city in the world, except maybe Paris, which is pretty nice too, I guess.”

Despite its grandeur, St. Petersburg has not always had an easy time. The city has been plagued by various disasters throughout its history, including fires, floods, and invasions from naughty Vikings and naughty Napoleon.

But St. Petersburg has always managed to bounce back, and it remains a cultural hub of Russia to this day. Visitors can enjoy world-famous sites like the Hermitage Museum (which is basically a giant treasure chest of amazing art and artifacts) or take a stroll down Nevsky Prospect, the city’s main street (although be warned, it can get pretty crowded, especially during rush hour).

One of the city’s most unique features is its “White Nights” during which the sun stubbornly clings to the horizon for weeks. It’s a beautiful sight to behold, and also a great way to mess with your body clock.

All in all, St. Petersburg is a city with a past as wild and colourful as its onion-domed cathedrals, but also one that has emerged as a resilient and fascinating destination for travellers. Just watch out for the vodka shots… they pack a punch.