Photographic Journey: St. Petersburg, Russia

Be sure to follow along on Instagram for more travel photos

The question I get asked the most about my recent trip is, “What was Russia like?”. I think everyone expects it to be dark, monotone, and depressing. And don’t feel ashamed, I was thinking it would be like this too! It definitely has an assorted past with famine, communism, and wars so you can only imagine my shock when I arrived and it was vibrant, colorful, and beautiful! There were pink, yellow, and blue buildings which were beautifully reflected off the 93 water canals below the streets. It was absolutely a site to see! The people were kind and everyone was so proud to be living there and be Russian. It was a trip of a lifetime and I highly recommend putting it on your travel list!

Saint Petersburg Facts
Saint Petersburg was founded by Tsar “Peter The Great” in 1703 and was built upon numerous islands – giving it the nickname, “Venice of the North.” The city was built to show Imperial Russia’s growing status in the world. Peter took inspiration from the Dutch, who strongly admired, and built a city full of vibrantly colored buildings (which is why you see so much color to this day). This inception of a grand and powerful city was fine-tuned by Peters successors who employed a host of Italian architects to build grand palaces and cathedrals throughout the city. Saint Petersburg was capital of Russia from 1712-1918 and has been renamed three times – Petrograd, Leningrad and now Saint Petersburg. It is now considered the “modern city” where both old and new can live

Fun Facts
* Saint Petersburg has more bridges than any other city in Europe
* It is the largest city in Europe that is not a capital
* Out of 365 days they have 52 of sunshine
* There are over 200 museums, 100 theaters, 114 concert venus, 69 educational institutions, 70 parks 63 movie theaters, 1270 libraries, and 5,830 cultural landmarks
* It is the youngest city in Europe

5 Restaurants You Must Visit in Paris

Le Consult

Address: 18 Rue Norvins, 75018 Paris, France

Phone:+33 1 46 06 50 63

* A Montmartre staple! Might be a little touristy but one must at least stop in for a crepe!

—

La Maison Rose
best restaurants in Paris

Address: 2 Rue de l’Abreuvoir, 75018 Paris, France

Phone:+33 1 42 57 66 75

* A seriously cute and Instagrammable restaurant in Montmartre. The pink house is a little off the beaten path but still a close walk from all the attractions of Montmartre. It is perfect for a little rest and rosé! Have your camera ready! side note: make sure you don’t go down the big hill behind it (lesson learned the hard way)! It is seriously steep and leads you no where worth seeing! Stick to the side streets or the hill above it!

—

Le Comptoir du Relais:

Address: l’Odéon França, 5 Carrefour de l’Odéon, Paris, France

Phone:+33 1 44 27 07 97

*This was a 10 minute walk from my apartment and on the route to my school so I was able to pass it daily! Although I never ate here (the wait can be ridiculous) I highly recommend stopping in for a glass of vin (wine). It is seriously famous and popular amongst travelers! You will chat up some really interesting people and have a great time! Just make sure to get there before peak times! This place fills up quickly! side note: if it gets full go across the street to Les Editeurs! It was my go-to spot in Paris! Fabulous ambiance, delicious menu, and very accommodating!

——

—

Cafe Charlot:
best restaurants in Paris

Address: 38 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris, France

Phone:+33 1 44 54 03 30

* I love the food and ambiance! A very popular french café with some seriously delicious food! Try the chevre salad and creme brûlée – very typical but so good! Oh and maybe go with a friend or two! This place is a really fun little spot to chat the night away!

—

Chez Julien:

Address: 1 Rue du Pont Louis-Philippe, 75004 Paris, France

Phone:+33 1 42 78 31 64

* One of my favorite meals in Paris! I went here a few times as it is right next to the Seine and in a really cute spot in Paris! The food is extremely fresh and beautifully served! Be sure to make a reservation and prepare to spend a little more! The prices are higher than other spots but 100% worth it! You won’t be disappointed! side note: If Chez is full walk across the street to the famous Café Louis Philippe for another delicious and very Parisian meal!

——

—

Le Bonaparte:

Address: 42 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris, France

Phone:+33 1 43 26 42 81

*Located in the 6th arrondissement Le Bonaparte is your typical french bistro! Definitely sit outside for a meal or a quick coffee and watch all the Parisians pass! side note: this is right next to the famous Café de Flore (famous for their hot chocolate) and Boulevard Saint-Germain so be sure to walk around and enjoy the area! It is full of amazing shops and loads of cute cafés!

Spilled Blood Cathedral, Saint Petersburg

Bundled up every so warmly in my Canada Goose Trillium Jacket (shop my other favorite here)

photos shot by my life partner-in-crime, B. Hafner

There were only a few things I knew about Saint Petersburg before heading there this past winter. One: it is cold. Two: it is really cold. Three: some WWII history. And four: they have a beautiful and very colorful cathedral. This cathedral is known as Savior on the Spilled Blood. A name given to it for its messy past. I had seen photos of this cathedral for years – in my history books, in travel magazines, and online. Seeing it in person was always something I wanted to do but never knew when I would actually do it. When my in-laws told my husband to choose between Istanbul and Russia for our holiday, I immediately said Russia!

It wasn’t that I am not dying to see Istanbul but something about Russia has always been intriguing to me and I knew now was the time! After arriving in Saint Petersburg, getting settled in and meeting our tour guide we headed to the famous cathedral! Seeing it in person is a really surreal moment. It is like seeing that photo you have seen a million times but now it has come to life. I remember just standing on the bridge and staring at its beauty for a solid 15 minutes just trying to take it all in. That is what I love so much about travel – getting these types of experiences. Seeing something in person you have previously only viewed from the pages of a book. It is such an incredible feeling and one that keeps the travel bug inside me alive!

While the outside is absolutely breathtaking it was the inside that stole the show! I will be sharing those photos later on so for now enjoy the famous Savior on the Spilled Blood Cathedral!

Bundled up ever so warmly in my Canada Goose Trillium Jacket (shop my other favorite here)

Back to the top