Today the first snow fell. Over the past few days everyone’s been discussing the rumour that this winter will be a really cold one. I for one hope it will be, I love the crisp feeling of winter in the air. Give me a clear day, some snow and ice and I’m happy. Icy winters always remind me of my childhood. In December I wouldn’t be waiting for Santa, but for the rivers and canals to be frozen so I could go skating all day long and finish off the day with a nice hot cocoa. In Friesland, the Dutch province that I’m from, skating is our local tradition. It was in our province that the 11 cities speed and leisure skating tour was first held. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s a 200km long tour connecting 11 Frisian cities by frozen canals, rivers and lakes. My dream when I came to Russia was to skate on natural ice. Most of us live in the city centre. Now just imagine walking from your front door to the Fontanka, putting on your skates and whizzing around the city in a big circle, just like you do in summer by boat. It would really put the city into a new perspective. For now it remains a dream. St. Petersburg’s canals don’t seem to be suitable for skating on and so we have to stick to one of the many skating rinks in the city instead. However, many Russian painting from days gone by do show how the Tsars organised skating festivals on the frozen Neva in front of the winter palace, so who knows? Maybe one day… And as for Russian skating traditions. I’ve been told that in Russia skates have been found that date back to almost 3000 years BC. Who knows, maybe in the future skating will be considered a better means of transport than sitting around in a probka (traffic jam)! We wish all of you a white Christmas and a serious Russian winter! Bonnie van der Velde, publisher In Your Pocket, russia@inyourpocket.com
This Moscow-style church with richly coloured onion domes looks a bit out of place in the European centre of St. Petersburg, but it’s one of the city’s most beautiful and memorable l
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A little like dining in the Hermitage, this is the place to live out all your aristocratic dreams and then some. The nest has a prime location near to the Mariinsky, making it perfect for a memorable
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This trendy beer restaurant with red brick walls and wooden furnishings serves a lighter version of classic German food. The lager and Hefe-Wiess beers are brewed with classic methods to the hig
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This b&b is the nicest, most welcoming hideaway we have seen in a long time. Host Andre offers committed hospitality, from the espresso machine to a mini photo exhibition by local photographers i
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Named after the St. Petersburg born American writer Ayn Rand, B&B Randhouse has a network of three mini-hotels in the centre of the city. Rooms are modern and comfortable, and a fully equipp
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The Corinthia staff create a delightful and friendly atmosphere here in a hotel with everything you could possible need, from top business and catering facilities to the beautiful Landskrona res
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Latest St. Petersburg Comments
Tres Amigos Absolutely a great mexican restaurant. Best in town and maybe in a whole wide world :D[...]
Jambala i went there last night and it was really nice. to get in you had to pay 250rur but i hadnt been to any reggae ckub for sooooooooo lond that i decided to pay. but the music wasnt really reggae, it was dancehall. i presume its because it was hallowee[...]
Faun What a great great place!! Absolutely fantastic...[...]
Marstall (Konyushenny Dvor) This place turned out to be safe and cosy. Yes, there were hookers there, but we didn't feel unsecure or threatened at any moment. Also, the hookers weren't that pushy as you can see in some other places.[...]
Morskoy Vokzal Please note that the In Your Pocket Comments box is for your reviews and comments. Contact the venue directly for information or reservations requests. Sincerely, St. Petersburg In Your Pocket.[...]
Latest St. Petersburg Comments
Absolutely a great mexican restaurant. Best in town and maybe in a whole wide world :D[...]
i went there last night and it was really nice. to get in you had to pay 250rur but i hadnt been to any reggae ckub for sooooooooo lond that i decided to pay. but the music wasnt really reggae, it was dancehall. i presume its because it was hallowee[...]
What a great great place!! Absolutely fantastic...[...]
This place turned out to be safe and cosy. Yes, there were hookers there, but we didn't feel unsecure or threatened at any moment. Also, the hookers weren't that pushy as you can see in some other places.[...]
Please note that the In Your Pocket Comments box is for your reviews and comments. Contact the venue directly for information or reservations requests. Sincerely, St. Petersburg In Your Pocket.[...]