Best In Travel Magazine Issue 110 // 2021 // Explore SAINT PETERSBURG

BESTINTRAVELMAGAZINE.COM BEST IN THE WORLD DISCOVER | VISIT | EXPLORE

SAINT PETERSBURG: TRAVEL CONSTRUCTOR

Publisher Kevin Rolfe Editor Siddharth Thaker Features Editor Claudia Sermbezis Designers Mike Gibas Mark Askam Editorial Team Ana Strack Christopher O’Toole Rebecca Cohen Phil Blizzard

Photography Mark Hakansson Ben Roberts Anjjelo San Buenaventura Production Team Nadeem George Tracy Rolfe Ella Smith Online George Cooke

Best in Travel is published by World Media And Events Limited 85 Great Portland Street, First Floor, London, W1W 7LT, United Kingdom T: +44 (0) 20 7925 0000 E: best@bestintravelmagazine.com www.bestintravelmagazine.com The use of our Website and Digital Magazine are all subject to the following: All rights reserved. No part of Best in Travel Magazine may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Best in Travel. Whilst every effort has been made to check the information contained in this issue of Best in Travel, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of Best in Travel. Unless otherwise stated, the copyright of the individual contribution is that of the contributors.

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stpetersburg.traveltv.tube/

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About Saint Petersburg Perhaps nothing can genuinely prepare you for your first visit to the majesty and grandeur of Saint Petersburg, located like a jewel at the mouth of the Neva River, flowing to the West, and on the shores of the Baltic Sea. The city was the main stage of Russian history, both imperial and revolutionary, and renowned to Europe and the world as the “Window of Russia”. Also known by various unofficial names: the City of the White Nights and the Cultural Capital of Russia. Saint Petersburg has fascinated travellers for centuries.

The city is consistently recognised as one of the best places to travel to by multiple media sources and rankings. Known for its one-of-a-kind hotels, fabulous restaurants and world-class events spanning the entire year, Saint Petersburg is here to welcome you with its unique atmosphere and hospitality.

‘Piter’, as locals call it, ticks all the right boxes also as a center for sea cruising and yachting, advanced medicine and ecotourism, offering opportunities to have a relaxing time in nature.

Here traditional cuisine and culture are juxtaposed against modern developments.

The different districts all have their own character and flavour and one could spend months exploring Saint Petersburg and still not cover its many delights.

1703

8464

The year Saint Petersburg was founded and was the capital of Imperial Russia during the periods 1713-1728 and 1732-1918

Objects of cultural heritage (historical and cultural monuments)

26

UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 205 museums, 103 high schools, 94 theatres, 211 libraries and 187 churches

94

In Saint Petersburg there are 94 rivers and channels

Safe travels Saint Petersburg knows how to move with the times.

It is the first Russian city to become part of the international Safe Travels program, certified as meeting all the health and safety standards set by the World Travel & Tourism Council.

As part of this initiative, tourist spots adhering to UNWTO and World Health Organization recommendations receive a ‘Safe Travels SPB’ sign, a guarantee that the services provided in the city meet international requirements and sanitary regulations.

In line with international trends, the Safe Travels SPb sign will help tourists feel secure and safe during the visit.

Safe Travels information

Easy to reach Saint Petersburg is a city highly connected to the world. True transport hub for flights, boats and high-speed trains, the city receives millions of visitors every year who seek a special tourist destination, with thousands of stories to tell and millions of wonderful places to discover.

There are 5 railway stations and one international bus station, an international airport ‘Pulkovo’ and a sea passenger port “Marine Façade”. The city also has an extensive network of urban public transport (underground, trams, trolleybuses and buses), as well as a lot of commercial mini-buses and taxis.

Visa-Free Entry 72 visa-free hours in Saint Petersburg In accordance with the decision of the Government of the Russian Federation, cruise and ferry passengers may stay in the territory of the Russian Federation for 72 hours without visa if they arrive in Saint Petersburg on board a vessel as part of a tour group.

Pulkovo Airport Located 23 kilometers from city center The airport employs about 4,000 employees

Saint Petersburg

Moscow London

sia

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Passenger traffic 19.6 million people per year

Berlin

Nur-Sultan

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Rome Madrid İstanbul Athens

With the introduction of a unified e-visa to visit Russia, citizens of 52 countries will have many more opportunities to get to know Saint Petersburg better than ever before.

E-visa information

Foreign nationals with an e-visa can cross the Russian border via any specially equipped checkpoints throughout the country for no longer than 16 days. The visas are issued online for tourist, business, humanitarian and guest trips. Applicants do not need an invitation, hotel booking or any other documents confirming the purpose of their journey to the Russian Federation.

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INTERVIEW

SERGEY KORNEEV ON TOURISM SERGEY KORNEEV

BiT: How would you describe the mood in Russia tourism as we enter the latter half of 2021? Has the market begun its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic?

Sergey Korneev: The mood of the representatives of Russia tourism is ambiguous – much depends on the segment of industry they implement their activities in. Thus, in big cities tourism and hospitality spheres, greatly connected with social and cultural events, suffered the largest revenue losses due to postponed or cancelled activities and the absence of foreign travelers and business events. At the same time, in the resort areas, such as, for example, Sochi, the situation with tourists flow is much more optimistic. According to the Russian Federal Agency for tourism, in the second half of 2021 some Russian travel companies have even reached the indicators above the before-pandemic ones. This became possible thanks to adoption and implementation of the National project “Tourism and hospitality industry”, as well as thanks to active traveling cashback

Best in Travel talks to Sergey Korneev, Chairman of the Saint Petersburg Committee for Tourism Development, to find out about tourism in the city. promotions initiated by the Russian Federal Agency for tourism (Rostourism) and, of course, due to coordinated work of experts and professionals of the tourism industry.

Russian travel industry has survived the largest crisis in history and is moving forward, with huge potential for further development. The situation with borders opening is yet not clear in the world, so it’s difficult to make any clear forecasts for industry complete recovery. Still, some positive prerequisites for maintaining sustainability are obvious - many industry participants are actively adapting to the current situation. Serious “players” have found new business models and developed their new products.

BiT: In what ways have you been promoting that the city is now reopen to travelers?

SK: Well, it’s a fact that the borders of a number of countries in the world are still closed for travelers. But we’ve introduced our active information campaign thus to be

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in sight for residents of both Russia and foreign countries, hoping they would choose our city to visit at the moment when it becomes possible.

Throughout 2020 and 2021 Saint Petersburg has been promoted by us in the Russian and foreign information field. We have conducted extensive marketing campaigns, applying modern technologies and new formats.

The official tourist portal Visit Petersburg.ru and popular social networks present a lot of live broadcasts, so both foreign and Russian citizens have the opportunity to see the city’s life and events even in the existing restrictions for traveling.

Also the City on the Neva participated in all big specialized Russian and world exhibitions, in four of which Saint Petersburg presented its online virtual stand.

Since September 21, 2021 citizens of 160 countries can make a virtual trip to Saint Petersburg at the website of the Euronews channel through the Internet hub “Visit Petersburg” within a “Special issue” of the channel. The original content, available at active link and in 12 languages, presents

a beautiful set of pictures, videos and short stories about the Northern Capital of Russia.

Besides, we develop and promote our new programs, which enhance tourist attractiveness of Saint Petersburg. For example, one of them – “Two cities – million impressions” – is our joint project with the Moscow Committee for tourism. It offers travelers to feel all the variety of hospitality and tourist potential of the two biggest and most interesting Russian cities. The program includes 30 tourist routes, 45 cross-regional products. A joint calendar offers different events in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, 60 hotels of both cities provide their loyalty programs, and some restaurants have also developed their special offers.

By giving our guests a great choice of routes and ensuring safety of their stay in Saint Petersburg, we maintain the status of a leading tourist center even in these difficult times.

Saint Petersburg has become the first city in Russia to join the global World Travel and Tourism Council’s initiative – the SafeTravels program. The city has introduced its own

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INTERVIEW

marketing sign "Petersburg’s Hospitality/ SafeTravels SPb" proving its status of a safe destination.

Supporting the SafeTravels SPb campaign, 1800 city’s tour operators and hospitality companies have become members of this international safe travels program. Within the program, they inform travelers that their services meet the international sanitary and hygienic requirements and epidemic and safety standards.

Also, in order to meet the actual needs of travelers and distribute tourist flows in a better way, we are developing the project "New cultural and tourist geography of Saint Petersburg". The essence of the project is to integrate classic, modern and planned

objects and locations into the current travel city map. The new tourist geography provides various routes and products for all categories of travelers and serves as a guide to the city’s modern locations. Today the map of the Saint Petersburg new cultural and tourist geography features 20 main areas in basic tourism segments: recreational, health and medical, cultural and incentive, business and educational, family tourism, as well as facilities for shopping, creative leisure and places for youth.

BiT: Has domestic tourism been able to replace international markets over the past year – can you give us an understanding of visitor numbers for 2020/21?

SK: By September 1, 2021, about 3 million tourists visited Saint Petersburg. This figure includes 236 thousand foreign tourists, with the consideration of all world travel restrictions.

However, domestic travelers are not able to compensate the foreign flow in Saint Petersburg. In 2019, about 10.5 million tourists visited the City on the Neva, almost half of them – foreign guests. The Northern Capital of Russia is a world cultural center – annually millions of visitors from all over the world seek to see its famous ensembles and collections and feel the spirit of what is called “the unique Saint Petersburg atmosphere”, with its modern rhythms and life.

A drop in tourist flow was predicted up to 90% at the beginning of the pandemic, but in fact the decrease was about 70%.

Domestic tourism allowed to compensate about 20% of the losses caused by the reduction of foreign visits. Saint Petersburg participated in all parts of the "tourist cashback" program launched by the Russian Federal Agency for tourism (Rostourism) in summer 2020, under the decision of the Russian Federation Government.

Many new interregional proposals continue to appear and develop. The "Silver Necklace of Russia" has become very popular for the past two years due to the increased interest towards the Russian North. The "Silver Necklace” guides travelers

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through historical and cultural places and towns located in 11 regions of the North-Western Federal district of Russia.

This project has gained a new breath thanks to the improved transport communications between the regions. Saint Petersburg acts as a travel hub and one of the main "pearls of the necklace" at any stage of the journey. Today we are working actively with postponed demand for travels in order to attract foreign tourists to these destinations. So our prospective guests could plan and “design” their tours within the “Silver Necklace”, and when the borders in the world are open would come to Saint Petersburg and go even further – to Pskov, Novgorod, Kaliningrad.

BiT: Known for its cultural attractions, can you give us an overview of what is on offer in the city?

SK: Saint Petersburg was planned by its founder, Peter I, as a bridge between the whole world and Russia. In its history the city has always been an example of harmony between traditions and innovations. And today Saint Petersburg supports this trend – it remains classical and modern, preserving historical values and developing dynamically.

The famous Hermitage and the Russian Museum, St. Isaac's Cathedral, as well as the museums and parks of Pavlovsk, Pushkin, Oranienbaum and Gatchina remain the undoubted places of attraction for both Saint Petersburg’s citizens and guests through all year round. However, new reasons to visit Saint Petersburg are worth mentioning: new creative areas, unusual gastronomic locations, bright public and cultural spaces have improved the city’s “face”, making it more young, fashionable and attractive. As for the new objects, most important for social and cultural life and most interesting for tourist, I would mention such public areas as the "Sevkabel Port", the "New Holland Island ", the "Nikolsky Rows" and the technological center “Lenpoligraphmash”. Besides, many unique author's excursions are being developed to discover “another” Petersburg, a cozy and unique city.

No doubts, Saint Petersburg may be different for everyone – any visitor will find something exceptionally significant for himself here. At any season the city offers many options for cultural, active and exciting rest. Its gastronomic points, including quality restaurants and cafes, would leave the best aftertaste. A very important feature of Saint Petersburg is that the city is comfortable for people of different tastes and different generations. So, our guests their wide audience - can always find a huge variety of places to see and visit.

As for the modern museums which have already become famous among the city’s top attractions, I would mention the one at the Stieglitz Academy of Fine Arts, the “Manege” Central Exhibition Hall, the Russia Grand Layout Museum, as well as the Museum “Ostrov Fortov” (Island of Forts) and the Historical Park within the new urban cultural cluster of Kronstadt.

BiT: Saint Petersburg is currently preparing a bid program for the Olympic Games in 2036 – what can you tell us about that?

SK: The issues of holding the Olympic Games and building the infrastructure for this event should be carefully discussed.

However, I’m sure, in case of the positive decision Saint Petersburg will organize the Games at a high-level for all fans, athletes and visitors. Our guests have already seen this during the 2018 FIFA World Cup games. Tourists’ feedback has proved that Saint Petersburg became the most hospitable city of the Championship. The EURO-2020 games, held in Saint Petersburg in summer 2021, emphasized the city’s potential in hosting big international sports events. In the near future the Russian Northern Capital will welcome the new coming bright events: The Champions League final-2022, the FIVB Volleyball World Championship-2022 and the Hockey World Championship-2023. Furthermore, hosting the Olympics would let us remain in the global information field after the games, so the importance of such event for tourism restart is beyond any doubt.

Steps of your journey

TRAVEL CONSTRUCTOR There are so many ways to explore Saint Petersburg, each one letting you see the city from a completely new angle.

These four steps have their own way of letting you experience Saint Petersburg, and each offers a unique perspective of the city. Combine them, build your own travel kit and discover Saint Petersburg.

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Step one

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01

Where to stay

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Where to stay

Saint Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Tourists from all over come to the Northern Capital to see its famous monuments with their own eyes, stroll through the streets of the city and admire its rich cultural and historical heritage.

The charm of the city is complemented by the hospitality of accommodation facilities. Saint Petersburg hotels are available in different categories, from mini-hotels and hostels to luxury hotels situated in historical buildings. Such a wide range allows each visitor to find a suitable place of residence according to their needs and means.

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Kempinski Hotel Located in the heart of the city on the Moika River Embankment, close to the main tourist attractions of Saint Petersburg – the Hermitage Museum, Capella, Pushkin Apartment Museum and Palace Square – Kempinski Hotel Moika 22 is just five minutes’ walk from Nevsky Prospect. This district is well-known as a Golden Triangle.

With warm hospitality, the hotel team welcomes all guests, offering individual European service in each of the hotel’s 200 rooms and suites, restaurants and bars as well as event venues.

The interior of the hotel is decorated with ancient works of art. Paintings, antique furniture and objects can be found in the restaurants and bars, halls and suites and create a sophisticated aristocratic atmosphere. All 200 lavish rooms and suites are complete with the 21st-century luxuries one would expect; and decorated in a

classical marine style, with fine antiques and art pieces, and featuring a deep-blue, pearlywhite and ruby-red colour palette with golden interior details.

A distinctive feature of Kempinski Hotel Moika 22 is the lightness of the lobby. This feeling arises from a high atrium, which creates a space filled with light and air. A flower arrangement in the centre of the lobby always pleases our guests with fresh flowers that reflect the mood of the season.

The gastronomic experience at the hotel deserves additional attention. The panoramic Bellevue Restaurant on the roof of floor 9, with breathtaking views of the city and its main symbols, the Hermitage and Palace Square, has an exceptional atmosphere of historical Saint Petersburg.

The interior of the restaurant is decorated in the style of modern luxury, and most of the details of the space are made of dark marble and wood.

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Domina St. Petersburg Welcome to Domina St. Petersburg, the art boutique hotel of the Italian chain Domina Hotels & Resorts, with unique style and attentive service.

Located in the heart of Venice of the North, on the quiet Moika river embankment the hotel balances between the Imperial and modern Saint Petersburg – in a step away from St. Isaac’s Cathedral and Central Exhibition Hall Manege with modern art installations, within walking distance from the Palace Square and New Holland Island.

All 109 rooms of 7 categories are designed for absolute comfort – from premium bed linen and pillow menu to tea & coffee station and books’ selection. They are different in color, layout and details and you are welcome to make a choice suitable for you or maybe to try something new. The hotel provides all the facilities for a comfortable family rest – children are provided with little beds, special kids menu and treatment. Moreover, Domina St. Petersburg allows staying with pets with the height under 8 kg.

The unique design concept of living 5D Lifestyle created by Italian architect Gianmarco Cavagnino distinquishes the

Hotel. It is the five facets of life which every person holds dear. Each floor of the hotel opens a portal into one of these entrancing dimensions: Family, Nature, Fantasy, Adventure, and Romance.

Guests can take a work out session in the hotel gym and relax in saunas, discover Russian and Saint Petersburg authentic cuisine and try new tastes at the restaurant and cocktail bar. Professional concierges of Domina St. Petersburg will be delighted to help with cultural or leisure time in the wonderful city on the Neva.

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Garden Street Hotel Garden Street Hotel is a new 4-star hotel, hidden away from the bustle of the metropolis in a cozy green park.

The hotel is located in the historical and cultural center of Saint Petersburg, just a few steps away from the Mikhailovsky Theater, the Russian Museum and the Engineering Castle.

The hotel has the highest rating based on guest reviews on Tripadvisor, Yandex and Booking.

It offers amazing breakfasts, a gym, an infrared sauna, a children's playground, and a panoramic rooftop deck.

The hotel has two restaurants, offering dishes of European and Russian cuisine.

The panoramic restaurant Sky & Garden will surprise you with the author's cuisine, under the direction of Vladimir Dovalgo, with a stunning view of Saint Petersburg.

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Demetra Art Hotel Demetra Art Hotel is an excellent choice for those travelers who prefer high levels of comfort and service, but want to appreciate the city and country in which they are staying.

The hotel is located in the heart of Saint Petersburg, close to the Nevskij Prospect and the main historical and cultural sights. The location of hotel allows you to reach most places of interest by foot. The underground is only a one minute walk around the corner.

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Hotel Astoria Hotel Astoria, a Rocco Forte hotel in Saint Petersburg, is a vibrant modern hotel in the historic centre. It has an illustrious past, fashionable interiors and dynamic service. Home to famous actors, musicians, politicians and artists.

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Angleterre Angleterre is one of the first hotels in Saint Petersburg, located in the very heart of the city, on St. Isaac's Square, within walking distance from the main attractions of the Northern Capital.

It is a short walk to the Hermitage and Palace Square, the Bronze Horseman, and Mariinsky Theatre – as well as contemporary department stores like DLT and Au Pont Rouge.

192 rooms designed in the modern classic style by Olga Polizzi, Director of Design of Rocco Forte Hotels. Natural materials, light colours, bright accents and a magnificent view from the window create a cozy and truly homely atmosphere.

Majority of the rooms boasts wide window seats covered by soft mats – an ideal spot for a dreamy afternoon with a book or a cup of tea, when it is so decadent to spend hours watching the busy life of the historic city center from the comfort of your room.

For business meetings and seminars Angleterre offers three spaces with daylight, and a Conference Hall that can accommodate up to 180 guests in theatre-style seating for press conferences and presentations. The Conference Hall can also be used as a screening room.

On the ground floor of the hotel there is an Italian restaurant – Borsalino. The menu contains dishes from the different regions of Italy in the author's interpretation of the famous Chef Fulvio Pierangelini. Stylish casual interior, relaxed atmosphere, panoramic view of St. Isaac's Cathedral and perhaps the best pizza in the city!

Every Thursday it’s time for famous Almost Friday – live music with unlimited Italian antipasti and drinks: an ideal way to spend after work hours with friends.

Borsalino Gallery is almost a terrace: panoramic windows cover the whole wall and face St. Isaac’s Square. It is a great spot for a sun-flooded breakfast or a leisurely reunion with friends over a cappuccino, watching life in the big city from a cozy armchair.

Angleterre is an art space. The hotel has its own art gallery where contemporary art exhibitions take place: paintings, graphics, installations and much more. Gallery expositions change every two to three months. The Angleterre Cinema Lounge, where you can watch original movies with Russian subtitles, film premieres, public talks with directors and various film festivals take place.

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Ambassador Hotel Located in the very heart of Saint Petersburg, Ambassador Hotel offers you 251 elegant rooms, including exclusive design Suites and Apartments, inspiring spa and fitness zone.

We are pleased to invite you to the panoramic restaurant “Le Vernissage” with its unique view to the historical centre and St. Isaac's Cathedral.

The hotel has several meeting spaces with capacity for up to 200 people, making these facilities perfect for any size or type of event you have in mind.

Staying with us, you can easily get to anywhere in the Northern capital, such as the nearby Mariinsky Theater and St. Nicholas Cathedral.

Experience the pleasure of staying in the historical center of our beautiful city!

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Helvetia Helvetia Hotel occupies two 19th-century buildings at 11 Marata Street near main street of the city – Nevsky Prospect.

The front building is a mansion that was built for the Khristovsky family in 1828; the second building was added on behind the inner courtyard a half century later.

Listed among Saint Petersburg's heritage structures, the Helvetia’s buildings are protected by the federal government’s Bureau of Landmarks.

The name of the hotel was not chosen by chance. Helvetia is the ancient Latin name for Switzerland. Now the decoration of the courtyard and the interiors of the hotel give the feeling of being in Europe. The heart of the Helvetia is picturesque and remarkably tranquil courtyard where from May to

October, you can enjoy the fresh air and great cuisine on the hotel's patio terrace.

The only restaurant terrace in the city center located in an isolated courtyard of an old mansion.

Hotel Helvetia positions itself on the market as a Hotel with an Owner at the helm. Yunis Teymurkhanly (Owner and General Manager of the Helvetia Hotel, blogger and author of books) greets all guests upon arrival and takes care of them.

Staying there gives you the feeling of a private dynastic hotel - the kind of product you most often find in Western Europe, living in family-run hotels for 200-300 years – with its foundations, service and so on.

Helvetia Hotel has a full range of 5-star hotel facilities: two restaurants, conference hall, a luxurious fitness center with infrared sauna and chillout area.

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Vedensky The 4-star Vedensky hotel is situated in a unique historic building in the heart of Saint Petersburg, right in the middle of the bustling Bolshoy Avenue of Petrograd Side.

The hotel offers an unrivalled combination of comfort, luxury and authenticity.

With a selection of 190 comfortable rooms ranging from Standard to Premium Suite, nestled inside one of Saint Petersburg’s most authentic buildings, your stay in the city will be nothing short of unforgettable.

Our approach is rooted in providing each and every one of our guests with an authentic experience and the warmest hospitality, helping them experience the city in a unique, luxurious way. We extend the courtesy of discounts and special offers to our regular guests.

Our visitors are welcome to use the sauna and complimentary gym facilities around the clock or pamper themselves in the beauty salon. A gift shop is also available on-site.

Within walking distance, you can reach some of Saint Petersburg’s most stunning and popular attractions, including the Hermitage, the Aurora cruiser, the Peterand-Paul Fortress, the Peter I House and the Kuntskamera, high-end fashion boutiques and the main sports arenas.

Vedensky hotel’s guests can enjoy a variety of breakfast dishes every day in the «Poet» restaurant. From fresh pastries through a selection of traditional deli meats and cheese all the way to ripe, fresh fruits, mueslis and cereals, the «Poet» offers everything to start your day on the right foot. We also cater to our guests’ special needs with gluten-free bread, fructose jam and soy milk. Every morning our chef prepares fresh omelets, pancakes and fried eggs on a special open station. Request your custom stuffing and see your breakfast prepared right in front of you!

The Biscotto Café is located on the 2nd floor and offers a harmonious blend of traditional Russian and European cuisine.

We take our commitment to hospitality extremely serious: stroll into the Biscotto to be greeted with a warm smile and a selection of mouth-watering seasonal dishes and homemade desserts, created right in our own confectionary. Not feeling like sitting down? Order pastries and pizza for take-away.

But the most notable gastronomic feature of the Vedensky hotel is the restaurant Nevesomost, or “Weightless” Vedensky’s premier rooftop restaurant.

Located on the 10th floor, the unique interior of the restaurant combined with the breathtaking panoramic views of the city leaves you feeling as if you are floating above Saint Petersburg. No need to worry about the weather: the Nevesomost is fully protected from rain and sun. Indulge in our extensive grill menu and refreshing cocktails. The old city side with a bird's-eye view & white nights romantic or the evening lights of Saint Petersburg is the best background for a business meet, first date or a family dinner. Gastronomic delights, seasonal products and culinary experiments formed the "dynamic" menu developed by the chef. The main parts of the menu include no more than five dishes and are prepared from the best farm products.

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Novotel St. Petersburg Novotel St. Petersburg Center is located on a quiet street and just 100 metres away from Nevsky Prospekt with its nightlife, restaurants and shopping, close to the main attractions of Saint Petersburg and a 10-minute walk from the Moskovsky railway station where high-speed Sapsan trains from Moscow arrive.

The hotel offers 233 rooms its guests can find the room that will fit them perfectly.

Novotel offers four types of rooms, such as: standard "Novation", executive room category "Premium" with an updated design concept, two-room rooms category "Junior-Suite", as well as rooms category "Suite" with a separate spacious terrace

and unique views of the historic center and the famous roofs of Saint Petersburg!

All guests enjoy free access to the fitness center, Turkish steam room and high speed wireless internet.

The stylish and modern GourmetBar, as well as a restaurant with a cozy summer terrace, are located on the ground floor of Novotel St. Petersburg Center. A daily buffet breakfast is served in the restaurant, where guests can taste a variety of signature pastries by the hotel's pastry chef.

We even have our own pastry shop – something not all Saint Petersburg hotels can boast. Our master pastry chef creates extraordinary cakes and cookies that combine the spirit of Russian and French cuisine.

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Holiday Inn Express® St. Petersburg – Sadovaya Hotel Holiday Inn Express® St. Petersburg – Sadovaya Hotel, of the international hotel chain IHG Hotels & Resorts, is situated on Sadovaya street 62 in the historical late 18th century building of Nikolskye Ryady.

The Hotel offers 244 modern equipped rooms, both Standard Mansarda and Superior categories where each detail is designed to provide comfort for business and leasure travelers. The accommodation includes as per the concept of Holiday Inn Express® brand basic package of services – delicious buffet breakfast, complimentary Wi-Fi in guest rooms and public areas, comfortable beds and pillows menu. For business travellers there is a spacious lobby for a comfortable meeting with your partners, enjoying coffee and refreshing drinks in Express Bar (24 hrs service).

Business centre and four conference rooms are available for rent for the event organizers and corporate clients.

The clients are offered various menu of coffee-breaks, lunches and buffet dinners, set-menus, fourchette menu. Conference packages are available as well.

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Holiday Inn® St. Petersburg – Theatre Square Holiday Inn® St. Petersburg – Theatre Square is located in the city center, in an historic XVIII century building.

Within walking distance are main attractions: Mariinsky Theater, the Hermitage, St. Nicholas Cathedral. The renovated Holiday Inn® St. Petersburg – Theatre Square offers 158 comfortable rooms of three categories: Standard, Premium, Suits. All rooms are equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi, air conditioning, TV, mini-bar, safe, ironing board. Breakfast is served in the restaurant on the ground

floor and offers selected variety of fresh dishes for any taste. Holiday Inn® St. Petersburg – Theatre Square is an ideal place to accommodate tourist and youth groups, individual travelers and families with children coming to Saint Petersburg for leisure and business purposes.

Maintaining high standards of the IHG Hotels & Resorts is a guarantee of service and a safe stay at the Holiday Inn® St. Petersburg – Theatre Square. Starting from June 1, 2020, IHG Hotels & Resorts have a ‘Clean Promise’ rule in place, in compliance with all safety standards.

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Radisson Hotels Radisson Royal St. Petersburg

and comfort. Radisson Royal St. Petersburg is indeed a royal hotel and a valuable addition to the ‘Radisson Hotels’ collection.

The highest service standards of the Radisson Blu brand reflected in each detail of this flagship hotel.

Park Inn by Radisson Pulkovskaya Hotel & Conference Centre St. Petersburg

In addition to the stunning location in the very heart of Nevsky prospect, surrounded by magnificent architecture of Saint Petersburg, the Radisson Royal St. Petersburg offers luxurious rooms and an impeccable level of service.

The unique building was built in the 18th century and has a rich history. The interior was completely reconstructed in 2001, and the original facade was restored, reflecting the greatness of the architecture of that era. At the same time, the author's 300 years aged elements were preserved.

Paying tribute to the great traditions, this hotel represents a modern level of luxury

The largest hotel of Moskovsky district, located on the tree-lined Moskovsky Avenue, just in 11 kilometres away from city center with easy access to Pulkovo Airport and close to the majestic palaces and parks of Saint Petersburg.

The hotel received its modern name in 2007, when it joined the ‘Park Inn by Radisson’ brand. However, Pulkovskaya began its history in 1981. It was built by

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order of “Soyuzvneshtorg” with the aim to increase the “Intourist” hotel chain, and became a new architectural achievement of Leningrad. Today Park Inn by Radisson Pulkovskaya Hotel & Conference Center is a comfortable modern hotel and conference center with comfortable spa area.

Nestled among elegant historic homes, verdant parks, stylish shopping centers, and vibrant restaurants, this hotel is a perfect base to stay in Saint Petersburg.

It offers 842 well-appointed rooms, including 83 Business-Friendly Rooms and 27 Suites, 3 restaurants, fitness center and spacious aqua zone.

Park Inn by Radisson Pribaltiyskaya Hotel & Congress Center A legend on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, located in the historical center, on Vasilievsky Island.

The hotel was built in 1978 on the project of Soviet architecture from the Leningrad Nikolay Baranov and Sweden company Skanska. Since that time, the hotel has become an architectural monument of the Soviet modernism era and the most important object of the Marine Facade of Saint Petersburg.

Having a rich heritage component, this hotel meets all the high standards of the world brand ‘Park Inn by Radisson’.

It’s the largest international hotel in Russia and the only hotel in Saint Petersburg with a museum room.

It was called a ‘Sea façade’ of Leningrad and was considered the most prestigious hotel of Soviet times. Located just 5 kilometers from historic and cultural attractions including the Hermitage Museum and the Peter and Paul Fortress, and close to the Ring Road, which allows to reach the airport just for 20 minutes.

It offers 1184 rooms, including 2-level suits, 26 conference halls and more than 2000 m2 of exhibition space.

A unique feature of the hotel is a heritage museum suite room, where several

celebrities have stayed. The museum project was launched about half a year ago with the purpose of increasing awareness of the soviet historical value of the hotel and its unique architectural concept.

Currently this suite has become a real museum and is of high interest for all the community groups.

Park Inn by Radisson Nevsky St. Petersburg The main advantage of this hotel is its brilliant location just a few steps from Central Moscow railway station in the very heart of Saint Petersburg.

Here you’ll be able to enjoy the city immediately, not wasting time on any extra logistics. Each room has everything you need for a comfortable stay, including the balconies with a great view on the main street of the city.

Another unique point of this hotel is a legendary German ‘Paulaner’ restaurant, which serves Bavarian cuisine and freshly brewed beer from its own brewery.

Park Inn by Radisson Pulkovo Airport Park Inn by Radisson Pulkovo Airport is the only hotel in Saint Petersburg, connected with the new terminal of the Airport by a covered glass walkway.

Another unique point of this hotel is a stunning runway view, creating a romantic atmosphere.

Designer rooms, modern meeting spaces, beautiful restaurant area and nice modern environment. This hotel offers a full range of services even at night, and its brilliant location makes it ideal for plane travelers.

Nestled close to the historical palaces and park ensembles of Saint Petersburg and just in 20 minures from the city center this hotel is a perfect choice for both business and family travelers.

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Hotel Indigo St. PetersburgTchaikovskogo Situated in the historical center of Saint Petersburg, just a few steps away from the Liteiny Bridge and within a short walk from the splendid Summer Garden and the Hermitage, Hotel Indigo St. Petersburg-Tchaikovskogo is a part of the local fabric, defined by the unique characteristics of the area surrounding the hotel.

Located in an original Neo-Classical mansion decorated with unique caryatides and atlantes, the hotel is considered to be one of the pearls in the historic street named after the world famous Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky who lived here in the 1850s.

Not much is left in Saint Petersburg from the era of Peter the First, but as one of our neighbors we are proud to have the Summer Garden, a location where one can still feel the atmosphere of Peter’s time.

Harking back to the time of the Tzars and referencing the masterpieces composed

by Tchaikovsky the hotel interiors have a distinct flavor, energy and charm.

The hotel guestroom interiors were inspired by stories of the foundry yard, the Summer Garden, the neighboring river embankment and the music of Tchaikovsky. Well appointed, cozy guestrooms feature floor-to-ceiling murals with abstract images of metal pouring into molds or silhouettes of the statuary, trees and the embankment’s ornate railings.

A design theme of the hotel suites is scenery from the operas and ballets by Tchaikovsky. To reinforce the local atmosphere and experience the public spaces of the hotel derive their architectural character from the palaces and mansions that line the city’s streets and embankments.

Our restaurant VINO&VODA is situated in a spacious and brightly-lit atrium covered with a glass ceiling. It’s a perfect place to sample our culinary delights.

From our rooftop terrace you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the historic city center.

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Corinthia St. Petersburg

Corinthia St. Petersburg is an award-winning hotel, built from three majestic 19th-century buildings in the historical city centre of Saint Petersburg.

On October 22, 2021 Corinthia St. Petersburg was recognised as ‘Russia’s Leading Business Hotel’ for the fourth time in a row by the World Travel Awards which acknowledges outstanding achievements in the tourism industry around the world.

The hotel has won ‘Russia's Leading Business Hotel’ by the World Travel Awards in 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018.

Located at the heart of Nevsky Prospect, the city’s main thoroughfare, five-star Corinthia St. Petersburg houses 388 elegant rooms and suites and features several restaurants and bars. The elegant Imperial Restaurant offers an amazing view of the Nevsky Prospect and serves Russian cuisine and original European dishes, made with local Russian products.

Guests in suites and Executive rooms have an access to the Executive Club Lounge, where they can enjoy complimentary privileges throughout the day including drinks, canapés, and Wi-Fi. Fitness Center offers extensive gym

facilities and sauna 24 hours a day, seven days a week, complimentary for all hotel guests.

Corinthia St. Petersburg is conveniently located near the main historical landmarks of Saint Petersburg; the nearest metro station Mayakovskaya is a stone's throw from the main hotel entrance, while Moscow railway station is a 10-minute walk.

It is the only five-star property which offers such a large number of rooms and event spaces in the historical city centre of Saint Petersburg. The hotel offers 17 convertible event spaces with a total capacity of up to 1,000 people. It caters for a variety of events, including international conferences, sumptuous banquets, private weddings and high-end events.

Seven times, Corinthia St. Petersburg has been recognized as Russia’s Leading Conference Hotel by the World Travel Awards: in 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2013, 2012 and 2011. As well, the hotel was named ‘Best Congress Hotel in Saint Petersburg’ by the Russian Business Travel & MICE Awards in October 2015, and was named by the Russian Hospitality Awards as the ‘Best MICE hotel in Russia’ in February 2016.

Refined hospitality, superior service and inspired luxury are at the core of the hotel.

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Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg From the first glimpse of the grand front entrance, guarded by two marble lions, it’s obvious that this is a remarkable building with a rich legacy. Known among city residents as ‘the House with Lions’, the palace holds a fascinating history.

Here in the centre of royal Saint Petersburg, many of the neighbouring monuments are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, exuding the glorious past of this legendary city.

Surrounding landmarks include the State Hermitage, Mariinsky Theatre, Kazan Cathedral and Mikhailovsky Castle – all within easy walking distance.

The hotel offers a variety of accommodation with its 177 rooms and suites, boasting the most spacious rooms in the city with stunning close-up views to some of the signature sites of the Northern Capital of Russia.

Lobanov Presidential Suite is the true jewel of the hotel. The grand marble staircase leads guests from the hotel lobby to the entrance of the Presidential Suite, located directly above the main entrance of the hotel. Thel suite is connected to a large furnished veranda appointed with a dining table for 10 persons, allowing for private meetings and meals while enjoying splendid views of the Admiralty and park.

Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg is to become a favorite destination for those who appreciate great dining experiences The Italian restaurant, Percorso, is a lifestyle restaurant, presenting pure and exciting gastronomic experience based on an outstanding quality and freshness of ingredients.

Deriving its name from the cities of Singapore, Tokyo and Hong Kong, the Sintoho restaurant will be the ultimate destination for the finest Asian cuisine in Saint Petersburg.

Tea Lounge is a real oasis in the middle of the hotel – this is an all-day dining venue, carefully inserted into one of the original palace’s courtyards.

Xander bar is yet another jewel of the Lion Palace – the spacious bar divided into two rooms by a unique double-sided fireplace, which adds to the cozy and warm atmosphere of the venue..

Luceo Spa is the ultimate destination for holistic spa experiences, unique for Saint Petersburg. Luceo is built into one of the Lion Palace’s original courtyards and occupies four floors. The top floor of Luceo features the ultimate point of the Spa – triangular vitality pool under the glass roof, which saturates the place with light and sun and allows you to watch the everchanging colors of the Saint Petersburg sky while enjoying the water rituals in the pool and resting on lounge chairs after.

Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg will spare no effort to make your stay unforgettable.

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Lotte Hotel St. Petersburg

Lotte Hotel St. Petersburg is housed in a 19th century historic mansion adjacent to the Mariinsky Palace on St. Isaac’s Square in the very heart of Saint Petersburg.

The proud winner of prestigious international awards including the iconic Five-Star Award by Forbes Travel Guide, the hotel features 150 elegant rooms decorated in classic and contemporary styles and equipped with the latest 21st century technology ensuring a truly comfortable stay. A collection of 4 outstanding dining concepts boasts an all-day dining restaurant The Lounge, premium class Japanese cuisine at MEGUmi, stylish bar Siniy Most and summer rooftop terrace L TERRASA with spectacular views over the architectural ensemble of St. Isaac’s Square. The world

famous authentic Balinese Mandara Spa is committed to providing guests with a uniquely indulgent and exotic spa experience.

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Hilton St. Petersburg Hilton St. Petersburg ExpoForum Hilton St. Petersburg ExpoForum is a full-service hotel, perfect for travelers coming to Saint Petersburg for work, short vacations or participation in exhibitions held in one of the largest and modern European Expo centers, ExpoForum.

The hotel is located on the ExpoForum territory, just 5-minute drive from Pulkovo International Airport and 10 km from Moskovsky Prospekt, which connects this part of Saint Petersburg with the city center. It is also close to the cultural attractions of Peterhof Palace, Gatchina Palace, Ekaterininsky Palace etc.

There are 234 rooms in the hotel from Standard to Presidential Suites, including three accessible rooms. Every morning we serve luxurious buffet breakfast in restaurant Parc.

Traditionally, Hilton offers unique opportunities for business events and Hilton St. Petersburg is exceptionally equipped. The total area for conferences, meetings, business and corporate events is 1,000m2 , fitting into a 3-level conference area with 9 meeting rooms. For larger events, a 450m2 Ballroom can accommodate up to 750 people.

What makes any stay at Hilton outstanding is a visit to fitness center and Carelica eco

spa on the hotel territory. The spa complex has already won several prestigious awards, including World Luxury Spa Awards, the International Perfect spa award and became a finalist of the World Spa Awards.

Hampton by Hilton St. Petersburg ExpoForum Hampton by Hilton St. Petersburg ExpoForum is the first and unique case in the history of the Hilton hotel chain, where two hotels, even of a different price category, are located so close to each other.

Located close to Hilton St. Petersburg ExpoForum, this hotel is similar, with highlevel service and standards.

Hampton hotel first opened its doors on ExpoForum territory back in 2016 and was the first Hilton-managed property in Saint Petersburg. In five years, the 3 starhotel gained popularity among guests for its comfortable and functional rooms, and the great price-value ratio. The hotel also features a fitness room, a business zone with two computers and a large meeting room for 50 people.

The guests especially comment on how delicious the breakfast is, which is also included in your stay.

Our employees will always greet you with a sincere smile and warm words, and show true culture of Hamptonality.

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Sokos Hotels St. Petersburg Sokos Hotels St. Petersburg presents three hotels: Original Sokos Hotel Olympia Garden, Solo Sokos Hotel Palace Bridge and Solo Sokos Hotel Vasilievsky.

Solo Sokos Hotel Palace Bridge is the unique City Business Resort located in the historical center of Saint Petersburg on Vasilievsky Island. The main sights of Saint Petersburg are all within walking distance.

The hotel offers a perfect getaway for wellbeing and relaxation with the Palace Bridge Wellness Club.

Restaurant Dans Le Noir? gives you a unique opportunity to have dinner in pitch darkness. Alternatively, our guests are welcome to enjoy European cuisine at the hotel restaurant or have a light meal at the Garden cafe.

Original Sokos Hotel Olympia Garden is located in the historical center of Saint Petersburg and has easy transport access to Pulkovo airport, Expoforum and Moskovsky railway station.

The hotel is a perfect destination for cozy living and smart working. Original Sokos Hotel Olympia Garden is surrounded by a green park — a great place for leisurely walks and morning runs. An integral part

of this hotel is a Finnish sauna, where you can relax after a long day.

All of our 348 rooms are decorated with natural materials and offer a great mix of cosiness and functionality. Our guests can taste classic European cuisine at the hotel restaurant and enjoy sports broadcasts drinking beer with delicious snacks at Sports' Bar 84.

Solo Sokos Hotel Vasilievsky is the first gallery hotel in Saint Petersburg located on Vasilievsky Island, close to Neva river. You can reach the Hermitage and Nevsky Prospect in 5 minutes by bus.

At the hotel, which was fully renovated in 2020, we not only have designed rooms, soft beds, and convenient location but also arrange exhibitions of modern art. Staying at Solo Sokos Hotel Vasilievsky, guests begin an art journey exploring our regularly updated exposition of pictures and sculptures, graphics and photos. All of it illustrates the philosophy of the hotel — The House of Arts & Culture.

We recommend visiting our restaurant Repin, where you will find a great gastronomical experience! You are also welcome to visit Pub 8th Line to spend a fabulous evening with friends watching sports broadcasts on a big screen in Full HD and enjoying a variety of specialties.

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Wawelberg Hotel The hotel is a blend of incredible architecture, art of the highest level, individuality, latest tendencies in gastronomy, culture and business, innovations, as well as its own theatre.

All this is a part of the multi-coloured palette that Saint Petersburg represents today.

The Wawelberg Hotel is located in one of the most interesting and unusual buildings on Nevsky Avenue. American design classics in a modern interpretation, a unique set of high-tech solutions brought to life with respect for history, a special concept of service and cuisine, the majestic Wawelberg Hall – these are the distinctive features of the hotel.

The hotel offers 79 luxurious spacious rooms with a collection of 27 suites, the diamоnds of which are rooms with access to the wide terrace on the 6th floor with magnificent views of the historical city center and the famous Nevsky Prospect.

Decorated with soft colors and bright art deco accents, the interior of the rooms look especially impressive, coupled with modern amenities such as a smart home system, interactive TV, providing the ability to order services through a TV or tablet, a coffee machine, an ergonomic desk in a working area, a sofa bed and a spacious marble bathroom with hydromassage, chromotherapy and rain shower.

Responding to the different gastronomic tastes of guests, the Hotel has the MINERALS restaurant with modern Russian cuisine, and the exquisite panoramic THE speakeasy bar.

The Hotel serves delicious breakfast at the ATRIO restaurant, which offers an elegant fine dining atmosphere with wide selections of healthy dishes from a menu created in cooperation with a professional nutritionist.

The hotel also offers convenient facilities for business meetings and special events, the Wellness & Gym zone and its own theater.

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SO/ St. Petersburg See and be seen in the first ever SO/ in Russia, a place to be in the heart of dynamic St. Petersburg.

Discover the sophisticated Faberge egg imagined by an iconic designer Antonio Citterio with unique décor and view over St. Isaac’s Cathedral. Enjoy service excellence of Just Say SO attitude, unwind in the Lobby bar, experience SO parties in the rooftop overlooking the pulsating city escape and explore serenity with Urban Wellness SPA. SO/ St. Petersburg offers 137 guest rooms and suites – ranging from snug SO Cozy room, through to stylish balconied SO Lofty suites, and even the superlative SO VIP apartments – equipped with their own fireplace, two-seat bath with a view across to St. Isaac's Cathedral.

The restaurants and bars of the hotel can meet the most demanding gourmet's tastes. MIXO Bar is a real oasis of social life and the center of Saint Petersburg's most fashionable events. When spring arrives the renew HI-SO panorama terrace will be opened, with its entrancing views over the city.

SO/ St. Petersburg is the perfect venue for holding any kind of event, conference, or business meeting – and similarly for organizing elegant ceremonial events, fashion shows, or weddings including a visiting registrar.

Urban Wellness ZONE SPA offers reputed body treatments all along to access to the dreamy aquatic zone where adventure seekers are sure to hide away in crystalclear pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and hammam.

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02

What to do

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What to do CLASSIC SAINT PETERSBURG Saint Petersburg ticks all the right boxes as a cultural destination.

The historical centre of the city and related groups of monuments are protected by UNESCO. The city boasts world-famous museums, theatres, galleries, architectural monuments, cultural and educational institutions.

The city of Pushkin and Tchaikovsky is an artwork itself. Stroll along purpose-built canals framed by the steep, regal facades of Italian mansions and see how the pastel shades reflect in the mirror-like water. This visual feast unfolds along the entire Nevsky Prospekt, the main architectural highway of St. Alexander Nevsky monastery.

Main sights include the gorgeous Stroganov Palace, designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli in the 1750s and featuring a delicate but dramatic pink façade, the neoclassical Kazan Cathedral and the Art Nouveau Bookhouse.

The city is richly woven through with ensembles. These assemblages, linking one to another, create a complex multi-layered system where not one element exists alone or is isolated from its environment.

The overarching value of all of the components in this system stems from their incorporation into a harmonious whole.

It is precisely because of this that Saint Petersburg undoubtedly remains the only grand project in the history of urban planning to preserve its logical integrity despite rapid changes in architectural styles.

In modern times, the city bore witness to and participated in the majestic and tragic events of the 1917 February and October Revolutions and the heroic blockade of 1941-1944, in which some million human lives were lost. Having survived the unprecedented trials of the 20th century, the city continues to be a symbol and base of Russian culture.

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Peter and Paul Fortress The first building of Saint Petersburg, the fortress is as old as the city itself.

The fortress walls with their six bastions embrace the graceful and austere Peter and Paul Cathedral, topped with the statue of an angel holding a cross. The fortress is a former political prison – among those prisoners who are wellknown in the world were L.Trotsky and

F.Dostoyevsky – and the burial place of the Russian emperors. The beach in front of the fortress has long been a lively all-yearround public space where the locals go sunbathing in summer as well as in winter (swimming in the Neva river, however, is not allowed). Another important local tradition is firing a cannon every noon from one of the bastions.

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Saint Isaac’s Cathedral Saint Isaac's Cathedral is one of the area’s main tourist attractions.

Saint Isaac's Cathedral is the largest orthodox church in Russia. The cathedral's main dome rises 101.5 meters (333 ft) and is plated with pure gold. You can go on a tour around the huge basilica, with its

granite columns, or climb the stairs to explore a 43-meter-high colonnade that offers a spectacular panorama of the city.

Just a stone’s throw away towards the Neva river waterfront is Senate Square and another iconic symbol of the city — the Bronze Horseman monument.

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Nevsky Prospect The Nevsky Prospect is the city’s major historical avenue, running from the Admiralty Building to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.

It’s a 4.5-kilometre strip with a versatile program: Anichkov bridge and its monumental horses, Eliseyev Emporium and its lush food hall, Singer House

housing the city’s main bookstore and the headquarters of the popular Russian social network VKontakte, Kazan Cathedral and many other attractions.

There are dozens of cafes, bars and restaurants here and on the neighboring streets (for instance, Rubinshteina st. or Bolshaya Konushennaia).

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Church of the Savior on Blood This cathedral, built between 1883 and 1907, was raised on the site of a tragic event.

On 1st of March 1881, Emperor Alexander II, who had been going to the parade of troops on the Field of Mars, was mortally wounded here. His son, Alexander III, ordered to build a church on this spot to hold regular services for the assassinated father. That is why the name of the Savior on the Spilled Blood was assigned to the cathedral, although it is officially called the Church of the Resurrection.

The cathedral differs from other buildings in Saint Petersburg by its architecture. There are more than 7,500 square metres of mosaic inside, which, according to the restorers who worked on it, is more than in any other cathedral in the world. Its walls and ceilings are entirely and elaborately covered with mosaics, mostly depicting biblical events and personalities. Images have very fine patterned borders that clearly separate them from each other.

Enjoy the luxurious decor of the cathedral, as well as a splendid view of the Griboyedov canal, the beautiful Mikhailovsky garden, and Konushennaya square (the main fan zone of the football championships).

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Palace Square Palace Square is the main square in Saint Petersburg. It is a place loved by the guests and the inhabitants of the city – the heart of the northern capital of Russia.

It is one of the most beautiful architectural ensemble. It is created by the best Russian architects and named after the Winter Palace on it, the latter being built under the project of F.B. Rastrelli in the middle of XVIII century.

Alexander Column was built in the square in honor of the victory of the Russian armies over Napoleon. It was built under the project of Auguste de

Montferrand in 1834. The column was named after Emperor Alexander I. The connecting link of all the buildings was the construction of the Guard Headquarters Building on the eastern side of the square completed in 1843. The facade of the Guard Headquarters Building is decorated with a portico of twenty ionic columns. The most beautiful building on the Palace Square is the Winter Palace.

This prominent building occupies nine hectares and has about 1,500 rooms. There was the time when the Winter Palace was the highest building in Saint Petersburg.

In the city centre you were not allowed to build any houses higher than this.

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The Hermitage Museum The Hermitage is considered to have been founded in 1764, when Empress Catherine the Great acquired an impressive collection of works from the Berlin merchant Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky.

The museum, which celebrates the anniversary of its founding each year on 7 December, St. Catherine’s Day, has a collection that includes over 3 million works of art and world culture artefacts. It contains paintings, graphic works, sculptures, works of applied art, archaeological artefacts and numismatic objects.

Future exhibitons: Sculpture in Fifteenth-century Florence March 29 - July 4, 2022 This exhibition harks back to one of the most notable periods in the history of global sculpture – the fifteenth century in Italy, in particular Florence. While the Hermitage boasts a collection of works representing nearly all of the prominent masters of that period, the exhibition introduces visitors to the little-known part of the museum’s collection.

The Birth of Modern Art: Sergey Shchukin’s Choice June 24 - October 30, 2022 This exhibition makes part of a large-scale project paying tribute to the celebrated Russian art collectors, Sergey Shchukin and Morozov Brothers. The series of exhibitions was initiated in 2016 when the Louis Vuitton foundation hosted the exhibition ‘Icons of Modern Art.’ The Shchukin Collection from the State Hermitage and Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts’.

Summer 2019 was marked by two joint exhibitions organised at the State Hermitage Museum (‘The Morozov Brothers. Great Russian Collectors’) and the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts (‘Shchukin. Biography of a Collection’).

The new Hermitage exhibition provides its visitors with an unparalleled overview of Shchukin’s collection, putting on display all

the works by Cézanne, Gauguin and Matisse from this seminal collection as well as paintings by Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Picasso, Derain and many other exponents of the new kind of French painting. A total of more than one hundred exhibits are to go on display, with the Hermitage’s pieces showcased alongside paintings and African sculptures from the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts.

Egyptomania. For the 200th Anniversary of the Decipherment of Egyptian Hieroglyphs by Jean-François Champollion October 28, 2022 - February 12, 2023 Marking 200 years since Egyptian hieroglyphs were deciphered, this exhibition pays tribute to the fascination with Ancient Egypt that engulfed Europe, including Russia, following Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign. This fashion gave birth to the so-called Egyptian style in art.

Staged in the main exhibition space of the Hermitage, the Nicholas Hall, this impressive exhibition provides a multifaceted overview of European and Russian works in Egyptian style, including sculptures, paintings, furniture, carved stones, jewellery and costumes.

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Mariinsky Theatre The Mariinsky Theatre is a historic theatre of opera and ballet in Saint Petersburg.

Opened in 1860, the Mariinsky Theatre became the preeminent music theatre of late 19th-century Russia, where many of the stage masterpieces of Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov received their premieres.

The main building of the Mariinsky Theater was built by the architect A. Cavos in 1847-1848 and then restored after a fire in 1860. The ‘Mariinsky Theater’ was named after the wife of Emperor Alexander II, Empress Maria Alexandrovna.

Mariinsky Theater concert hall was opened on 29 November 2006. There is the great possibility of transforming the scene in the hall. The hall used to show operas

and ballets, and can seat up to 1,110 people.

The new, second stage of the Mariinsky Theater was opened 2 May 2013. It is located near to the main theater building, across the Kryukov Canal.

In 1997, the theatre art director Valery Gergiev appealed to Russian President Yeltsin with a proposal to build a new building for the Mariinsky Theatre. The offer was accepted. The construction project of the new theater building changed several times. There were complications during building construction. The cost of construction had increased significantly, as compared to the original plans.

Construction is expected to be the completed in the near future.

The new Mariinsky Theatre stage is a better working environment for artists and a more comfortable one for the audience.

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St. Petersburg Philharmonia The St. Petersburg Philharmonia, the oldest Philharmonia in Russia, is more than two hundred years old.

The Grand Hall of the Saint Petersburg Philharmonia is one of the best concert halls in Europe. It houses about 1,500 people. F.Liszt, H.Berlioz, R.Wagner, A.Dvořák, J.Sibelius, C.-A.Debussy, R.Strauss, S.Rachmaninoff, S.Prokofiev, D.Shostakovich, A.Scriabin, G.Mahler,

A.Rubinstein, K.Schumann, P.Viardo, P.Sarasate, A.Schoenberg, I.Stravinsky, B.Bartok, P.Hindemith and others renowned musicians of the XIX-ХХ centuries performed here, and many works of such exponents of Russian classical tradition as A.Borodin, M.Mussorgsky, P.Tchaikovsky, N.Rimsky-Korsakov, A.Glazunov were premiered here. The hall's acoustics are excellent, but judged by some not to be the best in town.

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The Mikhailovsky Theatre The Mikhailovsky Theatre is one of Russia's oldest opera and ballet houses.

It was founded in 1833 and is situated in a historical building on 1, Arts Square in Saint Petersburg.

The repertoire of the Theatre combines the masterpiece Russian classical operas and ballets with the modern plays of world famous masters, among them there are a

lot of premieres. Eugene Onegin, Tosca, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Le Corsair, La Traviata, Chipollino (for children), etc.

During almost two centuries The Theatre acquainted us with many talented people: Matilda Kseshinskaya, Anna Pavlova, Tatiana Karsavina, Feodor Chaliapin, Elena Obraztsova, Farukh Ruzimatov and Nacho Duato – Spanish dancer who is a main choreographer in the Mikhailovsky theatre nowadays.

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Russian Museum of Ethnography The Russian Museum of Ethnography is one of the largest ethnographic museums of the world.

Usually it is called ‘the ethnographic Hermitage’. It keeps more than 500,000 ethnographic artifacts on 157 large and small ethnic groups of Russia beginning from the XVIII century.

In 2022 the Russian Museum of Ethnography celebrates its 120th anniversary.

Learn more about the museum and current exhibitions on: https://ethnomuseum.ru/en/

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Kunstkamera The Anthropology and Ethnography museum named after Peter the Great, better known as the Kunstkamera (Cabinet of Curiosities), is the oldest museum in Saint Petersburg.

The museum was founded by Peter the Great, and is one of the most famous museums in the city. The museum building is located in the city center and it is an architectural monument of the 18th century.

The first exhibits for the new museum were acquired by Peter the Great the late 17th century, during his trip to Holland and England. The museum was named Kunstkamer (from the German word Kunstkammer – cabinet of curiosities, museum). Construction of the museum

building began on the Vasiljevsky island in the early 18th century, but was not completed in Peter the Great’s lifetime.

The museum's exhibits were moved to this building in 1726. Founded by Peter the Great, the Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences was situated in the Kunstkammer Building between the 17th and 19th centuries.

The Anthropology and Ethnography museum has over one million exhibits.

The museum's collections reflect the culture of many world nations, living on different continents. Here you can learn about the culture and history of the peoples of Africa, America, India, China and Australia. The Russian Lomonosov scientist museum is also located here.

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The Dostoevsky Museum The Dostoevsky Museum was opened on November 12, 1971 at the house on Kuznechny Lane 5/2.

The writer Dostoevsky rented an apartment in this house twice in his life: during a very short period in 1846, and from October 1878 till the day of his death on January 28, 1881.

This address joins together the beginning and the end of his creative development. It was here that Dostoevsky worked on his early short story ‘The Double’, and also here that he wrote his last novel ‘The Brothers Karamazov’. The apartment has been reconstructed after the memoirs of the Dostoevsky’s wife and his contemporaries.

The Dostoevsky Museum, a unique centre of literature and arts, is composed of the following parts: - The Writer’s Memorial Apartment – the museum’s main, central part

- The Literary Exhibit, dedicated to the writer’s biography and creation - Exhibit Halls, for exhibits of contemporary art - The Theatre, in which the White Theatre of the Dostoevsky Museum presents its performances, as well as the theatrespartners of the museum – theatre “Puppet Format”, “Takoy Theatre”, and other Petersburg, Russian and theatres from all over the world.

Over the years the museum’s collection has increased many times over. At present time it includes a large collection of graphic and applied art and a significant collection of photographs. The museum library holds about 24,000 volumes and a small collection of manuscripts. These collections are constantly growing, in large part thanks to the gifts of the visitors, friends of the museum, and Dostoevsky scholars.

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The State Russian Museum The State Russian Museum holds the world’s largest collection of Russian art, housed in a unique architectural complex in the historical centre of Saint Petersburg.

The museum collection contains over 400,000 exhibits covering all major periods and trends in the history of Russian art, all main types and genres, trends and schools of Russian art over more than a thousand years: from the X to the XXI century.

The main retrospective exhibition of the museum is located in Mikhailovsky Palace (architect Carlo Rossi, 1819-1825), built for the son of Emperor Pavel I, Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich and in the Benois Wing, originally designed as an exhibition pavilion for the Academy of Arts (architects L.N. Benois and I.S. Ovsyannikov, 1914-1919).

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Today, the area of the museum complex is more than 30 hectares. The collection is accommodated in buildings that are outstanding monuments of the XVIII-XIX century architecture: Mikhailovsky, Stroganov, Marble Palaces, and Mikhailovsky Castle. Mikhailovsky Garden, Summer Garden and Peter I’s Summer

Palace as well as Cabin of Peter the Great are also part of the museum complex.

The State Russian Museum today is an extensive museum complex. It is a large authoritative research, restoration, preservation, and educational centre, supervising the work of all art museums of the country.

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Bridges

Peter the Great designed the city as a European destination, with canals instead of streets where citizens could skillfully sail through.

Initially, there were only about ten bridges constructed in the city, mainly across ditches and minor creeks. By Peter's plans, in the summer months, the citizens were supposed to move around in boats, and in the winter months when the water froze to move in sledges.

Today, there are more than 342 bridges over canals and rivers of various sizes, styles and constructions, built at different periods.

Some of them are small pedestrian bridges, such as Bank and Lion bridges; others are huge transport arteries such as almost one kilometer long Alexander Nevsky Bridge.

There are about 800 small bridges across hundreds of smaller ponds and lakes in public parks and gardens, and over 100 bridges in various ports, marinas, yacht clubs and private industries. The total number of bridges in Saint Petersburg is over a thousand.

The names of the bridges are all different too. Some take their names from geographic locations — such as English, Italian and Egyptian bridges. Other names

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refer to the places such as Postoffice, Theater and Bank bridges. Many bridges are named after famous people - Alexander Nevsky, Peter the Great, Lomonosov bridges.

There are "colored" bridges — Red, Green, Blue and Yellow bridges.

A calling card of Saint Petersburg are the drawbridges. Their opening and closing is a magnificent show, spectacular and captivating.

Every night during the navigation period from April to November, 19 bridges across Neva and main canals are drawn to let ships pass in and out of the Baltic Sea into the Volga-Baltic waterway system. A calculated

schedule with precise time of consecutive opening and closing for each bridge is maintained to guarantee passage of cargo ships and tankers at a precisely controlled speed, in order to have at least one bridge at a time staying connected to ensure passage for firefighters, police, ambulances and other ground transportation.

Treat yourself with an unforgettable night cruise along the Neva River or watch it from the embankment where you can immerse yourself in stunning views of the city at night, with the illumination of the endless passage of ships.

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What to do CONTEMPORARY SAINT PETERSBURG There is another city that stands along with the classical Saint Petersburg; a city that reinvents it's spaces and where art, culture, fashion and gastronomy are experienced in all exciting ways.

Today Saint Petersburg has its own ‘New tourist and cultural geography’. This project is formed and implemented by the Committee for Tourism Development of Saint Petersburg.

Its essence lies in the integration of new places and locations into the existing, classic tourist map of the city. Thanks to this, guests get acquainted with the modern Northern Capital, which is ready to offer diverse routes and tourist products for all categories of travelers.

Lakhta Center is another modern sight of Saint Petersburg that has gained international recognition. Thanks to its location, the building is considered the most northern skyscraper in the world. At 462 metres tall, with 87 floors, Lakhta Centre is not only the tallest building in Saint Petersburg, but also the tallest in Europe.

A wide range of places worth visiting can be found on the official city tourist portal Visit Petersburg.

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New Holland Island New Holland Island is a man-made island and an ensemble of classical historical buildings in the heart of Saint Petersburg.

Being a military facility throughout its 300-year history, it first opened to the public in 2011. Now New Holland Island features a beautiful park with shaded walks, luscious lawns, herbal garden, playgrounds, streetball and pétanque courts, summer stage, ice cream and street food kiosks. Concerts, festivals, film screenings, public art installations, educational and sporting events take place year round, while an ice rink opens every winter.

Historical buildings are being carefully restored and given new purposes. Four of them are already operational, with two still

under restoration. The former blacksmith shop now features Kuznyahouse restaurant and Kuznya Café with menus

by Australian Chef Glen Ballis and Ruslan Zakirov. The former naval prison called the Bottle House was turned into a hub with cafes, designer shops, sport clubs, beauty studios and a summer stage in a courtyard. The former Commandant's House (warden’s office) now has a space for pre-school children and a modern school based on the principles of humanistic pedagogy. The latest building that has been restored, a former timber warehouse called House 12, hosts Matilda Shnurova's Cococouture and Cococo bistro restaurants run by world-know Chef Igor Grisheckin, Gazprom Neft Zifergauz Digital Transformation Centre, Zifergauz gallery of digital art and a bicycle shop.

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Erarta In 2010, Erarta became the first museum of contemporary art to open its doors in Saint Petersburg.

From the word go it was teeming with life and activity: exhibitions, guided tours, theatrical shows, concerts, and educational events. Over the past 11 years Erarta staged more than 400 exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, photographs, fashion, design, architecture, and video art, both by the recognised superstars of the international art scene and by lesser known artists.

Throughout its history, the museum has been striving to showcase the rich variety of contemporary art. Creations by the world’s prime milliner Philip Treacy, snapshots by the social documentary photographer Sebastião Salgado, an exhibition of photographs by the most prominent Soviet and Russian photojournalist Yuri Abramochkin, paintings

by Evgeniy Ukhnalyov, a retrospective of one of the most celebrated Soviet architects of the first half of the 20th century Yakov Chernikhov, the sensational Undressed show presented by the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, works by the contemporary Chinese art luminary Liu Bolin, sculptures by Salvador Dalí, rare cars featured in Lamborghini: Design Legend, three-dimensional pictures by Shintaro Ohata reflecting the beauty of the fleeting moment, and much more – every project

realised in these 11 years was aimed at making contemporary art part of the everyday life of as many people as possible.

Erarta’s permanent collection also kept growing and currently comprises more than 2,800 artworks – paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, art objects, and installations. In addition, Erarta is one of the few museums in Saint Petersburg to collaborate with artists on its own creative initiatives. These include the U-Space immersive installations allowing the viewer a 10-minute glimpse into another life, Theatre with No Actors, Audio Installations, Art-Animation, The Adventures of BB Square Cartoon, and Art-Literature. Each of them is an opportunity to make profound and exciting discoveries in the realm of contemporary art.

In its 11 years of existence, Erarta amassed countless awards and distinctions: the museum was repeatedly mentioned as a top choice tourist attraction by the world’s leading Lonely Planet guidebooks, ranked among the top 10 museums in Russia on TripAdvisor travel website, was spotlighted as one of the ‘5 cultural gems in Saint Petersburg’

by National Geographic, and became the country’s first contemporary art museum to be featured on Google Art Project. Every year, Erarta attracts nearly half a million visitors.

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Fabergé Museum The Museum was established on the basis of the world's largest collection of works by the House of Fabergé.

The items of greatest value in the collection are nine Easter eggs made by artisans employed by the House of Fabergé for the last two Russian emperors Alexander II and Nikolai II. Today, the Fabergé Museum's collection is made up of over 4000 display items which also represent the many different

things created by the House of Fabergé: Easter masterpieces, fantasy-themed objects, jewelry, miscellaneous small items, silverware, home decor and objects of worship.

The Fabergé Museum also hosts temporary exhibitions dedicated to the works of great artists of the XX century.

The exhibition «SALVADOR DALÍ. Atomic Leda and Other Representations of GALA» is open for visitors in the museum until 16 January, 2022.

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Street Art Museum Crave some artisanal graffiti? Head to the Okhta industrial zone, about 20 minutes east of Ploshchad Lenina by car or bus, where you'll find Saint Petersburg's Street Art Museum or SAM. The actual address is Shosse Revolyutsii 84AB and it's on the grounds of a big former plastics factory (part of which is actually still active). It's anything but

stuffy: there are vast open air murals guaranteed to brighten your Instagram (but you can start by following theirs) before you even step inside a building.

Major Russian street artists like Nikita Nomerz, Timothy Radya and Pasha 183 are well-represented among SAM's permanent exhibition of some 50 works of street art and graffiti. That's enhanced by gallery space set aside for excellent temporary exhibitions.

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Russian Railway Museum Russian Railway Museum, which opened on 30 October 2017 near the Baltic railway station, is the country’s main railway museum and is among the world’s largest railway museums.

The museum complex is spread over a vast area. It has two buildings — an old locomotive depot building and an eyecatching modern building. The buildings are connected with a suspension bridge to make a single structure.

Museum tours include visiting a collection of rare and legendary steam trains, locomotives, electric locomotives, railcars and other rolling stock. Historical artifacts rub shoulders with current operating models, interactive installations and temporary exhibition halls, building an unusual and engaging museum space.

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Sevkabel Port Sevkabel Port is a new project aimed at renovation of old facilities and historic buildings then turning them into a modern multifunctional creative space at the waterfront.

“We tried to preserve and restore monuments of industrial architecture, because we value historical artifacts and want to emphasize the ‘memory of the place.’

The main point of attraction is the promenade, with beautiful views of the Gulf of Finland, Marine Station and the ZSD bridge.

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What to do EVENTS AND FESTIVALS Stay at one-of-a-kind hotels, dine at fabulous restaurants and see world-class events spanning the entire year.

In winter, visitors may dive into the Christmas tale of the Festival of Fire. In spring, during the last week before the onset of Great Lent, the city celebrates Maslenitsa with plenty of pancakes to go around and with the traditional burning of the straw man. Summer awaits travelers with the colorful Scarlet Sails and classical nights at the international White Nights festival. In autumn, guests are invited to revel in the world of fabulous installations at the annual Festival of Lights.

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White Nights Festival The White Nights Festival is an annual summer festival in Saint Petersburg celebrating its near-midnight sun phenomena due to its location near the Arctic Circle.

Each year between around April 21 and August 21, the skies only reach twilight and never reach complete darkness.

The ‘Stars of the White Nights’ is a series of classical ballet, opera, and orchestral

performances at the Mariinsky Theatre and the Mariinsky Concert Hall, as the essential part of the White Nights Festival in Saint Petersburg. The ‘Stars of the White Nights Festival’ runs from May through July (usually from the last week of May till the 2nd half of July) at the Mariinsky Theatre and the newly built Mariinsky Concert Hall – one of the best-sounding halls in the world. .

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Wonder of Light

The city light show ‘Wonder of Light’ has been held annually in Saint Petersburg since 2016 and has since become one of the signature events of the Northern capital.

Each year, the Festival transforms one of the venues of the city with the help of 3D mapping technology, breathing new life into the sights known to everyone.

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THE FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS

World Tourism Day Annually, the Saint Petersburg Committee for Tourism Development, in cooperation with hospitality industry of the city, organizes a series of exciting events dedicated to the celebration of World Tourism Day. These give the city a new holiday, where the residents of Saint Petersburg can feel like guests in their hometown.

The Festival of Flowers The Festival of Flowers is famous for its large, vibrant arrangements. Designed by the city’s best florists, these displays are the centerpiece for the flower parade, which

also features horse-drawn carriages, customized motor vehicles, retro cars, artistic displays, dancers and models adorned in floral outfits.

The International Festival of Brass Bands The International Festival of Brass Bands an annual event that has been held for more than 10 years. The Festival of Brass Bands is a celebration of classical Russian brass band and marching band music.

It includes a large marching parade and a series of parade ground displays that feature famous brass bands and leading Russian classical and opera musicians and performers.

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THE INTERNATIONALFESTIVAL OF BRASS BANDS

The SUP Festival The SUP Festival brings a colorful display of costumed paddle boarders to Saint Petersburg.

Gastronomic Festival ‘The street of culinary embassies’ opens in the city center, where residents of Saint Petersburg and guests of the city can get acquainted with the cuisine of different countries.

THE SUP FESTIVAL

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The Night of Museums The night of Museums is an annual campaign dedicated to International Day of Museums.

Saint Petersburg museums traditionally open their doors for visitors at night and organize special programs: an exhibition of one day, concerts, performances, specially designed excursions and historic reconstructions.

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Scarlet Sails The Scarlet Sails celebration in Saint Petersburg is the most famous public event during the White Nights, known in Russian as ‘Alye Parusa’ festivity.

This tradition began here after the end of World War II, when schools united to celebrate the ending of a school year in connection with symbolism of the popular children’s book ‘Scarlet Sails’ by Alexander

Grin. Since then the ‘Scarlet Sails’ tradition has become a popular public event due to spectacular fireworks and a massive show annually celebrating the ending of the school year in June. The ‘Scarlet Sails’ appearance is now the most popular part of the White Nights celebration.

Many tourists visiting Saint Petersburg pick out the dates of their visit so as to make sure to visit the ‘Scarlet Sails’ celebration.

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Maslenitsa Festivities dedicated to seeing the winter season off are an ideal opportunity to get acquainted with Russian national cuisine, and in particular, with the main symbol of a festive holiday – magnificent butter pancakes.

Freshly baked pancakes are served directly from the pan at numerous venues both in the city itself and in the suburbs. The gastronomic program features fun contests, noisy round dances, folk ditties, and the culmination of the holiday is the burning of the Maslenitsa doll – an allegory of the Russian winter.

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The Christmas Star Fire Festival

The ‘Christmas Star’ Fire Festival is a famous show which celebrates Russian Orthodox Christmas following the earliest tradition set by Peter the Great, the first Emperor of Russia and the founder of Saint Petersburg.

On January 7, the annual fireworks display illuminates the sky over the city of Saint Petersburg.

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Gastronomic Events Plan your visit to Saint Petersburg by combining it with the city's annual gastronomic events!

Saint Petersburg Restaurant Festival The festival provides an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the best restaurants of the city. Each restaurant, which participates in the project, offers a set menu specially designed for the festival at a fixed price, 990 rubles (€13) or 1990 rubles (€ 25).

Camembert baked with raspberry sauce, dumplings with king crab, elk meat with juniper sauce, date ice cream – enjoy delicious dishes with a beautiful presentation!

Restaurant Day Once a year, amateur chefs “open their own restaurant” for one day to treat guests of the festival with their culinary achievements: author sweets, desserts, fast food, as well as homemade dishes made according to original recipes which cannot be found in an ordinary restaurant or cafe.

Smelt Festival The festival for large cheerful groups of friends and families is a real brand of the city. Hundreds of people gather on the shores of the Gulf of Finland to taste grilled smelt with a golden crust. The festival’s cultural program includes games, contests, quizzes and performances of popular artists.

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Saint Petersburg Gourmet Days

Summer Festival ‘O, da!

Eda!’ (‘Oh, yes! Food!’)

During this gastronomic event you will find special festival set menus in more than forty restaurants of the city, guest performances by the best chefs in the world, restaurant tours by gastronomic insiders and the Debutants ball – an acquaintance with the most promising young chefs of Saint Petersburg.

The festival is a large-scale open-air picnic in one of the city parks. During 2 days you can try national dishes from around the world, take part in culinary competitions and learn the secrets of cooking at master classes. The program of the event is accompanied by pleasant live music performed by modern groups. Kids can participate in a culinary school for young chefs.

Saint Petersburg Festival of National Cuisines A large open-air gastronomic meadow with treats made by cooks from different countries and peoples. Come to see the fascinating cooking process followed by tasting session!

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What to do SPORTS SAINT PETERSBURG Sport is well-developed in Saint Petersburg. A number of professional sports clubs are located in the city as well as the Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sports and Health. In total, the Northern Capital comprises 17 stadiums with tribunes designed for 1,500 places, 1,573 gyms, and more others.

Over the past few years, Saint Petersburg has proved itself to be a fantastic setting for major football tournaments. This year the city hosted seven Euro 2020 matches (the tournament was held in 2021 due to COVID-related delays), allowing a total of 132,752 people to attend the live games at the Gazprom Arena stadium.

The stadium is set to play host to the UEFA Champions League Final on 28 May 2022 next year.

Moreover, the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship will be held also in Saint Petersburg. The prestigious World Championship will see 24 teams compete across six pools from 26 to 29 August 2022 and Saint Petersburg will host the opening match.

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Ice Palace ‘Ice Palace’ is a large multipurpose complex for sporting events, concerts, exhibitions and other events.

The Ice Palace has 12,300 seats for spectators, about 30 cafes and press center. It was built for the 2000 IIHF World Championship and opened in 2000.

The Ice Palace is primarily used for ice hockey and is the home arena for SKA Saint Petersburg. It hosted the IIHF European Champions Cup in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. It is also used for concerts, exhibitions and as a skating rink.

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Gazprom Arena Russia’s most technology advanced stadium and frequently listed as one of the best sporting venues in Europe, the Gazprom Arena has the capacity to welcome up to 68,000 guests and is one of the world’s most spectacular and impressive sporting venues.

Designed by legendary Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, the home to FC Zenit was opened in April 2017. The arena is located on the beautiful Krestovsky Island on the Gulf of Finland, and on the exact same spot the historic Kirov Stadium had previously been situated. Being just a short distance from the UNESCO World Heritage site of central Saint Petersburg, the Gazprom Arena is easily accessible from across the city due to its three adjacent metro stations, excellent public transport links, bicycle accessibility and large-scale car parks.

The Gazprom Arena has an outstanding international pedigree when it comes to the big games. Zenit’s home hosted seven matches at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The Confederates Cup was held here in 2017, as

were three games of the continent-wide Euro 2020 tournament. In 2022 the final of the biggest game in club football, the UEFA Champions League final, will be played here in Saint Petersburg.

The futuristic arena can also boast a completely removable pitch that slides right out of the stadium! This means rock concerts, grand exhibitions and other sporting events can take place within the arena.

The Gazprom Arena also can brag about its state-of the art central heating system so it doesn’t matter if it’s summer or winter in the Northern Capital, it is always a comfortable 15-16 °C inside the venue.

However, and perhaps most importantly of all considering the local weather, is the stadium’s retractable roof. This allows any event imaginable to take place in even the most inclement weather.

The stadium’s facilities are of course second-to-none. Easily available fast food services are located everywhere around the arena, and mid-range to VIP catering is also offered.

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What to do BUSINESS SAINT PETERSBURG The city is an important business and networking hub, with great facilities for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) tourism.

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Saint Petersburg major events 2022 Saint Petersburg is an important business and networking hub, with major international business events held throughout the year. Here is a glimpse of 2022 highlights.

St. Petersburg International Economic Forum June 2022 The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) is a unique event in the world of business and economics. Over the last 24 years, the Forum has become a leading global platform for members of the business community to meet and discuss the key economic issues facing Russia, emerging markets, and the world as a whole.

St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum November 2022 The St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum is the central event of the country’s cultural life. It's an international platform for meetings, open dialogue and the sharing of experience between experts in various aspects of culture, public officials, politicians and businessmen from various countries.

For the full business event calendar head to the Saint Petersburg Convention bureau

St. Petersburg International Legal Forum May 2022 SPBILF is a unique international conference that brings together the leading minds of the legal profession. Over the years, the SPBILF has emerged as a foremost international platform for discussing a broad range of urgent questions confronting the contemporary international community of legal professionals.

St. Petersburg International Gas Forum 4-7 October 2022 The St. Petersburg International Gas Forum is a leading platform for discussing topical industry issues. The decisions made by industry leaders have a direct impact on the formation of the global gas market.

25th World Energy Congress 24-27 October 2022 Running since 1924, the triennial World Energy Congress is the World Energy Council’s global flagship event, covering all aspects of the energy agenda. Through the history of the World Energy Council, the Congress has been staged in over 20 cities across the world.

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Expoforum Convention and Exhibition Centre Expoforum, opened in 2014, is one of the most dominant landmarks of the city with wonderful panoramic views of Saint Petersburg.

It is operated by EF-International Ltd. providing an entire range of related services, including conference and delegates management, exhibition construction and catering, travel and tourist support.

The venue represents local heritage being located in the center of former royal residencies Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin), Pavlovsk palace, Peterhof, and new era of business development delivering top quality turnkey conference services.

Equipped with the latest cutting edge technology Expoforum hosts around 200 onsite and hybrid events annually, which, since the opening, have been visited by more than 17 million people.

It has multifunctional space up to 30,000 people that can be easily transformed to fit needs of local and international events of any scale and complexity, as well as customized smaller gatherings without overlapping by concurrent meetings.

Accessible environment is one of the Expoforum’s key advantages: venue offers facilities that meet high international standards of safety and security for hosting people with special needs and Expoforum team does its best to make sure that everyone feels welcomed and well served.

Expoforum is WTTC «Safe Travels» accredited and re-equipped according to the latest sanitary and hygiene protocols.

It is 10 min far from the International Pulkovo Airport with growing logistical capabilities and a fully developed infrastructure, including 2 international hotels, business centers, cafes, restaurants, outdoor and underground parking.

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Loft Hall

Loft Hall is an event service that gathers together the necessary infrastructures and tools for the easy organization of events.

The project's spaces and internal products are independent and aspire to be a statement of contemporary culture, but they are also adaptable and meet the challenges of different event formats for progressive companies and clients.

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Design District DAA Design District DAA was designed to create a creative ecosystem that combines creativity, uniqueness, art, design and architecture.

DAA strives to attract, inspire and develop new talents and creative businesses.

The aim of the cluster is also to educate the next generation about the power and importance of different design and architecture forms.

Design District DAA is a place where creative directions can come together to fulfil their dreams. It has its own spirit, which is based on: Design, Architecture and Art. It is a city venue for federal and international events.

Cultural and educational projects in the field of architecture, urbanism, design and fashion play a special role in the development of the creative cluster.

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What to do SHOPPING IN SAINT PETERSBURG In Saint Petersburg, there are a large number of stores for every taste and budget. Large shopping centers, luxury boutiques of fashion brands, stores of Russian and international designers, outlets with big discounts and much more. Shopping in Russia is a pleasant experience, especially with a tax-free shopping system allowing foreign visitors to claim a refund of the value-added tax (VAT).

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Kupetz Eliseevs Food Hall Opened in 1903, The Kupetz Eliseevs Food Hall is situated in a building designed by one of the greatest architects of the late 19th century, Gavriil Baranovsky.

There was a shop of colonial goods on the first floor, the Nevsky Farce theatre on the second floor and a restaurant on the third

floor. Before a performance the beau monde would often treat themselves, to a cup of tea in the Kupetz Eliseevs Food Hall.

They say there was a secret way to the theatre directly from the restaurant.

In the Kupetz Eliseevs Food Hall, one can buy anything, from fresh truffles, hot patty cakes to oysters gathered every morning.

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Staronevsky – Fashion District Each European capital has its own district dedicated to fashion, where history meets modern culture and newest trends meet its roots.

Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore in Paris with its classic haussmannienne facades, rare Hotel de ville and the most famous boutiques (both French and international); Via Montenapoleone in Milan, with its breathtaking store fronts and stylish customers; New Bond Street in London — has it all.

Each street has its own character, just like the part of Nevsky avenue (from the Alexander Nevsky Monastery to the Vosstaniya squre), known as Staronevsky.

Here, in 1998, the first Babochka multibrand boutique was opened. It was a start of Saint Peterburg's own fashion district.

Today in the area between Nevsky pr., Goncharnaya st. and Telezhny st. you can find famous boutiques such as Chanel, Dior, Bulgari, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Valentino, Berluti, Brioni, Loro Piana, Brunello Cucinelli, Canali, Breitling, Omega, Ermenegildo Zegna to name a few, all in one street. The district attracts customers who not only appreciate shopping, but also value the atmosphere: Tax Free for foreign clients, modern art, good infrastructure and convenient location — close to the heart of the city but fuss-free. The developing fashion district is exactly what Saint Petersburg needs: intelligent, peaceful and perfectly fitting in historical city layout, offering the latest fashion from more than a hundred brands.

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Outlet Village Pulkovo Outlet Village Pulkovo is the first European-level outlet complex in Saint Petersburg.

Opened in October 2015, it is now one of the most popular shopping destinations in the city: a pleasant atmosphere, boutiques of world brands and attractive discounts.

The architecture of Outlet Village Pulkovo is inspired by classics of the European and Russian styles. It's an open-air shopping destination with picturesque squares and cozy streets, where luxury and premium

brands offer their previous seasons’ collections with discounts from 30% to 70% off all year round.

There’s a free car park, including designated areas for families with babies, a nice playground for kids, restaurants and cafes, free wifi and a lovely pleasant atmosphere for all shopping lovers.

Outlet Village Pulkovo is located 1 km from Pulkovo International Airport, 2 km from the Ring Road, 20 minutes from the center of Saint Petersburg.

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Nevsky Centre Nevsky Centre shopping mall is one of the largest shopping malls in the very heart of Saint Petersburg.

The building is located in the historical center of the city, at the intersection of Nevsky prospect and Vosstaniya street, opposite Moscovsky Railway Station.

Ploschad Vosstaniya and Mayakovskaya metro stations are within walking distance.

This premium mall consists of more than 100 retail shops and large selection of fashion brands and services along with a

food court, three-level underground parking and modern Business Centre with a view on the city.

You are welcome to relax, meet friends and business partners in the cafes or a city-view restaurant on the top floor.

SPA-centers, beauty salons, fitness-center offer you an escape from everyday routine and help to replenish your energy reserve.

Service facilities (banks, dry cleaning, shoe repair, pharmacy, grocery store) are here to help you to get through your daily needs.

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Au Pont Rouge Au Pont Rouge reflects the eclectic and dynamic atmosphere of the city where innovation, culture and traditions play important roles.

The store space has been organized to provide all the customers with the maximum comfort.

With a developed retail space of 7,200 m2 Au Pont Rouge has a unique assortment of concepts, including a selected mix of exclusive Russian souvenirs, a unique

beauty space and a lot of other departments. At all levels of the store are proudly displayed both the most demanded, top brands and promising international and local talents of different market level.

Store is open daily from 10.00 to 22.00 and offers a full range of services, including multilingual assistance, store guides, phone charging points and free coffee. We also offer a 24/7 parking at Moyka embankment 77.

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DLT Opened back in 1908-1909 in the heart of ‘Northern capital’, DLT is Saint Petersburg’s oldest department store.

Today it is the flagship store of TSUM Moscow – Russia’s main department store – and fashion point of international standard with the best product selection and excellent service. The department store is located in a 5 minutes’ walk from Kazan Cathedral, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Church of the Savior on Blood, Palace Square, the State Hermitage and Russian Museum. Being a historical example of Art Nouveau architecture the gorgeous DLT building is one of Saint Petersburg’s main must-see attractions.

DLT presents collections of menswear, womenswear and children’s wear, shoes and accessories of world’s leading brands together with jewellery, beauty, perfumery, optics and interior design items on its five floors. DLT’s product range encompasses more than 700 brands, many of which are presented exclusively. Best prices on these products are much lower than the prices in Milan, London and Dubai.

DLT offers guests a variety of additional services: customer service and loyalty program for international tourists, VIP shopping with a professional stylist, children’s play space with trained animators, and the ‘Volkonskyi’ coffee and pastry shop.

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Where to eat

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Where to eat Saint Petersburg is a true gastronomic center. From the very beginning, Saint Petersburg was an international city, so its cuisine was a mixture of different European culinary traditions (in different decades, the direction of one or the other national cuisines changed, depending on the superiority of certain foreigners): Russian, French, German, Swedish and Finnish, Polish, Jewish, etc. The capital's status and reputation of ‘the window to Europe’ and the largest port made Saint Petersburg a city of large-scale international transit.

For two centuries Russia hosted dishes from other countries through Saint Petersburg. At the same time,

the city was a gateway for foreigners to Russia; therefore, Europe got acquainted with Russian customs and traditions, including culinary ones, through Saint Petersburg.

Nowadays, various restaurants of international standing take special care of every aspect, from their menu, interior design, quality staff, to the music and artistic proposals that complement the experience of their guests. There is a constantly growing number of small restaurants with a focus on signature menus, meaning the city’s talented chefs have a lot of room for creativity and originality. This makes Saint Petersburg a real foodie heaven.

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Birch Sidestepping the swell of the city centre, trendy Birch is found near Saint Petersburg’s Transfiguration Cathedral.

Despite the name (the tree is a national symbol of Russia), expect a creative, globetrotting fusion menu with influences plucked from Asia to Latin America. The venture was launched by four talented young chefs, and boasts an affordable, upscale, yet unfussy menu. Stalwart dishes include tuna ceviche with strawberry, tomato and yuzu, crab bisque with wontons, pumpkin and truffle ravioli, and veal cheeks and pickles. Interiors, meanwhile, are a medley of Nordic-meetsBrooklyn – plenty of steel, pared-back pale wood and a slate grey palette.

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KORUSHKA

Ginza Project Here we present a selection of the Ginza Project restaurants located in Saint Petersburg.

Korushka Korushka consists of two spacious halls seating 340 persons, a patio and a cozy terrace. Whether its a one-on-one or in a friendly company, on a sunny summer day or on a cold winter evening - here visitors can always find a table matching mood and the food to taste, thanks to the restaurant’s permanent ideologists of cuisine - Iso Dzandzava and Stas Bykov.

The Mansarda The Mansarda overlooks Saint-Petersburg from the last floor of the Quattro Corti business center, in a building with a long history – 150 years ago, count Shuvalov used to live here, at the Pochtamtskiy Pereulok. Panoramic view from the Mansarda includes glass windows of the business center, authentic roofs of Saint Petersburg and the striking Isaakiyevskiy Cathedral. The Mansarda is the place to go if want to show the city to guests of Saint Petersburg.

THE MANSARDA

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Mari Vanna Mari Vanna restaurant is all about Russian coziness. It operates in Moscow, London, Baku and New York, but the first restaurant was opened in Saint Petersburg ten years ago. Mari Vanna moved from Lenina Street to Mytninskaya embankment and now it boasts the view of Hare Island and Spit of Vasilyevsky Island. The interior was designed by Megre Interiors: room screens wrapped in Pavloposadskie shawls compete in nostalgia with retro sideboards and typewriters, the symbols of good old days. Mari Vanna offers a seating area on the balcony, a lower hall and two separate rooms for chamber get-togethers the Fireplace and the Dining Room. Under the soft light pouring down from hand-knitted lampshades, visitors feel like curling up in a chair near the complete works of Chekhov to remember childhood…

The Moskva The best traditions of the Ginza Project group are kept alive at this restaurant – scrupulously crafted menu and the desire to combine excellent cooking with spectacular city views.

The Moskva is a fine example of the group’s famous thorough approach to how a restaurant should be. The menu offers dishes of the most vivid and undisputed hits of the world’s cuisine.

Sitting here visitors can comfortably enjoy the view of Nevskiy Prospekt – the terrace overlooks the main street of the Northern Capital.

THE MOSKVA

MARI VANNA

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STEP THREE

VOLGA-VOLGA

Ginza Project Volga-Volga The restaurant's menu combines culinary traditions of various world cuisines: Italian, European, Thai, Japanese and Russian.

Special attention is given to seafood and fish specialties. Be sure to try the signature dishes: langoustines, seafood in Louisiana, a plateau of oysters, chilli crab or a whole

baked crab with butter sauce and herbs.

Nautical themed interior of the restaurant-ship Volga-Volga is the work of a famous designer Andrei Dmitriev. Bright, natural colors, natural fabrics, comfortable furniture, observation decks, panoramic Windows and functional mobile rooms.

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RIBAI

Ribai

Terrassa

The “Ribai” restaurant is the main meat restaurant of the Ginza Project group, a popular gourmet holding company. At the restaurant "Ribai" you can eat nice portions of steaks of all types. The establishment's original layout combines cozy leather sofas and massive futuristic bull busts!

The iconic project combines one of the most delicious and varied cuisines and a unique for the whole country "Talented Personnel Show" - after all, the steakhouse waiters sing, dance, show tricks and create the most magical restaurant atmosphere in all of Saint Petersburg.

Terrassa is appropriate for evening dinner or business lunch as well as for breakfast with the breathtaking view on Kazan Cathedral. Our morning suggestion provides visitors with energy for a productive day and good mood.

Lovely crepes with caviar and sour creme, English breakfast, granola with yogurt and fresh berries – these are favorite meals of our guests.

The menu features the richest of world cuisines. American, French, Italian, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Russian – all gastronomical traditions are in a harmony with each other, giving visitors great variety and taste. In the window of Raw-bar, right on the ice-cold underlay, there is a full diversity of sea food specialities. Oysters and sea urchins, whole octopus, big lobster, northern shrimps and sturgeon caviar.

TERRASSA

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Grecco Saint Petersburg’s The Grecco restaurant, which has received many awards and nominations, has become one of Russia’s most interesting Mediterranean concepts of 2020.

A small menu is a map of personal experiences, based on the freshness of products, pure taste and brightness of memories. Here they are successfully adjacent gastronomic traditions of Greece,

Italy, the azure coast of France and the Basque country.

All kinds of mezes, including dzajiki, taramasalata from Moroccan octopus, hummus and kalamata olive cream are adjacent to sardines, paste with baked tomatoes, branzino crudo and lentil faxes soup.

The interior is made in the mid-century modern style and offers a gentle respectable atmosphere of the lobby of resort hotels of the 70-80s.

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Letuchiy Gollandec This three-mast sailship moored on Mytninskaya Embankment has been satisfying Saint Petersburg residents and guests of the Northern Capital with magnificent views of the main city sights for more than fifteen years.

In 2021, the ship became a modern multipurpose gastronomic project, with four different concept restaurants, a panoramic bar and a banquet hall – located on an area of more than 3,000 m2.

‘Rechnoy’ is a two-storey restaurant providing guests with a voyage to their favorite seafood flavors.

‘1703 Restaurant’ is inspired by three centuries of Saint Petersburg gastronomic history.

‘The Most’ restaurant has a menu by the brand chef David Ayrault and an original cocktail menu.

‘Melody’ Karaoke and Show is a place where you can sing your favorite songs and have a view of the Hermitage. The art group supports the atmosphere of the evening.

Panoramic banquet hall is intended for large-scale celebrations and festivities.

One of the main trumps is the view terrace on the pontoon, which turns into a photo zone in winter, as well as several terraces on the upper deck.

Not only can you enter the ship from the embankment, but you can also do so from the river, since it has its own berth for yachts and boats.

The decks of the sailship offer breathtaking views of the Hermitage, the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island, drawbridges, St. Isaac’s Cathedral and the Neva River. The table by the panoramic window will be an ideal place for romantic dinner.

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Russian Vodkaroom №1 Russian Vodkaroom №1 was opened in 2008 The favourite restaurant of the citizens is located at the heart of Saint Petersburg not far from the St. Isaac’s Cathedral and the Manezh.

The whole concept of this project from the classic building frontage to the waiters’ appearance takes us back to the imperial 19th century, taking us back to a time where we knew nothing about the World Wars or revolutionary upheavals.

The singularity of the idea lies in placing a restaurant and a thematic exhibition

dedicated to the iconic national Russian spirit under one roof.

The restaurant contains two main halls one for 60 and another for 80 persons as well as a parlour called Cabinet for 14 persons. The rooms are decorated in the same style with slightly varying interior details. Their design includes arches, pastel shades – from ivory-white to olive-green, massive antiqued buffets made of solid wood with inserted mirrors, heavy curtains, and essential bentwood chairs.

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Grebeshki Grebeshki on Arsenalnaya Embankment is a bistro in an ancient factory building with a panoramic view of the Neva river.

Its menu seems to combine incompatible elements – the brutal aesthetics of the Russian north with exquisite dish presentation and personalised service.

The restaurant is made up of a series of interconnected zones that can be easily merged up as one. At the entrance, there is a seafood store. After which is a restaurant with cozy tables overlooking the Neva, with a long bar and a communal table in the center of the hall, serving snacks and wine. The restaurant offers a private cozy hall with fireplaces and candles, soft comfortable sofas and armchairs. The last zone is a large event hall suitable for various kinds of events and activities.

The industrial elements in the concept of the space are emphasized to reflect the spirit and the heritage of the gun carriage workshops that were once located here. The interior is in eco loft style with massive elements made of natural wood and with the abundance of living plants.

The concept of the menu is based on the use of fish and seafood from the Russian north. Scallops, sea urchins and crabs are delivered from the fishing village of Teriberka, located on the shore of the Barents Sea. The chefs don't use any complicated culinary techniques, more natural cooking methods that preserve the original taste of the product. Fish and vegetables are cooked in a charcoal oven adding alder firewood, thus dishes get a smoked flavor.

Special attention is payed to dishes in Surf and Turf style combining meat and seafood in different variations.

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Cococo Cococo Bistro A bistro with simple, straightforward food and a regularly updated menu of seasonal farm products.

Here you can start the day with a breakfast with sparkling wine, have dinner with friends or gather the whole family for dinner, have a snack after a walk in the New Holland Island and take fresh pastries with you.

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COCOCOTURE From the very beginning, since the opening in 2012 and to the present day, COCOCOTURE has been consistently faithful to the main principle to work with farm and seasonal products, to cook from what is harvested, caught and produced in Russia at a specific time of the year.

A little madness, a lot of humor and sometimes unpredictable combinations — this is their style. Combining traditional ingredients, nostalgia for childhood tastes

and modern technologies in one plate, the chef creates a new view of Russian cuisine.

Make sure to try the main performance of COCOCOUTURE – a 14 courses tasting set. It is an opportunity to go through 11 centuries of history and understand the taste of Russia. This way you will try traditional products and reimagine tastes of your childhood, feel nostalgic memories of the past, fairy tales and textbooks of Russian history.

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Kuznyahouse Kuznyahouse is the beating heart of social and cultural life on the New Holland island.

The former foundry building makes home to both a club and a restaurant, where you can spend time almost around the clock: arrange meetings, socialize, work, listen to music and, of course, eat and drink.

Preserving the historic layout, the space was divided into three parts: a ballroom with a bar, a stage and seating that can be removed for music programme and a tea room with large sofas and bookshelves.

In summer, there is a large terrace outside overlooking the island's grassy garden.

The restaurant's chef, Ruslan Zakirov, is inspired by the principles of pure taste, holistic approach and visual aesthetics.

Ruslan gives center stage to comfort food with a healthy twist and a focus on local and seasonal products.

The chef has divided the year into six seasons: winter, spring, early summer, mid summer, late summer and autumn. The menu is revamped every two months to reflect the seasonal concept.

The restaurant's own smokehouse makes salmon, pastrami, ham and other specialities.

Fresh bread made to traditional European recipes is baked daily on the premises.

Kirill Sergeyev, also known as Kito Jempere and a member of the musical group of the same name, is in charge of the venue's musical and intellectual program.

Kirill shapes up the entire musical part of the project, from background music to international guest artists.

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Vasileostrovsky Market The market is located on Vasilievsky Island – in the heart of the city, where the spirit is so tangible.

The market is historical – dating back to the 18th century – and for many generations of Petersburgians visiting it became a heartwarming tradition. This legendary market is still a gathering spot for locals and visitors, having combined modern conceptual restaurants and an authentic grocery market.

In the last five years Saint Petersburg has become a top gastronomic tourism destination. The geniuses of Petersburg's culinary school are defined by innovative approach, treating creating new dishes as a form of art. Vasileostrovsky Market brings together those who created this recognisable gastronomic portrait of the Northern Palmira and residents from Moscow, who have had great success there. Creators of this project did the

impossible – resolved the ever lasting feud between the two capitals: more than 30 restaurant concepts from cities so different in their character, wonderfully compliment each other here.

They say to better understand the culture of a country one should visit a local market. Many travellers say that local goods they see at Vasileostrovsky Market give a glimpse into gastronomic secrets of our culture.

Almost everyone living here has been late for bridges at least once, unintentionally but gladly had to walk up and down the river embankments and come morning would rush to the market to buy freshly baked bread and a cup of specialty coffee. So as a visitor you too, should at least once be late for bridges during the white nights and start your day at the Vasileostrovsky Market!

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Novikov Group Saint Petersburg boasts a trio of restaurants from the Novikov Group.

Nama Nama is a modern Asian restaurant from Pinskiy & Co and Novikov Group. The concept is based on Asian cuisine, where the principles of clean, healthy food and high quality of the product are observed.

The menu includes sushi, sashimi and hand rolls from salmon, bluefin tuna, eel, scallop and ebi shrimp, bowls. The bar list contains Asian drinks: sake, fruit wine from Japan, Asian whiskey, specialty cocktails. In summer, a cozy patio terrace with a sun and rain awning is available.

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Avocado Queen

Syrovarnya

Avocado Queen is a joint project of Pinskiy & Co and Novikov Group.

Avocado cult, original healthy comfort food menu from brand chef Glen Ballis.

We combined the benefits of avocado with the sophistication of modern gastronomic trends. They make toasts with avocado, knead it into salads, grind it into gazpacho. The wine list contains over 60 samples from small wineries and large wine houses. Light interior with vintage effect. The walls are decorated with plaster, replicating the texture of the avocado.

The village restaurant Syrovarnya is the first joint project of Pinskiy & Co and Novikov Group in Saint Petersburg.

Simple dishes are prepared, combining seasonal produce and signature classics.

Serving European dishes in a rustic style with generous portions. The emphasis is on the quality of the product. The restaurant produces it's own cheese.

There are many dishes with the addition of local cheeses, they can also be purchased at the restaurant's shop.

The wood-fired oven is used to bake pizza and cook farm chickens, pasta is also hand made here.

AVOCADO QUEEN

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The Blok The Blok restaurant is situated on the roof of the Leningrad Center in the Tavrichesky Garden.

The concept is to serve cuisine from the Russian provincial regions and on the other hand serve the best quality Russian meat which is said to surpass existing foreign rivals. Both traditional and present-day recipes are cooked with a huge variety of meat dishes – more than 60 dishes including veal cheeks and steaks, half of which are unique to The Blok.

Blok’s founder, Alexander Rappoport, promises to do his best to make Blok the number one meat restaurant in Russia.

The biggest sections in the menu are Cold Meat and Fried, Boiled and Stewed Meat. The Cold Meat section has various sorts of tartare and carpaccio. The Fried, Boiled and Stewed Meat has dozens of steaks, stewed beef ribs with juniper berries, onion Confit or oranges, venison

or quail Stroganoff, and also khashlama, pelmeni, osso buco, roasted duck, veal cheeks, roasted marrowbones and cabbage rolls. The section Cold Dishes Without Meat is also worth noticing. Here you’ll find such rare dishes as Big Caspian herring, Narva lampreys, Murmansk scallops, Sakhalin shrimps, Soloviev's and Crimean oysters, burbot liver.

The interior design of the restaurant uses approaches a mix of riotous technoeclectic style and totally classic layout.

The result is a bright, multi-level and ceremonial space, literally bathed in the river of light originating in a giant chandelier and divided into multiple streams reflecting in the mirrors built into the backs of the sofas. The most important details of the project are panoramic windows with views to the Tavrichesky Garden, glass roof, fireplaces of grated brass, multimedia panel walls arranged according to the museum hanging, the so-called trellis hanging.

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ECLIPSE Restaurant ECLIPSE Restaurant is the first fine-dining restaurant in the vicinity of Saint Petersburg.

The concept is based on two main principles: the ability to take the best of nature from the season and show a wide open view of working with a product.

Sergey Fokin is a brand-chef of the project, who worked in several projects in Saint-Petersburg and Italy.

Soon the ECLIPSE restaurant in Repino will open in an updated format – ECLIPSEClassic.

ECLIPSEClassic is a reference to the traditional school of Haute cuisine, which has its origins in France. Haute cuisine Cuisine of "big" establishments, fine dining restaurants and luxury hotels around the world. It is characterized by a premium product, exquisite presentation of dishes and a high level of service.

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Rubinshteyna Rubinshteyna is a centrally located melting pot of all sorts of restaurants, bars and cafés.

There are over 50 establishments on the street, all bringing a new and exotic flavour to Saint Petersburg.

On any given night of the week, or during the day for that matter, the street is brimming with locals and tourists. Here are just a few visual tasters.

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Step four

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04

Where to go

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STEP FOUR

Where to go SAINT PETERSBURG SUBURBS The Saint Petersburg suburbs are the most valuable treasures of the city, picturesquely decorating it like a pearl necklace.

The royal residences with majestic and magnificent parks are the main attractions of the Northern capital’s suburbs. Besides the ensembles of palaces and parks, there are many castles, museums, natural monuments and other interesting constructions there.

Thanks to the developed transport accessibility, the way from Saint Petersburg to the suburbs is quick and comfortable.

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STEP FOUR

Peterhof For 200 years Peterhof was a gala summer residence of the Russian emperors, and now it’s one of the main attractions in the Northern capital’s surroundings.

Its world-famous palaces and parks represent the unique pieces of Russian culture and art of the XVIII-XIX centuries.

The fountains of Peterhof are the jewels of this place and the brightest symbol of Saint Petersburg. There are over 170 fountains and water cascades on the

territory of Peterhof, created during the Peter the Great’s reign to mark the Russia's victory in the Northern War, which provided access to the waters of the Baltic Sea. One of the most famous of them is the "Samson tearing the lion's Jaws" at the foot of the Grand Cascade.

In 1990 the architectural and park ensemble "Peterhof" was included into the UNESCO World Heritage List, and in 2008 it was recognized as one of the Seven wonders of Russia.

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Tsarskoye Selo The State Museum-Reserve "Tsarskoye Selo" with its palaces and parks is located in the city of Pushkin. It was laid as a Tsar’s residence, which originated as an estate given by the Emperor to his wife, and its history dates back to the XVII-XIX centuries.

The best examples of Baroque and Classicism are concentrated in Tsarskoye Selo. It was here that the first Art Nouveau interiors appeared in the Russian capital.

The Grand Hall and the Golden Suite of ceremonial rooms are the most delighting in their luxury decoration, and the restored famous Amber Room being among them.

Entering the palace, today one can feel the spirit of the Elizabeth’s and the Catherine’s eras and get acquainted with unique works of fine and applied art.

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Gatchina Gatchina is a small town in the Leningrad region, being its capital and a picturesque corner, where one breathes the beauty of the surrounding nature and enjoys the architecture of several centuries.

Being the main Gatchina’s attraction and its postcard known all over the world, a complex of historical buildings and unique parks appeared here during the reign of Empress Catherine II and was developed over centuries by famous architects.

Originally, Catherine II presented the estate to Count Grigory Orlov in gratitude for his help in ascending to the throne, later the palace served as the emperors’ residence.

The Gatchina Palace is an undoubted pearl of the reserve. Its huge structure is built in an unusual architectural style of an English hunting castle, which fully corresponds to the spirit and proportions of Classicism. The building on the hill dominates over the surroundings and impresses with its grandeur.

The Palace Park covers more than a hundred hectares of cultivated land with many gardens and buildings. The forest and lawns, exquisite pavilions, twisting pathways, figured bridges, rivers and ponds magnetically draw travelers in.

In 1881 inventor Stepan Dzhevetsky demonstrated the first submarine in the Silver Lake. In 1910 a military airfield was created in Gatchina and the first Russian aeronautical school opened here.

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Pavlovsk A huge park area with magnificent palace, pavilions and historical buildings forms the museum’s infrastructure and the main landscapes of the Pavlovsk reserve, located in the nearest Petersburg’s suburb.

Designed in a strict style of classicism, the palace and park ensemble was created in the 18-19th centuries as a summer

residence of the successor to the throne.

Pavlovsk is a great place for walks, excursions, photo shoots at any time of the year, whether it's a snowy winter or bright and colorful summer, spring or autumn.

Guided excursions are held inside the palace, telling about its history and showing unique interior objects that have survived to the present day.

Nowadays it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Land of Forts Land of Forts is a new tourist and recreational cluster in the historic city of Kronstadt, created as part of a project aimed at integrated territory development.

Land of Forts preserves history through restoration and draws UNESCO cultural heritage monuments into economic circulation. It also creates conditions for the development of tourism and improving the quality of life for the locals.

Land of Forts Park Land of Forts Park is the central public space of the cluster, with an area of 10 ha.

There are three historical zones in the park – the Alley of Heroes of the Russian Navy, the Memorial Lighthouse and an outdoor exposition named ‘From Steamships to a Nuclear-powered Navy’. There is also an infrastructure complex for children.

A regular water route to the park was launched from Saint Petersburg to Kronstadt in 2021. The territory famous for its naval history can be reached in just an hour by hydrofoil via a water route that starts from the Senatskaya Pier in the very center of Saint Petersburg. Passengers can also embark at the pier on the Palace Embankment.

The park is a popular recreation place for Kronstadt residents and guests of the city.

It’s attendance reaches 4,500 on weekdays and from 9,000-17,000 on weekends.

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Infrastructure for tourism By 2025, there will be two 3-Star and 4-Star hotels, a Naval Museum with the first Soviet nuclear submarine as the central exhibit, and a yacht port with all the amenities, such as a heated boathouse, apartments, a customs terminal and a gas station.

Additionally, the ‘Kronschlot’, ‘Peter the First’ and ‘Emperor Alexander the First’ forts will be restored and adapted to modern use by 2025.

A museum complex dedicated to the first fort in Kronstadt is planned to be built at

‘Kronschlot’, and also a site for festivities, a bureau of civil registrations, restaurants, souvenir shops and a cinema. ‘Peter the First’ will welcome guests with a mine explosives museum, viewing platforms, a restaurant, and a wine cellar. Large spaces for cultural events including fairs will also be organized there. The ‘Emperor Alexander the First’ fort will house a museum of the history of combating infectious diseases, a restaurant complex and hotel rooms.

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Where to go MOSCOW AND SAINT PETERSBURG ‘Two cities – million impressions!’ is a brand and a motto of a joint project of the two largest tourist Russian centers - Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

The two capitals have united their tourist potentials thus offering travelers a joint exciting program with a single calendar of events.

Thanks to the developed transport

infrastructure, tourist trips are now more diverse, covering the best events in the largest cities of Russia.

The way from Saint Petersburg to Moscow is comfortable by car on the M-11 highway, as well as by train or by plane. Residents of both cities and tourists from other Russian regions often enjoy traveling this way.

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Where to go SILVER NECKLACE OF RUSSIA Saint Petersburg is the Russia's largest travel hub and a starting or final point for many tourist routes.

Thus, to enjoy the distinctive beauty of the Russian North, one can go along the routes of the ‘Silver Necklace of Russia’, which unites historical cities, regional centers, large settlements of the entire Russian North-West.

Tourists will see unique historical and cultural monuments, natural sites, including those on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Among them are the Kenozersk’s National Park in the Arkhangelsk region and the Manpupuner geological monument in the Komi Republic; the ancient Russian cities of Pskov, Veliky Novgorod and others; the Valaam Monastery in the Republic of Karelia and many other attractions of the Russian North-West.

Traveling by various transport means is available, including rail, plane and car journeys or river cruises.

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Where to go ECO ROUTES The eco-routes around Saint Petersburg: the Komarovsky Coast and Sestroretsk Swamp eco-pathways, Lindulovskaya Grove, Gatchina Ecological Trail and many others – are for nature lovers, who can take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and come here for a pleasant walk.

The route of the Komarovsky Coast eco-pathway runs along a littoral terrace stretching from the shore of the Finnish Gulf to a steep hillside near the borders of the Komarovo country houses. This terrace represents the bottom of the ancient Littoral Sea, and the slope (ledge of the littoral terrace) is its shore.

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A significant part of the Sestroretsk Swamp eco-path goes through the remnants of the old seas’ embankments overgrown with pine forest. These seas were the forerunners of the Baltic Sea (up to 10 thousand years old). One can also meet sloping hills dating back to glacial times, now being like islands in the middle of the swamp.

Lindulovskaya Grove is the oldest larch reserve in Europe, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as "The Historical Center of Saint Petersburg with neighboring monuments". The

history of this protected place started in 1738. According to the legend, the future reserve sprang into life thanks to the Peter I’s desire to grow ship timber for the Kronstadt shipyard.

All eco-routes are designed for independent tourists, who would find various facilities for comfortable traveling, including information stands and signs, so it is impossible to get lost on the route. All eco-paths run in the picturesque places, giving a great opportunity to enjoy nature and take a break from busy city life.

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Where to go GOLF IN SAINT PETERSBURG Peterhof Golf Club & Simulation Golf Сenter on Fontanka Peterhof Golf Club is the one and only Saint Petersburg 18 holes professional golf club. The course is designed by Greg Norman and Steve Forest, two leading world architects, by combining two different golf styles – Nine Links and classical Parkland. It is located in a picturesque Peterhof suburb, some 30 minutes ride from Pulkovo Airport and 45 minutes from city center. Located just 3 km away from Peterhof fountains, this new championship golf course was laid out with intricate design features

and exacting details. The club has a developed infrastructure and highquality service for accepting foreign golf tourists. In winter, the club opens an indoor range in the Center of Saint Petersburg, so that golfers and guests of the city can train their skills all year round.

Since 2017 Peterhof Golf Club has been honored to host the annual Golf Tournament in the scope of the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum official program — SPIEFF ROSSCONGRESS GOLF CUP. Members of the world establishment and business elite play on the course.

It also hosts the annual Turkish Airlines tournament.

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