First Thoughts on Russia | We Spent 48 Hours in St Petersburg, Russia

After our insane Russian visa nightmare we are so glad to arrive here in St Petersburg...these are our first thoughts on the country.

We have 48 hours in St Petersburg so we are going to show you as much as possible to do in this incredible city which started off by working out the Metro systems...going to the deepest one in Russia - Admiralteyskaya station. It's so cost effective to use the Metro system, less than a $1 and there's no zones - jump on and just jump off when you are done.

Our first stop was obviously coffee, so we went to Pyshechnaya which is a cafe set up like an old soviet style restaurant where all they sell is cheap coffee and one style of donut.

Next up we headed to the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood which is a breathtaking church best described as a gingerbread house - and if you think outside looks stunning - wait till you go inside and see the 1000's of mosaics lining the walls.

To find the best views in St Petersburg we recommend you head to St Isaac's Cathedral.

If you are looking for some of the best museums in the world - head to the Hermitage Museum (the Winter Palace) and also head to Catherines Summer Palace - both very grand and opulent.

If you want to try some Russian food - we recommend Советское кафе Квартирка - which is an old soviet style restaurant set up like an old soviet home. Amazing food - we recommend you try

"We Tried Russian Food in St Petersburg"
- Vareniki (Potatoes & Mushroom dumpling)
- Cherry Vareniki
- Pirzhok Pie (cabbage and egg)
- Rasstegai Pie (fish)
- Napoleon Cake with Custard
- Ukrainian Cottage Cheese Pancake

and finally 2 end your 2 days in St Pettersburg - head on a river boat to see the best views around the city :)

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FLYING THE NEST:

STEPHEN:

JESS:

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Hi, we are Stephen & Jess, Australian vloggers documenting our first year of leaving home and travelling around the globe. We want to inspire others to venture out, explore, take risks and go on our own adventure!!

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[flyingthenest]

Welcome to Russia everybody! Cannot believe we are saying this - we are honestly so excited to be here :) Have you been? What should we see, do and eat?

[siobhan]

I visted Russia for the first time last August. It was an absolute dream come true. My mum and I stayed in St Petersburg and we fell in love with it. There are so many negative things said about Russia, you really need to go there for yourself to see how wonderful it is.

[tommy]

Приятно видеть людеЙ, которые приезжают в гости, стараются что-то новое узнать о нашей стране и культуре, а не просто забить инстраграмм фотками)

[ГеоргийТимофеевский-хх]

>всего 45 рублей, то есть меньше доллара
Больно

[dominikadworakowska]

Yesterday I just came back from a 10 day trip to St. Petersburg and i really love this place💕🇷🇺😘

[MarinaandAfshinTravel]

OMG i cant believe russia is this beautiful, i always want to travel to russia but till now did not happen, im sure i will, russian people so lovely and kind, try to find some Russian people and spend one day with them, they are so fun and happy... just love it ❤🇷🇺🇷🇺

[weisswald]

Дорогие соотечественники и просто русскоговорящие!

Как автор субтитров, хочу извиниться за возможные ошибки и непрофессионализм в переводе - этим на постоянке не занимаюсь, но после многих комментариев здесь в духе "ничего не понял, но интересно))" вдруг я возжелал помочь чем мог.

Надеюсь, удалось!:)

[yanareshetnikova]

Thank you so much for trying to explore Russia and showing it to the world!

[lordshango]

I don’t blame you for being surprised and amazed at the sounds and sights of Russia. Just like you, all of us have been fed such negative and demeaning information about Russia by the Western media we think Russia is some backwoods country inhabited by grim, dreary faced, extremely poor and hungry people who eat babies for breakfast!!! Instead of promoting peace, understanding and love amongst nations, our media rather spreads misinformation and hate. That’s really sad. Anyway, good job on the nice video!!!

[ThePlutRus]

Тот случай, когда живешь среди этой красоты, но забываешь её замечать.

[paulsdancing]

After being told a whole lifetime, how drab and run down Russia is, it is very pleasant to see your happy expressions and amazing colorful places you are showing us. Thank you for sharing. With love a Slavic Canadian.

[santap]

Wow it looks more beautiful than Paris and Luvra! I must go there!

[syedamarmusa]

Why the hell Russia is so underrated, their image must be portrayed with honest approach like these vloggers did. Loved St Pete 🇷🇺❤️

[АндрейКошевой-жм]

Не хотел комментировать.Но съёмки профессиональные, монтаж тоже. Моё почтение.

[theresabigwideworld]

Catherine Palace is even more amazing when you know that in World War II when the Germans were pushed away from Leningrad (which is what St Petersburg was called during the Soviet era) as they retreated they gutted the Catherine Palace. They deliberately destroyed parts of it and just the shell remained. Sections of the palace were burnt, what you see now is restoration work that's taken place since the end of World War II. It's not finished, there's burnt sections still to be restored. St Petersburg is such a beautiful city, I think it's the loveliest city in Europe.

[sdoukhobor]

Guys! Thank you so much for your honest, positive video about your trip to Russia. Im Russian, living in Toronto, and so tired of negativity in local media about Russian people and Russia.
Thanks again!!!! Good luck in everything Sergei

[shifrovki]

48 hours is too short for SPb. It is like you opened beautiful jewelry box full of stuff and closed it right away. You need at least one week there. For example, there are 6 summer palaces around the city, each unique and worth to see.

[Valery]

В пышечной специально бумага, так как салфетки к сладким пышкам прилипают, пропитываются маслом и пачкают пальцы.

[MeesNukk]

My mum used to get donuts and coffee from that shop when she was a uni student in Leningrad in the 70’s.

[stanspb]

It looks like you came in the very early spring because the city was not covered with beautiful flowers I have been in 91 countries and St Petersburg was always my favorite In the 90s all Russia cities had a hard time but after 2000 it has been dramatic improvement every month. I finally moved here in 2000 and watched the progress, quality of life, personal and economic security, personal freedom and services improve constantly. I came from the US and no one can say anything really has gotten better in 35 years there. I love here, so much more social, cultured and safe than European or US cities. There are not many places in Europe or N.A. where a woman, alone would be perfectly safe walking through any neighborhood at 3am. Cost of living is low, taxes are low, medical care access is cheap for noncitizens and free for residents. Free university if one passed entry exams and very modest costs if one has to buy entrance if not passing the entrance exams. 1-4 years of paid family leave so it is a great place to raise a family. Cultural activities in most countries are for the wealthy only, for example, opera at the MET is around $800 while here it is about $30 and free if a student, from any country, even a tourist student with a student body card. For a large city, it is remarkably laid back and friendly.. It is likely the most educated city in the most educated country. You will have to really look to find a non-college grad.I have hundreds of local friends and know no one who does not have a degree. It is also very low stress, has great public transportation, very social and the easiest city I have found in the world to meet interesting new friends. There are thousands of American and European expats living here and none want to go back home.
One reason it is so pleasant is the great tolerance of differences in opinion, no one cares and no one will get angry like in the US. Also, the relations between men and women is much more harmonious without the battles over equal rights... women had full rights for over 100 years so wages or preferences are not even considered as a disagreement. More businesses are head by women, as are more universities and agencies. So any interaction is on a personal level instead of a political agenda and there is a general belief that men and women are different although not one superior in anything just different in nature. Manners and politeness are important parts of the interaction, woman are given a seat on buses or metro by men as a show of respect, flowers are very often given to friends or family. Women tend to be a lot more feminine and dress well while being very accomplished in their field or education, men are expected to be educated, traditionally respectable, honest, trustworthy and protective of children and women. If you are polite and have something interesting to say, you can walk up to any person and be welcome to start a conversation. Friendships tend to be for life.