Visiting Saint Petersburg? Why not venture to Finland, a rail journey of less than four hours? While Russia is all about grand palaces, museums, and heritage structures, Finland has all the elements for spending a few relaxing days in the lap of nature. Here are a few interesting ideas to make your visit more appealing and delightful.
Experience a thrilling train journey!
Travel quickly from Helsinki to Saint Petersburg by Allegro Train, which offers the most afforable and time-saving option available between the two cities. With a travel time of about 3.5 hours, and four convenient departure times daily, the Allegro makes for an extremely comfortable journey. Onboard amenities include Wi-Fi, a play area for the kids, and a separate dining area. Cabins are well-maintained and immaculately clean. Tickets may be booked online, and passengers may choose either business or economy class, depending upon budget.
Explore the iconic Hermitage Museum!
One of the world's oldest museums, the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg also houses one of the world's most famous art collections. The landmark structure is located within the Winter Palace and includes more than 1,500 rooms full of breathtaking work. It would take visitors more than a day to tour the entire museum and its many ancellary buildings.
Tour Saint Petersburg by canal!
Though canals have declined in popularity as a daily mode of transportation, I recommend that you consider exploring Saint Petersburg by boat. Goethe once dubbed the city "the Venice of the North." Many of the city's most famous and beautiful palaces and cathedrals are built along the canals, so you won't miss anything by relying on the canals a chief mode of transportation there.
Visit the islands of Suomenlinna!
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the protected Suomenlinna Islands in the Gulf of Finland are only 20 minutes by ferry from Helsinki. Constructed in the 18th century, the fortress of Sveaborg is the main attraction, though there's also a park, a museum, and an art gallery to explore.
Indulge in the peace of Seurasaari!
In the bay at Helsinki, this remarkable resort-island is connected by a footbridge the mainland. Forested Seurasaari's open-air museum includes old wooden structures rescued from endangered sites throughout the country.
Together, Helsinki and Saint Petersburg provide travelers an ideal destination for the exploration of the Gulf of Findland. With the convenient connectivity of train routes between the two, it's easy for the tourists to cover the best of the the gulf in one easy vacation.
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