Moody Roza

I was romanticizing about visiting Saint Petersburg on countless occasions in my life. In my head I would get there by a locomotive train, carrying a Louis Vuitton – style trunk in one hand and a delicate white lace umbrella in the other, my many assistants would roll more trunks filled with puffy gowns and precious jewels for me to wear at the imaginary balls and social events I was to attend at my final destination. I would then be greeted by a handsome gentleman in a bowler hat, who would kiss my hand and compliment my looks and then whisk me away in his VIP carriage. As you can imagine this plan fell through but when I was invited to be the guest of honor at the Saint Petersburg Fashion Week I knew that this was an unmissable chance to finally turn that Petersburgian fantasy into reality. Let’s say it was an adventure waiting to happen and not only in my head.

Being born in the Soviet Union I always knew that this city has been the beating heart of Russia’s culture throughout it’s history, but nothing prepared me for all the stories (most of which are very tragic) I was about to discover about this town. The Russian monarchy (The Romanov Dynasty) who ruled for over 100 years sure left their mark around here so much so that I have to admit that being in St Petersburg did feel a little haunting. Soon I realized that the spooky history of this town comes with an incredibly profound value of education, extremely lavish and opulent architecture and a serious amount of cultural activities. This post is all about what I saw in this heavily embellished city I so wanted to visit and what I think you should see too if you ever get there:

Here is your plan of action

Stroll around the Summer Garden.
Shop in: Opening Store inside the Galeria Shopping center, 8 Storw Show Room, Tatyana Parfionova, Asya Malbershtein and DLT department store.
Wait in line for tickets to the Hermitage, the most beautiful museum in the world.

Enjoy a ballet or a play in a privet booth just like they Romanovs used to at the Mikhailovsky Theater.
Stay at the W Hotel.
If by any chance you are not Russian, never had Russian friends and never went to dinner at their grandma’s please be prepared for some awkward looking food with funny names! Eat at the Duo Gastro Bar, Palkin, Tsar and счастье.
No matter the weather do yourself and all your senses a favor & don’t miss a visit to the Tzar’s village.