Travelling to Saint Petersburg (Russia)?

Russia is (by far) the largest country in the world. Population density outside the few major cities (Moscow, St. Petersburg) is very low. Siberia is almost "empty". The best way to see the place is either by a) taking a really, really long vacation or b) taking the Trans-siberian Railway fro Vladivostok to Moscow covering 5 time zones and 11000 kilometers.

For practical (touristic) purposes we split up Russia in 2 parts: 1) Russia in Europe and 2) Russia in Asia.

Saint Petersburg is "the other city" that tourists to Russia must see. For decades it was called Leningrad but in 1990 it received its original name before the revolution. All tourists will spend at least a little time at the world famous art gallery "The Hermitage", with more paintings of international artists than anywhere else (incl. The Louvre).

In spring (March-April) there are the "white nights" thanks to its Northern Location (same as Oslo or Stockholm).