The Peter and Paul fortress is a popular sight and prominent feature of St Petersburg’s magnificent skyline.

Travelling by cruise ferry on a city break is popular in Finland. There is enjoyable food, drinks and entertainment onboard as well as shopping in the duty-free stores. And, on waking, there is a new overseas city to explore. Helsinki is an ideal starting point for this kind of journey and now the route between Helsinki and St Petersburg has opened for passenger traffic.

The Princess Maria, operated by St Peter Line, is a former Silja Line vessel and has a capacity of 1600 passengers and 400 cars. The duration of the crossing is 12 hours and cabins can be booked in different classes. The ship features several restaurants and music bars and clubs, a casino, a cigar bar and a duty-free shop.

Another novelty is the fact that no visa is required if the return leg of the journey is started within 72 hours of arrival and a city-sightseeing tour is included in the trip. Another condition of the stay includes a hotel reservation for overnight stays. These are the perfect conditions for a city break and a relaxing sea journey in one.

St Petersburg is considered to be Russia’s cultural capital and is a fascinating city full of palaces, museums and bridges, which is why it is also called “the Venice of the north”. In the centre, most of the historic architecture in the Baroque and neoclassical style from the 18th and 19th century has been preserved. The main avenue, Nevsky Prospect, is one of the most famous streets in Russia. It leads through the historic centre and is the hub for shopping and nightlife as well.

The most famous attractions are the Hermitage, St Isaac’s Cathedral and the Mariinsky theatre, where some of Russia’s most celebrated classical artists have played, sung and danced. The Hermitage consists of the famous winter palace and four other buildings. It houses the largest art collection in Russia, with 2.7 million exhibits. The dome of St. Isaac’s Cathedral is the most prominent feature of St Petersburg’s skyline and the view on the city from the colonnade is a magnificent reward for climbing the 300 steps.

NINA RATAVAARA
HT
LEHTIKUVA / AFP PHOTO / MAXIM MARMUR