Alternative city breaks - St Petersburg, Russia

There are some timeless classics when it comes to European city breaks, but this means that these cities are besieged by crowds. Luckily there are other, less-visited options that are surprisingly similar...

St Petersburg, Russia
Instead of: Venice.
Who for? Water and art-lovers.
Why? The former Russian capital was partially modelled on Venice, after Peter the Great decided to build a great city on over 100 islands. Consequently, once the winter mist descends, it has many of the same magical qualities.
Highlights: St Petersburg also has its own party equivalent of the Venice Carnival - summer's White Nights festival is a cultural haven - and collections of priceless art. The Hermitage in the massive Winter Palace is the key place to head to for the biggest masterpieces.

Search: Hidden gems of Europe | Eastern European cities
Be there: Flights to St Petersburg | Hotels in St Petersburg | St Petersburg travel guide
Related articles: Travelling in Europe | Top 10 most romantic cities