Alexander III decided to put together a collection of Russian art. Nicholas II, his son, founded this museum in his honour in 1895.

I really enjoyed it. It may not be as famous as the Hermitage, but it is a far more authentic Russian experience as it only has Russian art. The queues are far shorter as well, which is a bonus!

After the Revolution, the museum benefited massively from state confiscations of privately owned artworks. The museum's collection includes over 400,000 artworks covering the complete history of Russian art, from 11th century icons to work by contemporary artists.

www.rusmuseum.ru/eng/home/

Saint-Petersburg,
4 Inzhenernaya Str.
It's not open on Tuesdays.

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When I was there, quite often museums or cathedrals would not be open on the day I planned to visit them. Most places seem to have at least one day off a week and are usually shut on the last Thursday of every month.

Everywhere seems to offer a cheaper price for Russians than it does for foreigners, though there are ways to pay slightly less. Most places accept student cards and the OAP age is about 50, so if you are old or young you can get a discount.

I was lucky enough to go with Russian speakers, and we just pretended we were Russian usually!

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The only way to view the greatest of the treasures in St Petersburg Hermitage Museum is on a private tour. You will need a guide and an appointment, both of which can be arranged by Exeter International, a specialist tour operator with offices in the UK and Russia. What you will see there will blow your mind.

Exeter International
020 8956 2756
www.exeterinternational.co.uk

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This hotel, formerly knew as Nevsky 22, is comfortable, if you desire to spend your stay in the city centre of Petersburg.

In fact, it takes just a few minutes to get to the Hermitage (what a museum!). What is more, Nevsky Prospect is amazing: this boulevard was built in the 18th century and it is full of Italian and French influence: Saint Petersburg is really the union of two different cultures!

10 Bolshaya Konyushennaya St, 191186 St. Petersburg.
Tel: +7 812 3123131
Fax: +7 812 7033861
Website: www.nevskygrandhotel.com

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Not particularly easy to find, as even when you’ve located the street, it’s hidden away in a courtyard behind a black wooden gate with a step-through opening. Once you do find it however, there awaits an interesting insight into the life of Russia’s most famous poet. It’s a fairly typical museum house, with all the usual artifacts, so you need the audio guide to fill in the stories behind them. It’s very likely you’ll have the place to yourself as it’s off the beaten tourist track. There’s a café there too, once you’ve had your fill of Pushkin.

Naberezhnaya Reki Moyki (near the Hermitage)

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Museum of the history of vodka making in Russia, tours in English available - all displays are in Russian, You get to try the produce at the end of the tour!

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