The festival takes place for about a month in January and February. There are lots of different festival events around the city but the best place to head is the Al Qurum National Park where the main events take place. It's a great place see local musicians, dancers and demonstrations of local culture. It's also a great place to see the local people letting their hair down.

www.muscat-festival.com/english/index.html

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This cathedral rarely gets a mention, but because it is often overlooked it is fantastic to visit. You don't have to jostle with other tourists and its cool blue walls look absolutely fantastic in the snow. It's a few minutes south of the Yusupov Palace.

Prospekt Rimskogo-Korsakova or just follow the Griboedova Canal west from Nevsky Prospekt for about 15 minutes

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If you're in St. Petersburg in the summer then don't miss the chance to visit Peterhof. The fountains are spectacular but unfortunately do not operate in the winter. The easiest way to get there is by hydrofoil which leaves from behind the Hermitage. It takes 30 minutes to get there.

www.peterhof.org

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During weekends in the summer it's possible to take a helicopter tour above St Petersburg. The cost is around $30 and the helicopters take off and land on the lawn beyond the northern wall of the Peter and Paul Fortress. Just follow the deafening noise…

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On the St Petersburg metro you buy tokens (zhetony) although you can also buy multiple-trip travelcards as well. If you ask for 'zhetony' on the Moscow metro they won't know what you're talking about. They only have tickets (bilety).

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There are plenty of short-trip riverboats that ply the Neva near the Hermitage, but there are also ones that go much further afield, heading up the Neva River and across Lake Ladoga in the summer. Valaam monastery is a popular and stunning destination and can be visited on a one day/two night excursion. There are lots of other destinations and options.

River Terminal, near Proletarskaya metro station; tel: 262 02 39;
petersburgcity.com/city/transport/watercommunication/watercommunications/

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