The Best Weekend Getaways Near St Petersburg

St Petersburg, Russia
St Petersburg, Russia | © Katatonia / Pixabay
Anastasiia Ilina

If it so happens that you are in St Petersburg for a longer period of time, it is well worth considering a weekend trip out of the city. St Petersburg is not only well connected to other cities in Russia, but it also offers a variety of overseas destinations within easy reach. Here is a selection of trips that will make for a perfect weekend getaway.

Moscow

The first choice of weekend destination from St Petersburg is Russia’s capital, Moscow. The city has much to offer and will keep visitors busy not only for a weekend but for over a week. A trip to Moscow should start around the iconic Red Square where you can see the Kremlin and St Basil’s Cathedral and visit Lenin’s Mausoleum. There are many museums that cater toward the interests of art fans, history addicts and those with literature interests. If you’re pressed for time, the Tretyakov Gallery is the most renowned in Moscow, containing a large collection of Russian art. There are various ways to get to Moscow from St Petersburg, but the easiest and fastest is taking the high-speed train, Sapsan, connecting these two cities.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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View onto Kremlin quay at night

Veliky Novgorod

Veliky Novgorod is a city of great importance to the history of Russia. At its height, Veliky Novgorod was the capital of the Novgorod Republic, the cradle of Russian democracy. The city has also served as a defence line between Sweden and Russia. Numerous times the rulers of Novgorod have led their people into battle, often coming out victorious. Among the main landmarks of Novgorod is the Novgorod Kremlin, a fortress surrounded by a moat dating back to the 15th century. Novgorod is also home to one of the oldest cathedrals in Russia, the Cathedral of St Sophia, dating back to the 11th century. In a nutshell, there is much to be discovered here by history lovers. There are trains that travel between Veliky Novgorod and St Petersburg, with a journey time of around three hours depending on the number of stops.

The Veliky Novgorod Kremlin

Pskov

Pskov may be a small city, but it boasts hundreds of years of history. Pskov served as a cultural and religious centre, as many of rulers of old Russia were born here. Among the major landmarks is the undefeated Pskov Kremlin, which allegedly surrendered only once and only because of treason from within its walls. It also remains a centre for pilgrimage, as many Orthodox Christians come to worship the holy places here, such as the Pskovo-Pechersky monastery. Many literature lovers are also attracted by this destination to complete a literary pilgrimage. The Pushkinskiye Gori locality is located just outside of Pskov. It is the final resting place of renowned Russian poet Alexander Pushkin and also a place where he completed a number of his works.

Trinity Cathedral in Pskov

Helsinki

The route to Helsinki from St Petersburg is a very popular one. For instance, many Russians like to travel to Finland to go shopping, but many also appreciate a change of scenery for the weekend. Those who arrive by train (although there are many other ways to travel) will come into Helsinki central station. It is worth spending a day here exploring the city and admiring landmarks such as Helsinki Cathedral. An experience not to miss, though, is a trip outside of the cities to admire the beautiful nature of Finland. For tourists and locals, there are a number of spa hotels where you can unwind for a weekend, enjoy nature walks and simply the peace and quiet. In the winter, Finland turns into a winter wonderland. It is common practice to rent a cottage in the woods, where you can enjoy fun in the snow during the day and then unwind in the sauna in the evenings.

Helsinki Cathedral

Stockholm

Although St Petersburg and Stockholm are not connected by land, it is still a very popular weekend getaway. Most visitors from St Petersburg come by ferry, spending one night in Helsinki prior to arriving. It’s a quick and convenient way to travel, and since you spend the nights on board, there’s no need to worry about accommodation. While you’re there make sure to wander around the hilly cobblestoned streets of the old city, popping into cafes along the way. Also if you’re travelling with kids, a popular attraction is the Vasa Museum housed in a 17th-century ship. And for the ABBA fans out there, Stockholm has an ABBA Museum filled with band memorabilia.

Stockholm Royal Palace

Tallinn

The capital of Estonia, Tallinn, is a historic city perfect for a weekend getaway. It contains a mix of medieval architecture combined with and modern food and restaurant scene. The highlight of a visit to Tallinn is walking through the historic city centre, where you can see the town hall, along with remains of the city walls and its towers. In the upper part of town, you will see the Toompea Castle, the seat of the Estonian Parliament. If you have an extra day to spare, travel outside Tallinn to spend some time enjoying nature and take leisurely strolls through the Estonian wilderness, admiring the forests and lakes. There is a selection of ways to get to Tallinn from St Petersburg, the most popular and cheapest being by bus.

Tallinn Old City

Minsk

Minsk is a city yet to be discovered by tourists, making it a great place if you want to enjoy a new city without crowds of people at every landmark. In the daytime, you can enjoy walks along the river and admire the grandeur of the Soviet architecture, and in the evening discover new restaurants and bars. That being said, there are restrictions on foreigners travelling from Minsk back into Russia via road or rail. It is highly recommended to check with your local embassy before you travel.

St Joseph Church in Minsk
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