Destination

Nobility is a rare trait among modern cities, but St Petersburg displays its regal past with effortless charm. As befits the historic showpiece for the Tsars, the city has a palatial feel, a characteristic not lost on the designers of the Hotel Astoria. The grandeur that the former rulers were looking to display is epitomised in the glittering domes of St Isaac’s Cathedral and the Winter Palace, home to the world famous State Hermitage Museum. It would take years to see all the artworks contained within, such is the wealth of culture here. Dining is still somewhat traditional, with classic Russian cuisine sold from the blini cafes and coffee salons around Nevsy Prospekt. Fine cuisine is best sampled in the Davidov Restaurant of the Hotel Astoria, where a meal fit for a Tsar, including caviar and champagne, can be enjoyed