As a native Muscovite, I was never especially drawn to the Northern Capital. No, I cannot say that St. Petersburg's attractions were completely uninteresting to me. But I never felt any special excitement at the sight of photographs of the Winter Palace or the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. It was the same on the day of my arrival. A dreary drizzle was falling. «And this is June!» I thought hopelessly. The city was one endless, faceless ensemble of gray houses. The Neva was slightly rough. Water squelched underfoot. The spire of the Peter and Paul Fortress was at times hidden behind an unbroken veil of rain.

Only later did I realize how deeply mistaken I had been. The most beautiful city in Russia. That is the only way I could describe St. Petersburg as I was leaving. It is perhaps the only Russian city that, in beauty and special charm, can rival the most outstanding European capitals: Paris, Vienna, Prague, or Rome. I believe very many people will agree with me.

Ekaterina, chief accountant, although not a native resident of Petersburg, has been in love with this city for many years. One of the first favorite places she named was Kirov Central Park of Culture and Leisure. Here residents and visitors ride rollerblades, bicycles, skates, and boats. Nearby is the popular amusement park «Divo-Ostrov».

Ekaterina really enjoys the nightlife of the Northern Palmyra. Among her favorite venues are CUBE BAR (former 'Party Hard'), the jazz bar on Chernyshevskaya, the jazz bar 'The Hat', and many others. Pub «Marco Polo», described as «cute and fun», is also on Ekaterina's shortlist of venues. She separately noted the bar «Gadky Koyot». Among St. Petersburg's attractions, Dumskaya Street should also be mentioned, where young people come to let loose and have fun.

Anton, a student and native of Petersburg. His favorite place is Lieutenant Schmidt Embankment, where I met him. Huge ocean liners often dock here, there are not many people around, and the views of the city are excellent. And quite nearby, on Universitetskaya Embankment, are the huge stone sphinxes brought to the Northern Capital more than 170 years ago.

When asked, «What don't you like about Petersburg?» he thinks deeply... and cannot find an answer. True, then he does say: «In winter, especially in November-December, the weather here is awful. But by February it is much better».

On Universitetskaya Embankment, I managed to talk to a pair of retirees. Husband and wife, native Muscovites, had come to the Northern Capital on a self-guided excursion. They, like many others, are delighted with St. Petersburg's attractions.

«What, in your opinion, is the most majestic monument in the city?» I ask. The answer, quite expected, follows immediately. St. Isaac's Cathedral. It is visible from almost any point in the city center, and its golden dome is irresistible. This cathedral dominates the history and rooftops of Petersburg. Of the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence they say that the sky itself envies it. Of the dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral one could say: the dome that Petersburg envies.

By the way, a very interesting experience of staying in Piter can be... a well-chosen hotel! Many hotels and hostels are located in historic buildings, so what awaits you is not just a standard room in the uniform style of a hotel chain, but a real adventure. For example, the Four Seasons Lion Palace hotel in St. Petersburg is located in a genuine palace from 1824, which was reconstructed relatively recently and turned into a hotel.

Civil servant Elena Alexandrovna advises paying attention to Petersburg's parks. At least once in your life, she says, you should visit Peterhof. By the way, there I could not shake the feeling that I was in Versailles.

«Mikhailovsky Garden is certainly worth noting. And be sure to pay attention to its fence, it is a true work of art!» says Elena Alexandrovna. The fence really is very beautiful.

And one more place for walks cannot go unmentioned when speaking about Petersburg's parks. It is the famous Summer Garden. Its towering lindens and antique statues remember more than one generation of city residents.

Who can tell you about the city better than professional guides? Do not rush to imagine an aunt monotonously telling you something uninteresting; we found a couple of enticing offers for you:

While talking with city residents and tourists, I could not help but touch on the subject of the nationwide graduates' ball «Scarlet Sails». The action of this celebration unfolds on Palace Square and in the waters of the Neva. The concert and pyrotechnic show are world-class. The culmination of the celebration is the passage of a ship with scarlet sails.

Petersburg residents have mixed feelings about the «Scarlet Sails» celebration. On the one hand, there is pride in the colorful, grandiose show; on the other, bewilderment. Can the administration, which has been putting on this show every year for ten years, really not organize it effectively? Huge crowds in the city center, rooftoppers making their way onto nearby roofs by hook or by crook, trash left behind after the wild revelry... And what about the ugly remains of the structures for the concert on Palace Square, resembling the skeleton of a prehistoric monster? They spoil the main square of the Northern Capital for more than one day.

Most Petersburg residents watch «Scarlet Sails» on television. This is a good option for those who do not like large crowds.

So what is Petersburg? An autumn wind playing with the leaves? Or its howl sweeping through the front entrances? Peterbuuurg... A million shades of gray? The bustling life of Nevsky Prospekt? The now eternal silence of the cruiser «Aurora»? Everyone has their own answer to this question…