Imagine a city that encompasses the history, culture, literature and art of a whole country. A home to all the greatest thinkers, writers, painters and politicians. A place where empires have risen and fallen, intelligentsia were praised and exiled... Now stop thinking and take a low-cost flight to Latvia, then sit on a night train or bus, and the following morning awake in St. Petersburg, the crown jewel of the Russian Federation.

The city itself was built by Peter the Great upon his return from Europe. Infatuated with the beauties of Western cities, he decided to give his people a glimpse of that glamour. Surpassing his intentions, he made an incomparable capital for fellow Russians. Numerous rivers and canals run through St. Petersburg forming 44 islands connected with over 300 bridges. The city core is under protection of UNESCO, keeping the structures extremely low, giving the city the most beautiful skyline imaginable.

Once strolling through the center, one can come across the homes of Pushkin, Nabokov, Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, and many others. Take a walk in majestic imperial parks where all these masters of literature got their peace and quiet, where they practically lived – extracting inspiration from citizens of their beloved city. From the gilded dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral on Morskaya street gaze at the island where Peter and Paul's Fortress glows in all its marvel. Wonder at the Bronze Horseman guarding the city, or at St. Alexander's Column, a reassurance that Orthodox Christianity will live on.

You must not forget to visit the State Hermitage Museum, the Russian Museum, or take the afternoon off and go to Peterhof gardens. Projected as a copy of Versailles, it too has lived well past the task given to it. Definitely worth an hour drive away from the city center, the estate lies on the coast of Gulf of Finland. The Great Fountain adorned by Ancient Greek gods focuses around the center figure of Samson opening the jaws of a lion. Take a wrong turn, stop following the usual route and experience the hidden corners of the gardens, not quite royal, not quite Alice-in-Wonderland-ish, but as if living a life of their own, giving the unsuspecting visitors a feast for their senses. One is devastated to leave the place but fails not to enjoy the half-hour boat ride back to river Neva, the immortal artery of the city.

A custom practiced by citizens of St. Petersburg in the olden days is also quite acceptable nowadays as well. Start your day at the beginning of the Nevsky Prospekt. This is a part of the city where you will want to have breakfast. Continue down the vast street and near the Church of the Savior on the Blood (reminiscent of the one on Red Square), and have lunch right by the Griboyedov canal. Finish your day with a dinner near Anichkov Bridge on the Fontanka River. By doing this, you will experience at least one day as a true "Peterburgian". Dishes may vary from red beet soup, fish prepared in numerous ways, to traditional Russian salad. Contrary to popular belief, vodka should not be drunk as a digestive. Have it during your meal, and certainly ask the waiter for his recommendations.

People in St. Petersburg are a wonderful combination of the proud and pro-Western Russians - people who know that they come from a city of immense history, yet live on the edges of Europe. Even though signs and information are in both the Cyrillic and Latin alphabet, do not hesitate to ask for directions and advice on good places to eat or go out.

For a city to leave a positive impression it also needs to have a night life worthy of mention. This is definitely the case when it comes to St. Petersburg. There is an abundance of bars and clubs, adding to the desire to never leave. Almost forgot, go there in June to experience the White Nights, when the sun never sets on this enchanted place.

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Get there cheap: Low-cost flight to Riga and night train to St. Petersburg