St Petersburg the ideal weekend getaway

When thinking of a weekend city break, few people may consider Russia, and even fewer may consider St Petersburg. However, flights from London are relatively accessible and affordable, and with average summer temperatures being 22°C, it can be a beautiful break with great weather.

St Petersburg is sometimes known as 'The Venice of the North' because of its many canals and rivers, in addition to the beautiful architecture. Two of the city's best spots to visit are the Hermitage Museum and Peterhof Palace. The Hermitage art museum is famed around the world and holds more than three million pieces of art. There is a wonderful variety of oriental, Russian and prehistoric art, in addition to works by Raphael and Da Vinci. Meanwhile, getting to Peterhof Palace is a thrill in itself, with a hydrofoil speeding past the city centre providing the perfect journey.

St Petersburg has a huge variety of museums, cathedrals, parks and bridges to explore, and for those who want to get a great overall feel for the city; a boat tour is a must. There is also a thriving nightlife, and exploring the bars and restaurants after taking in an opera or ballet is the ideal way to end the day before heading back to the UK.