1) Spend a day or more in the Hermitage, one of the world’s unrivalled art collections. I oohed and ahhed as I entered the different state rooms which showcased the luxurious lifestyles of the Russian royalty in the past.

2) Witness the amazing kaleidoscope of colours that is the church of spilled blood.

3) Revel with locals during the ethereal endless daylight of the white nights. The sun sets around 10pm, but the skies remain bright throughout the night.

4) Climb the enormous dome of St Isaac’s cathedral for a birds eye view of the imperial city.

5) Have the ultimate Russian experience by taking in a ballet performance at the Mariinsky theatre. I had already watched a ballet performance in Moscow, so I did not watch it in St petersburg.

6) Cruise the rivers and canals for the best views of this city, they call it Venice of the north for a reason.

7) Head out to Tsarkoe Selo, Catherine the Great’s incredible summer palace to see the magnificent Amber room.

8) See the sublime collection of art, from icons to the avant-garde, at the Russian museum.

9) Peter and Paul fortress which is like a kremlin as it used to be the nucleus of the city and the old city walls provided a form of defense against enemies. In summer people would go sunbathing outside the city walls where there is a small beach.

10) Peterhof, with its breezy gulf of Finland location, is one of the several palace estates that the tsars built around St petersburg as country retreats. Its grand cascade and water avenue is made up of a symphony of over 140 fountains and canals, an impressive sight indeed.