The restored cruiser is one of the few survivors of the Russo-Japanese war of 1904. During the 1917 revolution, it was the Aurora that fired the blank shot to signal the attack on Winter Palace. Sunken during WWII, it has now been restored to its full glory and it houses a branch of the Naval Military Museum.
Note
There is a dual-pricing system in effect in Russia that infuriates many tourists. While Russians are charged barely pennies for entrance to museums and exhibitions, tourists have to pay outrageous fees. If you want to attempt getting a Russian-priced ticket, nobody can stop you (it’s certainly not illegal to try). In a particular busy summer afternoon, when lines are long and tellers are selling hundreds of tickets by the hour, you may get away with it. Just say bilet, pazhalsta, and pray that your accent is not too obvious. If all else fails, just pay the tourist price.
Getting There
The worst part about visiting St. Petersburg (or any Russian city, for that matter) is the hassle of obtaining a visa. Unless you book a tour, you are stuck with the process yourself, which can be time consuming to say the least. In any case, plan a waiting time of at least three weeks to obtain the invitation needed to then solicit a visa at your local embassy.
Some international airlines offer non-stop flights to St. Petersburg, but most will require a stopover in Moscow. You can also fly into Sweden and take a luxurious (but surprisingly affordable) cruise to St. Petersbursg. From Helsinki, Finland, there are also daily bus and train connections available.
St. Petersburg can be enjoyed year-around. In summer, when the sun never sets, hundreds of tourists take to the streets at midnight to enjoy the glow of the famous “white nights.” Starting late November, the city becomes a winter wonderland, the shimmering of the city lights reflecting on the frozen Neva River.