4) St. Petersburg, Russia
Another Russian city makes the list for the same reason as Moscow; incredible architecture, rich cultural, and, unfortunately, not so friendly locals. Tourists should also be very careful when crossing the city streets; assuming cars will stop for you is a mistake. Try to avoid any encounter with the police. Corrupt officers have been known to take advantage (i.e. “shake down”) unsuspecting tourists. If you can manage all that, St. Petersburg is an absolute worthwhile destination, especially for those visitors interested in architecture. The dominating presence of the Hermitage Museum is a six-building complex originally constructed to house Catherine the Great’s art collection. This is one of the biggest and most impressive art museums in the world, and is a bucket list item for many foreign tourists. The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood and St. Isaac’s Cathedral are must-sees for their unique design and historical significance.
