Another great opportunity to spend an active and exciting day outside of St. Petersburg is a trip to Karelia. We leave early in the morning by high-speed train “Lastochka” from the center of St. Petersburg from Finlyandsky railway station. In 4 hours “Lastochka” will drop you off at the station Sortavala, Republic of Karelia, previously it was the territory of Finland.

There is a transfer to the real steam locomotive “Ruskealsky Express“. Stylized retro coaches, old uniform of conductors, rising steam of a real coal locomotive, as if you are transported to 100 years ago! And outside the window there are stunning Karelian landscapes: huge lakes, rocks, moss-covered forests.

The pearl of the trip will be the arrival at Ruskeala Park, where the legendary marble canyon is located. It was from here that stone was extracted for the façade of St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the floors of the Kazan Cathedral, the window sills of the Hermitage, and some metro stations.

In these days, the construction quarry is flooded with water but you can still admire it both from the shore and floating on it by boat. On the territory of the Park there are cafes and restaurants that will allow you to fully spend the day in comfort. Back to St. Petersburg, we follow the same route, transfer from the retro Express to the “Lastochka” and arrive at the station at 10 PM. Before you travel, just make sure that your visa gives you the right to leave the St. Petersburg region.

 

Author: Alexandr Boltinsky

Location : St.Petersburg

Visit the grand locations A Day in Karelia by Retro Train  and many more that St Petersburg has to offer!
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