Today, I woke up around eight in the morning, after sleeping who knows exactly when last night. I can only guess that I must have slept for at least 10 hours. The reason I got up late was because I didn’t have to rush for a shared bathroom in the morning. I have my own private bathroom!! This hotel has it all, and it’s unbelievable considering the price was only 1,200 rubles per night, or about 20 USD. Not only is it conveniently located near the train station and the city center, but it also provides private rooms and bathrooms. I can’t recall where I found this gem of a hotel online; my apologies for not giving proper credit.

After getting ready and having breakfast (yesterday, I bought some canned food and tomato juice from a supermarket near the hotel before check-in – let me tell you, Russian tomato juice is delicious – just my personal opinion), I set out around 8.30AM. Today’s mission was to venture outside the city and visit the “Catherine Palace” or as the Russians call it, “Tsarskoye Selo“. Getting there wasn’t as simple as taking the metro; I had to take a minibus. However, after my experience with minibuses yesterday to Peterhof Palace, today’s minibus ride was a breeze. I started by taking the metro from Ploshchad Vosstaniya (Площадь Восстания) station, which was close to my hotel, and changed to another line at Tekhnologichesky Institut (Технологический институт) station. From there, I took the metro five more stations to Moskovskaya station (Московская), where the minibus to Catherine Palace was located. You can easily spot the minibus terminal in front of a large white building, resembling a government or municipal hall. From this station, you can also see the Chestme Church, or the Pink Church, which is quite unique and charming. I had a chance to admire this bright gem before heading to Catherine Palace. The Chestme Church is a small Orthodox Church located to the south of St. Petersburg’s city center. It was built by Catherine the Great in 1780 to commemorate Russia’s victory over the Ottoman Empire in the Chesme Bay naval battle in 1770. Designed in Gothic architecture by the Russian architect Yury Felten, this church is not part of any tour package; you have to go there on your own, and not many tourists know about it. But because of its uniqueness and lovely pink color, it’s worth a visit at least once (another advantage of traveling on my own without a tour is that I can choose my destinations as I please). The Chestme Church is open for free visits every day from 9AM to 7PM.

The route to Chestme Church was quite an adventure. Once I left the metro station, I faced a magnificent white building, resembling like a city hall. I walked straight towards that building, which was the minibus terminal to Catherine Palace. After a short walk of about 150 meters, I reached a crossroads where I turned left and continued for another 350 meters until I found the charming Chestme Church on my right. The church offered the option to explore its interior or capture the picturesque exterior with my camera.

The big building near to Moskovskaya station

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Chestme Church, a small and charming pink church that is absolutely adorable

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I spent about 15 minutes exploring and taking pictures of the charming pink Chestme Church. Around 10AM, I walked back to the main building near the metro station. There, I found a long line of minibusses heading to Catherine Palace. Unsure which one to take, I approached the driver of the first bus and asked, “Tsarskoye Selo?” He nodded, and I hopped in. The minibus had a few Russian passengers, and after about 10 minutes, it filled up completely. Once full, it departed immediately. The ride took approximately 30 minutes. As we approached the destination, I noticed residential areas with apartments and houses nearby. Getting off the minibus, I paid the fare of 50 rubles (about 1 USD) directly to the driver. From there, I walked about 100 meters and reached a three-way intersection, where I turned right and finally encountered Catherine Palace, situated about 150 meters away from the road.

Tsarskoye Selo, also known as Catherine Palace, was built in 1708 as a royal residence for Empress Catherine I, the beloved consort of Emperor Peter the Great. Located about 25 kilometers south of the city of Saint Petersburg, it boasted a total of 55 rooms, each intricately decorated in unique styles but still exuding the opulence of Baroque art. Among them, the most renowned was the Amber Room. Over time, the palace expanded its grounds and underwent numerous renovations, becoming the cherished residence of subsequent Russian dynasties. However, during World War II, it fell victim to the ravages of the Nazi army. Nevertheless, the palace was restored in 1979 and finally completed in 2003, perfectly coinciding with the 300th anniversary of Saint Petersburg. Today, Catherine Palace stands as one of Russia’s most iconic tourist destinations, captivating visitors and enthusiasts alike with its breathtaking beauty and remarkable architecture.

Catherine Palace welcomes tourists to marvel at its beauty every day from 10:00 AM to 5:45 PM, except on Tuesdays and the last Monday of each month. The entrance fee for the museum is 400 rubles (approximately 7 USD). You can purchase tickets at the entrance of the palace building.

When I arrived at Catherine Palace, I was delighted to find that both the design and architecture of the palace and its gardens bore some resemblance to Peterhof Palace. Though not as grand and vast as Peterhof (Catherine Palace is about half its size and grounds), its beauty was in no way inferior. The gardens and the exterior of the palace looked like scenes from a fantasy novel or a sci-fi movie. I started strolling around, capturing the enchanting ambiance and taking some cool photos with the charming little gardens surrounding Catherine Palace (despite the freezing weather, it was about -5 degrees Celsius, but there was no snow to hinder the breathtaking views). The gardens were a popular spot for pre-wedding photoshoots, and it’s no wonder why, as they offered many picturesque corners, perfect for capturing the love between couples. So, encountering couples posing for pre-wedding photos both inside and outside the palace didn’t come as a surprise at all. The whole place had an air of romance and magic that made it a dream destination for any photographer and a delightful experience for me as a solo traveler.

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After exploring and capturing various angles of the exterior of the palace and its gardens, and feeling the chill getting unbearable, I decided to venture inside the grand Catherine Palace. Before that, I purchased my ticket at the entrance gate and followed the regulations for depositing my belongings. Thankfully, cameras and phones were allowed inside, indicating that photography was permitted. The only exception was the Amber Room, where photography was strictly prohibited, and attentive staff were there to enforce it. Within Catherine Palace, each room served a different purpose and had its unique decorations, like the Room of State, the Dining Room, and the Chapel, among others. Each room showcased luxurious and opulent furnishings that carried a sense of antiquity, making it impossible to put a price tag on their value. The blend of extravagance and historical significance left me in awe and made me appreciate the priceless treasures held within the palace’s walls.

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While I was wandering through the enchanting Catherine Palace, I encountered two adorable incidents that left me begging to capture those heartwarming memories. The first was stumbling upon a group of children, likely preschoolers, on an educational visit, engaging in a singing activity. Their teacher led the performance, encouraging the kids to dance along. Each child’s cute and slightly offbeat moves added to the charm of the scene. Unable to resist, I recorded a video clip to cherish this precious moment.

The children who were on an educational visit at Catherine Palace were engaging in an activity that matched the rhythm of the music

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Another thing is that there was a newlywed couple having their pre-wedding photoshoot right in front of the palace. It was a picture that, when you looked at it, you could see how happy they both were. (Wow, sometimes it’s a bit disheartening to see couples traveling together). 🙂

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I spent about two and a half hours exploring Tsarskoye Selo Palace until around 1.30PM when hunger struck again (I wondered if my stomach was still unwell). So, I decided to find something to eat in the area before catching the bus to my next destination in the city. At first, I checked out a few restaurants nearby, around three or four of them, but none caught my fancy. So, I continued walking through the neighborhood until I reached the Tsarskoye Selo train station (later, I checked Google maps and found out that the train station was about 2.5 kilometers away from the palace – no wonder I didn’t realize how far I had walked). At the train station, I stumbled upon a small Kebab shop right by the entrance. Curious, I decided to give it a try. The owners, a husband and wife, looked like they were from Turkey (I pretended to be excited before trying the Kebab, just to appreciate the authentic Turkish experience). I ordered one piece of Chicken Kebab and a cup of Cappuccino, and it only cost 180 rubles (about 3 USD). That was a real bargain, considering how delicious the Kebab was – soft, flavorful chicken, and rich sauce (I had no idea how it compared to an original Kebab since I’ve never been to Turkey, but I promised myself I would try it there one day). It was the most delicious Kebab I’ve ever had in my life, even better than the ones I’ve tried in Thailand. Unfortunately, I was too hungry to take a picture and share the delight.

Once I had satisfied my cravings, I walked back to the bus stop right in front of the train station to catch the bus number 545 back to the city. When the bus arrived, I followed my routine and asked the driver if he was going to “Metro ?” (which means the subway station). The driver gave me a nod, so I hopped on the bus following my usual plan. The ride to the city took about 30 minutes, just like before, and the fare was the same, 50 rubles (around 1 USD). The bus took me to the same final stop as last time, the Moskovskaya subway station.

Once at Moskovskaya station, I headed to the subway to continue my journey to Smolny Cathedral, another beautiful and historically significant landmark. To reach the cathedral, I took the metro from Moskovskaya station and changed to line 1 (the red line) at Tekhnologichesky Institut station. From there, I rode four more stations and got off at Chernyshevskaya station (Чернышевская), which had only one exit.

Preparing both my body and mind, I checked Google Maps to realize I had to walk approximately 2.5 kilometers to get to Smolny Cathedral. Oh, my goodness! I had just walked from Tsarskoye Selo Palace to the train station to enjoy that fantastic Kebab, which was already about two kilometers away, and now I had to walk even more. Thank goodness I had been keeping fit, jogging 10 kilometers regularly without bragging about it (well, maybe a little). The 2.5-kilometer walk from Chernyshevskaya station to Smolny Cathedral didn’t feel too far. The cool weather, around 0 to 5 degrees Celsius in the afternoon, along with shops, communities, and parks on both sides of the road, provided a delightful atmosphere and numerous beautiful spots for photos to be shared on Facebook or IG throughout the journey.

On the way to Smolny Cathedral

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However, when I arrived at Smolny Cathedral, I was greatly disappointed because it was undergoing extensive renovations (Gosh, I should have checked the information better before coming!). Nevertheless, since I had already walked quite a distance, I decided to take a peek inside the cathedral since the main building was inaccessible. Fortunately, the surrounding area of the cathedral was still open for visitors, so I strolled around and admired the exterior. It was better to see something than nothing at all. The sun was about to set, as it was already 3PM.

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The Smolny Cathedral is located on the banks of the Neva River and was built during the reign of Empress Elizabeth in 1748. It was designed by the Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, and construction took an impressive 16 years, completing in 1764. The cathedral follows the Baroque style, emphasizing shades of blue and white. Originally intended as a convent for women, the construction took a turn in 1762 when Empress Elizabeth passed away before witnessing its completion. Empress Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great, then took the throne and continued the project, ordering the addition of gardens and buildings surrounding the cathedral to be used as a place for educating high-born ladies and courtiers.

A standout feature of the cathedral is the colossal bell that sits at the entrance, along with the bell tower used for enjoying panoramic views of the surroundings. Nowadays, the Smolny Cathedral is part of the Faculty of Arts at Saint Petersburg State University and is open for tourists to explore. Opening hours are from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm daily, except on Wednesdays. The entrance fee to the cathedral is 250 rubles (approximately 4.50 USD), while the bell tower’s entrance fee is 150 rubles (approximately 3 USD). Unfortunately, I couldn’t access the bell tower due to ongoing renovations, but that didn’t dampen my spirits. If the opportunity arises, I would definitely love to visit again and explore the interior.

Inside the area of Smolny Cathedral, besides the cathedral itself and the bell tower, the gardens also hold their own charm and allure. The atmosphere of the cathedral’s gardens is nothing short of captivating, exuding a serene tranquility that makes it feel like I traveled back in time to the past—an experience that words cannot fully describe.

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I spent about an hour at the Smolny Cathedral area until the sky started to darken, and then I headed back. Some might wonder, “If the cathedral is closed for renovations, what were you doing there for an hour?” Well, the answer is that I was sitting inside the cathedral’s grounds. The tranquility of the deserted area, with no tourists around due to the ongoing renovations, combined with the chilly weather of Saint Petersburg, made me want to sit there quietly and reflect on the stories of my life throughout the years. It allowed me to understand life better, as it had been a long time since I had given myself some peaceful time alone. Having that moment to myself enabled me to gain new perspectives and be ready to face whatever challenges life may throw my way. We all have strength within ourselves, and we’ve gone through various problems before, haven’t we? So, I’ll just keep smiling and be prepared for whatever comes my way.

Today, I traveled back to the hotel with absolute happiness in my heart. The solo journey not only opened my mind to new experiences but also allowed me to spend quality time with myself. It made me realize the direction I want my life to take and encouraged me to embrace the things I truly enjoy. In the end, the satisfying results will come back to reward us. Tonight, I slept with immense joy, ready to wake up tomorrow with an open heart, accepting new things into my life, and stepping forward fearlessly.

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 Written by : SHIPY SIWARIT TIASUWATTISETH

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