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Mikhailovsky Theatre Elisseeff Emporium generation of Russians have come to enjoy, from hand-made truffles to diamond-filtered vodka, imported cheeses and Caspian caviar. Be sure to browse the luxury spirits counter for bottles of Beluga and Imperia vodka, considered by many to be Russia’ s top drops, and kick your feet up with the city’ s elite in the intimate coffee shop at the emporium’ s heart.
Although St Petersburg is famed for its classical art collections, much of which can be found in the Russian Museum or the Hermitage, the contemporary art scene is also heating up. The Hermitage will open a dedicated modern art wing in 2014 and galleries are cropping up across the city, catering to new collectors. Erarta, located on Vasilievsky Ostrov or Basil’ s Island, one of the city’ s 42 urban isles, boasts the country’ s largest non-governmental collection of contemporary art, and is dedicated to promoting Russian art from across this vast country. With branches in London, New York, and Zurich, and with Hong Kong opening later this year, Erarta’ s collection features more than 2,000 pieces by 150 artists and is as much a museum as it is a commercial gallery. Another leading art venue is Loft Project Etagi, which is made up of three galleries and exhibition spaces and an art-themed bookstore, hidden away on Ligovsky Prospekt.
You can contemplate these collection in the newly re-opened Letny Sad or Summer Garden, situated in its own 12-hectare island on the south bank of the Neva River. Managed by the Russian Museum, and accessed from the Dvortsovaya Embankment, join the city’ s trendsetters as they make the most of summer’ s white nights with picnic dinners and live concerts amongst the 18th century marble statues and tree-lined alleys of the 300 year old park.
Travel Facts
Getting There: Aeroflot has turned its back on its rather rocky past with new aircraft and direct flights between Hong Kong and Moscow and on to St Petersburg. www. aeroflot. ru
Where to Stay: Grand Hotel Europe, Nevsky Prospekt, Mikhailovskaya 1 / 7, Tel: + 7 812 329 6000; www. grandhoteleurope. com
www. jetsetter. hk