St. Petersburg Shopping

All the top international brands and designer fashion names are here, lining up on Nevsky Prospekt, and the shops are as glitzy and glam as in any European capital. Gostiny Dvor on Nevsky is an 18th-century merchants' arcade beautifully restored and packed with boutiques, not all of them expensive. Just across the street, Pazzazh is an atmospheric 19th-century shopping arcade much used by locals. Nearby, Yeliseyevsky is a must-see food emporium, glittering with chandeliers and Art Nouveau. Book lovers should head for Dom Knigi and Isskustvo; CDs, DVDs and computer games are on offer at 505, which stays open until 23.00.

Off Nevsky, look for classical music CDs at the Philharmonia on Mikhailovskaya ul and Otkrity Mir, Malaya Morskaya 16. Detsky Mir, Bolshaya Konyushennaya ul 29, is the place for children's toys, clothes and games.

Souvenirs are everywhere. Explore the open air market stalls clustering behind the Church on Spilled Blood, and bargain hard. Browsing a local farmers' market (rynok) is both fun and interesting - Kuznechny is the best, metro Vladimirskaya, which is the same metro stop you need for the giant Vladimirsky Passazh shopping centre. Ogle at sushi bars and fur emporia, and check out Lend, the best supermarket in town.