Travel to St Petersburg

St Petersburg sits across the bay in stark contrast to Tampa, where most of the areas industry, shipping and business takes place. St Petersburg was originally conceived more than a century ago as a haven for tourists and the wintering wealthy, and has not changed much since. With one of the most charming and pleasant downtowns in all of Florida, a fantastic waterfront promenade and the famous pier shaped like an inverted pyramid, this city is a great place to visit. A determined urban redevelopment programme has transformed this once-sleepy retirement community into a vibrant bayside town full of youth and vigour. Trendy new bars and chic cafes are filled with people of all ages enjoying the good life.

Transportation to St Petersburg

Tampa International Airport handles all the domestic and international flights into the Tampa Bay area. It is located just 16 miles from St Petersburg so visitors can easily reach their destination by taxi or shuttle. St Petersburg also has regular bus connections to nearly every American town, and Amtraks train service stops in nearby Tampa from a number of cities around the country. Driving to St Petersburg is also easy as it lies along the path of several major Interstate highways.

What to see

Most visitors come to St Petersburg to enjoy a leisurely break from their daily lives and savour the incredible weather, stunning coastal scenery, beaches and excellent seafood. Away from the downtown area, St Petersburg is mainly a dull affair of strip malls and residential suburbs. But fortunately, the new Bayfront Center is a fantastic seaside strip of restaurants, bars and theatres, and the landmark Pier, with its inverted pyramid, offers lots of entertainment.

However, St Petersburg is not merely a superficial seaside retreat. Theres a some culture to be had, and some of it is quite extraordinary. Foremost among the attractions is the amazing Salvador Dali Museum, which has the largest single collection of his work in the world. There is also a decent fine arts museum, an historical museum giving information regarding the surrounding region and a very impressive museum dedicated to the Holocaust.

Daytrips

Theres a lot to do around Tampa Bay itself, but if you want to see even more of the beautifully languid Gulf of Mexico and its tranquil beaches, then rent a car and drive along the coast. There are a number of small islands, even smaller beach towns and a few nature reserves which will give you a feel for this unique tropical environment.

Activities and leisure

The water naturally dominates the activity scene around St Petersburg. The Gulf of Mexico is renowned for its calm, clear waters, so if you can think of a water-based activity, you can do it. Deep sea fishing, sailing, scuba diving, kayaking and all forms of motorised watersports in existence are out in full force. The nearby Boyd Nature Park offers the ideal spot for hiking, biking and land-based nature excursions. Baseball also has a special role in this town. Besides being home to a Major League Baseball team, St Petersburg also hosts a number of other pro clubs during their spring training, keeping baseball on everyones mind throughout the year.

Safety issues

St Petersburg has a reputation as a safe and orderly city. There arent really any scruffy parts of town which should be avoided, but during the peak winter season the number of visitors booms. Theft increases proportionally with the quantity of tourists, so take the usual precautions. It is strongly suggested that you buy some travel insurance before your trip to ensure that any mishaps dont ruin your holiday.