Does anyone know when the White Nights festival is in St Petersburg?

Look at<BR><BR>http://wn.mariinsky.ru/eng/program.html<BR><BR>and find the links for the White Nights. It will be there 31 May-30 June (and once again I will be there for the last week!). Book your hotel SOON.

Hi Marc,<BR>Thanks for the site. I have a couple of other stupid questions if you could help...<BR>What is the White Nights festival all about - is it just really long days and the actual Arts festival or is there something else I'm not aware of?<BR>I'm also thinking about going to see one of the Ballet performances - Possibly the Nutcracker on the 28th. Not knowing a lot about Ballet - I'm guessing this is probably a world class event - is it difficult to get tickets and perhaps this is something my hotel should help me with?<BR>I think I'm staying at the Kempinski (still trying to find a rate under $320...) - is this the most central place or would you recommend the Astoria.<BR>Thanks for your help - you were fantastic with your advice in my trip to Moscow last year...<BR>Clare

Thank you for the compliment. There are a few other festivals, but you will see huge signs all over town with Valery Gergiev's image (truly a soviet-style experience). <BR><BR>It is easiest to get tickets through your hotel--unfortunately the box office for the last two years was not particularly reliable for my ticket order (and several others). Seats do sell out, but you can probably wait till at least you get your hotel reservation.<BR><BR>Most of my friends are staying at the Astoria this year (a bit cheaper than the Grand Hotel, and closer to the Mariinsky). Also, the SAS Radisson has just opened and should offer something resembling lower rates than the Grand Hotel/Kempinski (although I suspect that after tax you will be paying $300+ for rooms). All the lux hotels have good locations, although I would rate the location 1-Grand Hotel, 2-Nevsky Palace/Radisson, 3-Astoria / L'Angleterre<BR><BR>I will probably be there 20-29 June, attending all the operas during that period and probably the two ballets--would love to get together for a drink Contact me at your convenience.

Hi Marc,<BR>thanks again for your response. I'm going to scout around for the best rates and hopefully book something this week. I'm trying to gather a pal to come along with me but she's horribly unreliable so I'll probably be brave and book by myself so at least I know I'm going... Will email you closer to the date so we can meet up - Clare

Clare and Marc, I am still planning on being in Russia around those dates but haven't finalized things. Would love to meet up with you while there since I am also traveling solo.

Clare and Dorothy, just write to me privately. I will be at the Mariinsky almost every night, and during the day out in the field exploring (although my days are getting more and more filled). Keep in touch.

Hi Marc,<BR>Have finally booked my hotel at the Grand for the 28-30 June and just working on flights now.... Just one small question - I asked the hotel to check out ticket prices and availability to the Nutcracker at the Mariinsky on the 28th - they tell me tickets cost $180 plus tax. Although I appreciate I will pay more for my ticket than the average Russian speaking citizen - is $180 higher than the norm? - Clare

For best seats that is a high figure--I thought they were about $100 or so, plus a service charge.

Clare, please send to my address an email regarding tickets.

ttt

tt