In the White Nights, the sun never fully sets and the stars never come out. This can be a mixed blessing.

Look up “Saint Petersburg” on the Internet – and sure you will come across the famous museum Hermitage and the fact that the most famous son of the city is the former president Vladimir Putin.

But you will also surely find the term "White Nights" and the recommendation to travel to Saint Petersburg in May, June or July when it just doesn’t get dark outside.

For some, however, the White Nights are not what they expected.

Report: Mareike Aden