Lyceum, St. Petersburg

Oh, to be of royal blood! The Lyceum was an early 19th century boarding school, attended by the celebrated poet Alexander Pushkin. Only the affluent and elite of Russian society patronized the school, which prepared them to serve the government. A visit here costs USD7, and you can gape at the well-preserved classrooms, library and comfortable student bedrooms. The museum recreates scenes of the then Russian education system. The best time to visit is in October – the 19th, to be precise – the day which marks the foundation of the Lyceum. The Tzarskoje Selo Autumn International Festival is also held during this month, with competitions, exhibitions and other programmes, where literary aspirants vie for the coveted Tzarskoje Selo Prize.