Russia Travel Blogs, Travelogues and Travel Journals

Yesterday, September 7th, 2008, Moscow celebrated its 861st Birthday with a multiple live music performance on the streets of central Moscow and a big fireworks display above Red Square, St. Basil's and the Kremlin.  I didn't make it to any of the concerts this year, as I was at Borodino, (blog to come) but I did catch the fireworks display from my window and here are some of the pictures.  This isn't the first time I've taken pictures of fireworks from my apartment window...but it'…

Today we were completely 'guideless'. We took the subway to the Red Square to visit the mausoleum of Lenin. We were lucky; today was a very quiet day and no queues, so it was literally in and out in five minutes. The sight of the world's (second?)most famous mummy is surreal. Because the mummification technique uses wax, the corpse looks more like a Madame Tussaud's statue than a real person. In fact, it would not surprise me if it is a statue, and the real Lenin has been buried alongside his…

I start the day with the sort walk down to the Winter Palace to for a visit to the museum. The place is so famous for all the art they have on display so I figure it is time to be really civilized and cultural. I get to the counter and pay - unfortunately my Russian is pretty bad ok non-existent would probably be closer to the truth - so I have to pay western entry fees. A full 10€ plus another 3½€ for photo fee. This is pretty expensive for Russia.   Well somewhat p…

People who i met here, who contributed to and improved my trip: Juliana (Russia), Katja (Russia), Ania (Russia), Sasha (Russia) Arriving back in St Petersburg i was still unsure of my plans regarding staying, travelling, accomodation, basically everything! Thankfully Juliana's parents kindly offered me the spare room in their apartment once again, which i was really grateful for, but i also didnt want to outstay my welcome! Juliana and i spent the next week chilling around St Petersburg, wh…

I  love windows. I mean those holes in the wall that enable us to stay always connected with the outer world. Window is one of the most impirtant things in any room, and the view is absolutely crucial.   On a sunny October day I was at home happily listening to Chico Buarque and enjoying the blue sky and the last golden leaves on the trees below my window…and it occurred to me to take some pics of the view from my window and share it with you, my TBs. Well, I can’t brag of ha…

it was cold and beautiful. everyone should visit russia in winter to get to feel a real cold. its so refreshing -20 C. :):):)

The 19 year old German pilot landed his Cessna on the bridge right in front of our hotel window back in 1987. He then taxied to Red Square. He so embarrassed the Russian military that more than 2000 officers lost their jobs, including the defense and air defense ministers, who were opposed to Gorbachev's glasnost and perestroika, so Gorbachev took this opportunity to fire them. The pilot Mathias Rust was prompted arrested and was enprisoned for more than 400 days before being released and sen…

In the morning we made our way to meet Anastacia to head towards the State Museum, minus the 2 girls. As they had not risen by the time we meant to have left and wanted to sleep in when asked. Me and Natascha headed out to meet Anastacia at the designated meeting place. With Anastacia with us, we decide to wait for the girls at McDonalds. I guess it was easier to find than anywhere close by, given that we are not profficient in Russian. It was at McDonalds that I saw how much I needed to lear…

On my last day in the capital of Tatarstan I planned to visit a holy place • Raifa Virgin’s Monastery. Situated 35 km from Kazan, in the center of the part of the Volga-Kama state nature preserve, the monastery is one of the XVII century architectural pearls.   There is a bus number 404 from the Railway station (check the time-table on the Railway Station Square) going through Raifa. I boarded, paid my trip (about 40 Rubles, less than $2) and asked the conductor to let me know whe…

The second day began with rain but soon it started to snow. The streets were filled with layers of snow. So we went out to walk to the city. Already at the first few steps I felt my toes began wet. I left my snowboots at home because my suitcase no longer wanted to close. So it was only me and my uggs today... and within about a quarter my feet were completely wet. But I bravely continued walking and had a lot of views of the city and a few buildings. We still wanted to visit a chur…

This is a collection of the photos I made between the 19th and the 22nd June in the wonderful Metro Stations of Moscow!!!Hope you enjoy them :-)

i travel to moscow all my life, since i can remember myself - cause i was born there and my father lived there. usually i go there by train. and actually, trains havent changed much - they are the same as in my early childhood. only the upholstery is new and  also now they serve tea and coffee in dsiposable cups instead of cool soviet glasses with glass holders. :)i prefer traveling to moscow by train - cause its more romantic or well... at least more old fashioned than going by plane. :)…

  On the 12th of June the Russians celebrated the Day of Russia. More than 35 thousand of people gathered in the Red Square in Moscow to watch the celebratory concert. The culmination of the performance was the announcement of the winners of the “7 wonders of Russia” contest. Among the contenders were the architectural monuments and unique objects of nature. After the 1st round of the contest which took place from the 1st of October 2007 till the 1st of February 2008 by the Intern…

In April 2004 i've visit Moskou and St.Petersburg. It was always a dream for me to these two cities, and now i'm here. You know the places from television, like the Hermitage, with thousends beautiful paintings and then the Kremlin and the red square. You remember the parades in the periode that Breznev was president, and now, now i'm standing on this historical places. I can tell you, it was amazing and verry special.

I had a down day and was slowly making my way home with my hands full of yoghurt, milk and some other regular food from my local supermarket. Why not to check my mail? • thought I (yeah, mail, not emailJ) ...and......yoooooooooooo!!! a piece of cartoon at the bottom of my mailbox. A postcard featuring the Kremlin...interesting...I turned it over.....OMG!!!!! Of course, it is from Anita (Dbdsangel), my dear amiga aka Bonita!!! What a great day! Hun you cheered me up (as always). Thanks my de…