Russia Travel Guide

I would like to tell you about my recent trip to Russia with Tauck Tours. I felt like I was going back to a time of extreme wealth in Russia.  When I saw the extravagance I understood why there was a revolution.  I saw diamond encrusted saddles and pens as well as coaches covered in gold.  The wealthy people had palaces, not just regular homes, and the extensive art and jewelry that was accumulated can be seen in the museums.

The towns of Vilnius in Lithuania, Riga in Latvia and Tallinn in Estonia were small towns, all worth visiting with a lot of old history connected to Russia. Moscow and St. Petersburg were where you saw the extravagance. We visited the KGB, the hermitage Museum, Red Square and the Moscow Metro. St. Petersburg is a beautiful city surrounded by water. It is often referred to as the Venice of the North with 342 bridges crossing over elegant canals. Built by Peter the Great, using talented European architects, you will find fabulous palaces and cathedrals throughout the city. It is also home to one of the most amazing art collections in the world housed at the Hermitage museum.

As far as tour companies go, Tauck was wonderful!  The tour guide was knowledgeable and was with us throughout the entire trip.  All of the hotels were deluxe with perfect locations.  There were no optional tours to worry about because everything important was included.  We saw a ballet of Swan Lake, a Tchaikovsky Night dinner and a private concert by a soprano at the Opera House.

Other highlights included the high speed train from Tallinn to Helsinki, a flight on Aeroflot from St. Petersburg to Moscow and a train from Helsinki to St. Petersburg.  Tauck put us in the first class section of the trains and ferry.

The unexpected part of my journey was bonding with fellow travelers.  I made many friends and we have been corresponding since the trip.

I wanted to share some helpful tips and information about Russia to enhance your travels there.  Please feel free to call or email me with any questions about travel to Russia.

Russia will appeal to travelers who have a sense of adventure and an open mind.  A Russian vacation requires determination, flexibility and plenty of patience.  Russia’s main attractions include art, magnificent (and restored) cathedrals and monasteries, treasures and palaces of the czars, the performing arts, health spas, river cruises, historic sites, spectacular scenery, Siberia and Moscow’s Kremlin.  We strongly suggest that at least on your first visit that you travel with a reputable tour company so that you have a guide with you.

Top Things to See in Russia:

Catherine Palace & Park (Pushkin:)  This was the residence of Catherine the First and was then rebuilt by her daughter Emress Elizabeth in 1756.  This is the Versailles of Russia, and the amount of gold throughout makes it quite stunning.  The lighting fixtures, mirrors and furnishings are beautiful. Make sure and visit the Amber Room, but please note that taking pictures is not permitted.  During the war the Nazi destruction was devastating, but truly skilled and gifted restoration people did a magnificent job that is hard to believe when you see the photos of the damage done in World War II and how the room looks today. The restoration was just completed in 2003.  The palace grounds and outer buildings are beautiful and a delight to see as well.  There is a souvenir shop and cafe.

Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood (St. Petersburg:)  Beautiful inside and out.  Beautiful architecture with onion shaped coloured domes on the roof. Very opulent inside.  Make sure and take the time to see the artwork and intricate mosaics of Bible scenes covering the walls and ceiling.  There is a great view from the road leading from Nevsky Prospect along a canal up to the church.

State Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace (St. Petersburg:)  This was the old Winter palace of the Czar.  The palace has 1000 rooms, and the architecture is extraordinary, and, of course, you can also see a magnificent collection of art including works from Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Ruebens and Rambrandt, as well as a great collection of impressionists including Monet, Cezanne, Renoir, Gaughin, Matisse and Picasso. The museum can be very crowded, so its great that tour groups can get in without waiting in line, another reason we recommend traveling on an escorted Russia tour.  Wear good walking shoes and bring your camera.

Red Square (Krasnaya Ploshchad / Moscow:)  The first place to go in Moscow is Red Square, a former marketplace in the center of the city. St. Basil’s Cathedral dominates one end, and Lenin’s Mausoleum and GUM department store are also on the square. The square is closed to traffic, but there are always enough tourists around to keep the area from feeling empty.  Many visitors prefer the place at night when it’s illuminated in fairy-tale colors.

St. Basil’s Cathedral (Moscow:)  This church is one of those places that looks beautiful in pictures, but takes your breath away in person.  Make sure and return at night for some great pictures. On the 2nd floor there is a Russian Orthodox choir that performs throughout the day.  Many visitors are disappointed once they are inside the church as it is no where near as impressive as the exterior.

Kremlin (Moscow:)  The name means “fortress” in Russian. It’s the heart of Moscow and covers over 65 acres.  Inside the Kremlin wall there are a lot of interesting sights, but a lot is closed to the public. One of the main attractions was a performance by the Russian army that included Calvary and a marching band. The Palace, Cathedral, Armory and gardens are worth a visit.  In the Armory you can see Faberge eggs as well as many other fascinating pieces including fascinating imperial carriages, gowns and jewelry.  One egg that Faberge presented to the imperial family contains a tiny golden replica of the Trans-Siberian Railroad, complete with a train that moves when a gold key is turned.  The entrance to the Kremlin is on the east side of the complex via a footbridge over the Alexander Gardens.

Grand Palace (Peterhof:)  A visit here will introduce you into ways of life of Russian Czars, taking you on most exciting tours of the Grand Palace and Lower Park famous for its numerous beautiful fountains in Peterhof.  This was the great summer estate and artistic gem of Peter the Great and is nestled on the shore of the Gulf of Finland.  After his victory over the Swedes at Poltava in 1709, Peter decided to build a palace “befitting of the very highest of monarchs” and a visit to Versailles in 1717 furthered these ambitions. Over 5000 labourers, serfs and soldiers were employed in the creation of this magnificent estate that was officially opened in 1723. A stroll in the huge park with its magnificent flower displays, it’s guilded statues and its stunning fountains, must not be missed.  Lots of great photo ops.  Most tours will include the hydrofoil tickets from St. Petersburg to Peterhof in the price of admission. Please note there is no cafe or place to purchase food or drinks.

The Motherland Calls Sculpture (Volgograd:)  Formerly the city of Stalingrad, the historic city of Volgograd is located on the beautiful river Volga. Visitors will find fascinating WWII memorials, and cultural museums about Russian life. The most famous landmark is the 274 ft. Motherland Calls Sculpture (woman who calls her compatriots to come and join in the decisive great battle for Stalingrad in autumn of 1943.)  Although it is the statue itself that is world-famous, it is part of a huge and well-designed memorial. Its on high ground, and on a clear day, you can see 360 views of Volgograd. 

Best Time to Travel to Russia:

Each season has is advantages and disadvantages.  Summer is the most pleasant time to visit, to this make it peak travel season which means you will have a lot more crowds and hotels are more expensive.  In the summer is when they have the most festivals and outdoor attractions.  During the early part of July the sun doesn’t fully set.  This period is called “White Nights” and is a good time to visit St. Petersburg.  In the fall you will find less crowds and better pricing but the weather does start to get colder.  After September, most cruise ships are no longer in the region which is one of the reason there are a lot less crowds.  Winter is beautiful and quite inexpensive compared to other times of the year, but it is very cold and there are less hours of daylight.  Temperature can easily go below zero.  If you love very cold weather and wearing thick clothing, boots and jackets it is a beautiful time of year to visit. In the Spring snow begins to melt so the streets can be messy, slippery and slushy.  Overall the most popular time to travel to Russia is May through October.  May and October have less crowds. During this time weather is usually 70 to 90 degrees during the day and 50 to 70’s at night.  Waterproof shows and umbrellas are always a good idea to pack.

Personal Safety:

I just traveled on an escorted Russia tour last month, and felt quite safe.  Like any major city, you do have to watch out for pickpocketing and robbery.  Be careful with your personal belongings.  Do not carry more money than you think you will need.  Be careful where there are a lot of crowds including popular tourist attractions and train stations.  Read our blog Best Way to Carry Money While Traveling.  We don’t suggest walking around alone at night unless you are familiar with the area.  Don’t overdo it on the vodka.  Keep cell phones and passports in a safe place at all times.  Carry copies of your passport with you as the police can ask you for I.D.  Watch out when crossing busy streets as motorists have the right of way and they don’t yield to pedestrians.

Health:

As in many foreign countries we recommend bottled water and not tap water. This includes brushing your teeth with bottled water, particularly in Moscow & St. Petersburg!  Bring medications that you might need with you including pain medicine, antacids, antibiotics, etc.  If you do end up needing medical care, ask your tour guide or hotel personnel to direct you somewhere.  Be aware that methods of treatment and facilities often differ from those in North America and other parts of the world.  We strongly suggest that you purchase travel insurance.  Companies such as Travel Guard has 24 hour assistance available should you get ill.

Russia Travel Tips:

Bring both Euros and Rubles with you.
Apply for Russia Visa well in advance.
Wear sneakers or comfortable walking shoes, as there are lots of cobblestone streets.
Russia outlets take round 2-pin Euro plugs. Current is 220V
Taxis do not take credit cards.
Have coins with you if you need to use a public restroom.

Thing to Eat & Drink in Russia:

A large portion of Russian dishes such as cabbage soups, black bread, buckwheat porridge, have origins in the peasantry. Still others like chicken Kiev, beef Stroganoff & veal Prince Orloff, reflect French culinary traditions imported to the imperial court by Catherine the Great. Root vegetables, poultry, wild game, fish, hearty breads and noodles are popular, as are never-ending shots of vodka.

Blini (Russian crepe) – A thin pancake which is normally baked and are similar to a French crepe.  Traditional Russian blini are made with buckwheat flour batter and have a slightly nutty flavor.  Today, the super thin pancakes are prepared in hundreds of ways and are accompanied by everything from black and red caviar and smoked salmon, to chopped eggs and sour cream.

Russian soups: Okroshka (a summer-vegetable concoction), shchi (a cabbage-based soup) and borscht (mainly beetroot and sour cream,) usually begin the hot meal of the day.

Caviar – Caviar is a delicacy made of salt-cured fish eggs.  Russia caviar is considered to be the finest in the world.  Popular types include Beluga, Sterlet, Ossetra and Sevruga caviar.  The rarest and most expensive caviar is from beluga sturgeon that swim in the Caspian Sea.  Red caviar made from salmon is quite tasty and much cheaper.

Porridge – (kasha is the Russian word that refers to any kind of porridge.)  Popular cereals are buckwheat, oats, semolina, barley, millet and rice.

Pirozhki – small mini pies stuffed with a variety of fillings such as meat and sauteed onions, meat and potatoes, rice and boiled eggs with dill, fish and rice or sauteed cabbage. Pirozhki make a great appetizer at a restaurant, as well as a quick bite from a street stall or bakery.

Morozhenoe – delicious ice cream served in most restaurants with your choice of toppings including fruits, nuts or chocolate.

Vodka is at the top of everyone’s list and we strongly suggest you taste several Russian vodkas.  In Russia, when drinking vodka, you must also eat something along with your drink, such as salt herring, black bread, pickled mushroom or sour cucumber. It may surprise you to know that Russia has excellent specialty teas.  There are also traditional drinks such as Mors, a sweet drink made from fermented bilberries or cranberries and Kvass (beer,) which is a drink made from fermented black or rye bread.

Shopping in Russia:

Shop for fur hats, caviar, vodka, wall plaques and tiles, amber from Kaliningrad, wood and metal sculpture, painted enamel jewelry, hand-painted lacquerware, hand-embroidered table cloths from Ivanovo, samovars from Tula, Babushka-made wool sweaters, as well as balalaikas and other musical instruments.

Russian Lacquer Boxes – the unique Russian tradition began in the 20th century.  The most notable characteristics of the Russian box is the style of the painting as defined by the tradition of the artist from the different regions (boxes are made in Palekh, Mstera, Kholui or Fedoskino.)   Many of the lacquer boxes will have scenes from fairy tales or Russian historical locations.

Faberge Eggs – The most important feat of the Russian Orthodox church calendar is Easter, which is celebrated with the exchange of eggs and three kisses.  The tradition of Faberge eggs began in 1884 when Russian jeweler Peter Cal Faberge made a gift for then Russian Tsar Alexander III.  the Tsar decided to give it a a gift to his wife, the Empress Marie Fedoronva.  The Empress loved the hidden jewel, and from that point forward an annual egg was crafted for the Imperial family until 1916.  Each egg required a team of highly skilled craftsmen that would work under complete secrecy.  Faberge was given complete creative freedom on each design.  Of the 50 eggs crafted for the Imperial family, 42 still exist today.

Amber (Baltic Gold) An organic substance rather than a mineral, the golden stone that sparkles in sunlight is in fact fossilized resin.  In early day, humans used amber as heating fuel.  Romans believed wearing Amber brought good luck.  At one point it was even used as currency.   Amber comes in a variety of shades and sizes. While the most prominent color of amber is somewhere in the range of dark green and golden brown, to a lighter yellow, pieces can also be found in a blue hue or creamy white.  If you really want to give someone a nice gift, take the time to go to the house of Faberge in St. Petersburg. You can buy the same Amber jewelry for a small premium which will have the house of Faberge packaging. You can get nice bracelets from $50 to $75 USD.

Caviar – only buy caviar from an official store, and you must keep your receipts to show officers at customs.  You can export 250 grams duty free.  You cannot however bring black caviar – only the red.

Vodka:  Again we recommend only buying from reputable stores.  They have some vodka glasses called “stopki” which also make nice gifts.

Chocolate: – Russian chocolates are delicious.  The most famous brand is Krasnyi Oktyabr – you can easily recognized it because it has a smiling Soviet girl on the wrapper.

Books About Russia:

Moscow St. Petersburg & the Golden Ring by Masha Nordbye
The Russia Book by Ben Holden-Crowther
From Russia With Love by Stephen Templin
Vodka Shot, Pickle Chaser: A True Story or Risk, Corruption & Discovery by David A. KalisMidnight in Siberia:  A Train Journey into the Heart of Russia by David Greene (NPR Radio)
The Last Man in Russia by Oliver Bullough
The Master & Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov

Movies About Russia:

Doctor Zhivago  (1965 movie starring Omar Sharif)
Love & Death (1975 Woody Allen film)
From Russia with Love (1963 movie staring Sean Connery)
The Russia House (1990 staring Sean Connery & Michelle Pfeiffer)
Russian Ark (2002 film staring Sergey Dreyden & Mariya Kuznetsova)

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