An Aussie in Russia

For what to see - have a look at any of the standard guide books which will give you the basics.

If an "icon" is real it will be a fortune - and I beleive illegal to export. If you want some sort of plastic imitation - I wouldn't bother.

The weather will be cold. I was in St Pete in mid September and a couple of days we had a high in the low 40s. The locals were wearing their winter coats - and said this was normal. (Also was there in August once and it was pleasant but certainly not really warm.) By mid November I would expect weather VERY cold for an Aussie.

The weather might be very cold. Be prepared for freezing temperatures, icy winds and snow.

A guide won't be necessary in both cities. Moscow is huge, but the historic center is very compact and walkable. And there is the Metro whose stations are attractions in their own right.

I have recently posted a mini trip report on Moscow:

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/fresh-impressions-of-moscow-russia.cfm

Sankt Petersburg is incredible beautiful. There are dozens of first-rank attractions. The historic center is larger than Moscow's but still walkable.

For the suburban palaces, it might make sense to hire a guide/limo for one day or to join a bus tour.

For attractions, look into any guidebook or website. In any case, I recommend going to an opera or ballet performance. IMO, the best will be the Mariinsky in St. Petersburg. You should buy your tickets online (no need to buy the most expensive seats):

http://www.mariinsky.ru/en/

Exporting antique icons is illegal indeed. And they will x-ray your baggage exactly to find contreband.

If you want to buy an icon, Istanbul is THE place.

In Russia, I like those little laquered boxes with miniature paintings. A few years ago, they used to be dirt cheap. Now, they have become hard to get and more expensive.

"then flying Aeroflot to St Petersburg"
Apart from Aeroflot between Moscow and St Petersburg fly a lot of airlines.
E.g.
www.avianova.ru
www.skyexpress.ru
www.s7.ru

Instead of plane you can use fast train. The same price and even faster.
№ 152 departure from Moscow almost every day at 6-45 in the morning, arrive to SPb at 10-30 this day.

Thanks ,nytraveller & Echnaton. Yes I realise a `real` icon is not available & illegal even if they were,I was hoping for a `copy ` ,but on wood not plastic. I`ll have a look around,do you know if there are religious supply shops in Russia? otherwise I will try to find a laquered box .
I-will-be-back,I have booked & paid for my flight,the train was going to talk too long ,given my time in Russia.
I have spent a bit of time in Canada(Thunder Bay) in December.
That was bloody cold!I clicked on the links ,fascinating.

to Susielou:
"a `real` icon is not available & illegal"
No. You can buy even objects possessing historical and artistic value in Russia. But you will not be able to take out Russia it.
But if you`ll buy modern replica, or modern icon it`s not illegal. You can take out it, but keep receipt.
Religious supply shops there are in every church and I know one more: http://maps.yandex.ru/?text=%D0%A0%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D1%8F%2C%20%D0%9C%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B2%D0%B0%2C%20%D1%83%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B0%20%D0%94%D1%83%D0%B1%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%8F%2C%2011%2F17%D0%BA2&sll=37.63765%2C55.727643&sspn=0.008354%2C0.020789
Address: Dubininskaya st.11/17 Moscow Russia
Just my office was close to this street. It`s special shop of the Laura of the Holy Trinity and St. Sergius`s icon art school.
Donskoy cloister`s shop: http://maps.yandex.ru/?ol=biz&oid=104436169&where

Thank you I-will-be-back,clicked on to your sites .
Sadly,I do not understand Russian,But I will try to find the shop,Laura of the Holy Trinity and St.Sergius`s. Many thanks for your advice. Are you a local? In Moscow or St.Petersburg?

Learn to recognize ciryllics - so when you see the street name or metro station in russian, you can find it in your english tourbook or on your english language map.

In November you can get snow. Have some shoes or boots with non-slippery sole. The secret of staying warm is gloves, hat, socks - cover your extremeties