Celebrating a Milestone in Russia - St Petersburg and Moscow
Oct 19th, 2010, 02:58 PM
#21
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A really superb report, wonderfully written. Thanks amyb. Visiting Moscow and St. Petersburg has been a lifelong dream for me and after reading this I'm so tempted now to book. I'm especially interested in their war history and related museums.
Again, thank you.
Again, thank you.
Oct 20th, 2010, 05:44 AM
#22
Original Poster
Thank you all for your comments! Joe, I think you'd really enjoy both cities specifically for your interests. They ery much wear their history on their sleeves, so to speak. I learned much more than I expected to in a relatively short time. I am looking forward to going back and delving deeper!
Oct 20th, 2010, 09:42 AM
#23
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bookmarking, as we'll be in St. Petersburg in about two weeks. Thank you so much for all of this detail, particularly about the restaurants. I can't wait to try Podvorie. It sounds like the Russian equivalent of the Hofbraühaus!
Apr 21st, 2011, 04:28 AM
#26
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can't believe I missed this the first time around! It made me a bit homesick for Mother Russia--it's been way too long since I've been there. I really enjoyed your descriptive writing.
And the accounts of the food (especially that cheese!) are wonderful.
And the accounts of the food (especially that cheese!) are wonderful.
Apr 21st, 2011, 08:23 AM
#29
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd be astounded by that food, too; let's just say that food was not a highlight in the 80's. (Except the ice cream and the pastries, especially the cream horns. Yum.)
Here's an account of my first trip if you'd like a bit of a contrast; St. Basil's was still magical, though: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm
Here's an account of my first trip if you'd like a bit of a contrast; St. Basil's was still magical, though: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm
May 25th, 2011, 11:50 AM
#34
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nice report Amy.
Next time you come here to St Petersburg just rent an apartment for a few weeks and explore some of the hundreds of museums that foreign visitors seldom see. That is one of the many reasons why I moved here from California 8 years ago.
Two of the restaurants you mentioned here was no longer open. Blini Domik closed last winter and Podvorie burned to the ground last month. I have been by it several times and can't believe how fast a new version is being built. It should be open in a couple weeks.
It appears from your description that we were probably passing each other on the street when you were here, I live 1 block from where you were staying.
You good experience with guides is mirrored by most people since being a guild is not simply a summer college student job as in most vacation destinations, it is a profession that pays more than a doctor. there are high academic requirements, as well as passing exams for each palace and museum, along with courses taught by each museum. I doubt better trained guides are found anywhere. You can save some money by using a federally registered tour company in Russia since they are the only ones who can invite visitors directly. Tour agencies in the US just act as middlemen which increases the cost and decreases the flow or accuracy of information.
I glad you enjoyed my adopted home.
Next time you come here to St Petersburg just rent an apartment for a few weeks and explore some of the hundreds of museums that foreign visitors seldom see. That is one of the many reasons why I moved here from California 8 years ago.
Two of the restaurants you mentioned here was no longer open. Blini Domik closed last winter and Podvorie burned to the ground last month. I have been by it several times and can't believe how fast a new version is being built. It should be open in a couple weeks.
It appears from your description that we were probably passing each other on the street when you were here, I live 1 block from where you were staying.
You good experience with guides is mirrored by most people since being a guild is not simply a summer college student job as in most vacation destinations, it is a profession that pays more than a doctor. there are high academic requirements, as well as passing exams for each palace and museum, along with courses taught by each museum. I doubt better trained guides are found anywhere. You can save some money by using a federally registered tour company in Russia since they are the only ones who can invite visitors directly. Tour agencies in the US just act as middlemen which increases the cost and decreases the flow or accuracy of information.
I glad you enjoyed my adopted home.
Jun 13th, 2011, 07:26 AM
#35
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Amy...just came across this superb TR...your pix are one step beyond great. I'm an old Russia fan, twice during the grim but fascinating SSR days, and last in 2008 (river cruise), so it peaked my interest when this popped up. I have some old scanned pics of Suzdal in the Golden Circle, and a bunch from Uzbek SSR(Samarkand, Tashkent and Bukhara) in the 80's. Contact me through Bob and Karen whenever you're interested in seeing them, for you future trips into Russia...also did Ukraine and Belarus in '08. Hadnever been on prior visits.
Happy travels, Amy...you sure do it up right!
stu tower
Happy travels, Amy...you sure do it up right!
stu tower
Jun 13th, 2011, 12:32 PM
#36
Original Poster
Thanks, Stu, that means a lot! I wish I'd gotten there a lot sooner than I did, but I will definitely be going back. Thank you for the kind words. I'm a longtime admirer of your travels, so I'm honored you approve!
Jun 13th, 2011, 07:04 PM
#38
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks so much, amyb, for a great report that brought a flood of wonderful memories to me of my trip to Russian many years ago. Your descriptions, particularly of the Hermitage and Pushkin (and of some other sites as well), remind me of the words I used when I told my mother about my experiences - we singled out some of the same works of art and other details for specific mention. It sounds like you found a perfect journey to transform your milestone birthday into a memorable celebration.
Jun 30th, 2011, 02:02 PM
#39
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I rerread your report. Can you give me info on buying your train tic, how was the trip (we are going 2nd class), can I buy food on board, if I buy a tic on line can I print it out and give it to the conductor or do I have to redeem it for a real tic, do you see a lot during the day? Do tell!. Thanks. jk
Jun 30th, 2011, 04:16 PM
#40
Original Poster
Jan, my travel consultant bought my ticket, so I can't help you there. I handed it to the conductor when they went through the car. I think I went in second class and there was a food cart that went through a little ways into the trip. I bought a sandwich, coffee and a bottle of water and basically did it by sign language since the man with the cart didn't speak English and I didn't speak enough Russian to do so, but I managed. I didn't think the ride was really that captivating; I read a book, watched a movie on my iPod and wrote my blog on my laptop on the way. I don't know if you've ever taken an Amtrak train in the US, but it was very similar.
