St Petersberg
Jun 3rd, 2004 | 07:31 PM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 478
Likes: 0
Like anything else, recommendations on sightseeing depend on what you are interested in. A basic tour for a few days would be
-City overview, for 1/2 day;
-Hermitage (3-4 hours); you can easily spend far more time here, as it is on the level of the Louvre and the Metropolitan, depending on your intersts
-State Russian Museum (great icons and other Russian art)
-Peter & Paul Fortress, Cathedral
-Nevsky Prospect, including Kazan Cathedral, Church on Spilled Blood, some of the stores
-St. Isaacs Cathedral
-Museum of Political History and the Kirov Museum; great to understand Soviet history, as well as see how a top leader of Stalin's Russia lived before his assassination
-Ethnography Museum
-Artillery Museum, Naval Museum
-Dostoyevsky Museum, and a "Crime and Punishment" walk
-tour around Vasilievsky Island, including the central commercial district (far more of a typical Russian city than Nevsky Prospect)
-Peterhof Palace, especially for the fountains
-Pushkin, especially for the grounds, the Amber Room, and the restaurant outside the main Palace
-Pavlovsk Palace
-Yussopov Palace
-a day trip to Novgorod (really need a private car/driver for this as the train trip is 4-5 hours vs. 3 hours by car)
Depending on what is playing opera or ballet at the Mariinsky and/or Mussorgsky; concert at Shchostokovitch Hall. Many music-related sights, such as the Museum of Musical Instruments, Rimsky-Korsakov House, Chiliapin House, etc. Gergiev will probably not be at the Mariinsky, but the productions are still quite good.
For a short trip probably the best guide book is "Eyewitness/DK Guide to St.Petersburg" (which I give to our clients as it is a nice overview and enough information to get your interest up).
-City overview, for 1/2 day;
-Hermitage (3-4 hours); you can easily spend far more time here, as it is on the level of the Louvre and the Metropolitan, depending on your intersts
-State Russian Museum (great icons and other Russian art)
-Peter & Paul Fortress, Cathedral
-Nevsky Prospect, including Kazan Cathedral, Church on Spilled Blood, some of the stores
-St. Isaacs Cathedral
-Museum of Political History and the Kirov Museum; great to understand Soviet history, as well as see how a top leader of Stalin's Russia lived before his assassination
-Ethnography Museum
-Artillery Museum, Naval Museum
-Dostoyevsky Museum, and a "Crime and Punishment" walk
-tour around Vasilievsky Island, including the central commercial district (far more of a typical Russian city than Nevsky Prospect)
-Peterhof Palace, especially for the fountains
-Pushkin, especially for the grounds, the Amber Room, and the restaurant outside the main Palace
-Pavlovsk Palace
-Yussopov Palace
-a day trip to Novgorod (really need a private car/driver for this as the train trip is 4-5 hours vs. 3 hours by car)
Depending on what is playing opera or ballet at the Mariinsky and/or Mussorgsky; concert at Shchostokovitch Hall. Many music-related sights, such as the Museum of Musical Instruments, Rimsky-Korsakov House, Chiliapin House, etc. Gergiev will probably not be at the Mariinsky, but the productions are still quite good.
For a short trip probably the best guide book is "Eyewitness/DK Guide to St.Petersburg" (which I give to our clients as it is a nice overview and enough information to get your interest up).
Jun 19th, 2004 | 12:28 PM
#4
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,549
Likes: 0
I just returned from a 2 week elderhostel tour to Moscow and St. Petersburg. We hit some of the sites Marc mentions but certainly not all. We had a week in each city and went to to ballet, concerts or operas almost every night in different venues.
Due to the fact that it was The Ring at the Marinsky only one couple opted to go there. Doing a 5 hour Wagner experience after a full day of sightseeing was just not what I wanted to do. I did go both to the Bolshoi Opera and Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow.
Insofar as the performances were concerned, seeing the old venues was more impressive than what we saw or heard. While much of it was good, we can see much better in the US because the best of the Russian stars generally decamp for the West. Hopefully, in the near future, the Russian economy will improve and encourage them to stay put.
In Petersburg I spent an entire day at The Hermitage and also went to The Russian Museum and The Ethnography Museum (there is a Jewish exhibit but most of the titles are in Russian). I did go "off tour" at times simply saying I had other priorities, give me the theater ticket and I will see you in the evening.
I would add to Marc's list the house of Peter the Great, which was a priority with me. It is housed in a building and you cannot just do a drive by from the road. I made sure I saw that!
I did do the canal boat ride on my own and was glad I did so. The day the tour group offered it, the water was too high and the boats did not run. I could not understand much of the Russian commentary but the ride was fun anyway.
The one disadvantage of the tour was, of course, the Hotel Pulovskaya, which is too far out to be convenient. That is another reason I left the tour at times as I did not want to spend time going back to the hotel to change before the evening's entertainment. Silly. So, I just stayed in town and went to the event as is. There was no need to be concerned about proper attire, etc.
Seeing an opera in Italian with Russian surtitles to help us was a trip. The plot was explained by our tour group leader on the bus afterwards as it was an infrequently performed opera.
We also saw Finnish and Icelandic choirs at the symphony hall that were terrific.
I should tell you that I do read cyrillic lettering and have a nodding acquaintance with Russian due to one year of Russian in high school and assiduous work with Pimsleur CD's for 4-5 months before the tour. That helped a lot and I ended up being the person who was the translator for people in the group at times--which was a real joke considering what I know.
By the way, when you buy water ask for it "bez gas" (without carbonation).
I had a wonderful time and would recommend both Moscow and St. Petersburg to anyone with an interest in the wonderful history of Russia. I asked myself at the end of the tour, "Why did I ever wait so long to do this?"
I cannot wait to return. I have heard elderhostel is going to offer the Transiberian Express. I will begin saving my money now.
If I were to return to Moscow or St. Petersburg, I would have no problem doing it solo.
For anyone going: Please be sure to see the wonderful Russian art in the Russian Museum in Petersburg and the Tretnykov Gallery in Moscow. That was a real eye opener for me. The only disappointment was that the big Repin with the boat haulers on the Volga is on loan and not at the Russian Museum in Petersburg at present.
The real bargain is the wonderful art that can be picked up from the artists themselves for a song. My frame guy went nuts when he saw what I brought back. Of course, I will now spend megabucks getting it all framed, but some of it is really stunning. I did feel a bit sad that there are so many talented people competing and having such a hard time making a living.
We did see one pro Communist demonstration by pensioners concerned about their teeny pensions leading to an impoverished old age.
We can only wish the Russian people well in the difficult transition to a free market economy. Let us hope they succeed and life becomes a bit more comfortable for them!
Due to the fact that it was The Ring at the Marinsky only one couple opted to go there. Doing a 5 hour Wagner experience after a full day of sightseeing was just not what I wanted to do. I did go both to the Bolshoi Opera and Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow.
Insofar as the performances were concerned, seeing the old venues was more impressive than what we saw or heard. While much of it was good, we can see much better in the US because the best of the Russian stars generally decamp for the West. Hopefully, in the near future, the Russian economy will improve and encourage them to stay put.
In Petersburg I spent an entire day at The Hermitage and also went to The Russian Museum and The Ethnography Museum (there is a Jewish exhibit but most of the titles are in Russian). I did go "off tour" at times simply saying I had other priorities, give me the theater ticket and I will see you in the evening.
I would add to Marc's list the house of Peter the Great, which was a priority with me. It is housed in a building and you cannot just do a drive by from the road. I made sure I saw that!
I did do the canal boat ride on my own and was glad I did so. The day the tour group offered it, the water was too high and the boats did not run. I could not understand much of the Russian commentary but the ride was fun anyway.
The one disadvantage of the tour was, of course, the Hotel Pulovskaya, which is too far out to be convenient. That is another reason I left the tour at times as I did not want to spend time going back to the hotel to change before the evening's entertainment. Silly. So, I just stayed in town and went to the event as is. There was no need to be concerned about proper attire, etc.
Seeing an opera in Italian with Russian surtitles to help us was a trip. The plot was explained by our tour group leader on the bus afterwards as it was an infrequently performed opera.
We also saw Finnish and Icelandic choirs at the symphony hall that were terrific.
I should tell you that I do read cyrillic lettering and have a nodding acquaintance with Russian due to one year of Russian in high school and assiduous work with Pimsleur CD's for 4-5 months before the tour. That helped a lot and I ended up being the person who was the translator for people in the group at times--which was a real joke considering what I know.
By the way, when you buy water ask for it "bez gas" (without carbonation).
I had a wonderful time and would recommend both Moscow and St. Petersburg to anyone with an interest in the wonderful history of Russia. I asked myself at the end of the tour, "Why did I ever wait so long to do this?"
I cannot wait to return. I have heard elderhostel is going to offer the Transiberian Express. I will begin saving my money now.
If I were to return to Moscow or St. Petersburg, I would have no problem doing it solo.
For anyone going: Please be sure to see the wonderful Russian art in the Russian Museum in Petersburg and the Tretnykov Gallery in Moscow. That was a real eye opener for me. The only disappointment was that the big Repin with the boat haulers on the Volga is on loan and not at the Russian Museum in Petersburg at present.
The real bargain is the wonderful art that can be picked up from the artists themselves for a song. My frame guy went nuts when he saw what I brought back. Of course, I will now spend megabucks getting it all framed, but some of it is really stunning. I did feel a bit sad that there are so many talented people competing and having such a hard time making a living.
We did see one pro Communist demonstration by pensioners concerned about their teeny pensions leading to an impoverished old age.
We can only wish the Russian people well in the difficult transition to a free market economy. Let us hope they succeed and life becomes a bit more comfortable for them!
Jun 19th, 2004 | 12:41 PM
#5
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,549
Likes: 0
A couple of other pieces of advice:
Avoid the Hotel Pulovskaya. It is too far out of town, although you can take an easy Metro. Having said that, I found that the real problem was not the location. The hotel has problems with adequate hot water. I did get tired of taking (very fast) tepid showers.
On the Moscow subway, you can figure out where to go to make your change by looking for the color of the line you want on the signs even if you do not read cyrillic.
Food was better than expected but almost everyone got Stalin's Revenge at some point. To be sure you are well prepared, pack plenty of immodium. My supply was well used and I downed the last pill on the plane home. No one drank the water and we were all assured that what we were eating was washed in pure water (not what comes out of the faucet). Who knows? My suspicion was that this was not true.
The tour had lunches at various restaurants and dinner at the hotels. The buffet at the Ukraina (our hotel in Moscow) was adequate but there was always a mob scene because the tour buses always leave at the same time. The food at the Pulovskaya was excellent, by the way (but no hot water). In both hotels we took to eating after the performances because the bus tour crowding was nonexistent then.
People who cannot do a lot of walking should not sign up for the sort of tour I took. There were several people who clearly would have been better off on the more sedentary cruise (although I heard several complaints about the food on such cruises; who is to know what is better?).
On a group tour be prepared to compromise your own needs with the needs of the group. There were some people who felt the tour group organizer was conducting the tour for their own personal benefit. Those sorts of people really give Americans a bad name. They also anger others in the tour group. I was very glad to have my CD player to turn up very loud when I got sick of the people complaining in the back of the bus.
There are plusses and minuses to whatever way you travel. I am widely traveled as a solo in Western Europe and did not feel comfortable going to Russia solo the first go round.
We traveled by train between Moscow and St. Petersburg and had no complaints about the train. The poverty of the villages along the train track was obvious. When we stopped halfway there were people selling smoked fish and flowers on the platform. They looked very down trodden. A man on holiday from his work in Siberia provided a good deal of entertainment on the journey. He was a bit "in his cups". He kept "romancing" the oldest member of the tour group and presented her with flowers. She was 80 years young and a real trooper!
Avoid the Hotel Pulovskaya. It is too far out of town, although you can take an easy Metro. Having said that, I found that the real problem was not the location. The hotel has problems with adequate hot water. I did get tired of taking (very fast) tepid showers.
On the Moscow subway, you can figure out where to go to make your change by looking for the color of the line you want on the signs even if you do not read cyrillic.
Food was better than expected but almost everyone got Stalin's Revenge at some point. To be sure you are well prepared, pack plenty of immodium. My supply was well used and I downed the last pill on the plane home. No one drank the water and we were all assured that what we were eating was washed in pure water (not what comes out of the faucet). Who knows? My suspicion was that this was not true.
The tour had lunches at various restaurants and dinner at the hotels. The buffet at the Ukraina (our hotel in Moscow) was adequate but there was always a mob scene because the tour buses always leave at the same time. The food at the Pulovskaya was excellent, by the way (but no hot water). In both hotels we took to eating after the performances because the bus tour crowding was nonexistent then.
People who cannot do a lot of walking should not sign up for the sort of tour I took. There were several people who clearly would have been better off on the more sedentary cruise (although I heard several complaints about the food on such cruises; who is to know what is better?).
On a group tour be prepared to compromise your own needs with the needs of the group. There were some people who felt the tour group organizer was conducting the tour for their own personal benefit. Those sorts of people really give Americans a bad name. They also anger others in the tour group. I was very glad to have my CD player to turn up very loud when I got sick of the people complaining in the back of the bus.
There are plusses and minuses to whatever way you travel. I am widely traveled as a solo in Western Europe and did not feel comfortable going to Russia solo the first go round.
We traveled by train between Moscow and St. Petersburg and had no complaints about the train. The poverty of the villages along the train track was obvious. When we stopped halfway there were people selling smoked fish and flowers on the platform. They looked very down trodden. A man on holiday from his work in Siberia provided a good deal of entertainment on the journey. He was a bit "in his cups". He kept "romancing" the oldest member of the tour group and presented her with flowers. She was 80 years young and a real trooper!
Jul 13th, 2004 | 08:57 AM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
I found a very good guide for €15 per hour at www.eugenia.com.ru .If time is important and you want to fit in as much as possible into a short period it is worth hiring a guide.The writing in Russia is Cryllic and totally confusing so a guide is invaluable.
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Jul 14th, 2004 | 08:48 AM
#8
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,421
Likes: 0
I'm surprised no one mentioned Church of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ (Church on Spilt Blood).
http://www.saint-petersburg.com/sigh...ion-Church.asp
Not to be missed. The interior is as stunning as the exterior.
(Actually, I just noticed this was buried in there with Nevsky Prospect above.)
http://www.saint-petersburg.com/sigh...ion-Church.asp
Not to be missed. The interior is as stunning as the exterior.
(Actually, I just noticed this was buried in there with Nevsky Prospect above.)
Jul 14th, 2004 | 09:43 AM
#9
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Don't miss the KUNSTCAMERA OF PETER THE GREAT. The oldest museum in Russia, its exposition reflects life in different regions of the world and shows the incredible range of Peter's scientific interests...By the way we just stayed at the Pulkovskaya two days ago and had plenty of hot water, the hotel is excellent, even flat screen TV.
Jul 14th, 2004 | 12:29 PM
#10
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 704
Likes: 0
"Crime and Punishment" walking tours in St Petersburg are available through Peter's Walk at www.perterswalk.com
Jul 14th, 2004 | 01:44 PM
#11
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 704
Likes: 0
Should be www.peterswalk.com
Jul 14th, 2004 | 04:48 PM
#12
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,510
Likes: 0
Faux (fausse?) Ste Marie: thanks for the thorough and compassionate retelling of your trip. I enjoyed it very much.
I'm thinking I should emulate those many friends of mine who have headed to Russia -- my fiance has visited there but that was (wait for punchline) in 1960-1.
I'm thinking I should emulate those many friends of mine who have headed to Russia -- my fiance has visited there but that was (wait for punchline) in 1960-1.
Jul 14th, 2004 | 05:18 PM
#13
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,549
Likes: 0
Dmahalek, did you stay in Block 1 or Block 2 at the Pulovskaya? The problem was confined to Block 2. While I was there June 1-16, there never was enough hot water in the morning when everyone was trying to show at once in Block 2.
Anyone staying at the Pulovskaya should ask for Block 1 to be on the safe side.
Insofar as the Church on the Spilled Blood is concerned, Marc Miller suggested it as something to see, DJKBooks, so it WAS mentioned.
In St. Petersburg, my tour did a ballet at the Mussorsky and a concert at the Shostakovich Hall.
And now, after spending quite a bit at the framers, I have some wonderful Russian art on my walls to help me remember my trip.
Anyone staying at the Pulovskaya should ask for Block 1 to be on the safe side.
Insofar as the Church on the Spilled Blood is concerned, Marc Miller suggested it as something to see, DJKBooks, so it WAS mentioned.
In St. Petersburg, my tour did a ballet at the Mussorsky and a concert at the Shostakovich Hall.
And now, after spending quite a bit at the framers, I have some wonderful Russian art on my walls to help me remember my trip.
Jul 17th, 2004 | 09:41 PM
#15
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Whatever???
Definition of "fausse":
1. adjective false; untrue, wrong; imitation...; fraudulent; forged (document); music out of tune; faux col masculine detachable collar; faux frais masculine plural incidental expenses; faux mouvement awkward movement; telephony faux numéro masculine wrong number; figuratively faux pas masculine blunder; fausse monnaie feminine counterfeit coin(s plural ); 2. faux adverb falsely; music out of tune; 3. masculine noun : le faux falsehood; the untrue; law forgery
Too curious that you slam others (whom you presume to be (your) so-called "aliases"
, when you have an obvious assortment of Fodor's registration names.
Too funny that everyone at your hotel attempted to "show" at once. And, that you weren't able to have dinner at dinnertime.
Ste, with the "e", and "Marie" would rather suggest "gender", don't you think.
"Monitor"???
If your "monitor" is a "joke", can anyone take you seriously?
Definition of "fausse":
1. adjective false; untrue, wrong; imitation...; fraudulent; forged (document); music out of tune; faux col masculine detachable collar; faux frais masculine plural incidental expenses; faux mouvement awkward movement; telephony faux numéro masculine wrong number; figuratively faux pas masculine blunder; fausse monnaie feminine counterfeit coin(s plural ); 2. faux adverb falsely; music out of tune; 3. masculine noun : le faux falsehood; the untrue; law forgery
Too curious that you slam others (whom you presume to be (your) so-called "aliases"
, when you have an obvious assortment of Fodor's registration names.Too funny that everyone at your hotel attempted to "show" at once. And, that you weren't able to have dinner at dinnertime.
Ste, with the "e", and "Marie" would rather suggest "gender", don't you think.
"Monitor"???
If your "monitor" is a "joke", can anyone take you seriously?
Jul 20th, 2004 | 06:01 PM
#16
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
We loved St. Pete:Hermitage a must see,
State Russian Museum, St. Isaacs Cathedral, Peterhof Palace, only for the fountains. skip the house tour.
-Pushkin, especially the Amber Room,
-Yussopov Palace -awesome if you like touring elegant mansions. we loved it.
walking Nevsky
a great city. enjoy.
State Russian Museum, St. Isaacs Cathedral, Peterhof Palace, only for the fountains. skip the house tour.
-Pushkin, especially the Amber Room,
-Yussopov Palace -awesome if you like touring elegant mansions. we loved it.
walking Nevsky
a great city. enjoy.
Jul 26th, 2004 | 03:57 AM
#18
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Hello, everybody!
i read so many wonderful words here about my country and my native city - StPetersburg! Thank u very much!!!
i'd like to answer each of u, i'll try.
to Harlow: yes, we have got a tour called "by the esteps of Dostoevsky and his heroes", write me back to [email protected], i shall send u info on this tour.
to FauxSteMarie: your posts about SPetersburg are the most impressive ones! Sure u spent here great time! What about autumn or winter? Why not come here during these seasons? There plenty of things to do in SPb and SPb region in winter: sleging, kite-skiing, skiing, and museums-museums-museums....have u visited folk shows during your stay in SPb? or not yet?
As far as i can see, u r a clever and intelligent person, that's why travelling in a group is not for u. I think u'd better come to Russia on an individual tour, concerning your personal interests and already existing knowlege about Russia. Why not choose an apartment to stay, not hotel (like 'Pulkovskaya'). prices in this case are even lower, but quality of apartments (fully equipped with all the nesseccary) is higher. Please address me if u'd like to come to Russia an other time, we shall make it much more better!
my address: [email protected]
My company site:www.gopiter.com
to Ardfert: Concerning guides: 15 euro is not the best price, my company offers guides at 10 euro rate!!!
Rgds to everybody!
maria
i read so many wonderful words here about my country and my native city - StPetersburg! Thank u very much!!!
i'd like to answer each of u, i'll try.
to Harlow: yes, we have got a tour called "by the esteps of Dostoevsky and his heroes", write me back to [email protected], i shall send u info on this tour.
to FauxSteMarie: your posts about SPetersburg are the most impressive ones! Sure u spent here great time! What about autumn or winter? Why not come here during these seasons? There plenty of things to do in SPb and SPb region in winter: sleging, kite-skiing, skiing, and museums-museums-museums....have u visited folk shows during your stay in SPb? or not yet?
As far as i can see, u r a clever and intelligent person, that's why travelling in a group is not for u. I think u'd better come to Russia on an individual tour, concerning your personal interests and already existing knowlege about Russia. Why not choose an apartment to stay, not hotel (like 'Pulkovskaya'). prices in this case are even lower, but quality of apartments (fully equipped with all the nesseccary) is higher. Please address me if u'd like to come to Russia an other time, we shall make it much more better!
my address: [email protected]
My company site:www.gopiter.com
to Ardfert: Concerning guides: 15 euro is not the best price, my company offers guides at 10 euro rate!!!
Rgds to everybody!
maria
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Jan 14th, 2004 04:48 PM
