Saint Petersburg

by Wen Russia

Peterhof Grand Palace (Summer Palace)

The outside fountain is just absolutely amazing! I have never seen such a wealth exposed as here. The fountains alone are stunning look down the canal to the Gulf of Finland. This is my favorite place in St. Petersburg. It will be one of the highlights of your visit to Russia as well!

Lomonosov Moscow State University
st petersburg summer garden

State Hermitage Museum (Winter Palace)

A trip to St. Petersburg is incomplete without a visit to the Hermitage. I think it's very impressive but also a little overwhelming. There were so much to see so little time. 3+ hours is needed to see all exhibits. 

 

Moscow Novodevichy Convent
Winter palace
Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard

Aurora Battleship

The Cruiser Aurora was built in 1900, it played an important role in many battles. We made a quick stop to see this ship. Too bad we didn't have enough time to do an internal visit. 

Aurora Battleship

Peter and Paul Fortress

Peter and Paul Fortress
Peter and Paul Fortress

Monument to Peter I

Mikhail Shamyakin’s bizarrely small-headed statue at the Peter and Paul Fortress. Our tour guide said that the statue brought good luck if you touched Peter's shining hands. 

Peter and Paul Fortress

Blue Bridge (over Moyka River)

There are lots of historical buildings along both sides of the Moyka River. The Blue Bridge is a 97 meter wide bridge painted in blue crossing the Moika River. It is very close to St. Isaac’s cathedral and the Bronze Horseman.

Blue Bridge
Revolution Square

Bronze Horseman

St. Isaac’s cathedral

St. Isaac’s cathedral

Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

The architecture is typical iconic Russia and it is amazing. This magnificent onion-domed church has an impressive interior covered in mosaics. My mom obviously think about what to wear today (same color scheme as the church). 😛

church of the savior on spilled blood

Lunch

Borscht, chicken cutlets with potatoes.

Russian Ruble (RUB)

Veliky Novgorod

by Wen Russia

Moscow Passazhirskaya railway station

We are taking an overnight sleeper train from Moscow to Veliky Novgorod. 

Lomonosov Moscow State University

Overnight train to Novgorod

I am sharing a room with my mom on the train. The mattress is comfortable and the bedding is clean. I think this is a great way to cover long distances while getting a good night’s sleep. It is more comfortable than taking long road trips being cramped in a bus.

The Kremlin of Novgorod

The Kremlin walls stretch to 1500 metres with nine towers. The cathedral of St. Sophia is inside the Kremlin.

Kremlin of Novgorod

St. George Monastery

The most ancient monastery of Russia.

Novgorod
St. George Monastery

Cathedral of St. Sophia

Cathedral of St. Sophia was built in the early 12 century. This is the oldest church in today's Russia as well as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

“Where St. Sophia is, there is Novgorod", exclaims Prince Mstislav in 1215.

Cathedral of St. Sophia

Sigtuna Gates

According to wikipedia, "The doors at the west entrance, called the Sigtuna, Magdeburg or Płock Gates, are said to have been looted by Novgorodian forces from the Swedish town of Sigtuna in 1187. In fact, they were most probably wrought and sculptured by Magdeburg masters, most likely in years 1152–1154, for the Archbishop of Płock in Poland"

Millennium of Russia

Remarkable sculpture of people who impacted the history of Russia. The Millennium of Russia Monument was established in 1862 to commemorate Veliky Novgorod's 1000th anniversary. 

Lunch

Lunch Novgorod

Vitoslavitsy Museum of Folk Wooden Architecture

The wooden architecture were collected from different places in Russia. The idea is to recreate ancient Russia village life. It is staffed by workers wearing the costume for the region and the period. Many of the houses can be entered. 

Vitoslavitsy Museum of Folk Wooden Architecture
Vitoslavitsy Museum of Folk Wooden Architecture

The ancient Trading Market

Church of St. Parasceva the Friday on the Marketplace

St. Parasceva Church was built in 1207 with the money of foreign merchants and consecrated in the name of St. Parasceva the Friday, because she was believed to be the patron saint of trade. To learn more you can visit visitnovgorod.com.

 

Dinner at Hotel

Finally after a long exhausted day we can eat!

Zagorosk

Made in Russia

My mom is a vacation pro. She has souvenir t-shirt on her, Russian handmade craft on the table, and fresh flowers from the hotel. 😀

Moscow

by Wen Russia

My First Impressions of Moscow: It's big and busy!

Moscow is a big and lively city with a variety of atmosphere, full of things to see and places to visit. One of my favorite experiences in Moscow was visiting the metro stations and riding from stop to stop. Each station is different from the next, with an individual theme and artistic style. 

Lomonosov Moscow State University (MGU)

MGU is one of the seven large structures (seven sisters) built under the orders of Stalin in the city. It was nice to see one of the seven sister towers up close. 

Lomonosov Moscow State University

Sparrow Hills (Vorobyovy Gory)

Our tour included a stop at the observation deck on Sparrow Hill. This is the highest hill in Moscow. It is located near the main gate of Lomonosov Moscow State University. Luzhniki Stadium is right in front of the observation deck.

Novodevichy Convent

The convent is a beautiful calming oasis in the middle of the busy city. Right next to the convent is a small lake where you can take some great photos here. 

Moscow Novodevichy Convent

Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard

It was a really old-fashioned circus in a very nice building. The performance was smooth and high class for most of the scenes. Our group had such a great time here. We were all very entertained!

Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard

Moscow Metro

Even if you don't use the train, it's worth a go. Many of them were decorated with marble columns, frescoes, and chandeliers. It was like visiting a museum!

Ploshchad Revolyutsii Station (Revolution Square)

This stations lined with life-size bronze sculptures (workers, farmers, soldiers, artists and children) depicting the people of the Soviet Union. There are 72 in total.

Revolution Square

Victory Park

Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the artsy-fartsy street in Moscow. You can find lots of artists, street performers, restaurants, coffee shops, pubs, and souvenir shops here. 

Red Square (Krasnaya ploshchad)

After being in Moscow for so many days, the Red Square is the first place I felt like I was truly in Moscow. Framed by the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral, the Gum, Lenin's Mausoleum, and the State History Museum. You have an incredible amount of Russian history surrounding you.

GUM Department Store

We went to GUM to walk around and just to relax. The shops are branded and quite expensive but it's very beautiful and worth to visit inside.

Red Square
Red Square

Grand Kremlin Palace & St. Basil's Cathedral

The Great Kremlin Palace is a beautiful building within the Kremlin grounds. It is the residence of Russian President. Technically you cannot walk along the Kremlin walls but you can get quite close from the gardens. My mom took a nice photo in front of it. 

St. Basil's Cathedral completely dominates Red Square in Moscow. Our tour guide was trying to explain the history to us (clearly half of the group were not paying attention...)

Kremlin

Cathedral of the Assumption

Used to crown Czars and emperors. Plenty of well preserved frescoes to admire inside. Almost every inch of wall and ceiling space is painted in frescoes depicting saints.

Kremlin

Tsar Bell and the Tsar Cannon

The majestic Tsar Bell is the largest bell in the world, weighing almost 202 tons.

Kremlin

The Golden Ring: Suzdal, Vladimir, & Sergiyev Posad

by Wen Russia

Golden Ring is a set of ancient Russian cities which form a circle on the map (northeast of Moscow). We will visit Vladimir, Suzdal, and Sergiyev Posad during this trip.

Vladimir

Dormition Cathedral (Holy Assumption Cathedral) in Vladimir

Built in white stone around years 1158-1160. It is part of a World Heritage Site and undoubtedly a point of interest in Vladimir. The cathedral is placed beautifully, with a view to the valley below. 

Cathedral of Saint Demetrius

Vladimir to Suzdal

Vladimir to Suzdal

Market Square in Suzdal

Market Square is located in the town center. From the outside, the building looks very classic. It has lots souvenirs on display, mostly wooden handicraft.

Suzdal
Suzdal

Dinner at Suzdal

Dinner at Suzdal

The Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra in Sergiyev Posad

The Trinity Monastery is so beautiful and the blue and gold domes are mesmerizing. It is the headquarters of Russian Orthodox Christianity religion. It is also on the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

Zagorosk
The Holy Trinity