The best place to buy souvenirs in Moscow, Russia is easily Izmailovsky Market. It’s located just outside the city center and is easy to get to via the metro. The prices here are a fraction of what you’ll pay on Arbat Street for the same souvenirs… and you can barter! My husband and I went…
“A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles is a must-read novel, recommended by even the likes of Bill Gates and soon it will also be a TV series. You don’t have to be interested in Moscow either to be charmed by the wit of Count Alexander Rostov – the book’s main character. The Count’s story…
Seeing a performance at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow should be at the top of your Russia bucket list! This historic theatre holds some of the world’s best ballet and opera performances. Dressing the part for this grand theatre is at the top of many theatre-goers minds, too. Should you wear a gown? A suit…
The best view of St. Petersburg, Russia is arguably from atop St. Isaac’s Cathedral. Visiting this beautiful cathedral should already be on your itinerary for St. Petersburg, as its interior is as spectacular as its gilded dome exterior. However, getting to its colonnade is not for the faint of heart! It requires scaling nearly 300…
You can’t visit Russia without hearing about the famous Fabergé eggs. You’ll likely see large crowds gathered around their single display case in Moscow inside the Kremlin Armoury. However, the world’s largest collection of these eggs belongs to the Fabergé Museum in St. Petersburg! (And the Fabergé Museum in St. Petersburg allows photos, unlike in…
*WARNING* – This post might be TMI for some, and it’s also written from the perspective of a woman visiting a public Banya in Russia. (Sorry, dudes, I’m not entirely sure what goes on over on your side of the banya.) So, if talking about nakedness, body parts, bodily functions, etc. makes you queasy…you’ll want…
Wondering what to wear to the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Russia? This post is here to help! Dress c/o* (Similar here) | Pumps | Belt | Bracelet c/o* (On sale!) | Necklace (Similar) The Bolshoi is a historic theatre in Moscow that opened in 1856. (Pictures of it are at the end of this post.)…
Experiencing a Russian Banya should be at the top of your travel itinerary for Russia, especially if you’re visiting during winter! For this post, I’ll explain what a banya is, what to expect when visiting one and share some funny videos and photos from our experience! (I’m jumping into a frozen lake in one video,…
Moscow, Russia during the winter is really a sight to behold! Calling it a “winter wonderland” is a bit of an understatement. I am continually amazed by the beauty of this city after a fresh snowfall. (I would also venture to say, that visiting Russia during the winter is an even more magical experience than…
When it comes to must-visit places in Moscow, Russia, the Museum of Cosmonautics generally doesn’t make the same lists as The Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral or the Bolshoi Theatre…however, does that mean it’s not worth adding to your Moscow itinerary? This post will explain! What is the Museum of Cosmonautics? The Museum of Cosmonautics is…
Visiting St. Petersburg, Russia in the wintertime is a magical experience. You just have to be sure to bring some VERY warm clothes and adjust your itinerary accordingly. Certain famous attractions, like the Peterhof fountains, will be drained…and taking a canal ride? Yeah, that’s not happening. But don’t let that deter you – the beautiful,…
St. Petersburg, Russia has an impressive amount of beautiful buildings to visit! We’ve already covered some of the awe-inspiring palaces. Now, this list will be for its jaw-dropping cathedrals. If you have the time, I hope you visit all the cathedrals in St. Petersburg! However, if you’re on a time crunch in St. Petersburg, like…
The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia is home to more than 1 million works of art and nearly 3 million exhibits in total. It’s actually the 2nd largest art museum in the world! (#1 is the Louvre.) The Hermitage is an absolute must-visit on your trip to St. Petersburg. This post will give…
No trip to St. Petersburg, Russia would be complete without a visit to Catherine Palace in the suburb of Pushkin. Catherine Palace (or the Great Palace of Tsarskoye Selo) tops many of the “must-see” lists for planning a trip to this area. Being armed with a little knowledge before you go can certainly make the…