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An insight into the seven wonders of Russia

Posted in Russia | by Amy
March 24th, 2011

Vacationing wouldn’t be complete without visiting the seven wonders of Russia. Last year, famous Russian TV-channels and radio stations conducted an official poll and revealed the real wonders Russia has. The result of the poll was seven best-looking and fascinating places. Here they are:

The Valley of Geysers:

Located over the Kamchatka Peninsula, The Valley of Geysers comprises of hundreds of living geysers. There are no authentic roads heading towards the Valley, however, if tourists wish to explore this great wonder, they need to travel by helicopter.

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Lake Baikal:

Recognized as the deepest lake and great wonders of planet earth, the Lake Baikal holds 20 percent of fresh surface water when compared to other great lakes in the world. Its supernatural deep blue color and neighboring mountains are gaining immense popularity as they are considered as favorite tourist attractions. Those who love to hunt climb and fish would find this destination quite appealing. Besides these attractions, Lake Baikal’s shores also feature beautiful resort spas and hotels.

Mamayev Kurga:

Mamayev Kurgan is a prevailing height overlooking the great city of Volgograd, previously called Stalingrad in southern Russia. The Mamayev Kurgan boasts a memorial complex marking the Battle of Stalingrad. This prominent tourist attraction is reportedly leaning onto one side and would eventually crumple if not cared for.

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Saint Basil’s Cathedral:

Built primarily to look like the flares of a beacon reaching the sky, Saint Basil’s Cathedral commemorates two of Russian military victories. At present, Saint Basil’s Cathedral is an exclusive looking wonder, which is a highly admired tourist attraction in Moscow.

Peterhof Palace:

Peterhof Palace comprises a series of stunning palaces and gardens frequently called the Russian Versailles sited in the capital of St. Petersburg. Built by Peter the Great, the Peterhof Palace has become a favorite tourist attraction in Russia. St. Petersburg features several beautiful hotels to house the tourists visiting Peterhof.

Mount Elbrus:

Standing tall at 5,642 meters, the Mount Elbrus is considered as the highest mountain in Russia. Mount Elbrus is a renowned tourist destination and many people long for climbing up the mountain especially during summer. During the 70s, a unique cable-car system was used, which takes individuals up to 3,800 meters up the mountain. Every day, nearly 100 people attempt to reach Elbrus peak. However during winder, attempts are very scares.

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Columns of Erosion:

The Columns of Erosion, also called as Manpupuner in Russia are the state’s most mysterious attractions. Locals out there call them as, “7 Strong Men”, with its height touching up to 42 meters. The Manpupuner makes it out-of-the-way to even professional rock-climbers.

Russian Tours- A Cultural fiesta!

Posted in Russia, Travel Tips Russia | by Amy
February 17th, 2011

The Baltic region’s most important country is Russia. Opulent in both cultural and political ancestry, this country can never be ignored from a travel itinerary. The drop-dead gorgeous sights here are a feast to the eyes! The Baltic Travel Company organizes both tailor made and classical tours to various salient places to visit here. The imposing highlights in this country are the Krembi and the Mariinsky theatre, and many other significant landmarks. Seldom forgotten is the ultimate journey on the Trans-Siberian railway that is a once in a lifetime experience.

img credit : http://www.flickr.com/photos/martingeber/4056192305/

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All the tours that are organized by the company fit perfectly according to the customers’ needs, interests and budgets. Not one of the packages is utterly expensive, though inclusive of all fares (flight, accommodation food, etc). Also, the tours are guided, with expert English-speaking guides. There are city breaks to St. Petersburg and Moscow too.

The guided tours include the classical Russian tour to Moscow and St. Petersburg, and many other substantial locations to visit. The day to day detailed itinerary is impressive to a great deal, from listing out places to visit to even the menus of meals for everyday! Sadly, slight inconvenience in the guided tours is that they are available only on Saturdays, so maybe the tourists have to customize to the company’s adjustments or organize their travel course themselves.

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The Tsar route- sounds so aristocratic and regal that everybody will be fascinated by the name alone! This package covers Helsinki, known for its lush locales and resplendent history. Also featuring are beautiful canals and palaces that stand proud in this memorable state. The heritage of Russia, to everybody’s eyes is splendid! The golden ring tour and the extended golden ring tour focus on treating the tourists to historic towns that are known as the open air museums. The monasteries and cathedrals that are seen along this tour are ornamental and exquisite.

img credit : http://www.flickr.com/photos/12414502@N00/2846508610/

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The Trans-Siberian express is a journey for 15 days that covers a distance of 10,000km. Described as a voyage of a lifetime, it is the longest train journey in the region. Too many days to be spent traveling in a rail, but hopefully it lives up to the name. However, in a nutshell, Russia is an important place to see and nobody else makes the travel as elegant as The Baltic Travel Company.

Five of the Best Baltic Ports for Cruises

Posted in Cruises, Estonia, Finland, Russia, Scandanavia, sweden | by admin
September 8th, 2010

Cruise ships offer visitors to the Baltic region a chance to see the incredible shorelines, fjords and islands that you can only admire from the sea. Of the 28 ports from which cruise ships regularly depart, here are the five ports of call where you can find fascinating places to explore on shore before and after your journey:

1. Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki is a part of most cruise ship itineraries and offers some interesting areas to explore. You can take a short ferry ride across the bay to stomp around the Soumenlinna Fortress, an 18th century fort that you can explore on your own or sign up for guided tour.

Soumenlinna Fortress, Helsinki(img credit: Bronnski)

The ferry departs from Market Square, an open-air market that supplies local food, crafts and souvenirs — even reindeer sausages and smoked herring. If you are in town for while, consider visiting the many Helsinki museums and climbing to the top of the Olympic tower.

2. Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn(img credit: Jurvetson)

As the capital of Estonia, this is the largest city in this tiny country and dates back over 1000 years. This charming locale is one of the best preserved medieval towns in all of Europe, although it does have a “modern” section. The Old Town Square is lined with outdoor cafes, picturesque homes and gothic civic buildings.

The cathedral boast the tallest tower in Europe, and you can climb to the top for a spectacular view of the city and harbor. Just a 2-hour ride across the bay from Helsinki, the towers and walls of Tallinn’s castles and churches border cobblestone streets that wind through this picturesque city, so bring sturdy walking shoes.

3. Stockholm, Sweden

The Old Town section in this Swedish city is called Gamla Stan and is home to the Royal Palace and City Hall — which also has a tower you can climb for a bird’s eye view of the area.

The christmas market in gamla stan (old town), stockholm. (img credit: Coulson)

Wander down the narrow winding cobblestone streets and explore the galleries, cafes, museums and shops along the way. Check out the Vasa museum which is housed in a warship that is adorned with sculptures elaborately carved in the 1600s when this boat was launched. Fully restored in the 20th century, the custom exhibition building that houses this Nordic treasure is open to visitors.

4. Copenhagen, Denmark

This cosmopolitan Danish town has many fascinating wonders within walking distance of the port — including the Tivoli Gardens, a popular destination for families during the day and romantic couples in the evening.

Tivoli Gardens(img credit: Nygaard)

At night, 100,000 lanterns are lit to create a magical ambiance that concludes with a dazzling fireworks show. Jump aboard a canal taxi to sail along the Nyhavn canal which is lined with colorful old buildings and sidewalk cafes. You can even visit the Little Mermaid statue who sits on the rock gazing out to sea waiting for her Prince Charming to return.

5. Saint Petersburg

Last but certainly not least is the Russian city that has impressed the world for centuries with its magnificent art, incredible architecture and fascinating history. Near the harbor is the Winter Palace, where you will find the Hermitage Museum, an incredible art institution that should not be missed.

Hermitage Museum, Russia(img credit: Marie-ll)

Visit the Palace Square and the Russian Museum of National Art or hire a boat and glide through the canals of Saint Petersburg, especially during the midsummer White Nights celebrations.

A Ride on the Trans-Siberian Railway

Posted in Russia, Travel Tips Russia | by admin
May 11th, 2010

The Longest Railway in the World

Stretching from the Sea of Japan across Mongolia, China and into the heart of Russia, the Trans-Siberian Railway has provided a mysterious backdrop for numerous creative works and transported untold millions of people across the Eurasian land mas through some of the most scenic areas in the world.

Covering a total of 9,259 kilometers, the railway has attracted great fame as the longest in the world.

Exploring Russia

Traveling through Russia alone in this immense broad-track train line will take a staggering seven days of nearly incessant chugging down the tracks. A typical journey begins at the historic Yaroslavsky Rail Terminal in Moscow and travels through some of the greatest rural and urban areas of the country. With careful planning, it is possible to arrange extended stopovers in some of the best towns and villages lining the railway route.

Trans-Siberian Villages

The railway takes passengers through several historic towns and past important landmarks that symbolise important parts of Russia’s great past.

Yaroslavl, one of the oldest cities in all of Russia, is known for being home to hundreds of centuries-old churches that were built by great patrons of the arts.

Continuing along the journey brings the train through Krasnoyarsk, where the immense taiga — Russian forest — begins and the steppes recede. Deep into Siberia, the city of Ulan Ude showcases a rich Buddhist tradition, once repressed under Stalin but now experiencing a great resurgence.

Dividing the Journey

As noted above, planning the stops along the journey is an important part of the Trans-Siberian Railway experience. While some people have no trouble with spending a full week on a train moving at forty miles per hour without more than brief stops at station platforms, others have more time and a greater desire to explore the beautiful Russian countryside and experience the rich cultural landscapes of Russian society.

Some passengers divide their travels into two or more parts, making stops along the way, exploring Russia for the entirety of their one month Russian visa stay.

While this method may be more costly than a single train journey, passengers have the chance to enjoy their trip across Russia, using the train only in individual overnight jaunts.

Four Things You May Not Know About the Moscow Subway System

Posted in Finland, Russia | by admin
March 15th, 2010

They say you can tell a lot about a city and its culture by its underground. Nowhere is this more the case than with the Moscow subway system, also known as the ‘Metro’. From the stunning architecture to the styles of trains to the sheer enormousness of the grid, this urban commute is a genuine reflection of Russia’s capital.

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1) The Moscow Subway System is Home to Astonishing Art Piece, Architecture and Decor

The first thing you’ll notice when stepping down in to the Moscow metro is just how beautiful it is. For instance, Komsomolskaya station is more reminiscent of a royal palace with its ornate design. Large chandeliers light up the hallways, which feature baroque detail from floor to ceiling. Other stations feature more modern Socialist Realist art, which makes it easy to remember the country’s communist history.

Novoslobodskaya Metro Station, Moscow, Russiacredit

The eight-car trains that glide to from each station are modeled after the same ones that nearly all ex-Soviet Eastern European systems have been using. Although they’re not quite as ornate as the stations themselves, they still add to the classical feel of the subway.

2) Half of All Moscow Subway Stations Were Designed as Nuclear ‘Fall Out’ Type Shelters

Because Moscow is such a sprawling city, it takes an ambitious train system to get the job done. The subway system, in all, covers 180 stations. Interesting note: about half of them are deep-level stations.

Due to the constant threat of nuclear attack during the cold war, it was decided that the subway should double as a nuclear fall-out shelter.

The system features 11 lines in total, including the Koltsevaya line which circles the capital. This line is key to dispersing the massive amounts of daily commuters.

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3) It’s Actually Reasonably Cheap To Travel on The Moscow Subway

If there’s one aspect that may not perfectly correlate with the rest of the city. it is that the subway in Moscow is not very expensive. Twenty-six rubles (about 60p) will get you a single trip ticket. In 1998, this city was actually the first in all of Europe to switch to Smart Cards. Now it currently accepts magnetic cards known as “Contact Cards.”

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4) The Moscow Metro is the Second Most Heavily Used Subway System in the World

Considering this Moscow train system only started running in 1935, over 70 years after the London Underground, it’s really quite impressive how fast it has developed into one of the most intricate and efficient in the world. In 2009, the Moscow Metro is estimated to have transported 2,392,200,000 passengers on its  292.9 kilometre-long system. This is second in terms of usage and passengers only to Tokyo’s subway system.

While most visitors use undergrounds to get from place to place, the Moscow subway system is a destination in itself.

The Best Places to Go Fishing in Russia

Posted in Russia, Travel Tips Russia | by admin
March 10th, 2010

If you are looking for an exciting, exotic destination to take a fishing holiday, you might want to consider visiting Russia. While it may not be the first location you think of to do some fishing, Russia has a number of bodies of water suitable for getting some great fishing done. Below are some of our favourite spots in the country to go fishing:

Volga River

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The Volga is the longest river in Europe. It passes through more than half of the largest cities in Russia, including Moscow. Many consider the Volga to be Russia’s national river. Pike, perch, burbot/eelpout, and catfish can be caught in the Volga near the capital. Some fish have been caught here that weigh over 100 kilos!

Volga Delta

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In addition to the river itself, there is some fantastic fishing to be had in the delta of the Volga. All of the above fish can be found in the Volga delta, as well as tench, zander and asp.

Lake Baikal

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Lake Baikal is the largest freshwater lake on the planet, and second only the Caspian Sea overall. Hucho taimen, grayling, and many other types of fish are found in the lake, but many come seeking the Omul whitefish, which is only found at Lake Baikal.

Kamchatka Peninsula

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If you are looking to catch Pacific salmon, then look no further than the Kamchatka peninsula, on the eastern side of the country. The variety of salmon available here make it a suitable spot for both the amateur and professional fisherman. King salmon, pink salmon, cherry salmon, and over a dozen other varieties of salmon spawn in the rivers here.

Caucasus Region

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The Caucasus region in south Russia near the Georgian border is an out of the way experience for the true outdoors enthusiast. The area is famous for its brown trout availability. On a good day, dozens of trout can be caught in the waterways in the region.

With such a large and diverse geographic area, you are almost certain to find the perfect fishing holiday waiting for you somewhere in Russia. The next time you plan an international fishing vacation, give Russia a look. It will be an experience you definitely will not soon forget!

Top Nighttime Activites to do in Russia

Posted in Russia | by admin
September 16th, 2009

Night life in Russia is both thrilling and exhilarating. This can include trips to a theatre, visiting a state or park reserve or being at a nightclub or bar. If you are in Moscow, you will discover, there is an excellent choice of bars, pubs, casinos, dance clubs, opera houses and theaters. You can play pool or billiards at sports bar. If you like to attend an opera, you will need to book in advance. Many night clubs charge an entrance fee or make the drinks expensive.

1. Bolshoi Theatre

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If you dig culture, you should try visiting the Bolshoi Theatre. This theatre is the country’s oldest theatre and hosts delightful performances by actors to make a perfect night out. You can also visit the Theatre of Musical Comedy or the Music Theatre. Ballets are hosted almost every other day. The Chamber Music Theatre is popular among classical music aficionados.

2. Moskva Casino

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If visiting and playing games at casino’s turn you on, the Moskva casino on Kalanchevskaya street offers roulette, black jack, a nightclub and a bar. The Eldorado Casino will entertain you and the Premiere Casino is one you must try.

3. The Priori Dance Club

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If dance clubs are your number, The Priori is a dance club with two floors, variety of music and live DJs. Fabrique is rated among the best music clubs in the city. Also, a restaurant is located nearby if you need a quick bite. B-Club is a classic place for R&B dance music. B3 has multiple dance floors, a chill-out room, a pool room, a cinema room, a restaurant and a café. Zona, Garag, Marica, Ballentine’s Bar and Sahar are other clubs. The Hungry Duck plays excellent rock music. If the nightlife makes you rock, start today to have a grand time in Moscow.

4. St.Petersburg Pubs & Cafes

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If you are in St.Petersburg, you can make trips to the local pubs and café’s. Bars and clubs in Russia open very late and hence you might have to wait your chance to visit them. The club Cha Cha Coconuts has live music and a Taste of Wine is a great place to drink. There is an Irish pub called Annie Moore, for a great pub time and drinking and fun.

5. Chic-a-Boom Room

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If you are looking to network with other people, the Chic-a-Boom room is an excellent place to be and the Extra Inning Ball Park Cafe’ is also favourite among sports fans.

6. Gasoline Alley Café

The Gasoline Alley Café offers great food and live music. Billiard Café is a great place for playing billiards.. Club M is good for billiard players too.

7. Stadion Vympel Go-Karting

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Another popular night time activity among the youth in Russia is Go-Karting. Stadion Vympel in Moscow has a huge track and is very popular.

8. Art Clubs

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Stray Dog is an art club with a difference. St.Petersburg has night clubs spread across the city.

9. Bowling

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Bowling alleys can be found throughout Russia and are filled with people at night.

Top Tourist Attractions of St Petersburg

Posted in Russia | by admin
August 17th, 2009

Formerly known as Leningrad, St. Petersburg is Russia’s second largest city and home to a rich and magnificent history spanning back to Peter The Great. Now, as the city’s skyline stretches upward from The Gulf of Finland, St. Petersburg has much to offer for the world traveler. From monuments to palaces and gardens to zoos, this city is rich with possibilities.

First stop, the Menshikov Palace. Built in 1710 under the orders of General Alexander Menshikov, this palace has lived through am immense amount of history. The palace played host to many historic and grand parties in the 1700’s before it was recommissioned as a military school and then finally restored in 1981 to its former state to be used as a cultural museum.

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Next, stretch your legs at the Mariinsky Opera and Ballet Theatre which housed the first staged works of musical geniuses like Tchaikovsky and famous choreographer Marius Petipa. The architecture alone is enough to elicit gasps from spectators but this theatre is no stranger to world class performances and continues to offer astounding operas and ballets for a reasonable price.

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The Hermitage Museum, spanning six massive buildings, houses one of the largest collections of antiquities and art in the world. Founded by Catherine the Great and two and a half centuries in the making, this is one sight that’s not to be missed.

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Who says you have to go to Moscow to see the beautiful dome tipped buildings of Russia. One visit to “The Church of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood” and you’ll be able to take in all the classically Russian architecture you can handle. Commissioned in 1883 on the site where Russian hero, Alexander II Nikolaevich, was assassinated in 1881, this Cathedral is visible from many parts of the city and was reopened for services in 1997 after decades of restorative measures were taken.

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The last stop is the Imperial Estate of Peter the Great, called simply, Peterhof. Perfectly situated on the Gulf of Finland, this complex is inspired by French architecture and is sometimes considered the “Versailles of Russia.” Aside from the beauty and magnificent architecture, Peterhof is home to a rich tapestry of history. Once a home to Catherine the Great and beseiged by Germans during WWII, this palace has seen its fair share of the sagas of Russian history. Housing several gardens, ornate fountains, and towering staircases, this palace complex is truly a unique sight to behold.

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Top 10 Sights to See in St. Petersburg

Posted in Travel Tips Russia | by admin
May 8th, 2009

1. The Peter and Paul Fortress
This is the original citadel and oldest landmark of St. Petersburg, founded by Peter the Great in 1703. It is located on Hare Island on the north bank of the Neva River. It was a garrison built for protection from an attack by Swedish forces and has been also used as a prison for political prisoners.

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2. Peter and Paul Cathedral

The Cathedral is within the Peter and Paul Fortress and like the fortress built under Peter the Great, from 1713 to 1733. Its 404 foot high tower is topped with a golden angel holding a cross that is an iconic symbol of St. Petersburg. The Cathedral holds regular religious services and is the final resting place for the remains of almost all of Russia’s Emperors and Empresses.

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3. Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
The ‘Blood” in the name if the church refers to Alexander II who was assassinated on the site, next to Griboedov Canal, in 1881 by anarchists. His son, Alexander III built the church as a memorial to his father with construction beginning in 1883. The architecture stands out from the rest of St. Petersburg as it is built in a medieval Russian style, with its interior walls and ceilings entirely covered with intricate mosaics.

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4. The Old Saint Petersburg Stock Exchange
This building now houses the Central Naval Museum, the oldest Russian museum and the world’s largest naval museum.

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5. Kazan Cathedral
This Cathedral is located on the Nevsky Prospekt. It is modeled after St Peters Basilica in Rome and is the site of the first political demonstration in Russia. During communist times it was used as the pro-Marxist “Museum of History of Religion and Atheism”.

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6. Bronze Horseman
Situated in Senate Square, the Bronze Horseman is a statue of Peter the Great, sitting on his horse that is trampling a serpent, his arm reaching out to the Neva River. Constructed from 1770-1782 under orders of Catherine the Great, the statue has survived World War II and revolutions, and inspired the famous poem of the same name by Pushkin.

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7. Saint Petersburg Mosque
The mosque was opened in downtown St Petersburg 1913, at which time it was the largest in Europe. Its striking features include a dome and two minarets covered in light blue mosaics and a façade decorated with sayings from the Koran rendered in Arabian calligraphy.

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8. Winter Palace
From 1732 until 1917 the Winter Palace was the official residence of Russia’s Tsars. It was stormed in 1917 in one of the most important acts of the Russian revolution. The huge scale reflects the might of the Russian Empire at the time, with almost 2,000 windows and 1,500 rooms. Today it is part of a complex housing the Hermitage Museum.

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9. Palace Square & Alexander Column
Palace Square is the central city square of St. Petersburg and the location of many important historical events including Bloody Sunday in 1905 and the October Revolution of 1917. The square features the Alexander Column, a 155 ft, 8 inches tall monument of a single column of red granite topped with a statue of an angel holding a cross. It is a memorial to Emperor Alexander who ruled Russia from 1801 to 1825 and who oversaw victory over Napoleon’s France.

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10. Marble Palace
The neoclassical Marble Palace, located between Palace Quay and the Field of Mars, is notable for its construction of 32 different shades of marble. The palace currently holds permanent exhibits of the Russian State Museum.

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St. Petersburg - Customer Tips

Posted in Travel Tips Russia | by Erik
May 5th, 2009

We had a wonderful city break in St. Petersburg.  All the arrangements went smoothly, and the sun shone everyday making the golden domes and pastel-washed buildings really beautiful.  We had pre-booked a city sightseeing tour for our first morning, and a guided tour/overview of the Hermitage on the second morning.  Our guide, Julie, was excellent – knowledgeable and friendly, and our driver was pleasant and skilled in the ways of the St. Petersburg traffic.  He always managed to find a good place to stop to look at the sights and take photos. 

Julie recommended a lovely restaurant, where we had all our meals, because the staff were so welcoming, tried so hard with their English; and where we wanted to try as much as we could from the extensive, delicious and very reasonably priced menu.  We thoroughly recommend this restaurant.  It is called ‘Teplo’ which I think means ‘Warmth’.  Address:  45 Bolshaya Morskaya Str. (Tel: 5701974; www.v-teple.ru)

We were staying at the Hotel Herzen House in the same street, so it was also very convenient to get to.

The Herzen House Hotel was very comfortable and the staff pleasant and helpful.  The outside was initially off-putting, because it was covered with green material, presumably while work was being carried out on the fabric of the building; but once inside, we found our room had everything we needed.  The under floor heating in the bathroom was wonderful, and the bed very restful. 

We would thoroughly recommend Baltic Travel Company to anyone interested in travelling to that part of the world.  We would now love either to go to another Baltic country with them or to return to St. Petersburg, though next time we would base ourselves in a different part of the city so that we could explore another area on foot and make fresh discoveries.

Angela Warr

28 April 2009

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