Cafe Pushkin is from one of those places, which makes you feel like having traveled through time the moment you walk in. The atmosphere is so impressive that it makes you forget – at least for a little while – the main purpose of your visit, which is to feed yourself. It takes me about 20-30 minutes to take my first look at the menu. I somehow feel a little shamed for my over-excited look. This place makes you feel like in the novels of Dostoyevsky not only with its decor but also with the...
Read more...Do you feel disappointed that I am writing about a shopping mall? Do not be too quick to judge. What if I tell you that this shopping mall was opened in 1893 and has an amazingly beautiful architecture? If it is not enough to overcome your disappointment, I will then tell you that this shopping mall is located right in the middle of one of the most famous squares in the World – the Red Square. Gum Shopping Mall that I visited twice during my trip to Moscow is without any doubt the most...
Read more...I am at first not too interested in the idea of a river boat tour. My next stop is St. Petersburg during the White Nights. The city referred to as Venice of Russia will sure offer me plenty of opportunities for a river tour. I somehow manage to convince myself and get on one of the boats lined up in front of Hotel Ukraina – which is among one of the famous Seven Sisters of Moscow.I immediately get the sense that it was actually a good idea. The boat is quite big and has sufficient room for...
Read more...There is no need to be shy about it – Hermitage Museum is at least as important for the fine art museum scene in the World as Louvre Museum located in Paris. Hermitage will impress you not only with its rich art collection but also with its grandeur since it was original built as a palace.The museum is home to works from Rembrand, Leonardo Da Vinci, Van Gogh and El Greko among many others. The original basis of the collection is the purchase made by Russian empress Great Catherina (whose...
Read more...I for a long time wondered why the phenomenon of white nights was this closely linked to St. Petersburg. There are so many other locations in the World, which are positioned further north and experience the white nights for even longer terms. As an example – it never gets dark in Svalbard (where I also had a chance to visit) during the summer season – I am talking about 24 hours of daylight! Why was then St. Petersburg perceived almost as the only city where you could experience the White...
Read more...Following an amazingly scenic train trip between Moscow and St. Petersburg, I quickly leave the train station for my hotel. By the way – of you take the high-speed train, you can travel between St. Petersburg and Moscow in 3.5 hours. The alternative and cheaper option is the standard train, which takes around 7 hours.Luckily, St. Petersburg – with some of its similar features – still makes me feel like in Moscow, which I loved a lot. There is almost a copy of St. Basil Church located in Red...
Read more...I get confused at first and think that the famous Singer may have actually been a Russian brand after all. I then find out that the famous sewing brand Singer is as German as it gets but also had a landmark office space in St. Petersburg, Russia. The building located right on the fanciest and most popular street of St. Petersburg - Nevsky Street - is also right across one of the most impressing architectural structures in the city – Kazan Cathedral. Even though the management of Singer had...
Read more...Can you take a guess what “Seven Sisters” is? Members of the Russian imperial family? One of the famous wide avenues of Moscow? Seven Sisters are in fact the name given to the seven skyscrapers dominating the Moscow skyline. Even the locals don’t know the story behind the name. When I say skyscrapers - do not confuse the Seven Sisters with classical skyscrapers that you can see in Dubai or Singapore. Seven Sisters reflect a much gentler architectural style and appear to be taller than they...
Read more...