Straddling the Neva River’s delta, St Petersburg is a living monument to the imperial ambition of 18th century Russia. With a dream of rivalling great European capitals like Paris, Tsar Peter the Great formed an impressive city of islands, bridges, and canals scattered with cathedrals and grand palaces. St Petersburg is home to endless architectural inspiration, such as the Church of Resurrection which is more commonly known as The Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood. The church rises up at the end of Griboedev Canal featuring five kaleidoscopic onion-domes; a great example of Romantic nationalism architecture. The extravagance continues inside with floor-to-ceiling rainbow-hued mosaics throughout.
St Petersburg is also home to one of the most renowned ballet companies in the world; The Mariinsky Ballet. Known as ‘The Kirov’ during the Soviet era, their official base is Mariinsky Theatre, where you can watch opera and classical ballet from the ornate balconies. You can also enjoy performances at the lavishly-decorated, yet intimate venue in The Winter Palace which is where Empress Catherine the Great would hold private viewings. The palace served as the official residence of the Russian Tsars from the 1760s until 1917. In 1992, it became known as the Hermitage Museum which houses 2.7 million pieces of art and artefacts from around the world. There are over a thousand opulent rooms and halls, many of which are open for visitors to explore.
You can also visit the elaborately decorated Catherine Palace which is where the BBC’s recent adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s ‘War and Peace’ was filmed.
Brightly-coloured palaces, brutalist Soviet-era blocks and modern-day skyscrapers lie together in this city of contrasts. From the unapologetic display of ostentation to its endless old-world elegance, visiting Moscow time and again reveals layer upon layer of historical and cultural complexity. The trick to enjoying the city is embracing its unpredictability and allowing yourself to be absorbed by its beauty. Even a simple trip on the Metro is filled with crystal chandeliers, stained-glass, and marble figures.
Saint Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin have witnessed much of Russia’s revolutionary history and lie overlooking the exquisite Red Square. Although wonderful to explore by day, the Red Square affords a more impressive experience in the stillness of night, when the buildings lie silently illuminated.
GUM is a lavish department store which occupies the majority of the Red Square’s east side. Its palatial exterior and interiors are just as impressive as the other buildings which occupy the historic square. It’s worth a visit for both shoppers and those who just want to browse.
Northeast of Moscow lies a land of historical towns, unspoilt countryside, and ancient churches; a humble contrast to the imperialism of St Petersburg and Moscow. The name originates in the 1960s when the USSR began opening up Russia to foreign visitors, a circular route was derived and named The Golden Ring and the name has stuck since. You can explore the circuit on a day trip from Moscow, but we recommend two to three days of exploration in a private car with a knowledgeable guide.
We suggest basing yourselves in Suzdal which is a rural town home to many UNESCO-protected cathedrals and churches and some of Russia’s oldest history. Suzdal is also famed for its delicious home-brewed honey-based alcoholic beverage, very similar to a mead. You will also visit Bogolyubovo which is a tiny self-sustaining village with no electricity, here you will see pretty, blue-domed architecture, and nuns and monks in traditional dress. On your way back to Moscow you’ll visit Sergiyev Posad which is Russia’s holiest place and a pilgrimage for the Orthodox Church.
For those with a particular interest in Russia’s pre-revolutionary history, you can continue northwest from The Golden Ring to the city of Yaroslavl. The city was founded in 1010 and was given a boost of money to celebrate its 1000th anniversary in 2010. This created an unusual blend of old and new as half of the city is made up of ancient UNESCO protected buildings, and the other half is very modern. Yaroslavl sits on the Volga River affording it a pretty embankment, a wonderful place to walk along at sunrise to see the historical architecture.
