Russia Trip Report

I just returned from a spectacular journey to Moscow and St. Petersburg. April in Russia can be a little chilly, but perfect for avoiding the heavy cruise crowds that descend upon St. Petersburg June-August.

I first want to rave about Singapore Airlines non-stop service from Houston to Moscow which made this destination an easily accessible one.

In Moscow I stayed at the Ritz Carlton, a perfect location from which to visit the Kremlin, Red Square, Pushkin Gallery and the breathtaking Bolshoi ballet. A little off the beaten path is the Museum of Cosmonautics and the Park of Fallen Sculptures.

From Moscow you can now travel leisurely by train to St. Petersburg. I stayed at the aptly named Grand Hotel Europe. This elegant grand dame of a hotel has generously sized rooms, 5 spectacular restaurants and impeccable service. You can easily spend a week in this safe, beautiful city, exploring the Hermitage, Peter Paul Fortress, city palaces such as Stroganov and Yusupov, the Museum of the Siege and taking day trips to Peterhof and Pushkin to visit Catherine and Pavlovsk Palace. You can fill your evenings with cultural performances from the ballet and symphony to the circus.