MoscowMoscow is the capital of the world's biggest country, situated in the center of the European part of
Russia. At the very heart of the city, and indeed the country, is
the Kremlin, the Russian place of command for almost eight centuries, and the religious center.
Red Square and the exquisite, colorful domes of
Saint Basil's Cathedral, and the jewelled, Fabergé Easter eggs of the Tsars are images that have long been associated with the
Soviet Union in the minds of Westerners.
The city of
Moscow is a fusion of both splendor and ugliness that is evident in the massive concrete
slabs and high-rise apartments of the Stalinist era, and in the ornate churches, beautiful neo-classical houses, and the impressive architecture of the old city. Wide grey thoroughfares give way to narrow winding inner city streets, and golden church domes gleam between the looming skyscrapers. It attracts not only those eager to embrace new business and free enterprise, but also the poor from across the country, and the extremes of affluence and impoverishment are evident everywhere.
Since the fall of communism Moscow has been injected with a sense of urgency to change the face of the 'Mother City', embracing capitalism and shaking off the years of communist-imposed atheism, with flashy shop fronts housing western franchises, new restaurants and glossy hotels, and the restoration of lavish Orthodox churches. The once dreary streets are now a vibrant commotion of life with markets and eager vendors offering an assortment of goods that were unavailable during the Soviet years.
It is also a city of entertainment, with theaters and the renowned Moscow Circus, museums and art galleries. It boasts the world's largest and most efficient metro system with gleaming stations deep underground, astonishingly decorated in elegant marble, glittering chandeliers and gilded works of art and magnificent mosaics. It is the soul of the new Russia and an intriguing mix of history and politics, business and culture.
Getting Around: By far the easiest and most pleasant way to get around Moscow is on the underground metro. It is considered to be one of the finest transport systems in the world and many of the 150 stations are superbly decorated with sculptures, chandeliers and mosaics. It is inexpensive, very efficient, and easy to use, even considering all signage is in Russian, but it's still a good idea to have the destination written in Cyrillic characters to help identify the correct station. The metro runs until 1am and fares are standard regardless of the distance traveled, allowing unlimited transfers. Strips of tickets can be bought for numerous journeys and are valid on all forms of public transport. Overland transport is less efficient than the metro, but an extensive network of buses, trams and trolleybuses covers the areas not serviced by the metro until about 11pm. They can get unpleasantly crowded during rush hour. Tickets must be validated in machines immediately on boarding and are valid for one ride only. Alternatives to the bus are the passenger vans called 'marshrutka', which follow the bus routes and stop on request. There are also scores of official metered taxis and unofficial cars that can be flagged down on the street, but fares must be negotiated before entering the vehicle, especially as foreigners are likely to be overcharged. Although taxis are generally safe, tourists should be cautious and single women are advised to avoid them at night. Driving in the city is not recommended.
Climate: Moscow has a continental climate, typified by exceedingly cold, long winters and hot summers. In mid-summer, during July and August, temperatures are pleasantly warm, with occasionally hot spells, and humidity tends to be high. Winters differ drastically, with only about six hours of daylight in the middle of the season and temperatures recorded at way below freezing point. Winter snows start in October and the snow blanket persists well into spring. Moscow has little rainfall, most of its precipitation falling as snow.
St PetersburgSituated on the
Gulf of Finland and spread over numerous islands in the
Neva Delta,
St Petersburg is a city of arched bridges, winding canals, wide boulevards, elegant palaces, impressive squares and ornate churches, and as such is often referred to as the '
Venice of the North'. It has an elegance also reminiscent of cities like
Paris,
Berlin and
Amsterdam, but is at the same time too Russian to be European, and beguiles with a charm of its own.
It is the country's most beloved and beautiful city, founded by
Peter the Great in 1703. It became the original capital of Tsarist Russia, and the greatest artists, sculptors and architects worked together to create the city's unique look. Rich aristocratic palaces and government buildings line the streets, along with majestic cathedrals and elaborate churches, from the golden spires of St Peter and Paul Cathedral, the magnificent gleaming dome and grand colonnaded façade of St Isaac's, to the colorful multi-domed Church of the Resurrection.
Although the Russian capital moved to Moscow after the Revolution, the city remains the principal artistic and cultural center of the country. St Petersburg is the birthplace of Russian ballet and performances by the
Kirov Ballet, rivaling the Bolshoi ballet in Moscow, are shown in the historic Mariinsky Theater. The magnificent green and white Winter Palace forms part of the Hermitage Museum, one of the world's greatest art galleries, and the city's foremost attraction.
With its romantic waterways and decorative tsarist architecture, St Petersburg is also the perfect setting for the famous 'White Nights', and the summer months of June and July are crowded with visitors who come to experience the dreamy twilight that takes the place of night, an occurrence due to its northerly latitude when the sun never dips far enough below the horizon to create total darkness, along with music festivals and cultural events.
Getting Around: Locals in St Petersburg make good use of their public transport, which is extensive if not efficient and reliable. There are 65 tramlines, close to 200 bus routes and numerous trolley buses, but no night service is available after midnight. All these are overcrowded, irregular and often break down. Bus, tram and trolley bus tickets can be bought from kiosks or the drivers and validated on boarding. Tram and trolley stops are marked with a 'T' sign hanging from the overhead wires. A popular form of local transport, more efficient than the buses, are passenger vans called 'marshrutka' which follow the same routes as buses and trams, and stop on request. St Petersburg's metro has four lines and 54 stations and is extremely efficient and easy to use, even though signs are not in English. Tokens and multi-journey cards can be obtained at booths on the stations and are valid for as long as you are inside the system. Taxis are clearly marked and can be hailed in the street or telephone booked. Passengers should check that the meter is working or negotiate before departing. Most private car drivers in the city will act as a taxi and offer you a ride, but be sure to settle the price before accepting. Self-driving is difficult in the thick traffic and on bad road surfaces with Cyrillic road signs. Far easier is hiring a car with a driver, the preferred option offered by the main car rental companies.
Climate: St Petersburg's climate is mild, though unpredictable. Winters are cold, with freezing winds and snowfall, and temperatures average about 9°F to 10°F (-13°C to -12°C) in January and February (the coldest months), sometimes dropping lower. June to August is usually the warmest time of year, though temperatures are still relatively low and average in the mid-60s Fahrenheit (about 20°C). Summer tends to be the most popular time to travel to St Petersburg.
