RUSSIAN DOLL

A VISIT TO the land of Lenin and Perestroika in winter is more than a thermal shock, it’s a culture shock too. But despite the freezing weather conditions, the picturesque backdrops that inspired Anna Karenina and Dr Zhivago have a mysteriously romantic quality.

MOSCOW MUSTS!
You’ll recognise the gigantic Red Square from the news or a Bond movie of course, and this is where Moscow’s main attractions lie. Take a tour of the Kremlin, Lenin’s tomb, and admire the ‘ice cream’ church, otherwise known as the famous St Basil’s Cathedral.
Get your skates on at the outdoor ice skating rink, in front of the beautiful GUM shopping centre, which looks more like a fairytale palace than a mall! 

Shop for chapkas
Aside from chapkas (the furry hats that will keep your face, ears and neck warm if you don’t mind real fur) there are traditional Russian dolls and copies of religious icons to bring home. The real ones are not for export! For Christmas bring home the beautiful hand-painted decorations featuring scenes from Russian fairytales on smooth wooden baubles.

Dine in style
Gourmet cuisine in Moscow? Of course! Settle in at the Baltschug Kempinksi restaurant, which has views stretching across to St Basil. Try the excellent Champagne risotto with langoustine, turbot with caviar sauce, and deliciously indulgent praline mille-feuilles for dessert with Russia’s very own Chateau Karsov!

Express travel
Transfer from Moscow to St Petersburg on the overnight Grand Express. Book into a first class cabin for a real Russian experience without compromising on comfort! The classy red carriages come with cosy compartments, caviar snacks and even mini flat screen TVs!


Getting there
Fly to Moscow with bmi (www.flybmi.com or tel: 0870 6070 555)

LOVING ST PETERSBURG!
The one time capital of Russia, founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, has seen it all: the Tsar’s heyday, the revolution and name change to Leningrad, a 900-day siege during WWII, years of neglect and finally, a $1.5bn facelift to restore it to its former glory. Set over 100 islands, the city with an old world Russian soul oozes romance, especially when cloaked in white.

Culture vultures
Take in the city’s golden cupolas (domed roofs) powdered with snow for that Dr Zhivago atmosphere. For panoramic views, climb up to St Isaacs Cathedral’s dome, and don’t miss its 112 solid marble columns and 400 sculptures inside. Truly amazing! Another must is ‘Our Saviour of the blood’, a typical Russian Revival-style cathedral dating back to 1907 and, to feel the cold tingling on your cheeks, stroll along the Neva River’s picturesque canals that gave the city its moniker: the ‘Venice of the north’.

The Winter Palace
Home to the Hermitage Museum’s amazing three million pieces of art, from ancient Egypt to Da Vinci, it’s easy to spend an entire day or two wandering around the grandiose halls of the Winter Palace. In fact, the building itself is as fascinating as its precious contents.

Caviar please!
Russian food isn’t all about cabbage and dumplings any more! Get acquainted with the long-time fishy favourites: beluga, sevruga or oscietra at the swanky Hotel Angleterre’s Caviar Bar. Or get a table at the Grand Hotel Europe where the infamous charismatic monk Rasputin once dined. The traditional ‘Zastolye’ for two should be for six: home-smoked sturgeon, vodka-marinated salmon, Baltic Sea herring, Stolichnaya salad, smoked venison loin, pickles, marinated mushrooms and of course, caviar, washed down with zingy grapefruit vodka. The Belle Vue brasserie is another must for fantastically creamy Stroganoff and borsch (the staple peasant beetroot broth) jazzed up with decadent foie gras toasts.

Beautiful ballet
While here you should head to the Mariinsky theatre if at all possible. It’s simply the best place in the world to see Swan Lake. The costumes, music and dancing are truly breathtaking. Watch in awe as the 32 ballerinas in pristine white tutus perform their impossibly beautiful routine. If you can, get a backstage tour, which is almost better than the show itself: a slice of theatrical history untouched.

Find out more
www.thehotelastoria.com
www.kempinski.com
www.russiatourism.ru

Getting there
Fly to Moscow with bmi (www.flybmi.com or tel: 0870 6070 555)
Transfer to St Petersburg by train with the luxurious Grand Express (www.grandexpress.ru)

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