Blogs from Saint Petersburg, Northwest, Russia, Europe

There are blogs that are easier to write than others. This is definitively one of the toughest I had to write in years. There will be a total of 3 blogs about our stay in Russia from early February to the day we left at the end of the first week of March. The world in early January 2022 was so different than it is today, and yes I could witness all of it from the inside, bear in mind the comfortable side of the inside if you compare with those in Ukraine. Sad is the right word, scared too can apply. This trip was not a holiday, but a family and friends visit with the aim to pack as much culture as we could every day. During the 5 weeks in Russia, bear in mind ... read more

https://www.heygo.com/annaylevina A wonderful tour of a private collection of Russian New Years and Christmas collections. Ivan's incredible collection of ornaments from all over the world that also included a fascinating selection of Russian ornaments from various periods in Russian history from the late 1800s to the present day. Anna also treated us to a glass-blowing demonstration of a Christmas tree bauble.... read more

The impressive Olga's and Tsarina's islands were created between the years 1830 to 1840, on the order of the emperor Nicholas I. They are dedicated to his spouse Aleksandra Feodorovna, and their daughter Olga. Anna always brings history to life in her tours. So many wonderful stories she explained so eloquently. https://www.heygo.com/annaylevina The pavilions were closed but we could enjoy all the beautiful gardens and surrounding lakes. Tsarina's pavilion - There is a flower bed between the bench and the pavilion, with a fountain in the marble basin in the center of it. In the bowl of the fountain, there is a statue of Narcissus, admiring his beautiful reflection in the water. The "Praying boy", set in the niche of the pavilion - is the Roman copy of the Greek original. A shimme... read more

Kronstadt https://www.heygo.com/annaylevina Alongside establishing the city of Saint Petersburg in the spring of 1703, emperor Peter the Great commissioned to build fortifications on Kotlin to make sure no invader could get in. Very quickly a little town of Kronstadt would be founded Kronstadt is a town and naval base on Kotlin Island, just west of St. Petersburg, Russia. Anchor Square is dotted with military memorials. On the square, the 20th-century Byzantine-style Naval Cathedral has an ornate interior. Tree-lined Petrovskiy Park is home to the 19th-century Monument to Peter the Great. Kronstadt History Museum displays regional artifacts. Offshore is the man-made island of Fort Alexander. The beautiful St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral - the biggest church built for the navy. It is a memor... read more

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