RJ Fensterman had a dream of visiting Russia and one day his dream came true. He planned a Russian river cruise, but not with our company, unfortunately, and presumable because he did not find out about us when he made the booking. However, we were fortunate to help RJ with another part of his travel itinerary - to the Golden Ring of Russia. While on his trip, RJ took notes of his observations and he shared it with us upon returning to Virginia We welcome you to read his interesting diary, unedited and uncut, full of insightful observations and witty remarks.
06.07.2008 Epilogue: A Tale of Four CitiesHis name was Andrei, and he drove a black Toyota Avalon. As a Russian cab-driver there were two interesting
things about Andrei: he spoke very good English, and he had actually been a professional wrestler...
06.06.2008 I'm Going to Ruskeyland!Kizhi would be the northern-most point on our journey, being just north of the 62' Parallel...
06.05.2008 Lake Onega: Peter's Foundary and The Kizhi NecklaceThe Belinsky sailed on through the night, continuing north and east into Lake Onega, and the next morning we found ourselves off the coast of Petrozavodsk, the capital of the Republic of Karelia...
06.03.2008 A Spring Morning in SvirstroyIn the morning, we arrive at Svirstroy, a small Karelian Village located on the Svir River, which links Lake Ladoga with Europe's second largest lake, Lake Onega...
06.02.2008 A Farewell Tour of Peter's CityAnna arrived about 10 AM; we had already packed and checked-out of the Hotel Moskva. The car was a Renault Migane, the standard black...
05.29.2008 The Mother of All MuseumsIt is 24 hours after our arrival to Peter's magnificent city. We have had a good sleep, a good breakfast and a
good drive to Palace Square...
05.26.2008 Dasvidanya, Moscow Part IIInside the Kremlin is a city-within-a-city, over 14 acres of parks, palaces, churches, museums, artifacts...
05.25.2008 Dasvidanya, MoscowBy the time we got back to the Marriott Courtyard, it was raining. We had a quick American-style supper, and ordered a cab at the concierge desk...
05.25.2008 A Moscow Sunday: Two is a Group'The Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin on the Moat ' (more familiarly known as St. Basil's Cathedral) is one of the most recognized structures on Earth...
05.24.2008 Search For a Perfect PastryOn the way back to Moscow, as the M10 entered the rows of grim Soviet-era apartment blocks, Feliks pointed out a monument beside the road...
05.24.2008 The Loneliest Man on EarthIt seems that the Russian and German commanders of the battle both had a "gentleman's agreement" to not destroy the Tchaikovsky villa...
05.23.2008 The Longest Day Part IIAbramtsevo, although it is only 5 or 6 miles from Sergius Posad, is definitely "off-the-beaten track"...
05.23.2008 The Longest Day Part ITime certainly flies when you're having fun...here it was already the last day of our Golden Ring excursion...
05.22.2008 Rostov-not-on-DonAs we were leaving the city, we made one last stop: the Transfiguration Monastery...
05.22.2008 The City of Yaroslavl The WiseIn the year 988, when Yaroslavl was ten, his father, Saint Prince Vladimir of Kiev, converted the tribe of Rus to Orthodox Christianity...
05.21.2008 Russia's SwitzelandIt is called "The Switzerland of Russia", and it certainly lives-up to that appellation...
05.21.2008 The Romanovs Slept HereRussian Monastery were built as fortresses, that kept out not-only the distractions of the World, the Flesh and the Devil, but also invading armies and maruauders...
05.21.2008 Along the VolgaKostroma was more than a journey; it was an adventure...
05.19.2008 Five Golden Rings Part IThe car was a black Mercedes 220E, obviously the car of choice for the tourist industry; certainly a good choice. Dima loaded our luggage into the trunk and we were on our way to the M7, heading southeast...
RJ Fensterman had a dream of visiting Russia and one day his dream came true. He planned a Russian river cruise, but not with our company, unfortunately, and presumable because he did not find out about us when he made the booking. However, we were fortunate to help RJ with another part of his travel itinerary - to the Golden Ring of Russia. While on his trip, RJ took notes of his observations and he shared it with us upon returning to Virginia We welcome you to read his interesting diary, unedited and uncut, full of insightful observations and witty remarks. 
