Welcome to InspiRussia

Hello,

My name is Natalia. I am a chief tour manager at America’s best travel agency for Russian travel – “Travel All Russia.” The reason why I want to start this blog is so I can share with you my experience with this great company, vibrant and innovative, customer oriented and dedicated to its main purpose – to who Russia to the world.

I stated my career as a travel expert years ago when I lived in St. Petersburg. To help my mother to make ends meet I worked in a small local travel agency after school. It was there that I first realized that many people across the world have never had a chance to see the beauty of St. Petersburg. It was then that I decided that I wanted to dedicate my career to showing Russia to them.

Some people consider me as one of the best experts on travel to Russia, but I just try to do my job well. In essence, it is very simple. In order to give a good travel advice one has to visit and live in places where his customers will go. In order to be of great help for a customer, one needs to speak hours on the phone with him or her figuring out what they are looking for and only then going and taking care of all the travel arrangements. I don’t try to sell something. I try to explain to people what they should see and once they decide that they want to go for it, I do my best and plan a trip as if i am planning it for myself.

I will be glad to help you with your Russian travel. You can find me at www.travelallrussia.com.

Sincerely,

Natalia

Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg

Grand Hotel Europe is one of the most luxurious hotels in St. Petersburg. The hotel played a very important role in the life of St. Petersburg. The hotel is located in the historical part of St. Petersburg, near world’s greatest cultural treasures, such as the Russian Museum and Mussogorsky Theater.

The hotel offers 301 rooms and suites, which are furnished luxuriously with all modern conveniences. There are various kinds of suites in the hotel, such as presidential suites, executive suites, classic suites, ‘belle chambre’ junior suites, terrace rooms, classic rooms.

Terrace rooms are located on the fifth floor of the hotel. Beautiful terraces of these rooms have views over the city of St. Petersburg. Most of the tourists coming to the hotel prefer terrace rooms, as they face the Arts Square. The tourists enjoy stunning views towards the Church of the Spilt Blood. All the rooms are equipped with everything needed for a comfortable rest.

Grand Europe Hotel offers different kinds of Presidential Suites. Which are furnished in a classical style with antique paintings. These suites are suitable not only for rest, but also for meetings. Some of the room have a piano, for those tourists who are fond of life music.

This great Russian hotel also has 13 historic rooms, which have an entrance hall and bedroom with seating area. The rooms have parquet floors, armchairs and a sofa, a well as large window facing Nevsky Prospect.

Some of the historic rooms give an opportunity to use the services of a persona butler. The unique butler service gives an opportunity to order dinner in the room or purchase theater tickets.

When you travel to St Petersburg, consider staying in this great hotel.

Peterhof

Peterhof or Russian Versailles is one of the most magnificent places in St. Petersburg. Tourists coming to St.Petersburg must surely visit this palace, as it was summer residence of Russian tsars.

Peterhof is one of the most popular items on any St Petersburg travel itinerary. Peterhof is located on the right coasts of Gulf o Finland, near the sea and in 30 kilometers from St Petersburg. Peterhof or Petrodvorets as Russians call it, is a big complex, which includes the Palace, the park, several pavilions of small palaces, scattered over beautiful garden. About 150 fountains and 3 cascades are situated in the territory, which makes it a wonderful place for walks.

The palace is surrounded by different gardens. The Lower Gardens are designed in a French manner. Different kinds of fountains located in the Lower Gardens are of great architectural value, as all of them represent different styles and shapes. The most prominently positioned fountains of Peterhof are ‘Adam’ and ‘Eve’. Which occupy symmetric positions on either side of the Sea Channel, each at the conjunction of eight paths.

Peterhof has several big and small palaces, each of which is really magnificent. The biggest palace has rooms of different kinds designed with decoration used in the 18th century. The palace represents the lifestyle of the epoch of Russian tsars.

Peterhof has changed during the 19th century, but architects of that time succeeded in preserving the unity of its original concept, and further developed its main idea: the praise of Russia’s naval triumphs.

Tip: to save on your St Petersburg tours consider staying in a mini hotel. These great quality St Petersburg hotels are located in the very center and cost two times less than a regular hotel.

Hiking for nature lovers

Hiking (trekking) is a best way to spend the holidays, especially for those who are physically fit and for those who are fond of nature. Spending holidays in fun and getting closer to nature will give tourists an opportunity to enjoy their visit to Russia. You can also explore Russia via her rivers on one of Russia cruises.

Hiking will give tourists an opportunity to get away from busy citylife and feel the beauty of the natural surroundings. Hiking offers you not only good opportunities for active sporting adventures, but also for viewing the animals, roaming freely. Various plants and trees grow in the territories, where hiking tours are usually organized. No travel to Russia can compare to going to Baikal. You can get to Baikal by Russian train or flight.

Forests of Siberia and Caucasian mountains are considered the best place for hiking. Hiking trails there pass through natural surroundings and offer all conditions for spending unforgettable time. Companies, organizing hiking tours provide tourists with guides, who will show the best routes in order the tourists don’t get lost. The trails will led the travelers to the campsites, where the travelers can enjoy the evenings gathering around the campfire with a cup of coffee and tasty meals.

But the best part of hiking is surely the untouched wilderness and rich variety of landscape. Evergreen forests, rocky mountains and steppes are considered the best places for hiking. While hiking tours in Russia, tourists will also have an opportunity to smell the odor of wildflowers spread through the valleys, where villagers offer different treats.

Hiking in Russia will become an unforgettable experience for those planning to spend their time in this wonderful country.

Yaroslavl

It is always interesting and exciting to make tours in Russia, especially in the Golden Ring of Russia. Yaroslavl is one of the cities of the Golden Ring of Russia, which attracts tourists from all over the world.

Yaroslavl is situated near the confluence of the Kotorosl and the Volga River, so it is accessible for Russian river cruises.You can also take a train or flight from Moscow.

The city was founded in 1010 by prince Yaroslav Mudriy (Wise). There is a legend that Yaroslav Mudriy killed a bear in a settlement taken by his men. Here Yaroslav Mudriy founded a fortress there and named it Yaroslavl. In the 13th century Yaroslavl has become a very important trade center of Russia. Unfortunately during the Tartar invasion Yaroslavl was completely destroyed, but due to the restoration in the 15th century regained former glory and again became commercial center of Russia. In the 18th century first theater in Russia was opened in Yaroslavl, Since then the city became very important commercial and cultural center of the country.

Yaroslavl is one of the most exotic Russia tours. Yaroslavl is a city with many historical monuments, which are included n the World Heritage by UNESCO. There are many churches in Yaroslavl , which are worth seeing. The most famous monastery in Yaroslavl is the Spassky Monastery, founded in the 12th century, the main church in the monastery is the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral, which represents ancient Russian architecture. Yaroslavl also has many other sights, which attract not only the tourists, but also the Russians.

Tip: supplement your Moscow travel with a visit to Yaroslavl. It is not that far and you will not regret it.

Sergiev Posaad

Sergiev Posad is one of the most significant cities in the Golden Ring. If you plan to travel in Moscow, then you can easily visit Sergiev Posad, as it takes an hour to get there from Moscow.

Sergiev Posad is agricultural and industrial center of the country. It is famous for its historical monuments and ancient monasteries. The most famous monastery of Sergiev Posad is the Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius ( the Trinity St. Sergius Laura), which was declared World Heritage Site in 2003 by UNESCO.
The Trinity Cathedral was constructed during the time from 1422 to 1423. Inside the walls of the Cathedral tourists can find other churches and cathedrals: the church of the Holy Ghost, the Assumption Cathedral, the Tsar place and many others. Sergiev Posal is not far from Moscow so you can swing by on your Moscow travel.

Sergiev Posad is also famous for its Museum of Toys, which was founded in 1918. Toys of different shapes and sizes are exhibited in the museum. Sergiev Posad is the birthplace of famous Russia matryoshka (nesting doll). This is one of interesting facts about Russia and Sergiev Posad.

Troitsky Monastery is also a popular tourist destination in Sergiev Posad. Brothers Varfolomey and Stefan founded the monastery in the 14th century. In the 18th century the monastery was given the title of Laura by the order of Russian Empress Elizaveta Petrovna. Beginning from 1919 to 1946 the monastery was closed. Nowadays the Troitsky monastery is a male monastery, as well as the Moscow Spiritual Academy and Seminary.

Tip: Russian official currency is called ruble. Learn more about Russian currency.

Suzdal

Suzdal was one of the most powerful towns in ancient Rus. Today, it is one of the most interesting Russia travel destinations. The town was founded in the 11th century and since then became the most important town in Russia along with Vladimir. Suzdal was the capital for several Russia principalities for a long period.

Suzdal is a town of churches and monasteries. You can admire the unique architecture of these buildings, which will take you to the past centuries. It can be considered a religious center of Russia, as there is no other town, which has so many churches and cathedrals.

The oldest cathedral in Suzdal is the Rozhdestvensky Cathedral, built in the 13th century. This cathedral was damaged greatly and robbed during the invasion of Tartars. Only in the 16th century, the cathedral was completely restored. One of the best ways to visit Suzdal is to combine it with your Moscow vacation. This way, you can save a lot of money on your flight to Moscow.

Kremlin is situated in the center of Suzdal. It is the historical core of the town. Kremlin in Suzdal is a 13th century Cathedral, known as the cathedral of Virgins Birth. This Cathedral is decorated with wonderful masks and girdle. In the 16th century the cathedral burned down, but was very soon restored. In 1967 the wooden Nikolskaya Church was brought and installed in the Kremlin. Another part of the Kremlin is the Archbishops chambers and the Bell Tower.

Nowadays the Kremlin has become a place for the exhibitions and the Archbishops chambers is famous for its restaurant, which offers delicious dishes of Russian cuisine, made according to the old Russian recipes.

There are many other sights in Suzdal that have cultural value. So next time you plan to travel in Russia, don’t forget to visit this ancient town with beautiful churches.

Vladimir

Vladimir is one of the most ancient Russian cities. It was built in the 12th century as a fortress. Situated on the banks of river Klyama it attracts tourists even today. This city is named after Vladimir Monomah. During the time of Prince Yuri Dolgorukiy, the city prospered. Yuri Dolgorukiy was the person who founded Moscow, Pereslavl-Zalesskiy, Dmitrov and many other cities.

The city of Vladimir became the capital of new Vladimir principality in the 12th century. The city was burined during the invasion of tartars. From that time, the city could not regain its firmer glory. Already from the 14th century, Vladimir became just a part of the Grand Principality of Moscow.

Vladimir has many historical and cultural monuments that are worth visiting. The Chambers building is one of the sights in Vladimir, which attracts tourists and is always included in the tour program. The Chamber building is located between two wonderful cathedrals- the Assumption cathedral and the Dmitry’s cathedral. The Chamber was built in 1790 as a place for the government of Vladimir. But nowadays it is a place of various exhibitions telling the tourists about Vladimir region. Historical, archeological and art exhibitions that are held there give the visitors an idea of the development of this old city.

The Assumption Cathedral represents Russian architecture of the 12th century. Prince Andrei Bogolubky founded this magnificent cathedral to show the importance and power of Vladimir at that time. The cathedral was decorated very richly inside. The cathedral was damaged during the invasion of Tartars. Only during the time of Russian tsar Peter the Great the cathedral of Assumption was completely reconstructed.

When you travel to Russia and especially through the cities of the Golden Ring, you will get acquainted with the culture of Russia, its customs and traditions.

You can find more useful travel advice like information abotu Russian currency and Russia tours at www.travelallrussia.com