Moscow & St Petersburg
28 October - 2 November
2006
The group visited the site where Lenin died in 1924 at Gorky-Leninskii 30km outside Moscow. The highlight was a recreation of Lenin's offices and apartments from the Kremlin.
The Kremlin provided an opportunity to see the heart of Russian government and visit the cathedrals and Armoury with its astonishing array of jewels and items from the Tsarist period (including Peter the Great's boots!)
One feature of the trip was the clear presence of memories and memorials relating to the Second World War (or Great Patriotic War as the Russians call it). The Poklonnaya Victory Memorial in Moscow marks the heroic achievements of the Red Army and the Soviet people in the war.
The magnificant Moscow metro, a work of art in its own right, is one of the most efficient metro systems in the world. The stations in central Moscow are palatial with lavish decoration in an ornate socialist style.
Red Square provided an atmospheric venue for an appreciation of the magnitude of events in Russian history. St. Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's mausoleum and the GUM store all flank Red Square - some found it smaller than they expected, others just got cold!
Our friendly Russian carriage attendant on the overnight train welcomed us onto the 'Red Arrow'. A surprisingly comfortable journey was had by all arriving in St Petersburg to a dark morning heralding winter.
The contrast between the two cities, Moscow and St Petersburg is great and was clear to see immediately.
