Russia
A complicated history
The journey begins in Moscow, where political power, faith, and history converge, before continuing through the spiritual traditions of Sergiyev Posad and the imperial grandeur of St. Petersburg. Together, these places reveal the many influences that have shaped Russia's identity across the centuries.
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Days 1-3 - Moscow — Red Square, the Kremlin ’s walls, Saint Basil’s colors, and the grand arcades of GUM.
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Day 4 - Sergiyev Posad — traditional wooden homes, quiet lanes, and the rituals of Russian Orthodox life.
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Days 5-9 - St Petersburg — Peterhof and Catherine’s Palace, the Peter and Paul Cathedral, ballet, and museums from the Hermitage to Fabergé and Dostoyevsky
Our Journey
Moscow
St. Basil's Cathedral stands at the heart of Red Square, where Russia's history, architecture, and culture come together.
Across Red Square, landmarks, monuments, and everyday gathering places reveal the symbols that have shaped Moscow's identity for centuries.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier marks the beginning of a journey through the Kremlin's political, military, and spiritual history.
Within the Kremlin's walls, cathedrals, monuments, and ceremonial spaces trace the evolution of Russian power, faith, and national memory.
Christ the Redeemer Cathedral stands at the heart of Moscow's spiritual life, where faith, art, and tradition come together.
Inside Christ the Redeemer Cathedral, icons, murals, and gilded architectural details reflect the enduring traditions of Russian Orthodoxy.
Sergiyev Posad
The Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius stands at the heart of Sergiyev Posad, where faith, tradition, and daily life come together.
Throughout the Trinity Lavra, churches, courtyards, and places of worship reveal a monastic tradition that continues to shape Orthodox life today.
St. Petersburg
The Winter Palace and Hermitage Museum reveal the grandeur of Russia's imperial past through art and architecture.
Within the Hermitage, lavish interiors and extraordinary collections show how an imperial residence became one of the world's great museums.
Catherine's Palace reflects the grandeur of Russia's imperial age through architecture, art, and royal ambition.
From gilded halls to landscaped gardens, Catherine's Palace offers a glimpse into the ceremonies, artistry, and daily life of the imperial court.
Peterhof showcases the ambition of Russia's imperial age through fountains, gardens, and grand design.
Throughout Peterhof, fountains, sculptures, and unexpected playful details blend imperial spectacle with a sense of wonder and delight.
St. Petersburg brings together the architecture, art, and cultural traditions that define Russia's imperial capital.
Along the rivers, museums, churches, and historic streets of St. Petersburg, imperial grandeur meets the rhythms of everyday life.
Tales from this journey
Red Square - not just soldiers and tanks
Red Square surprised us. We expected something formal, maybe even severe — all stone, ceremony, and history. Instead, it felt fun, relaxed, almost like a giant open‑air living room where everyone was simply enjoying the day. Families wandered, couples posed for photos, and the colors of St. Basil’s Cathedral looked almost playful in the afternoon light.
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We found a small café at the edge of the square, the kind of place where you sit down mostly because the chairs look comfortable. Our son ordered vodka shots — one for himself and one for our daughter, who had just reached the legal drinking age. We all waited for the moment. Her first real vodka in Russia. The cough, the grimace, the drama.
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Nothing.
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It was so smooth it betrayed us. She took the shot like water, blinked once, and shrugged.  We were all a little disappointed — and then we laughed, because of course Russia would serve vodka that refuses to behave like vodka.
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Red Square wasn’t what we expected. It was better — warm, human, and full of small, memorable moments like this one.
Extra Putins
We first noticed him at the entrance to Red Square — a figure lingering just beyond the flow of people, half in shadow, half in performance. Moscow has its share of impersonators, but this one had a presence. He didn’t approach anyone. He didn’t pose unless invited. He simply existed there, waiting, watching, eyebrows doing half the talking.
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And those eyebrows were extraordinary.
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He used them like punctuation marks — lifting them sharply to look villainous, lowering them to appear contemplative, arching them in a way that suggested he knew secrets we did not. It was theatrical, but subtle enough that you had to be paying attention to appreciate the craft.
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We stood there for a moment, caught between amusement and admiration. He wasn’t selling anything. He wasn’t performing loudly. He was just… being Putin, in the shadows, at the edge of Red Square.
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Russia has a way of surprising you. Sometimes it’s smooth vodka. Sometimes it’s a man with expressive eyebrows who can communicate an entire mood without saying a word.
Related Journeys - coming soon
Russia - a complicated land
France - a trip in 4 C's
Renovated Chartes gave way to the Dordognes with Cave Art and Castles before ending the journey with Chateaus in Loire.Â
England - short trip to history
Working back to prehistory. London first with its pomp, Stratford with the Bard, Bath and Romans - finally Stonehenge