"Sharrie's Russia Kremlin" Top 5 Page for this destination Russia by Sharrie

Russia Travel Guide: 14,132 reviews and 35,674 photos

Russia...
the land of the tzars...
the playground of Ivan; the Terrible, the Kalita & the Great!
The land that conquered, terrorized & mystified!

A land until not so long ago was still a superpower!
& today? (Imho, it still is!)

As a visitor, it took a great deal of effort to get the papers ready. More so than many countries.
It took a lot of patience to understand what works in the "world" does not necessary work here.
English does nothing here. Russian rules.
Try asking for a glass of water in English & u know what helpless means.
Notwithstanding, it is a land of beauty, character & evolution.
A must for anyone who wishes to understand the "ism" of this world; communism, socialism, capitalism & globalism!

Facts About Russia
Capital: Moscow.
Area: 17,075,200 sq km.
Population: 144.52 million.
Language: Russian.
National Holiday: Russia Day, 12 June (1990).
GDP Per Capita: US$16,100.
Currency: Russian ruble (RUR) = 100 kopeks.

Web Resources
National Anthem: Patriotiskaya Pesn' (The Patriotic Song)
Country Code: 7
CIA World Factbook: Year 2009
Online Travel Guide: Columbus World Travel Guide
Russia Destination Guide: LonelyPlanet.com
Map: Lonely Planet Map

Historic Timeline & VIP
Rise of Moscow
1325-1340 : Ivan I - The Kalita (Moneybags)
1462-1505 : Ivan III - The Great
1533-1584 : Ivan IV - The Terrible
1645-1676 : Alexis
1697-1725 : Peter I - The Great
1725-1727 : Catherine I
1727-1730 : Peter II
1762-1796 : Catherine II - The Great

Last visit to Russia: Aug 2003
Intro Updated Dec 18, 2009
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Reviews (45)

Icon Painting Local Customs (1)

Icons were considered as powerful as the saints they depicted & mostly used for protection during wartime. Content... more travel advice

Papier-mache artifacts Shopping (5)

This type of boxes are gorgeous. Love them. But costly... not only to your wallet but space as well. Anyway, where's... more travel advice

Ballet Nightlife (2)

No, not to dance a ballet but to watch a performance ;-) At the Bolshoy, if possible. If not, plenty of places with... more travel advice

Russian Caviar Restaurants (1)

Russia, famous for its caviar. It's cheaper to buy here but you can't export it. So, for those who love it,... more travel advice

Things to Do (23)
See All The future leaders of Russia...
Favorites (12)
See All Some of the best things in life are...

Off The Beaten Path (1)
GUM
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Travelogues (2)

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Comments (17)

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american_tourister Feb 5, 2005 at 1:28 AM

You should have used the VIP entrances. The bribe is only 100 Roubles ($3.00) and it was worth it to not have to stand in line like that.
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hunterV Oct 23, 2004 at 9:25 AM

You always provide wonderful essays and pictures, splendid!!
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RoseAmano Aug 14, 2004 at 7:31 AM

Information is gold, isn't it? Lovely pages about "western Russia", and hoping to visit there one day, as we just fell in love with "eastern Russia" which has much less gold, much less tourism, less history but still it's own veritable legacies.
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Confucius Jun 29, 2004 at 2:34 AM

I would travel all the way to Russia just to see Anna Kournikova wearing a "chee pao" Chinese dress! Looks like you had a good safe time in Russia and enjoyed writing about it. Well done!
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suvaa003 Dec 22, 2003 at 5:28 AM

what a great page about my favorite country well done
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zrim Dec 17, 2003 at 6:05 PM

A fascinating country, as you have admirably shown. I wonder when I will get my chance to visit Russia.
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andal13 Dec 16, 2003 at 7:59 PM

Probably we have different perceptions of this magnificent country, but you had the luck to visit it, and I appreciate the way you show it in this great page.
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Bonobo2005 Dec 3, 2003 at 4:51 PM

I guess the Vodka chapter still has to be written ;-)?? Yet, I not only exceptionally loved to learn about your unpreoccupied views on Russia; you're probably the only one who would find a good reason to share the GUM under OBP!!
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Audrey118 Dec 2, 2003 at 5:00 AM

you are wrong - gold has renewed it glitter these days - esplly with the concern over the terrorist attacks... such an amusing travelogue - i will keep on reading
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richiecdisc Dec 2, 2003 at 4:45 AM

Boy, am I glad I gave you two minutes of my time, otherwise I'd have to take that temporary insanity plea too. Love the architecture but leave it to the "Communists" to charge money to take a picture of it. ;) Nice work here, SG.