Bette

National Flower of the Soviet Union: The Red Carnation

Our Trip to The Soviet Union (Russia)
Stalingrad (Moscow) & Leningrad (St. Petersburg)
February 1986

Kosmos Hotel "The Kosmos Hotel complex was built in 1979 for the 1980 Summer Olympics held in Moscow in 1980. The hotel's opening ceremony took place on 18 July 1979 and was attended by prominent politicians, businessmen, and stars of the Soviet system. The Cosmos Hotel is located in north-central Moscow in a green zone on Mira Avenue. It is located next to the VDNKh exhibition center, close to Ostankino Telecom Tower, the Olympic Stadium and the "Sokolniki" Exhibition Complex."

Our first bus tour	Kuskovo Palace Museum with 18th Century Russian Art

It was very very cold!



Irina, our Moskow guide.



We had purchased tickets for Swan Lake, but when we got there, the Swan Lake sign had a big X and "cancelled" on it. In its place were two short pieces.

St. Basil's Cathedral Originally a Christian Ortodox Church changed in 1928 by the Russian Federation to the "State Historical Museum"


Kremlin Wall


Kremlin Wall Entrance

Lenin's Tomb	Red Square Guards

GUM Department Store Window across from Red Square. It was closed for the night!

Red Square Statue

Moscow University

View from the University: Moscow University Athletics Building

Lunch at Aragvi	Outdoor Pool

Bus View	Bus View

Pretty Building	GUM Department Store Entrance

School








Our guide Irina and Photographer



	Grave of the Unknown Soldier The Eternal Flame



"This class on board the historic branded Red Arrow train is for those who wish to not share the cabin with other passengers and to travel privately. The ticket includes a meal, a travel vanity kit, bed-linen set with a towel, and newspapers. The Restaurant car is in the neighboring train car".


Online Photos

	Our Photos It was a great, unforgetable experience!

Morning view of Hotel Leningrad from Red Arrow train.

"In 1967, the Hotel Leningrad started construction. The original plan was to build the hotel in two stages. The second stage, never completed, was to construct a 13-story building in the form of an open-ring with an inner courtyard with a swimming pool and fountains. Opening in 1970, the hotel was the first large hotel in the area since before World War II. The hotel was the first in the Soviet Union to offer buffet-breakfast and Continental breakfast. In 1986, the second part of the match for the world chess championship between Garry Kasparov and Anatoliy Karpov was held in the hotel.

We arrived at 8:00 a.m. at Hotel Leningrad. Our room overlooks the Neva River and Peter and Paul Fortress. After breakfast we had a city tour: Peter and Paul Fortress; Neva Gate; St. Isaacs Cathedral; the Winter Palace; Peter the Great Monument; the University of Leningrad, site of the common buriel ground of 640,000 who died during the Nazi seige of Leningrad; the Smalny Institte (convent for orphans; a school for daughters of nobility; and new local headuarters for the Communist Party.

We had lunch at Sadko, then to the Baryozka shop. Tonight we went to the Maly Theater of Opera and Ballet and saw Eugene Onegin. We sat in the middle of the first balcony, right next to the VIP Box. The opera was very enjoyable.

We spent the morning in the Hermitage. I have not ever seen its equal for opulence and extent of collections (25 Rembrandts, 42 Rubens). We spent most of our time in the Western European section. A wonderful Kandinski, a room full of Matisse (orange acrobats). Lunch in Astoria, best yet!

We spent the afternoon exploring Peter and Paul fortress. We took a walk in one of many parks: small bronze sculptures of children, young lovers, mothers and children, teenagers. Children were sliding and playing on a specially-made sled run. Trees, benches, many paths.

We had dinner at the hotel, then to the ballet, to see Romeo and Juliet, but at the last moment Romeo and Juliet switched to les Sylvides! The performance was mediocre. The best part was sitting with Irene (our wonderful guide) and chatting during 35-40 intermission.

We took a morning tour of St. Isaacs. (We met a group from Ipswich High School there.) Large columns of green malacite, walls of pink granite. Magnificant frescos. Next we went to "functioning" church Alexander Nevsky. We lit six candles there. It was pretty shabby compared to state-run museum cnurches.

We went to a cemetary and saw Dostoiyevsky's and Tschchowsky's graves. After that Charlie and I walked the length of Nevsky Prospect, about three miles, stopping in shops along the way, very interesting. We bought a hat to match my fur coat. We also bought a book of Soviet poetry. We had lunch in Astoria Cafe, all-you-could-eat buffet.

In the evening, we dined in the elegant, luxurious Ravi restaurant in a hotel by the Gulf of Finland: gourmet meal, cavier, champagne and the balilaika band. We danced! A wonderful evening!

Irene, our guide, and I had bought the same book for each other! (partly, I think because we have similar tastes in literature and partly because the selection of Ssviet books in English is limited.

After going through all the passport/inspection procedure at the Soviet airport, I realized I had left my posters outside in the airport lobby. I explained to the guard, who at first said No, then Okay. Each point I went back through had a customs official and each first looked confused and then let me go. Although they make a big effort to be strict and efficient, it's pretense and breaks down easily.