I caught this interesting photo in Vladimir, one of the medieval capitals of Russia just 120 miles from Moscow. Vladimir is the first stop on the Trans-Siberian Railroad and the gateway to the stunning little village of Suzdal about a 20 mile bus ride north. It was a rainy day as I explored the town of Vladimir with its many cathedrals and while looking out over the beautiful Oka River Valley, I spotted this rainbow that looks like it is coming right out or the power plant.
Add These Often Overlooked Travel Gems to Your Itinerary This Year
Check out some of John’s favorite places by visiting these Blue Orb ‘Best Picks’ when you travel this summer. By clicking on the link it will take you to our full article on each travel destination.
A charming little town straddling the River Severn near the border with Wales. Located in County Shropshire, England Shrewsbury is only 170 miles from London.
This hidden gem of Bavaria is one point on a small tourist triangle that also includes Berchtesgaden with it’s Eagle’s Nest and Salzburg, Austria. Just 100 miles from Munich, Konigssee is easily accessible by train and you can walk to the lake from the train station.
This shining gem just outside the Golden Ring is 260 miles from Moscow and one of the first stops on the Trans Siberian Railway. Located at the confluence of the Volga and Oka Rivers, Nizhny Novgorod is the third largest city in Russia and is home to a fabulous Kremlin and many splendid cathedrals.
Located off the beaten path in the hill country of Laos and accessible only by bus or plane, Luang Prabang is well worth the trip! This French colonial town on the Mekong River is full of old world charm, wonderful restaurants, great shopping and inexpensive hotels.
It is exciting to think that the Russian Federation may soon have closer and more friendly ties with the rest of the world, particularly the western world and most particularly with the United States. Having traveled Russia from north to south and west to east, I’ve had the opportunity to interact and meet with many folks throughout Russia and I can tell you, they are friendly, welcoming and anxious to get to know us. I also noticed an awful lot of capitalism going on in Russia as well as a vibrant culture of Christian faith, both of which would have been impossible during ‘soviet times’.
St. Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square, Moscow, Russia
Perhaps the most iconic landmark in all of Russia is Moscow’s onion domed St. Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square. But did you know that the adjacent Kremlin, the seat of the Russian government, contains four beautiful cathedrals? Quite often, the most important landmarks for tourists to visit in each Russian city are the cathedrals. These cathedrals are open and free for anyone to visit and are usually packed with parishioners who stand rather than sit in pews. It is a moving experience to rub shoulders with other Christians amid the splendor of magnificent artwork while the beautiful music of live choirs echoes throughout these architectural treasures.
Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia
Other than the few remaining busts of Lenin, usually splattered with pigeon droppings, there are few vestiges of Russia’s sad dalliance with the Bolsheviks. Even the mortal remains of Tsar Nicholas II and his family, who were brutally murdered in Ekaterinburg on July 17, 1918, enjoy a renewed reverence in Russia. Their mortal remains were removed and interred in the St. Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg eighty years to the day after their murder. A visit to Russia should be on everyone’s bucket list and the cathedrals throughout this beautiful country are a must see.
St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Petersburg, Russia
When contemplating travel during the month of December we usually think of the Christmas Markets of Germany, Austria, France, Belgium and the Czech Republic. One of my favorite Christmas shops is Kathe Wohlfahrt’s year round shop in Rothenburg, Germany. But Christmas is actually celebrated throughout the world, including countries like Japan which are not traditionally thought of as Christmas destinations. Many believe that Finland, which is an overwhelmingly Christian nation, is one of the most ‘Christmassy’ countries in the world. After all, they say, Santa Claus himself lives in Lapland, a region in northern Finland, located near the North Pole. The fact that there are as many reindeer in Lapland as there are people only adds to the mystique. Whether or not you believe that Santa originated in Finland, the Finns certainly do and there is much evidence for it as one travels throughout this beautiful country. I hope you enjoy these photos from my recent trip to Finland that make one think of Christmas.
Santa Claus Figure Outside Shop in Helsinki, FinlandChild in Finland Decked Out in Christmas ColorsThe Finnish Orthodox Uspensky Cathedral in Helsinki
On a recent trip to Finland, Russia and Ukraine I had the opportunity to visit the beautiful little town of Porvoo, Finland. Just a 30 mile bus ride from Helsinki, the capital of Finland, Porvoo is a small medieval town located on the River Porvoonjoki. I was captivated by an old deserted train station located just outside of the old town and could only imagine all the comings and goings from this station over the years.
The Old Town of Porvoo, Finland across the River PorvoonjokiPorvoo, FinlandPorvoo, Finland
A Train Ride into the Ural Mountains of Russia from Perm to Yekaterinburg
Earning My Keep in Perm, Russia
Perm is a common stop on the Trans-Siberian Railway and while there is not a lot to see of historical interest there, I did have a pleasant stay at the Hotel Prikamye. When the front desk staff found out that I was from the U.S. they asked if I would take a look at the new restaurant menu they were working on and see if I had any editing suggestions. Of course, I was happy to do it and I was able to correct a few grammatical errors for them. I had a wonderful dinner that evening at a nearby restaurant that came with chicken borsht soup and a shot of Vodka!
Dinner In Russia Comes with a Shot of Vodka
A Pleasant Train Ride through the Ural Mountains
The next day I boarded the train heading for Yekaterinburg and enjoyed the beautiful ride into the Ural Mountains. Unlike Perm, Yekaterinburg has tremendous historical significance. Named for Catherine (Katerin) the First, second wife of Peter the Great, it is the infamous place where Tsar Nicholas II and his family were murdered by the Bolsheviks on July 17, 1917. In 1977 the building where they were executed was destroyed by the order of Boris Yeltsin and a beautiful cathedral now stands in its place. The bodies of the Romanov family were moved to the Peter and Paul Cathedral in Saint Petersburg, where they now enjoy renewed respect and reverence from the Russian people.
Cathedral at Romanov Death Site in Yekaterinburg, Russia
Buying Train Tickets Was the Biggest Challenge on the Trans-Siberian Railway
By this stage of my trip across Russia I had discovered that buying tickets at the train station each day was my biggest challenge. The lines were long and the ticket agents and other customers had little patience in dealing with someone who did not speak Russian. With that one exception, the Russian people everywhere along the way were extremely friendly and helpful. I met a nice, very intelligent young man on the train who spoke excellent English. I learned a lot about Russia from talking with Maxim and on arrival in Yekaterinburg he helped me buy my train tickets for the next several days which was a tremendous help. We then took a walking tour of the city and had dinner before he had to get to the airport. I stayed at a fairly elegant hotel that evening, the Hotel Tsentralny, to rest up for the next leg of my trip…a long stretch into the Western Siberian Plain. It would be three days on the train before I stayed in another hotel.
Join Me on a Quick Train Ride into the Ural Mountains of Russia
