Your first visit to Russia :)

[Madlen]

My desire to make this topic appeared at once.

I like my country and republics of past USSR, so for me it is very interesting to know opinions and impressions of people from other countries.

Yes, I know bad things about my country, but I want you say, what interesting and nice you saw during your first trip to Russia .

Maybe it was museum, restourant, meal, streets  or nice stewardess in plane:). Or maybe you communicated with good people.
You can write all, what was nice for you. Even very small thing .

I was in many countries of Europe, in Asia. I saw good things and bad things. But I am sure, that we can always to find something interesting.
It depends of our inner and of our heart .

[kynrazor]

Fortunate to have seen The most beautiful underground metro train stations that I have ever seen in my life, ever, in Moscow 

Perhaps only in Russiaᵀᴹ

[BillyB]

Yes, I know bad things about my country, but I want you say, what interesting and nice you saw during your first trip to Russia .

I like my trip to Moscow and Kremlin. Historic city with beautiful architecture. St. Petersburg was even more beautiful and I enjoyed visiting the museums especially the Hermitage.


I think Russia with all it's land, resources, population of educated and hard working people can become more economically powerful than an European nation if they had the right leadership that would allow people to show their true potential.

[Madlen]

   kynrazor, I agree. We have nice metro. And, for example, in my city we have very nice mosaic on the walls of underground passages.

[Madlen]

   BillyB,
in St. Petersburg each stone is history. This is an amazing city. Climat is not pleasant, but with umbrella all ok .

"Right leadership" - important. But people need to change their brains. It is first. And It is other story .

[msmob]

Hi Madlen

'interesting' name for a Russian lady ?

So, my first visit - to Russia - was to Piter and I saw the Mariinsky Theatre, Hermitage and many more wonderful places.

If you are from Rostov, currently I only know your railway station and the British Visa application centre, there !

Welcome to the forum

[Madlen]

Hi, msmob .
Interesting name for a British man  .

Yes, I am from Rostov-on-Don. If you was here.

City historical the same. But more interesting to see region.

People always have strict aim to see Moscow. I can not understand why. Moscow it is only capital, but it is not real Russia.

Rostov the Great, Novgorod, Suzdal-it is real Russia.

[Anotherkiwi]

Yes, I am from Rostov-on-Don. If you was here.

I have to cheat slightly here, because I spent a few days in Rostov on my SECOND trip.    I loved it, especially the Cathedral and the promenade along the river.  Friday being wedding day, I saw many couples having their photos taken in Central Park.  Unfortunately I didn't have time for a cruise, but I did get to see horse-racing at the Ippodrom on the Sunday afternoon.  For me (and probably every other racing fan on the forum) it was very different to hear a woman commentator!  Apart from one race called by the usual commentator's daughter (who did a good job), and one hurdle race years later called by one of the television presenters (who did a very bad job), I don't think that there has ever been a woman commentator here in New Zealand.

...And, for example, in my city we have very nice mosaic on the walls of underground passages.

Agreed.  I've attached a photo of one.

People always have strict aim to see Moscow. I can not understand why. Moscow it is only capital, but it is not real Russia.

You had better hope that people from Moscow don't read this!  Most visitors to any country (not just Russia) will want to see the capital city.  Moscow IS special, with all its beautiful buildings and the world's greatest Metro system - the only one where many of the stations are actually museums.    However, I have written many times on here that I consider Saint Petersburg to be the most beautiful city in the world, and I can't see that opinion ever changing.

Rostov the Great, Novgorod, Suzdal-it is real Russia.

I haven't been to them, but I have visited Kazan (including the Raifa Monastery), Krasnodar and Sochi, amongst others.  Do they count as the "real Russia?" 

By the way -    I hope you enjoy your time here.

[Madlen]

   Anotherkiwi, thank you .
Wonderful experience.

Kazan, Krasnodar and Sochi - very interesting cities.
Kazan is Tataria. But a lot of russians live there.

Krasnodar and Sochi - south of Russia with wonderfull warm climat.
But if you like snow, you need go to Novosibirsk - very nice city too.

Yes, all this cities will say you about real Russia.

[Madlen]

I have friends in Italy. They were in Novocibirsk many times, and they want go there again.
They are snowy maniacs .

Everyone has own interest.

[GQBlues]

My first visit to Russia was Moscow, my personal 'twilight zone'. I've long fascinated someday walking every square foot of Red Square since I've sprung my consciousness of the 'cold war'. During that 'first' trip, I also booked and went to Ekaterinberg for a weekend, then flew back to Moscow to put a close to that initial adventure. Since, Moscow 2x, St Pete 4x, Novosibirsk 3x, and Kursk, so far once.


Novosibirsk is dear to my heart. I still strongly believe that when it comes to gorgeous women, it is the capital of Russia by a mile.


I used to think like all the others about St Pete, but had since changed that perception. It's a nice city to visit, yes - but beyond attraction sites such as Peterhof (which is stunning despite most of the architecture are refurbished), Catherine's Garden - compared to Ekat & Novo, there really isn't much less there. Mariinsky and Hermitage are both much too drafty for my comfort. They also need to reinforced the floor stage at Mariinsky. I shouldn't have to 'hear' the floor creeks when enjoying a wonderful ballet performance. The metro is something everyone needs to experience and behold. By far the deepest in Russia. Just the escalator ride down is an adventure unto itself.


For nature, I'd rather be in Altai. It's spectacular.


Of all the former Soviet states however, I will forever hold Prague deserving of the title, 'the most beautiful European city'.


BTW, the 7-hr train ride from Moscow - Kursk, to me, is laborious. It isn't 'bad' per se - but having to do that after a 12-hr flight from LA-Moscow is just a bit much - and back again.


All in all, Russia have a very 'almost' unique splendor about it. Almost. A country I liken much like the US in that, each region/state have very distinct differences. I like it very much.

[BillyB]

I have friends in Italy. They were in Novocibirsk many times, and they want go there again.
They are snowy maniacs .

How about you Madlen? Where in Russia have you travelled? Have you been to any other countries? If so, how did you view the people and culture there?

[Madlen]

   GQBlues, you are real traveler:). Nice.
I agree, that Altai is special. Nature, real forests with mushrooms and berries, fresh air. It is real paradise.
Maybe one day I will visit this place too.

[Madlen]

 BillyB, I am grown woman, but young traveler  .
In my country I was in Moscow, St. Petersburg - of cource.

Then: Krasnodar, Divnomorsk, Sochi, Arkhipo-Osipovka, Anchor slot, Kursk, Azov, Novocherkassk, Tver, Penza, Novgorod the Great.

Some years ago I visited Abkhazia. This territory separated of Russia.
Wonderful Black sea, nature. Famous lake Riza - very beautiful. And mountains, mountains-paradise.

Adygea the same, very nice.
Lakes, mountaines, nice flowers and herbs, the White River and the canyons, caves with stalactites and stalagmites and air soooo fresh... And you feel sooo free, when you see around you only land without edge....

Europe: Italy, France, Hungary, Austria, Spain, Monaco, Poland.

Asia: Vietnam (Saigon, Vung Tau).

It is my small dossier  .

What I can say about all this?

I love people and I like our planet very much. So, when I visit next place I am always happy and grateful to God for this opportunity.

Every country is special: with nice places, with own language, traditions and culture.

And everywhere I meet wonderful, friendly people.

I think we need respect each other, like this   
independently of the stupidity of our politicians.

[Anotherkiwi]

What I can say about all this?

I love people and I like our planet very much. So, when I visit next place I am always happy and grateful to God for this opportunity.

Every country is special: with nice places, with own language, traditions and culture.

And everywhere I meet wonderful, friendly people.

I think we need respect each other, like this   
independently of the stupidity of our politicians.

Agreed!   

[JayH]

What I can say about all this?

I love people and I like our planet very much. So, when I visit next place I am always happy and grateful to God for this opportunity.

Every country is special: with nice places, with own language, traditions and culture.

And everywhere I meet wonderful, friendly people.

I think we need respect each other, like this   
independently of the stupidity of our politicians.

  & 

[JohnDearGreen]

Hello Madlen.
Good to hear from a Russian lady again.  Many of them have deserted this forum.
Rookie trip had a number of highs and lows.   A few of the better activities:
Great tour of city with an old guy from Smolensk and his niece.
Evening cruise down Moscow River.
Short break for a 15 minute dance party with a lady friend in the living room of our interpreter's
apartment down south on the gray line.
But best was last 2 days with a lady friend from Rostov.

[msmob]

Krasnodar and Sochi - south of Russia with wonderfull warm climat.
But if you like snow, you need go to Novosibirsk - very nice city too.

'Excuse' me !

Sochi's mountain resorts have snow, already ...and the Black Sea ...and rain ) 

We even have gas piped all the way from Siberia!

Krasnodar is high up on a plateau - 'warm' - in winter it is not

I live about 40 percent of the year in Sochi...

[Madlen]

Sochi's mountain resorts have snow, already ...and the Black Sea ...and rain ) 

We even have gas piped all the way from Siberia!

Krasnodar is high up on a plateau - 'warm' - in winter it is not

I live about 40 percent of the year in Sochi...

 Msmob, I agree with all, but...south of Russia it is not Florida  . So, weather is not hot in winter  .
I say about russian climat for russians, as we feel this.

For us our warm winter means zero and warmer.
Even several days were frosty, we say, that winter was warm.

About snow.
A ski resort in Sochi and a city in Siberia are two different things.

It is pleasant to hear, that you live in Sochi 40 percent of the year  . Does it mean you like ?
Maybe soon you will be citizen of Russia? Why not?

[Madlen]

Rookie trip had a number of highs and lows.   A few of the better activities:
Great tour of city with an old guy from Smolensk and his niece.
Evening cruise down Moscow River.
Short break for a 15 minute dance party with a lady friend in the living room of our interpreter's
apartment down south on the gray line.
But best was last 2 days with a lady friend from Rostov.

 JohnDearGreen, you are very active . Nice 

And thank you for video. It is wonderful film. And I like song very much. It is old song of R.E.M., but was very popular in my country.

Interesting, that this albom was released in 1991 year, when USSR was collapsed.

[msmob]

Msmob, I agree with all, but...south of Russia it is not Florida  . So, weather is not hot in winter  .
I say about russian climat for russians, as we feel this.

For us our warm winter means zero and warmer.
Even several days were frosty, we say, that winter was warm.

If we get snow, at Sea level in Sochi - we are in shock )

About snow.
A ski resort in Sochi and a city in Siberia are two different things.

I have been to a Ski resort in Krasnoyarsk and Sochi - they seemed 'fine' to me ..


Here's one's from N'birsk and Sochi, respectively )





The latter was breaking the world Record for bikini skiing at Sochi's Mountain Resorts in 2016

It is pleasant to hear, that you live in Sochi 40 percent of the year  . Does it mean you like ?
Maybe soon you will be citizen of Russia? Why not?

I LOVE it... and someone there !





I have two passports, already and an ID card for a third - don't need any more citizenships  

..and I agree 'Abkhazia' is wonderful

[Madlen]

Nice pictures:).