FUN-photos: Uniworld Russian River Cruise

September 2, 2014 by · Comments Off on FUN-photos: Uniworld Russian River Cruise 

We arrived in Moscow very early on the morning of Thursday, July 3rd for our 13 day river cruise. We spent 3 days touring Moscow and set sail on the evening of Sunday, July 6th. We cruised the Moscow Canal, Volga River, Lake Rybinsk, Lake Onega, Svir River & Lake Ladoga. Our stops included Uglich, Yaroslav, Goritsy & Kirillov, Kizhi Island, Mandrogi and ended in St. Petersburg for 4 nights. We disembarked the morning of July 15th and flew to Berlin, Germany. Little did we know that was the same day the Malasian Airliner was shot down over Ukraine.

If you click on the first picture it will allow you to create a slide show. Enjoy!

FUN-travel: St. Petersburg, Russia – Day 5 – Princess Baltic Cruise

July 29, 2014 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: St. Petersburg, Russia – Day 5 – Princess Baltic Cruise 

Day 24 – Thursday, July 24 – St. Petersburg, Russia – Princess Cruise – Day 5 – clear blue skies – low 80’s – sunrise 4:42 – sunset 11:15

St. Petersburg (Peterhof), Russia 2014 42

Peterhof

What I LIKE

  • 8:30 – wake up
  • slept good
  • R & R day
  • TV destination show on Helsinki
  • – good info on arrival & history
  • 12:30 lunch – more of the same on buffet w/a few additions
  • – make nice salad
  • 1:30 – take walk on Decks 17 & 18
  • – 7 laps = 1 mile
  • – find adults only pool area & Sanctuary area
  • (additional charge) imagine that!
  • 2:30 – back to room to catch up writing these
  • 2:30 – make 8:00 reservation for Jigger’s section
St. Petersburg (Peterhof), Russia 2014 20

Peterhof

  • 6:30 – happy hour @ Crooner’s Bar – Deck 7 Atrium

    Tallinn, Estonia 2014 2

    Tallinn, Estonia

  • Hendrick’s & Bombay Sapphire martinis – VG & only $8.95
  • – comes w/dish of big stuffed olives – garlic, cheese, anchovies
  • Find out they have Tanqueray 10
  • Order 1 of those too!
  • 8:00 – tonight’s Italian night
  • – Carpaccio & eggplant starters
  • – veal & scallops entrees – just so so
  • – Simi Landslide – 2010 Alexander Valley cabernet
  • – extra charge $19 & they pull out the nice wine glasses
  • Get an hour back

What I DON’T LIKE

  • Internet is so slow & expensive on ship

FUN-fact – The ships has 3710 passengers. The top three countries represented by the number of passengers is the US, Mexico & Canada.
More FF – Putin has said if you want to come to Russia for the 2018 World Cup you will not need a visa. They are expensive and difficult to get as they are very picky.

St. Petersburg (Peterhof), Russia 2014 11

Peterhof

FUN-travel Tip – Our tour guide yesterday was one of the best we have had in Russia. If you are planning to come to Russia and want a private guide you can contact Elena Egorova at egelena@yahoo.com. You will need a visa if you are flying to Russia but if you come by ship and stay for no more than 72 hours Elena can get you in on a tour visa just like the ships do.

FUN-travel: St. Petersburg, Russia – Day 4 – Princess Baltic Cruise

July 29, 2014 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: St. Petersburg, Russia – Day 4 – Princess Baltic Cruise 

Day 23 – Wednesday, July 23 – St. Petersburg, Russia – Princess Cruise – Day 4 – blue skies w/scattered clouds in distant – high 70’s – sunrise 4:43 – sunset 11:14

St. Petersburg (Peterhof), Russia 2014 15

Peterhof Gardens

What I LIKE

  • 6:25 – wake up to hot cappuccino from my love
  • 7:00 – ready to go
  • 7:15 – head down for cappuccino to go
  • 7:30 – arrive theatre & tour takes off – not hurry up & wait
  • 7:50 – tour bus departs for Peterhof Palace & Gardens
  • – didn’t see this when here last week on purpose
  • – Princess gave us $100 credit for excursion
  • – this is only one we will take (way overpriced)
  • 9:00 – arrive & walk to entrance
  • 9:30 – inside tour begins
  • 10:30 – garden tour begins
  • UNESCO site – overlooks Sea of Finland
  • – designed by Peter the Great
  • – one palace entrance by carriage & the other by gondola from the sea
  • Features Grand Cascade – fountain depicting Samson prying open lion’s jaws
  • 11:00 – fountains turned on
  • – all gravity fed & no pumps – pretty spectacular
  • 11:30 – back to bus
  • 12:00 – souvenir stop – need to spend left over rubles

St. Petersburg (Peterhof), Russia 2014 41

  • – end up spending more money for sweet painting of church on spilled blood
  • (wanted Moscow St. Basil’s but not there)
  • 1:15 – arrive ship – stop for salads @ small bar on way inSt. Petersburg (Peterhof), Russia 2014 34
  • – shrimp & chicken curry
  • – take to go – eat on balcony w/glass of wine so I can…
  • 2:00 – take nap
  • 7:30 – dinner @ same dining room Symphony Deck 5
  • – warm crab & artichoke dip just so so
  • – Caesar salad is completely different from 1st day
  • – nice & crisp w/much lighter dressing – VG
  • – fish/scallop/shrimp skewers w/mango lime salsa & pad thai
  • – more just so so
  • – attempt to get some hot chili or sirachi sauce
  • – neither on board
  • – Spellbound 2012 Napa Petite Sarah (Mondavi wine) VG!
  • $5 upcharge on wine card
  • 9:00 – Wheelhouse bar Deck 7 – martini & glass of wine for…
  • 9:15 – Princess Live jazz show – piano, guitar, drums & horns – VG
  • 10:00 – down to Deck 6 for Motown – no one there
  • – head to room
  • – over & done

St. Petersburg (Peterhof), Russia 2014 33

St. Petersburg (Peterhof), Russia 2014 2

Peterhof Cathedral

What I DON’T LIKE

  • 4:25 wake up
  • 5:25 wake up
  • 7: 35 to 7:45 – have to stand in line for passport control
  • 12:45 – have to stand in line for passport control again to get on ship – what a joke!
  • Favorite waiter Jigger has no tables again
  • Food’s inconsistent

FUN-fact – Peterhof Palace & Garden was the most well organized tour for handling large crowds. Each room had an attendant that controlled the flow and made it a very enjoyable experience. And just as an FYI – it looks a lot like Catherine’s Palace inside. I wouldn’t pay to do both.
Not so FF – The Netherland’s response to the downing of the Malaysian Airlines plane has been extremely moving and they should be commended for their handling of this terrible situation. Each passenger is being given dignity and respect with military honors as they arrive by plane from the Ukraine.

FUN-travel: St. Petersburg to Berlin

July 19, 2014 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: St. Petersburg to Berlin 

Day 15 – Tuesday, July 15 – St. Petersburg to Berlin, Germany – blue skies w/some light clouds – high 70’s

St. Petersburg, Russia 2014 132

Catherine’s Palace

St. Petersburg, Russia 2014 77

Madonna & Child – Leonardo Da Vinci – Hermitage

What I LIKE

  • 1:30 – depart for airport
  • Ready to leave Russia
  • 1:50 – arrive
  • 2:45 – ticket counter check in
  • – no baggage Nazi’s
  • – don’t get hit for being over 23 kilos
  • 3:00 – lady can’t figure out price to charge for extra bag
  • – don’t get hit for $15 Euro
  • 3:10 – passport control
  • 3:20 – security screening – liquids no problem
  • 3:35 – arrive gate A21
  • – very long walk
  • 4:15 – board – plane not full
  • – move to exit row for legroom
  • 4:35 – take off (fairly on time)
  • 4:40 – on time landing
  • Get 2 hrs back
  • 2nd in line for customs & breeze thru
  • 5:25 – all bags make it
  • Airport info desk calls for free shuttle pick up
  • – Mercure hotel next to airport

St. Petersburg, Russia 2014 94

  • Staying here to get car in morning & drive to PolandKrakow, Poland 2014 60
  • Fast & free internet
  • Save 15% on food & drink if sign up for loyalty program
  • 7:10 – chef has special pasta menu
  • – highly recommend ordering from that
  • – all fresh made & very tasty
  • Triangle pasta w/cheese/pesto/sundried tomatoes & salmon salad w/pasta & tomatoes = $30 Euro Bordeaux $37.50 Euro
  • 10:00 pm – tired!

What I DON’T LIKE

  • Have to go thru security just to enter airport
  • Check in doesn’t start until 2:20
  • Had to prepay extra bag fee 48 hrs prior
  • Costs $70 Euro + $15
  • 2:45 – can’t pay @ check in counter
  • – have to go to another counter – then come back with receipt
  • No jet way again & hot bus jammed full – on both ends!
  • Bags take forever
  • Need a Euro to get trolley for bags
  • Have to walk to Terminal A to get shuttle
  • Inadvertently made reservation for 1 person
  • – they charged $20 Euro more for 2nd person
  • Room has one pillow, one duvet & 1 towel
  • – REALLY! have never seen such a thing
  • 2 bottles of wine not available – finally order the Bordeaux
Moscow, Russia 2014 99

The Kremlin

Not so FUN-fact – The Mercure is a transit hotel and overpriced in our opinion. They claim 4 stars – no amenities to speak of. Free coffee is from 5 to 6 in the morning. Machine cappuccino is $3 Euro

FUN-travel: Day 13 – End of Uniworld River Cruise

July 19, 2014 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Day 13 – End of Uniworld River Cruise 

Day 15 – Tuesday, July 15 – End of Uniworld Cruise

St. Petersburg, Russia 2014 67

Peter the Great on Horseback

Moscow, Russia 2014 56

Red Square

What I LIKE

  • 7:00 – decent coffee
  • – Chris brings me Starbuck’s Via instant!
  • – forgot he had it
  • 8:15 – fruit & sandwich to go
  • Finish packing
  • 9:20 – up to lounge
  • – hang out until airport
  • – catch up on writing these
  • Plenty of AC up here!
  • 12:00 – light lunch buffet – soup & salad
  • 1:30 – depart for airport
  • Ready to leave Russia!

What I DON’T LIKE

  • 5:00 am – foot cramp!
  • Wake up w/stiff back

Uniworld River Cruise Recap – Russia is not Europe. I thought it would have the charm and beauty of the other river cruises we have experienced but it didn’t.

  • As for the ship, it was not up to Uniworld standards. The food, wine and dining room staff were not of the caliber and quality we had in France. It is owned and operated by Russian’s. Uniworld has a presence on board. That’s it.
  • As for the room, size does matter! 12 days in a small room (135 sq ft) takes its toll.  Also, I have long contended that you have no control of the temperature in your room on any ship (even though they have controls on the wall) and that was certainly true for this one.
St. Petersburg, Russia 2014 89

The Hermitage

  • As for the excursions, some were better than others. They did a good job of having local guides with small groups. Moscow was better than St Petersburg because there were a lot less tourists from ships. My preference is to always do a private tour.

FUN-fact – The Volga River is the largest and longest river in Europe at 2292 miles long.
More FF – Russian architecture is often referred to as “cake tiered.” And Russian church domes look like “onions with candles on top.”
More FF – There are no single family homes in the city of St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg, Russia 2014 59

Me, Chris, Norga & Chris at Opera

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