Road Scholar : Home
Treasures of Russian Arts and Literature

Program Number: 3318RJ
Start and End Dates:
9/11/2013 - 9/23/2013; 10/2/2013 - 10/14/2013; 5/15/2014 - 5/25/2014; 9/11/2014 - 9/21/2014; 10/9/2014 - 10/19/2014;
Duration: 12 nights
Location: Russia
Price starting at: $3,784.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Arts, Misc.
Meals: 26; 11 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 11 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Thanks to modern technology, anyone with a computer can take a peek inside the vast collection of the Hermitage and see a virtual image of Mesopotamian papyrus or the snuff boxes of museum founder Catherine the Great. While the times may have changed, the treasures of Russia have not. Enjoy unique access to premier arts institutions in Moscow and St. Petersburg for a firsthand experience of the nation’s artistic past and its visionary future.




Highlights

• Enjoy a special visit to a composer's memorial museum.
• Performances of opera or ballet at the Bolshoi OR Mariinsky, chamber music concert, national dance and a classical concert highlight evenings in both cities.
• A visit to the renowned Amber Room and a walk in the gardens of the imperial Peterhof with its world famous fountains.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles daily, standing in museums; no wheelchair facilities.



No medically required diet can be guaranteed. However, vegetarian diet is O.K.




Date Specific Information

5-15-2014, 9-11-2014, 10-9-2014

Operates as a FLEX program with ample independent time and several meals on your own. The itinerary is as follows: arrival Moscow, 4 nights; train to St. Petersburg, 5 nights; departure. Please see the day by day for specifics.



Itinerary Summary

Arrival Moscow, 5 nights; St. Petersburg, 6 nights; departure.



Overnight flight from the U.S.A.
1 night
Arrival Moscow
5 nights

Learn about Russian art, literature and theater in the new political era. Participate in a discussion on Russia' passion for performing arts, classical theatrical traditions and current Moscow art scene. Learn about Russian national character depicted in Russian classical literature in and visual arts. Explore the armory chamber and Kremlin cathedrals, Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts and the Tretyakov Picture Gallery to study Impressionism, Peredvizhniki, and the abstract works of Russian art. Discover the world of Russia's unique arts and crafts and enjoy two evening performances.



Afternoon Train to St. Petersburg
6 nights
Departure

Survey the cultural heritage of St. Petersburg beginning with an exploration of the city's architecture. Learn about trends in Modern productions of Russian Ballet from a ballet expert and professor of the St. Petersburg University. Have a visit to a composer's memorial apartment-museum. Consider the life and literary heritage of Fedor Dostoyevsky during visit at the writer's memorial museum. Spend a full day at the Hermitage, housed in five huge buildings including the Romanov’s former Winter Palace, learn more about the Romanov Dynasty during a visit to Tsarskoye Selo and Peterhof to enjoy the opulent summer palaces and magnificent gardens of the Russian tsars. Enjoy two evening performances and a special farewell dinner.




Russia

Russia developed under the influence of intellectuals, peasants, tsars and demagogues. Byzantine origins meld with Christianity in vibrant architecture, while religion, folkways and revolution inspired artists from Stravinsky to Chagall. Oppressive regimes helped to create the Iron Curtain, but the late 20th century ushered in glasnost, perestroika and a democratic nation of billionaires, ongoing reforms and an integral role in modern geopolitics.
Accommodations
Moscow: Three-star hotel steps from Tchaikovsky concert Hall and less than two miles from Red Square, the Kremlin and the Bolshoi Theater. St. Petersburg: Three-star hotel in heart of city facing the fashionable Nevsky Prospekt.
Meals and Lodgings
   Peking Hotel
  Moscow, Russia 5 nights
   Park Inn Nevsky Hotel
  St. Petersburg, Russia 6 nights
 Peking Hotel
Type: Three-Star Hotel
  Description: The Hotel Peking is situated in the heart of Moscow, next to the famous Tchaikovsky Concert Hall and less than 2 miles from Red Square, the Kremlin, and the Bolshoi Theater. It is a 3-star, Russian-managed hotel and a famous Moscow architectural landmark. It is housed in one of the city's unique 'wedding-cake' buildings, constructed in 1956, a typical example of Soviet neogothic-style skyscrapers.
  Contact info: Bolshaya Sadovaya Street 5
Moscow,  RF 123001 Russia
phone: +7 (495) 650 2215
web: www.intourist-hotels.ru
  Room amenities: Guest rooms may differ in decor and configuration but they have been renovated, and are decorated in a traditional style. All are rather spacious, have high ceilings, large windows, and smart reproduction furniture. However, depending on room location one must be prepared to hear street noise if the windows are opened. Rooms are air-conditioned, have safes, a small refrigerator, telephone and traditional television with satellite and local channels. All have updated bathrooms with basic amenities and a hairdryer. No Internet commection is available in standard guestrooms.
  Facility amenities: The Hotel Peking represents the architectural grandeur of the Soviet era and has elegant, renovated but somewhat old-fashioned rooms (a total of 122 rooms and suites). There are 2 restaurants (independently managed), a bar, a small gym, and a small business center with Internet access (a fee applies). Free Internet connection is available in the hotel lobby. The hotel is air conditioned, has elevators, and a newly renovated lobby with an ATM machine. Services at the hotel are limited, with no laundry service. The friendly hotel staff speaks English and there is 24-hour security.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: approx. $250 twin room Additional hotel nights can be requested by contacting Road Scholar Travel Services. RSTS will confirm the reservation and rate and you will pay the hotel directly by Credit card or by cash for the additional nights. Do note the reservation will be separate from the program reservation and it is likely that you will need to check out of the room and check back in to a different room with the group. Additional hotel nights can also be booked independently via Internet
  Check in time: 3:00 PM

 Park Inn Nevsky Hotel
Type: Three-Star Hotel
  Description: The Park Inn is a recently opened 3-4-star hotel (270 rooms) in the heart of St Petersburg. It is housed in an impressive modern building occupying an entire city block and facing the fashionable Nevsky Prospekt and a side street. The hotel offers all modern amenities and it is conveniently located in walking or short driving distance to many tourist attractions and theaters and it is also next to a Metro stop and the Moskva train station. 24-hour security and English-speaking staff.
  Contact info: 4 Lit. A, Goncharnaya Street/ 91 Lit A Nevsky Prospekt
St. Petersburg,  193106 Russia
phone: +7 812-406-7310
web: www.rezidorparkinn.com
  Room amenities: Newly furnished, comfortable air conditioned rooms have private showers (no bathtubs), telephones, and satellite TV. The rooms are tastefully furnished, although rather small, all have safes and hairdryers. There is a charge for Internet connection in the guestrooms.
  Facility amenities: The Park Inn Hotel has a pleasant modern lobby, elevators, a nice restaurant, several bars, concierge service for theater tickets, a small fitness center, a well-equipped business center with Internet access, and conference facilities. The hotel offers various services including laundry, dry cleaning, room service, etc. Free Internet connection is available to guests in the hotel lobby.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights after: USD 320 /Twin (approx.). Additional hotel nights can be requested by contacting Road Scholar Travel Services. RSTS will confirm the reservation and rate and you will pay the hotel directly by credit card or by cash for the additional nights. Do note the reservation will be separate from the program reservation and it is likely that you will need to check out of the room and check back in to a different room with the group. Additional nights can also be booked independently via the Internet.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Day 2: Room check-in starts at 3:00 pm. 6.00 pm Meet at hotel lobby for Road Scholar registration. You will be staying at Peking Hotel that night.
  End of Program:
Day 13: 10.00 am. Room checkout is 12:00 noon You will be staying at Park Inn Nevsky Hotel the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
N/A
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
  Train or bus availability: Trains are available from major European cities.
To Start of Program
  Location:  Moscow
  Nearest city or town:  Moscow RF
  Nearest airport:  DME Domodedovo
  Transportation to site: A group arrival transfer is organized for all participants who purchased an air-inclusive program and arrive on the group date. Participants traveling independently are responsible for their own transportation arrangements to meet the group at the first site and to get to the airport on the last day of the program. Public transportation (bus or train) is not recommended. If you choose to hire a taxi at Domodedovo (DME) or at Sheremetyevo (SVO) airports upon arrival, please consider an official taxi stand in the arrival hall and reconfirm the taxi fare in advance (expected cost: equivalent of $80-100, payable in rubles).
  From End of Program
  Location:  St. Petersburg
  Nearest city or town:  St. Petersburg
  Nearest airport:  Pulkino Airport LED
  Transportation from site: A group departure transfer is organized for all participants who purchased an air-inclusive program and depart on the group date. Participants traveling independently are responsible for their own transportation arrangements to meet the group at the first site and to get to the airport on the last day of the program.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1:
(Wednesday, September 11)
   
 In Transit: International Flight

Day 2: Orientation meeting
(Thursday, September 12)
   
 Afternoon: Transfer from airport to hotel. Upon arrival at Domodedovo Airport (DME) and after collecting your luggage, passengers who have purchased their air tickets through Road Scholar should go through the passport and customs controls and proceed to the arrival hall, located just outside the customs area. Look for our representative with a Road Scholar sign in the arrival hall. Participants holding airline tickets from Road Scholar and arriving at Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) will be met by our representative in the SVO arrival hall. Participants traveling independently must arrive at the hotel by 6 pm and are welcome to join the group transfer busses for participants arriving at Domodedovo Airport at 12.30 pm and at 4:25 pm. All participants meet in the hotel lobby at 6 pm. An orientation meeting is scheduled after dinner.
 Dinner: Dinner at hotel
 Evening: Orientation meeting after dinner
   
Accommodations: Peking Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 3: Moscow citizens and cultural traditions / Evening performance
(Friday, September 13)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.
 Morning: Start your exloration of Moscow with an expert-led drive through the city center. Learn about Moscow's heroic past reflected in the city's history and architectural treasures. Learn about Napoleon's invasion of 1812. Pass by the UNESCO-listed Red Square, where all rulers of Russia left traces of their reign; see the ancient Kremlin wall, the striking Kremlin Clock Tower, the GUM building, and admire the exterior of St. Basil's Cathedral -- a multi-colored architectural wonder of the 26th century commemorating Russia's victory over the Tatars.
 Lunch: Time for lunch on your own in city
 Afternoon: Moscow cultural life. Stop at Theater Square, where the legendary Bolshoi Theater and several major drama and musical theaters are located. Hear a presentation on Russia's theatrical traditons, Moscow theaters and current theatrical scene.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel or a city restaurant.
 Evening: Evening performance
   
Accommodations: Peking Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Russian music/Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts/evening performance
(Saturday, September 14)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.
 Morning: A field trip to the Glinka Museum of Russian Musical Traditions. Hear a presentation by the museum curator on Russian classical music, composers and musical instruments.
 Lunch: Time for lunch on your own.
 Afternoon: An expert-led field trip to the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts to explore the museum's collection. Opened in 1912, the Pushkin Fine Arts Museum possesses a collection of European art second in Russia only to St. Petersburg's Hermitage. Much of the strength of the collection is in Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings. A special attraction is the collection of Schliemann’s Gold (the gold of Troy), which is also exhibited here.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel or a city restaurant
 Evening: Free evening
   
Accommodations: Peking Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Moscow architectural treasures/Overview of Russia's national character in Russian literature/ Introduction to Russia's national crafts and applied art/evening free.
(Sunday, September 15)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.
 Morning: Moscow city highlights continue with an expert-led city drive covering major architectural and historical landmarks. Stops are made at Moscow University, the New Maiden (Novodevichy) Convent where famous Russian are buried (view the exterior only), the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Manezh square, Russia's White House, Gorky Park, and many other sites. Take a ride (only if desired) on the Moscow metro led by our representative to admire the magnificent underground stations decorated with colorful mosaics, beautiful crystal chandeliers and bronze statues.
 Lunch: Group lunch at the restaurant of the arts center (see below)
 Afternoon: Visit the Moscow Center for National Arts & Crafts. Participate in an informal talk on Russian applied art, the art of lacquer boxes and other national crafts. Learn about arts and crafts from all corners of the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural Russian state. Lecture on Russian national psyche depicted in Russian classical literature. Q&A.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel or a city restaurant
 Evening: Evening performance
   
Accommodations: Peking Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Talk on Medieval Russia/The Kremlin compound and the Armory Chamber/ Free time.
(Monday, September 16)

Note: extensive walking (up to 2 miles)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.
 Morning: Today is dedicated to medieval Russian history. Enjoy a presentaton on medieval Russia during your visit to the legendary Kremlin compound, which for hundreds of years was the symbol of the powerful Russian state. It is a self-contained walled city (fortress), with an armory, cathedrals, and palace. You will see the exterior of the Kremlin palace, the legendary Tsar Bell and Tsar Cannon, the spectacular golden-domed Cathedral of the Annunciation and the majestic Cathedral of the Archangel, representing a harmonious image of Italian Renaissance and traditional Russian architecture. A walk through the Kremlin grounds is led by a licensed expert.
 Lunch: Time for lunch on your own
 Afternoon: Visit the Armory Chamber in the Kremlin compound housing a unique collection of Faberge eggs and Russia's royal jewels of all eras. Spend free time in Red Square.
 Dinner: Dinner at a hotel restaurant
 Evening: Evening free for independent discoveries.
   
Accommodations: Peking Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Russian art of painting: the Tretyakov Picture Gallery/travel to St. Petersburg
(Tuesday, September 17)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel
 Morning: A presentation on Russian painting followed by a field trip to the Tretyakov Picture Gallery, housing the world's finest and most extensive collection of Russian art. Learn about Russian spirituality and national values as represented in Russian paintings of all periods. Discover the art of Russian paysage painting by Isaac Levitan and other outstanding artists. Admire the ornate, Byzantine-influenced medieval icons and paintings by the famous Peredvizhniki, a group of artists of the 19th century, including Surikov, Kramskoi, Repin and others. (A presentation on the museum collection is led by a licensed expert).
 Lunch: Group lunch in town.
 Afternoon: Board an evening high-speed train for St. Petersburg, departing Moscow at 4:45 pm and arriving in St. Petersburg at 8.15 pm
 Dinner: Dinner box and water are provided on board the train
 Evening: Evening arrival in St. Petersburg. Hotel check in.
   
Accommodations: Park Inn Nevsky Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: History and architecture of St. Petersburg/Peter and Paul Fortress/Evening performance
(Wednesday, September 18)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.
 Morning: Theme of the day: “History and Architecture of St. Petersburg.” A city exploration by motorcoach, with stops at major architectural and historical landmarks. Have a stop to see (exterior only) the golden domed St. Isaac’s cathedral, pass by the Bronze Horseman, a tribute to Peter the Great, the founder of the city; then drive through fashionable Nevsky Prospekt, the main thoroughfare of the city, and see numerous palaces, gardens, canals and graceful bridges for which St Petersburg is named the ‘Venice of the North”.
 Lunch: Time for lunch on your own.
 Afternoon: A field trip to Peter and Paul's Fortress -- have an inside visit to the fortress and its cathedral -- the birthplace of the city and the burial place of the Romanov tsars.
 Dinner: Early dinner
 Evening: A musical evening (an opera or ballet or other musical performance)
   
Accommodations: Park Inn Nevsky Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9: The Hermitage Museum/Evening performance
(Thursday, September 19)

Note: extensive walking in the museum (up to 2 miles). Rest areas are available.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.
 Morning: An expert-led visit to the Hermitage Museum, one of world's greatest art galleries. Enjoy the dazzling collection of Old Masters and French Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, as well as numerous items of all eras (3 hours with a licensed expert)
 Lunch: Time for lunch on your own at the Hermitage Cafe or in town
 Afternoon: Afternoon at the Hermitage on your own or spend free time in the city
 Dinner: Dinner at a restaurant in the city.
 Evening: Evening performance
   
Accommodations: Park Inn Nevsky Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Dostoyevsky memorial museum/ A lecture on Russian Ballet and Mariinsky theater
(Friday, September 20)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel
 Morning: Today we learn about treasures of Russian literature and ballet. Drive through the distict of St Petersburg depicted in Dostoyevsky's novels and visit the memorial apartment museum of Dostoyevsky. Learn about the life and literary works of Fedor Dostoyevsky from the museum curator.
 Lunch: Lunch
 Afternoon: A presentation on the History of Russian Ballet and the Mariinsky (Kirov) Opera and Ballet Theater. Visit the Rimsky-Korsakov Memorial Museum, presented by a curator.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel or a city restaurant
 Evening: Evening free for independent activities
   
Accommodations: Park Inn Nevsky Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: The Romanov Dynasty: Catherine's Palace in Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin) and the Peterhof park and fountains
(Saturday, September 21)

Note: extensive walking in museums and parks ( up to 2 miles). Rest areas are available
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel
 Morning: A full day is dedicated to visits to the summer residencies of the Russian tsars. Hear the story of the Romanovs and their ties with St. Petersburg. Take an inside visit to Catherine's Palace in Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin) -- an elaborate baroque residence built in 1752 for Czarina Elizabeth to honor the memory of her mother Katarina. See the eighth wonder of the world -- the extraordinary Amber Room -- decorated with six tons of solid amber carved and framed in gold leaf. The original room was lost or confiscated by the Nazis during WWII, never found, and finally, meticulously reconstructed in 2003. All is presented by a licensed expert.
 Lunch: Group lunch
 Afternoon: Continue on to Peterhof -- a summer residence of Peter the Great. Walk alongside an expert to admire the famous, stunning golden fountains, the palace grounds and other constructions in the park: see (exterior only) the Grand Palace, (the Russian Versailles), now a museum, the Mon Plaisir palace, Peter's more humble villa, the Grand Cascade of fountains which is the center piece of the palace grounds, other pavilions, and the spectacular Lower Park itself along the Gulf of Finland, featuring over 140 fountains (inside visits to palaces and other museums on site are not part of the visit).
 Dinner: Early dinner at a city restaurant
 Evening: Free evening.
   
Accommodations: Park Inn Nevsky Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Full day for independent discoveries: Nevsky Prospekt, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan/Farewell Dinner
(Sunday, September 22)

Note: Independent visits, free time. On-site assistance is provided
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel
 Morning: Free time in Nevsky Prospect. We suggest an independent visit to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan during the morning service to hear the church choir (a head cover is mandatory for women).
 Lunch: Time for lunch on your own (we suggest having tea at the House of Books Cafe, just across from the cathedral, which has a splendid view of the city)
 Afternoon: Free time in Nevsky Prospekt. We suggest a visit to the 'House of Books', a magnificent Art Nouveau building, or consider an independent visit to a nearby museum of your choice, such as St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Yousopov Palace [where Rasputin was killed], the State Russian Museum, or others).
 Dinner: Farewell dinner
   
Accommodations: Park Inn Nevsky Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13: Departure
(Monday, September 23)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel
 In Transit: Departure transfers
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Moscow Bolshoi theater
Out of 4 included performances one performance (opera or ballet) is planned at the Bolshoi theater (in Moscow) OR Mariinsky theater (in St. Petersburg). Additional tickets for these or other theaters may be purchased at the hotel theater desk or via the Internet.
  St. Petersburg Mariinsky theater
Out of 4 included performances one performance (opera or ballet) is planned at the Bolshoi theater (in Moscow) OR Mariinsky theater (in St. Petersburg). Additional tickets for these or other theaters may be purchased at the hotel theater desk or via the Internet.
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Catherine the Great


Author: Robert K. Massie


Description: Eager readers of Massie's Nicholas and Alexandria or the Pulitzer Prize-wining Peter the Great will not be disappointed by this latest, an old-fashioned tale of politics, power and 18th-century Europe, drawing effectively from the ambitious Catherine's own memoirs.



Catherine the Great, A Short History


Author: Isabel De Madariaga


Description: A brief survey of the reign of Catherine the Great that nicely balances biography with descriptions of the economic, political and social life of the period.



Crime and Punishment


Author: Fyodor Dostoevsky, David McDuff (Translator)


Description: Dostoevsky's thriller of murder and redemption is redolent of St. Petersburg’s atmosphere. A cornerstone of Russian literature, and one of the greatest detective stories ever told.



Eyewitness Guide St. Petersburg


Author: Eyewitness Guides


Description: With excellent local maps and site plans, this outstanding visual guide introduces the culture, history and attractions of St. Petersburg.



Fodor's Moscow and St. Petersburg


Author: Salwa Jabado


Description: With solid practical information on sights, excursions, restaurants, hotels and nightlife, and a chapter on the cities of the Golden Ring.



Land of the Firebird, The Beauty of Old Russia


Author: Suzanne Massie


Description: Massie traces both minuscule details and larger movements in pre-revolutionary Russian art, literature and daily life in this affectionate overview of 19th-century palaces, courts and culture.



Lenin's Tomb


Author: David Remnick


Description: A gripping eyewitness tale of the collapse of the Soviet Union. Remnick, the Washington Post reporter on the scene, combines fine historical scholarship with great storytelling.



Literary St. Petersburg, A Guide to the City and Its Writers


Author: Elaine Blaire


Description: Blair shows St. Petersburg through the words, museums and haunts of 15 writers, including Pushkin, Gogol, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky and Nabokov.



Moscow Map


Author: ITMB


Description: A handy, folding map of Moscow.



Natasha's Dance, A Cultural History of Russia


Author: Orlando Figes


Description: In this lively cultural history, Figes looks at both the great works by Russian masters and longstanding folk traditions. The title is drawn from a scene of Tolstoy's War and Peace in which a European-educated countess performs a peasant dance.



Odyssey Guide Moscow, St. Petersburg & The Golden Ring


Author: Masha Nordbye, Patricia Lanza (Photographer)


Description: A comprehensive guide to the art, culture and history of two great Russian cities, filled with maps and fine color photographs.



Peter the Great, His Life and World


Author: Robert Massie


Description: In this Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, Massie portrays the giant of history who transformed Russia from backwater tsardom into a major empire.



Romanov Riches, Russian Writers and Artists Under the Tsars


Author: Solomon Volkov


Description: Volkov effortlessly unwinds the twisted relationship between art and the royal family from the rise of the Romanovs in 1613 to their downfall in 1917, including a chapter on Catherine the Great and her era.



Russia of the Tsars


Author: Peter Waldron


Description: Waldron recounts the exploits of Peter the Great and the Tsars and the splendor of their capital city, St. Petersburg, in this lively, well illustrated and compact overview of the largest and most diverse empire of its day.



Russia, A Concise History


Author: Ronald Hingley


Description: Well-known scholar Hingley sketches Russia's multiple transformations from her illiterate, pagan, Slavic roots to a multi-ethnic empire in this highly readable, well-illustrated brief history.



Russian Short Stories


Author: Robert Chandler (Editor)


Description: This fine collection of tales captures the sweep and soul of Russian literature, including works by Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Chekhov and Tolstoy along with lesser-known greats.



Speak, Memory


Author: Vladimir Nabokov


Description: Nabokov's richly imagined memoir wonderfully evokes cultural life among the well-to-do in turn-of-the-century St. Petersburg.



St. Petersburg Map


Author: Berndtson & Berndtson


Description: A detailed, laminated city plan of St. Petersburg, with street index inset. Place names are in transliterated English.



Sunlight at Midnight: St. Petersburg and the Rise of Modern Russia


Author: W. Bruce Lincoln


Description: A wonderfully written, informative portrait of St. Petersburg, focusing on the city's development in the 18th and 19th centuries as Russia's "window on the West." Highly recommended for travelers with an interest in the character and significance of the city and its monuments.



The Hermitage: A Journey in Time and Space


Author: Kultur Video


Description: This 116 minute documentary, directed Vladimir Ptashchenko and accompanied by orchestral music, showcases the extraordinary collections, Originally established as the private collection of the Russian Empress Catherine the Great.



The Ransom of Russian Art


Author: John McPhee


Description: McPhee tackles a rather unusual topic for him: the story of suppressed Russian art and the man who brought it to America.



The Routledge Atlas of Russian History


Author: Martin Gilbert


Description: A fantastically interesting, useful survey of the history of Russia in maps. This revised edition follows the fate of Russia since the demise of the Soviet Union, with 161 maps covering rebellion, famine, expansion, trade, the military, communism's collapse and myriad other topics.



The Winter Queen


Author: Boris Akunin, Andrew Bromfield (Translator)


Description: Akunin sets a suspected murder among the glitterati of late 19th-century Moscow in this first book in the series of clever detective novels starring the rascal Erast Fandorin, wildly popular in Russia. The series continues with: The Turkish Gambit (RUS263), set during the 1877 Russo-Turkish War; Murder on the Leviathan (RUS225), an homage to Christie; and The Death of Achilles (RUS291), back in Moscow. Fandorin is deputy to the governor-general of czarist Moscow in Special Assignments (RUS371), facing a serial murder and a swindler.



Tsar, The Lost World of Nicholas and Alexandra


Author: Peter Kurth, Peter Christopher (Photographer), Edvard Radzinsky (Introduction)


Description: A tribute to the last of the Romanovs, featuring a treasure trove of never-published photographs and illuminating text. It brings to life in sumptuous detail the tumultuous life and times of Nicholas and Alexandra. Masterful.





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