First Class on British Airways

Spoilt. First Class on British Airways, after years of collecting I finally indulged by using my frequent flyer points to upgrade and experience what its like to travel in upper class. Here I am with champagne in hand, warm nuts, pillow placed behinds my head, 30000 feet on a 747 jet to London from Moscow.

It's just a 3 hour 30 minute flight but at least a chance I can indulge in this captive  time in the air. Its not everyday one gets these sort if pleasures. My seat is reclined, a double aspect window, semi-private seat to stretch in. Big screen with video on demand. Powering my mobile while I write this. Take off your shoes and and stretch.

The dinner service starts with caviar with blinis and Russian Standard Imperial vodka, followed by my choice of seared Scottish king scallop with broad bean puree and crispy porchetta from the menu. The main dish a roasted Herefordshire fillet of beef and braised beef pie with artichoke barigoule (slow roasted and topped with bacon and vegetables) and crispy Iberico ham, a delicous glass of wine, and finally ending with a sweet desert. At this altitude, I'm as near to heaven as can be while alive.

The tiny first class bathroom is clean and sparkling, with full length mirror to make sure you look perfect when you arrive. In first you get dedicated magazines not seen behind the curtain. Even the inflight duty free has more options, and of course, higher price tags too.

A short flight it was, but very comfortable and excellent taste of first class onboard British Airways. Definitely a mile-high experience.

Riding the Moscow Metro

Possibly the grandest interiors of any public transport system in the world! With over 9 million passengers per day it is busier than New York City  and London combined.

Lit with chandeliers from end to end, lined with marble and decorate reliefs, one can't help but be impressed by its grand and opulent interior, a posh transport underground for the masses.

There are no English signs inside so have your itinerary ready beforehand or learn to read Cyrillic, use a Russian-English plan while you moving inside a Metro train (an English only plan are of no help). It's important to know that colours in the underground's signs don't necessarily correspond to the ones on the maps, it's less confusing to refer to the numbers, e.g. line 3 is line 3 whatever color is on the sign.

The Moscow Metro is relatively cheap, a single trip  costs just 26 RUB (as of 2012). Tickets are sold at manned booths within the stations or ticket vending machines. Buy a multi-trip card for 5, 10, 20 or 60 trips (10 at 200 RUB) which is valid for 45 days.

The most interesting stations in terms of decor are Komsomolskaya and Novoslobodskaya on the ring line, Kropotkinskaya on the red line, and Mayakovskaya on the green line. The last one is also one of the deepest; this allowed it to be used as a makeshift assembly hall for a Party meeting marking the anniversary of the Revolution during the Nazi bombardments in the winter of 1941.

I must admit I was intimidated to enter, the number of people moving along quickly, the lack of signs recognizable due to different characters on signs (not English, or Latin alphabet), but somehow I managed, slowly. Inside there is a high presence of security, but in crowded places like this its best to keep an eye on things, but it is the interiors which will most likely distract you from looking where your going.

Russian-English Metro Map

Links:
Moscow Metro
Moscow Metro Russian/English Map

Garden Ring Hotel - Moscow - Russia

An elegant hotel just 2km from Red Square and the Kremlin and only steps away from the Moscow Metro. Great sized rooms, a bed that really delivers a great night sleep, 5 star breakfasts with plenty of options (if you don't see what you like, they make it for you), and superior service.

The Garden Ring Hotel also offers a spa and pool. Finnish and herbal saunas, hammam and shower of experiences, salt aroma-steam and a swimming pool are excellent and a great way to unwind after a long day walking around what really is a large city to explore.

The location is ideal for business travellers and tourists, with an excellent Metro and Underground system, getting around is fast and efficient.

Possibly one of the best hotels I have ever stayed in.

Check Prices and Reviews:
Garden Ring Hotel - Moscow
Garden Ring Hotel - Search hotels and read reviews at Tripadvisor
Garden Ring Hotel - Venere.com

Fastest trains in Russia

Sapsan, the fastest trains in Russia, travelling at up to 250 km/h (155 mph) and a total length of 250 metres (820 ft) for each ten-car train, connecting St Petersburg and Moscow in just over 3.5 hours.

Known as the "Peregrine Falcon" in Russian (Сапсан), the train is part of the Siemens Valero family of trains, and can carry up to 600 passengers.

Sapsan set records for the fastest train in Russia on 7 May 2009, travelling at 290 km/hour (180 mph), but the High-Speed line was built for speeds up to 330 km/h (205 mph).

The ride is smooth, seats comfortable and spacious. Depending on the class of travel, you may be offered a meal and some drinks. I traveled in first (a personal treat), though on observation seats in business and economy are both of equal quality, and there is a snack bar and catering for purchase on-board.

My 6:45am train from Saint Petersburg arrived in  Moscow  on time at 10:40am, I barely noticed we were flying on the ground. For such a short journey, save yourself some rubles and don't travel in first, splurge instead on a nice hotel.

Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood

The most impressive building in Saint Petersburg must be the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood, a traditional style Russian church built on the spot where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated in 1881, the interior decorated with over 6000sqm of mosaics. The gold-draped onion-domed church, is one of the main attractions of St. Petersburg.

Watch this video for a tour of Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood - Saint Petersburg

Construction began in 1883 and was finished in 1906, under the rule of his son, Nicholas II. The Church resembles the exterior of St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, and was designed in medieval Russian style.

Inside the Hermitage Museum - St Petersburg

The former state residence of the Russian emperors, the Winter Palace and the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg are one of the best places worth seeing while visiting this great city in Russia. Possibly the second best art collection after the Louvre in Paris, with over 120 rooms, the interiors are rich and detailed, artwork ranging from prehistoric to 20th century.

One of the largest and oldest museums, it was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great and has been open to the public since 1852. On display is only a small collection of more than three million works of art and artifacts of world culture. It has the largest collection of paintings in the world.

Watch this video for a tour Inside the Hermitage - Saint Petersburg.

Out of six buildings of the main museum complex, four, named the Winter Palace, Small Hermitage, Old Hermitage and New Hermitage, are partially open to the public. Entrance is free of charge the first Thursday of every month for all visitors and daily for students and children. Buy your tickets in advance to avoid long queues and collect at dedicated internet bookings booth just inside the gates. The museum is closed on Mondays.

Hotel 3mostA - Saint Petersburg - Russia

Named after the area where the hotel is situated, "3 Bridges", Hotel 3mostA is a  boutique hotel in a great location for seeing St Petersburg Russia, just a few minutes walk to the world famous Hermitage, and just a step away from the jaw-dropping Church of the Saviour on Spilt Blood.There are shops and entertainment nearby, some open 24 hours, including the hotel lobby bar. If you can't sleep during the White Nights, there is still plenty to do nearby.

The Room

There are 26 rooms with wooden floors, each equipped with climate control system, free wireless internet access, a telephone, a 32'' LCD TV, and a small fridge. I had the Standard Double Room (room 25), about 20 square metres, double bed and bathroom with a shower only. I really liked the warm towel rail which keeps them warm and dry.

Four Seasons Terrace Restaurant

On the 5th floor, the restaurant offers panoramic views of Church of the Saviour on Spilt Blood, the most breathtaking building in St Petersburg.

Panoramic Terrace

Get the key from reception and take the lift/elevator to the last floor, leave the lift/elevator and turn left and go up the stairs, you'll find a closed metal door, walk up a small set of steps and find a rooftop terrace with chairs and some great views of the surrounding area.

I wouldn't hesitate to return to Hotel 3mostA, the location alone makes this ideal.

Check Prices and Reviews:
Hotel 3mostA
Hotel 3mostA - Search hotels and read reviews at Tripadvisor
Hotel 3mostA - Venere.com