Category: Russia

Cruise excursions to Russia's top secret Cosmonaut Training Center, Star City

By on Mar 11, 2010 in Attractions, Cruises & Boat Travel, Eastern Europe, Europe, Going Out, Regions, Russia, Speciality Travel
Crystal Cruises is announcing yet another industry first: one-night excursions to Russia’s former top secret Cosmonaut Training Center, Star City. From extreme G Forces and weightlessness to the “Final Challenge” in the world’s largest hydrospace laboratory, intrepid Crystal guests can train like modern Russian Cosmonauts on some of the largest, most advanced space equipment in

Witness an eclipse of a different kind

By on Mar 09, 2010 in Caribbean, Cruises & Boat Travel, Eastern Europe, Europe, Florida, Germany, North America, Regions, Russia, Spain, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, USA, Western Europe
To witness the next solar eclipse, you have to wait until 11th July 2010. But if you’re in the area of Papenburg, Germany, you can see Celebrity Eclipse right now.  The third in Celebrity Cruises’ stylish, $3.7-billion Solstice Class fleet, Celebrity Eclipse showed off her sleek profile Sunday as she emerged for the first time
Interview with David Sutcliffe of Traveltalk

Interview with David Sutcliffe of Traveltalk

By on Dec 10, 2009 in Accommodation, Adventure Travel, Africa, Botswana, Celebrities, Cruises & Boat Travel, Eastern Europe, Europe, Going Out, Hotels, Indonesia, Interviews, Norway, Regions, Resorts, Restaurants, Russia, Spain, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe
A ‘skateboard/punk rocker’ in his youth, David Sutcliffe is now one of three partners who run a small travel agency in Harrogate, England called Traveltalk. Specialising in luxury, tailor-made and adventure travel, Traveltalk was created 25 years ago by David’s colleague, Christine Thompson. After much hard work establishing the company in the area they developed
Hotel in the heart of Moscow joins The Luxury Collection

Hotel in the heart of Moscow joins The Luxury Collection

By on Oct 05, 2009 in Accommodation, Eastern Europe, Europe, Hotels, Regions, Russia
Following the first phase of a significant renovation to the hotel’s guest rooms and public spaces, the iconic  Hotel National in Moscow has joined The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, a glittering ensemble of more than 70 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts. Built in 1903 by famed Russian architect Alexander Ivanov, the hotel
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts' first hotel in Russia

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts' first hotel in Russia

By on Jun 19, 2009 in Accommodation, Business Travel, Eastern Europe, Europe, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Russia, Speciality Travel
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is set to open its first hotel in Russia in 2012. It will be a 400-room hotel  occupying  the top floors of a 42-storey building in  Moscow’s Park Huaming Business Centre in Moscow – a new major multi-purpose development. Next to the Russian Botanic Garden, Northeast District, on Vilgelma Pika Street,
The world's most expensive Champagne

The world's most expensive Champagne

By on Sep 12, 2008 in Accommodation, Cruises & Boat Travel, Eastern Europe, Europe, Finland, Food and Drink, Hotels, Regions, Russia, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe
Champagne is selling at a staggering $275,000  a  bottle  at the Ritz-Carlton in Moscow.   Not bad, I suppose, when you consider that a suite in the hotel will only set you back $15,000 a night.   But why the price tag, you might ask?   Well, this is no ordinary Champagne and it comes
L'Europe recognised for its wines

L'Europe recognised for its wines

By on Sep 10, 2008 in Accommodation, Eastern Europe, Europe, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Russia
Grand Hotel Europe‘s L’Europe has been presented with Wine Spectator‘s 2008 “Award of Excellence” which is given to restaurants that offer a well-chosen selection of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. The city’s leading gourmet restaurant, L’Europe offers over 367 wine selections. Its menu is influenced
Interview with Joseph Amissah of Blue Cube Aviation

Interview with Joseph Amissah of Blue Cube Aviation

By on Jul 21, 2008 in Accommodation, Air Travel, Asia, Eastern Europe, Europe, Florida, Going Out, Hotels, Interviews, Japan, Maldives, Middle East, Monaco, North America, Regions, Resorts, Restaurants, Russia, Spain, Speciality Travel, Sweden, Travel Miscellany, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA, Western Europe
Joseph Amissah is  the founder of Blue Cube Aviation and decided to set up the company to meet the growing demand for International private jet travel, for clients seeking an alternative form of transportation other than commercial airlines. Recently, the company has seen a sharp rise in the number of charter request due to the
Manchester United and Chelsea in Moscow - where they're staying

Manchester United and Chelsea in Moscow - where they're staying

By on May 21, 2008 in Accommodation, Eastern Europe, Europe, Events, Hotels, Russia, Travel Miscellany
Moscow is inundated with tens of thousands of additional visitors right now as two English football teams – Manchester United and Chelsea – meet in the final of the UEFA Champions League this evening.    Whilst  the Chelsea team will be staying in the  Ritz-Carlton  with rates typically starting from 18,000 Rubles a night (approx.
Paris Hilton causes a stir in Moscow

Paris Hilton causes a stir in Moscow

By on Apr 23, 2008 in Accommodation, Celebrities, Eastern Europe, Europe, Hotels, Regions, Russia, Travel Miscellany
I suppose it would be too obvious for Paris Hilton to stay at the Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya on her recent trip to Moscow.   Instead she opted for the Presidential Suite  at the the  Ararat Park  Hyatt Moscow. But she won’t be going back in a hurry – she’s been fined and  blacklisted according to
Love art? Why not try a Russian Easter?

Love art? Why not try a Russian Easter?

By on Mar 02, 2008 in Accommodation, Attractions, Eastern Europe, Europe, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Russia
Easter has returned from decades of obscurity in St. Petersburg, and now hosts a variety of processions, church services and festivals. Take advantage of the ‘Easter Dreams for Art Lovers’ package from The Rocco Forte COllection’s Hotel Astoria between 20th and 25th March 2008 and you too could sample the celebratory atmosphere. Prices start at
Hyatt on the rise

Hyatt on the rise

By on Jan 05, 2008 in Accommodation, Asia, China, Eastern Europe, Europe, Hotels, Regions, Russia
Between early 2008 and late 2009, Hyatt will open three hotels in imposing structures currently being erected in Beijing, Shanghai and Moscow. Since the opening of the Grand Hyatt Tokyo in Mori’s Roppongi Hills or of the Grand Hyatt Shanghai in the striking Jin Mao Tower, the Hyatt name is becoming increasingly synonymous with ambitious
Top 10 resorts for crowd-free skiing

Top 10 resorts for crowd-free skiing

By on Nov 12, 2007 in Argentina, Austria, Canada, Eastern Europe, Europe, France, Italy, Leisure Travel, Montana, North America, Regions, Russia, South America, Speciality Travel, USA, Utah, Western Europe, Worldwide, Wyoming
Want to go on a skiing holiday but avoid the hordes of people with similar intentions? Then The Guardian has just the article for you. They identify the following locations as the best places to take to the slopes  if you want to avoid the crowds: Alta, Utah, USA Big Sky, Montana, USA Cortina, Italy
Federation Island: an island for Russia's super-rich

Federation Island: an island for Russia's super-rich

By on Oct 16, 2007 in Accommodation, Eastern Europe, Europe, Real Estate, Regions, Russia
We’re already well aware of Dubai’s antics when it comes to making luxury islands, but did you know that similar plans are afoot in Russia?   An ambitious artificial island 10 miles off the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, venue for the 2014 Winter Olympics, is in the pipeline. Designed by Dutch architect Erik
Moscow still has the most expensive hotels in the world

Moscow still has the most expensive hotels in the world

By on Sep 24, 2007 in Accommodation, Asia, Eastern Europe, Europe, Hotels, India, New York, North America, Regions, Russia, USA, Worldwide
According to a new survery carried out by HRG, Moscow has the most expensive hotels in the world for the second year running, with an average room rate of almost $500 a night – some distance ahead of second-placed New York with an average rate of $360. Mumbai, which doesn’t quite make the top 10,
The new Ritz-Carlton Moscow

The new Ritz-Carlton Moscow

By on Jul 05, 2007 in Accommodation, Eastern Europe, Europe, Hotels, Regions, Russia
Only a fortnight ago, I posted Forbes’ list of the world’s most expensive suites. Already, it needs  revising thanks to the recent opening of the $350m,  334-room Ritz-Carlton Moscow. The new hotel has a Presidential Suite – complete with bullet-proof dining room –  available at a rate of $16,000 a night.   Even a standard