Moscow, St. Petersburg and the Golden Ring

As the symbolic heart of Russia, Moscow, which celebrated its 850th anniversary in 1997, has enjoyed a renaissance as one of the world's great cities. The capital's once somber streets now buzz 24-hours a day with purposeful activity, and joint ventures between east and west have already opened plush new hotels, internationally-stocked shops, and well over 1,000 eating establishments. Her sister-city, St Petersburg, host of Russia's Golden Age and cradle of revolution, and surely Russia's soul, celebrates its 300th anniversary in 2003. One of the most graceful and well-proportioned cities in the world, filled with baroque and classical architecture, intersected by canals, it is easy to see how St Petersburg became the inspiration for musicians, artists and writers such as Rimsky-Korsakov, Pushkin and Dostoevsky. This book contains a wealth of information on the two cities and the regions surrounding them: fully updated histories and cultural connections of the cities, information on finding accommodation, shopping and restaurants, details of museums, architectural landmarks and theatre and comprehensive tours of each city.
Also included is an indispensable guide to the Golden Ring, a series of ancient Russian towns set in the stunning countryside around Moscow.