NAME Rhoda Silber
THE TRIP Russia / Israel / Turkey and Qatar
THE ITINERARY
My husband planned the whole trip and booked everything online. We had five nights in Moscow at the Metropole Hotel; five nights in St Petersburg at the Astoria; six nights in Tel Aviv at the David Intercontinental; three nights in Istanbul at Karakoy Rooms and two nights in Doha at the Marriott.
The hotels were well located so that we could walk everywhere, including free (invaluable) walking tours in Moscow and St Petersburg. We negotiated the Metro system in Moscow, it was a huge challenge initially, but before long we were hopping on and off trains like the locals.
An indulgence was the magnificent Moscow restaurants, in particular Cafe Pushkin Library, Bolshoi and White Rabbit.
We took the train from Moscow to St Petersburg, a fast, comfortable, scenic journey and we arrived in under four hours.
In St Petersburg, we visited St Isaac Cathedral, the Church of the Spilt Blood and the Hermitage; magnificent and overwhelming.
It was good to feel the warmth of Tel Aviv after the icy temperatures in Russia. We walked the streets, visited Jaffa and the amazing Arab restaurants. A highlight was a day trip to Jerusalem where we eventually managed to negotiate the Via Dolorosa and discovered the Austrian Hospice where we enjoyed apple strudel and cappuccinos.
Istanbul was mystical and amazing, the architecture stunned our senses and the people touched our hearts. We managed to get lost in the back streets, eventually landing up at the Blue Mosque. We also visited the Grand Bazaar and the restaurants under the Galato Bridge and hopped on the Bosphorous ferries with the locals. Two nights in warm Doha on the way back was just spent relaxing at the pool.
BEST BITS
Reuniting with my two brothers in Tel Aviv and the Moscow restaurants.
WORST BIT
Negotiating slippery Moscow streets.
BEST TIP
Book free walking tours and walk and commute with the locals.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TRIP
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