The 5-hour train ride from Sochi, Russia to Sukhumi, Abkhazia sheds light on the economic troubles of this Georgian break-away republic. The train passes along the Black Sea coast and, gazing out the window, you immediately... Continue reading →

I spent a few days in Sochi on Russia’s Black Sea coast early last month to see first-hand the result of the huge investment connected with the 2014 Winter Olympics. This was my 7th or so visit... Continue reading →

  I stopped by Red Square today to see the new Four Seasons hotel that finally opened after so many years. The weather was unusually warm and the sky was blue, so I first took... Continue reading →

Isn’t a Hostel in a Luxury Skyscraper a Contradiction? When I read that a hostel had opened on the 43 floor in a new skyscraper in Moscow City, I started scratching my head….. The purpose... Continue reading →

When the clouds scattered Sunday afternoon, I decided to visit the Kremlin for the first time in about two years with the hopes to catch a nice autumn sunset. I wasn’t disappointed. The gardens and paths... Continue reading →

As I passed by one of the dormitories belonging to Moscow State Pedagogical University in the southwest of the city, I noticed several Russian flags hanging from the balconies. While only 7 of the 132... Continue reading →

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin has focused on improving the quality of life in Moscow since becoming mayor in Oct. 2010, from sprucing up city parks to creating pedestrian zones among the more visible developments. One... Continue reading →

Krimsky Val, which runs along the Moscow River from Gorky Park toward the Kremlin, had a massive facelift about a year ago that turned it into a beautiful pedestrian hangout that is especially popular with... Continue reading →