Relaxed morning at the hotel before a walk to the station to catch our speedy Sapsan train to Moscow. These trains go over 200km per hour and in 4 hours we arrived in Moscow. On the train we passed partly frozen lakes and forests that still had some snow. We walked the hour to our hotel along huge ring roads with at least six lanes. We passed the red square which was very exciting although I have to wait until tomorrow to explore. Just time for a hotel room picni...

Another day exploring this fantastic city. We walk to the Peter and Paul fortress and arrive just in time for the daily noon cannon fire (see video). The fortress is a great spot to view the city from. I make my purchase of Russian dolls (see photo). Today has been another relaxed day finished off with a lovely Russian restaurant.

Amazing train journey. We were stopped at two passport controls one at one o'clock and one at two o'clock where staff boarded the train with dogs asked about money and bags and scrutinised our passports and visas closely. I gave my best 'spaceba' and received an Arnie style 'have a good time'. We arrived in St Petersburg perfectly on time at 9.33 to another gorgeous sunny day. Planned to rest but were too excited to get out and explore. Wow! Impressive city. Eve...

We have taken a relax day and strolled Vilnius in the beautiful sunshine taking regular stops for coffee and crepes. We decide to visit the museum of genocide victims in an old KGB building (see photo). The museum is very interesting but also haunting as you can go into the former prison and see the size of the solitary confinement room, the padded cell with straight jacket as well as execution chamber. We then made our way to the train station to catch an overni...

We have arrived in Vilnius on our overnight bus from Warsaw. Time for a bit of shut eye before we venture out to explore. After a few hours sleep we stroll down to the old town past the gates of dawn and presidential palace to the cathedral, castle and palace. We stop for dinner at a Lithuanian restaurant and enjoy an amazing meal including potato dumplings.