Leading a Russian Waterways trip from St. Petersburg to Moscow for Smithsonian Journeys, I eagerly awaited our stop at the Island of Kizhi in the northern Republic known as Karelia. The most famous structure, the Church of the Transfiguration, has 22 domes built by of … Read more
Smithsonian Journeys: Waterways of Russia Resources for Further Study I. Principal Terms: 1. Русский Дух – Russkii dukh – Russian Spirit/Soul 2. The word “rod” and some significant words that result: род rod kind/type родить rodit’ to give birth (to) родина rodina native land народ narod the … Read more
Smithsonian Journeys: Waterways of Russia Resources for Further Study The most wonderful source of Russian Orthodox music (CDs and music itself) is here, in the US. It was created by a scholar named Dr. Vladimir Morosan who, even as a graduate student, was determined to … Read more
Smithsonian Journeys: Waterways of Russia Resources for Further Study The Russian literary tradition is rich in folk art and fairy tales. 1. Лубок Lubok Lubok or Lubki (plural) arose in folk art primarily in the early 18th century as savvy and often cutting-edge commentaries on politics … Read more
Smithsonian Journeys: Russian Waterways Materials Resources for Further Study LIFE AND PRINCIPAL WORKS Born: May 26, 1799 in Moscow Education: Lyceum at Tsarskoe selo (The Tsars’ Village) Exile to the South (Kishinev, Odessa, Mikhailovskoe): 1820-26 Influence during Exile: The Nanny–Arina Rodionovna (1758-1828) Marriage: Natalia Goncharova … Read more
The classroom keeps getting bigger! My association with The Smithsonian in Washington D.C. has led to opportunities I couldn’t have envisioned a few years ago. These include taking groups of Smithsonian travelers to Eastern Europe and Russia as well as speaking on ships in places … Read more
If you want to take a whirlwind tour through Polish history as well as Polish art and architecture, the place to start is Krakow’s Wawel Royal Castle and the Wawel Cathedral. We wanted an intense tour, so we employed one of our favorite strategies: Step … Read more
Our journey down the Rhine presented featured both a rapid progression of riparian cities and the relaxed intimacy of a small ship with endless opportunities for conversation. (My favorite new buzz-word is riparian—of or relating to the riverbank.) Travel is a beguiling perfume. The common … Read more
How far are you ever from water in Amsterdam – the Rhine delta? As rain pounded the metal roof of our hotel last night, I was reminded of the very thing that will occupy us for the next week: the force of water. Water is … Read more
Travel-blogging is not new. We just do it via high-tech nowadays. But other than that, most of the elements have stayed the same across the centuries. Have you noticed how water inspires travelers to write? Maybe that’s because it’s hard to hike up a steep mountain while … Read more
