I started writing Tors Travel Tales last year, with the aim to eventually write one about every country I’ve been to. I’m not making much headway so far. I think I still have about seventy odd to go! Tors Travel Tales – an attempt to write a backpackers account of every country I’ve been to.…… Continue reading From Russia to Mongolia by train – Tors Travel Tales
Category: Russia
Life on the Trans-Mongolia Express Train across Russia – travel tips, behaviour etiquette and instant noodles
What is it really like to take the train across Russia, from St Petersburg into Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar? The Trans Mongolia Express in Winter I’ve just arrived in Mongolia after experiencing a two week trip across Russia by train. The Trans Mongolian or Trans Siberian train is on many people’s bucket list and for good…… Continue reading Life on the Trans-Mongolia Express Train across Russia – travel tips, behaviour etiquette and instant noodles
Exploring colourful Buddhist temples and finding a giant Lenin Head in Ulan Ude – sixth stop on the Trans Mongolia trains through Russia
The Buryat region is predominantly Buddhist and Ivolginsky is the largest datsun or temple complex in Russia A half-day trip from Ulan Ude to spin the prayer wheels, attend a hural or prayer ceremony and receive a blessing from a Buddhist monk at Ivolginsky temple Ulan Ude is 5,600km from Moscow and it’s taken us…… Continue reading Exploring colourful Buddhist temples and finding a giant Lenin Head in Ulan Ude – sixth stop on the Trans Mongolia trains through Russia
A day at Lake Baikal – fifth stop on the Trans Mongolia train journey from Russia to Mongolia
Lake Baikal is the world’s largest lake and completely freezes over in winter, creating a playground for locals and tourists alike A day trip from Irkutsk is a highlight for travellers planning a Trans Mongolia trip We arrived into Irkutsk at 8.24am after fifty-six hours on the train from Yekaterinburg. That was three nights and…… Continue reading A day at Lake Baikal – fifth stop on the Trans Mongolia train journey from Russia to Mongolia
Yeltsin memorabilia, a business lunch and precious jewels in Ekaterinburg – fourth stop on the Trans Mongolia train across Russia
How to spend a day in Yekaterinburg, home to the site of the assassination of the last Royal family and the modern Boris Yeltsin Centre Ekaterinburg may be Russia’s fourth largest city, giving assumptions of a noisy, polluted metropolis but we were very impressed with this pretty city. Easy to navigate and with most sights…… Continue reading Yeltsin memorabilia, a business lunch and precious jewels in Ekaterinburg – fourth stop on the Trans Mongolia train across Russia
Travel tips for backpacking Russia – when you don’t speak a word of Russian
First-time in Russia? Travel survival tips for backpackers and travellers in Russia I have to admit to being a little apprehensive about travelling in Russia, despite having been to over seventy countries now. I did a lot more research than I would normally do, although admittedly most of that was about the weather and exactly…… Continue reading Travel tips for backpacking Russia – when you don’t speak a word of Russian
Tasting traditional Tartar snacks and admiring a beautiful blue and white Kremlin in Kazan – stop three on the Trans-Mongolia train
The hardest thing about travelling across Russia on the Trans-Mongolia train is deciding where to break the journey Top sights in Kazan, Russia I’ve always wanted to take the train across Russia to Mongolia. In fact the guidebook I’m using on this trip is from 2007 when I first started thinking about this epic journey.…… Continue reading Tasting traditional Tartar snacks and admiring a beautiful blue and white Kremlin in Kazan – stop three on the Trans-Mongolia train
A day in Moscow – sightseeing must-sees include Lenin’s embalmed body and enjoying an ice cream in historic GUM department store
One day in Moscow – first stop on the Trans-Mongolia train journey across Russia We left St Petersburg on the 13.10 train direct to Moscow. A speedy journey of four hours, covering 700 km, had us arriving with traditional Russian accuracy on time at 17.25. Snow covered the Moscow streets as we emerged from our…… Continue reading A day in Moscow – sightseeing must-sees include Lenin’s embalmed body and enjoying an ice cream in historic GUM department store
Two days in St Petersburg in the winter – sightseeing itinerary
Top sights in St Petersburg in February St Petersburg is a great starting point for the Trans-Mongolia Express I’ve finally started my Trans-Mongolia train journey from St Petersburg to Ulan Bator in Mongolia. I’m taking two weeks to travel across Russia, starting with two days in historic St Petersburg. Then I’m staying in Mongolia for…… Continue reading Two days in St Petersburg in the winter – sightseeing itinerary
Organising a Trans-Mongolia train journey independently – it’s easier than you might think
From getting a Russian visa to booking train journeys through Russia – how to plan a Trans-Mongolia train journey independently When I first started planning my Russia to Mongolia train journey I was quite sure it’d be easy enough to do independently. I’ve never used travel agencies or been on a package holiday and I’m…… Continue reading Organising a Trans-Mongolia train journey independently – it’s easier than you might think
TOR GOES TRAVELLING AGAIN 