Robyn and I have always been intrigued by Russian history and culture, so we planned this winter adventure with four children aged 4 to 9 years with unknown accommodation - what could go wrong?  Actually, it all went rather well.  We had a great trip and it was the first time in snow for the kids.  Some highlights in Moscow included: St Basil's Cathedral, Red Square, ice skating in Gorky Park, Kremlin,  Gulag History Museum, Lenin's tomb, and the amazing subway stations (they are like small art galleries).  One particularly memorable night was New Years in Red Square.  The Square was jammed packed, to the point that some kind soldiers gathered our children and put them behind a barrier for protection.  The midnight fireworks were spectacular, especially with iconic St. Basils as the backdrop.  It took us over 4 hours to get home and we had an 7am train to St. Petersburg!  The kids were amazing considering the no sleep, panicked packing, and zombie-like subway adventure.  It was all worth it as St. Petersburg is a fascinating and beautiful city.  Founded in 1703, by Peter The Great, on the site of a captured Swedish fortress.  He wanted a new city that resembled the best architecture of the famous European cities of the time.  It's been renamed 4 times - originally St. Petersburg, then Petrograd, then Leningrad, then back to St. Petersburg.  It's comprised of 43 islands and has more bridges than Venice.  We definitely want to visit again - in spring.