VLADIVOSTOK, RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Russia's Eastern SecretVladivostok is truly a gem of old Russia. Since Vladivostok was not damaged during World War 2 many of the pre-war buildings still exist. Vladivostok has more hills then San Francisco so be prepared to do a lot of up-hill walking. Our hotel was a very nice surprise. All the amenities that you would expect from a hotel in the states. Restaurants were great. I never had a bad meal while I was in Russia. I was especially touched by the Lend-Lease Memorial dedicated to those who were lost while delivering war material to Russia during WWII not something I expected to to find there. People are friendly and helpful but reserved. You will need to make an extra effort to know the locals. Golden Horn Bay is heavil;y industrialized I perfered Peter The Great Bay. Go in the summer and you will have good weather. We went in October and arrived during the first snow of the year. Don't go in the winter as the main recreation seems to be snow removal.