Top 5 Tips for Backpackers Going on a Trip to Polessk (ger. Labiau)

1. On the way to Polessk (if you travel through Gurjevsk - ger. Neuhauzen) in the village Turgenevo (ger. Gross-Legitten) you will definitely see a Lutheran church  (Catholic church before, building of the XV cent.). It’s worth stopping by!

2. Labiau castle can draw your attention: there’s a museum there inside. Just to let you know its owner speaks Russian and German and is very knowledgeable. If you speak only English, my tip - use the guide services. Museum has  a very interesting history indeed as well as the city of Labiau.

3. Walk across the Bridge that is a real pearl of the city, restored in 2002.

4. Water tower built in 1907 is worth seeing as well!

5. 4 km north from Polessk in the village of Zalivino (Labaginen) on the bank of the Curonian Bay - the German lighthouse survived till our days. So, don’t miss your chance to see it!

Good luck in Polessk!  Have a good time there!

If you’re a backpacker who has already visited Polessk, share with us your impressions by adding your comments below!

Written by Olga
Short URL to this article: http://bit.ly/vZJ1Ek
2011@all rights reserved

Top 5 Tips for Backpackers Going on a Trip to Chernyakhovsk

1. Don’t miss the ruined buildings on your way to Chernyakhovsk (See details on Blog “Top 5 Things that you might be interested in on your way to Chernyakhovsk”);
2. Visiting Georgenburg stud-farm (Mayevka village) is a must, excursions are held in German and English, make a call beforehand to order the excursion!
3. There are not so many restaurants in Chernyakhovsk where you can have good lunch. I would suggest 2 options: restaurant in Hotel Kochar at Lenina str. and restaurant in Hotel Georgenburg but the last one opens only from the 1st of May;
4. Pay particular attention to the old houses of beautiful architecture at  Sportivnaya str. (ger. Konigsek),  named “Royal corner“, Komsomolskaya str. (ger. Jordanstrasse), Pionerskaya str. (ger. Wilhelmstrasse) and Brandes villa at Dachnaya str. - a good example of eclectic style architecture - XIX cent. It’s awesome they survived!
5. There’s a small History museum at Krupskoy str. 6: don’t miss the opportunity to ‘ride’ a Russian and German motorbikes there-)

Good luck in Chernyakhovsk!  Have a good time there!

If you’re a backpacker who has already visited Chernyakhovsk, share with us your impressions by adding your comments below!

Written by Olga
Short URL to this article: http://bit.ly/m0QXwf
2011@all rights reserved

Here they are:

Top 5 Things that You Can be Interested in on Your Way to Chernyakhovsk:

1. Arnau Church of the XIV cent. (now Church of St. Great Martyr Kathrine) - the first old building you will come across after you leave Kaliningrad. You’ll see it on the right side. To see it closely, take a right turn to Nizovye, then Rodniki. Don’t miss the turn! Famous Arnau treasure can be still there by the way:-) It was hidden by a church attendant in Arnau when Napoleon approached Prussia.

2. Remains of Taplaken castle (built by Teutonic Knights Order in the XIV cent.) - are in the village of Talpaki (ger. Taplaken). It’s one of the lands that almost preserved its historic name! Take a left turn when you enter Talpaki and you’ll see Talpaken.

3. Ruins of the Oval Church that was built in 1733 in Mezhdurechye village (ger. Norkitten). You’ll definitely see it on your left side when you enter the village.

4. Ruined Bismark Tower of 1913 - one of installations that survived on the territory of Kaliningrad region. It’s 8 km north-west from Chernyakhovsk in Krasnaya Gorka village. From the hill where the tower stands there is a beautiful view on Chernyakhovsk.

5. Zaalau castle (1355) - was built on the land of salt mine. Now the land is called village Kamenskoye that is around 15 km before entering Chernyakhovsk. You should take a left turn off the main road to Chernyakhovsk. The castle can still be restored.

Share Your Own Travel Experience of Visiting Castles, Old Churches and Interesting Places
on the way to Chernyakhovsk, add your comments below!

Have a safe trip!

Written by Olga
Short URL to this article: http://bit.ly/k4IBbr
2011@all rights reserved

Top 5 Answers/Tips on ‘where you should start’ if you’d like to travel to Kaliningrad

• First Think about the Exact Dates of Traveling. Good time for visiting is late spring, early autumn and summer;

• Choose a Place to Stay - hotel or just a small guest house. We can be much of a help for you here;

• Take Care of your Visa. We know it can be kind of a burden for you, but take it easy with our help. You tell us the exact dates of your staying, e-mail copy of your 1st passport page and in 1-3 days so called voucher and confirmation will be e-mailed to you;*

• Think about your Transfer from the airport/train or bus station to the hotel. We can advice on how to get to the hotel or pick you up at any place;

• Check with the Tours we have, maybe you’ll find an interesting one - then book it! Or share with us your ideas of what you’d like to see and we’ll suggest an itinerary for you.

  That’s it! See you in Kaliningrad at any time of the year!

* Check with the Russian Embassy in your country, if they accept scanned copies or if they need original vouchers.

E-mail us any questions you have at inkaliningrad@inbox.ru
Share your own experience of setting up a trip to Kaliningrad region,
add your comments below!

With warm wishes from snowy Kaliningrad!

Written by Olga
Short URL to this article: http://bit.ly/hZpGPe
2010@all rights reserved

Here’s for you Top 7 Attractions to See in Kaliningrad region that Most Tourists forget or Don’t Know About:

1. Pyramide: situated in the mystic place that used to be a square of parades in German times – spiritual attribute  of  German Army; at Maloyaroslavskaya str. (former Exerzierplatz Str.), started to be built in 1921 – the year of 666-anniversary of Koenigsberg, finished in 1923; consisted of 666 blocks and 13 ledges;
2. Fort #3 (under renovation right now) - named “King Friedrich Wilhelm the First”, located on the hill called earlier Kvednau in the very end of Nevskogo str., on the right side from the exit to Zelenogradsk;
3. The oldest fresco in Kaliningrad region found in 2006 - fresco of Apostle Pavel in Khrabrovo village (Ger. Powunden) on the walls of St. Barbara’s Church (XIV cent.) not far from the small international airport sector;
4. St. Adalbert’s Cross on the way to Baltiysk: erected to commemorate bishop St. Adalbert who died the martyrs death in 997 for the Light of Christianity;
5. Sand bunkers on the Baltic Spit, left from Germans who built them to protect the Baltic shores during WW2;
6. Part of flooded tunnel in Baltiysk - evidence of tunnel existence that connected Pillau with Frishe Nerung;
7. Museum Valdau in Nizovye village that tells about the history of Castle Valdau and that land, was opened in 2008.

Share your own travel experience of visiting not so famous attractions listed above,
add your comments below!

Written by Olga
Short URL to this article: http://bit.ly/97il8X
2010@all rights reserve

This blog written by me was first published on www.traveldudes.org in Jan 2010.  Now I decided to add it to my inkaliningrad.com pages so the new readers can easily find it, and those who already got acquated with it – can get the reminder of its content.

Here’s it is:
There’s no need to advertise Moscow or St. Petersburg - they are well-known Russian cities and have a lot of tourists each year because of their rich history but firstly because of having a status of two famous, main, important Russian cities. So, why should I choose Kaliningrad? – You may ask.  It has its own peculiarities like any other city – You may say. Yes, it has – I will reply. But its peculiarities can be named one of the unique in the world and make Kaliningrad a special spot of destination. I’m not going to deny Moscow and St. Petersburg status, no, I totally agree with the fact they take first places in Top Russia’s Main Tourist Destinations.  So, let me suppose Kaliningrad is taking the 3rd place, right after Moscow and St. Petersburg. I’m not emphasizing the importance of Kaliningrad here; I will just name Top 6 answers to the above question in the title:

So, KALININGRAD

1. Has Four Histories on One Land – Prussian, German, Soviet and Present Russia;
2. Is Westernmost Point of Russia and Doesn’t Have Any Land Connections With It;
3. Is Unique Place in Europe with Two Spits: Curonian (put on the UNESCO list) and Baltic;
4. Has Mysteries All Around With Some Riddles Not Solved;
5. Has 90% of The World’s Amber Supplies

And the last but not least:
6. For European Travelers – You will not find any closer Russian destination than Kaliningrad!

Enjoy your stay!

Share your own travel experience of visiting Kaliningrad, add your comments below!

Written by Olga
Short URL to this article: http://bit.ly/b4YZeG
2010@all rights reserved

Short link of this blog on traveldudes.org is http://is.gd/78jq6

Here’s for you Top 6 Things to Enjoy on Curonian Spit:

1. Bird ringing at Ornithological field station “Fringilla”: opened from April 1st till Nov 1st; The most often met birds on the Spit are passerines: chaffinch, swallow, sparrow, siskin, goldcrest, willow-warbler, great tit, starling.  Watch how the bird is caught, measured, ringed and set free!
2. Crooked trees called “Dancing forest”. So far this phenomena has no exact explanation.
3. Lake Tchajka - that’s is on the right side of the road before entering Rybachiy. It’s the only large fresh water lake on the Spit,  full of shorebirds: swans, geese, gulls, ducks, rails, coots.
4. Curonian Lagoon with fishes: bream, roach, smelt, burbot, pike perch, Baltic white fish, vimba, sabrefish;
5. Sand Dunes that take the 2nd place in the world if to take their height: Efa, Miller with adorable views on the Curonian waters!
And 6. Tasty smoked eel! It’s very popular here to smoke the fish!

Nature is fascinating on Curonian Spit and do Enjoy it while it lasts!

Share your own travel experience of visiting Curonian Spit, add your comments below!

Written by Olga
Short URL to this article: http://bit.ly/deE4oR
2010@all rights reserved

Here’s 10 Things for You to Keep in Mind on Your Way to Experience Kaliningrad region:

1. Be patient if crossing the border takes more time than you expect;
2. Public transportation in the city is quite good, but you won’t find any timetables on the bus/tram stops;
3. There are no websites with info on the city transportation system;
4. In most restaurants menu is not in English;
5. If travelling by car - beware of some potholes, manholes and cobblestone roads and be careful - the traffic is heavy in the city but the most dangerous for you can be the Russian drivers who are called here ‘crazy’;
6. Receiving calls from your relatives or friends can cost you a fortune when you’re far from home, take care of Kaliningrad local Sim cards, they can be bought in kiosks or there’s an opportunity to buy International Sim card;
7. Kaliningrad weather can be unpredictable - be ready for any of its changes, expect rains and strong winds in autumn and beginning of winter;
8. Take taxis with counters only, so you won’t be cheated;
9. There’s a lack of access ramps and lifts for disabled travellers;
And 10. If you’d like to stay in the city just for 2-3 days, bear in mind that there’s a possibility to get 3-days’ visas at the borders with Kaliningrad.

 Enjoy Your Staying in Kaliningrad Region!

Share with us your own experience and add your comments below!

Written by Olga
Short URL to this article: http://bit.ly/bqt63T
2010@all rights reserved

 Top 5 Towns to Visit in Kaliningrad region

1. Yantarny (Ger. Palmnicken). It is a town of inspiration, surrounded by ‘Sunny’ Amber things, rich in history and beautiful nature - Baltic Sea, lake, sand beaches, forests! The opening of summer season is at the end of May/beginning of June. Yantarny is a well-developing town with such attractions as ‘The open site of the Amber Factory’, The Museum of Wood, Anna mine. It’s a good place for scuba-diving and surfing!

2. Svetlogorsk (Ger. Rauschen): It’s a modern town with cosy streets, attractive buildings, fancy hotels, luxury resorts and rich history, ‘pearl’ of the Baltic coast. You will feel the pleasure  of walking along pure streets, breathing fresh sea air!

3. Baltiysk (Ger. Pillau): It’s a military town, used to be closed for foreigners, opened in 2010. It’s a town by the Baltic Sea, important port with rich history, full of attractions and mysteries!

4. Chernyakhovsk (Ger. Insterburg): it’s a town with old buildings, streets; history is in everything here… Take a look at Prussian castles: Insterburg, Georgenburg and you will be plunged in the life of those times …

5. Curonian or Baltic Spit: not towns, but good locations to spend time in! They are different! If you like ‘civilized rest’ in a hotel or small B&B, with good food to eat, special signed routes to take - then go to the Curonian Spit - You will like its beauty! If you prefer ‘wild rest’, with only two small grocery stores, ruined German things to see and be close to nature with almost the same beauty as on the Curonian Spit - choose the Baltic Spit for your one-day destination and you won’t regret!

Hope this blog will help you to make your mind and choose destination outside of Kaliningrad!

Enjoy Your Staying in Kaliningrad Region!

Written by Olga
Short URL to this article: http://bit.ly/cNZelu
2010@all rights reserved

Top 5 Things to See on the Baltic Spit

1. Ruins of gigantic plane aviation complex built by Germans in 30-s years of the XIX cent.: hangars of German aviation with underground aircraft repair plants flooded by now, runway, tower clock that was used to show the time of planes taking off to bomb USSR, hydroharbour of German aviation
2. Bunkers inside the dunes! Only locals know their location -)
3. Ruins of the ancient knight castle Lochstedt (13th cent.) used as a fortress. Amber room can be possibly hidden in its cellars!
4. Ruins of the Western Fort (1869) - the one of Pillau fortifications. The stone with the date of fort foundation can still be seen on the fort vaults.
5. Common graves to Soviet soldiers who perished on April 26th, 1945 during the storm of Frishe-Nerung, just a few days before the victory. Probably it’s the most western memorial in Russia. The evidences of military actions can be noticed around: rusty shells, remains of German fortifications by the shore…

And of course beautiful nature all around with pine woods, dunes, sea and wide sand beaches …

Enjoy your stay on the Baltic Spit that is full of mysteries and secrets! Trip to this land can be a real adventure for you!

Share your own travel experience of visiting the Baltic Spit in Kaliningrad region, add your comments below!

Written by Olga
Short URL to this article: http://bit.ly/cILw2j
2010@all rights reserved