Russian Real Estate Investors Protest To Get Money Back

BARNAUL — More than 100 protesters have rallied in central Russia to demand that the money they invested in new apartments be paid back to them, RFE/RL’s Russian Service reports.

The protesters invested large amounts of money into a construction project in the city of Barnaul that was launched by the local company Alfa Invest five years ago. The apartment building that was to be built has not been finished, and the company says it cannot afford to complete it.

Alfa Invest is headed by ruling United Russia party member and Barnaul City Duma Deputy Igor Alfredov. The protesters, who displayed banners blaming Unified Russia for their predicament on November 23, want Alfredov to resolve the problem as soon as possible.

The creditors of the project have filed dozens of lawsuits against Alfa Invest, and many investors have asked for help from the local police and Prosecutor-General’s Office to get their money back.

Police arrested a number of demonstrators after the rally, saying the local authorities did not grant permission for the gathering. Protest coordinator Yevgeniya Borovikova told RFE/RL the police action was illegal as the organizers had requested permission for the protest in advance

Introducing Russia

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive to Moscow

Welcome to Moscow, the historic capital of Russia and its largest and most vibrant city. You will be arriving around noon and your driver will be waiting for you at the exit gate of the airport. After hotel check in you can relax in your room, grab a bite to eat in the hotel’s restaurant, or visit nearby restaurants. We recommend that you take the opportunity to adjust to the time zone, so that you will be well-rested for your eventful program the following day.

Day 2: The Red Square and the Kremlin

Today, your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and you will go on one of the most interesting tours in the world as we explore Moscow’s most amazing sites. We will visit the famous Red Square and go inside St. Basil’s Cathedral, which was built by Ivan the Terrible in the 15th century. We will take you on a thorough tour of Russian history as we visit the Kremlin and the World War II Memorial in the Vorobyevi Hills Park. You will also have the opportunity to see the spectacular Cathedral of Christ the Savior, which was destroyed by the communists and restored only a few years ago. This tour will last about eight hours.

The Kremlin of Moscow is perhaps the most recognizable symbol of Russia and one of the world’s most interesting castles. This ancient citadel was constructed in 1147 to defend the city from the Mongols and the Lithuanians. Moscow has grown beyond the original walls in that time, but the Kremlin has always remained a symbol of political power in Russia.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of the most famous works of architecture in Moscow and its silhouette is one of the most recognizable symbols of Moscow and Russia. This colorful cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Basil the Blessed, was built between 1555 and 1561.

The duration of the tour program for this day is 8 hours.

Optional evening activity: ballet or opera at the Bolshoi Theater. Please ask your tour specialist about the playbill and tickets.

Day 3: Moscow – St. Petersburg

One of the most interesting sights of Moscow is located deep underneath the surface. On Stalin’s order, Moscow’s Subway was built by the Soviets in order to display the advantages of socialism. Today, the Soviet Union is gone, but the beautiful, gigantic, underground city is still active and carries millions of passengers each day. We will even take you on a quick subway ride for a taste of Moscow living. Then we will head to the best art gallery in the city called Tretyakov Picture Gallery. In the evening you will board an overnight train that will take you to Russia’s second capital – St. Petersburg.

Moscow Subway was constructed by the Soviets not just to streamline the city’s transportation, but also to celebrate the accomplishments of the Soviet system. The entire subway is a work of art – socialist realism for the most part. On top of immense cultural value, Moscow’s subway is a super efficient transportation system that carries 3 million passengers daily and spans the entire city in a star-like fashion. Interestingly, the Subway of Moscow was also designed to play the role of a nuclear shelter in case of a nuclear war.

Tretyakov Picture Gallery is Moscow’s most famous collection of art and one of the world’s top art galleries. The gallery started as the private collection of a wealthy Moscow merchant, Tretyakov, who lived in the 19th century and donated his collection to the city.

This evening, you will depart from Moscow and proceed to St. Petersburg. Economy air, economy express train, or first class overnight train tickets are included in the price of your tour and so are the transfers to the airport or train stations. If you take a flight, you will be spending an extra night in St. Petersburg, but, if you take a train, you will experience the famous Russian trains.

Points of Interest

The city’s main thoroughfare is the celebrated Nevsky Prospekt. On it are the high-spired admiralty building; the Winter Palace, built by Rastrelli; the Hermitage museum; the huge domed Cathedral of St. Isaac (1858); and the equestrian statue of Peter the Great, Falconet’s masterpiece and the subject of Pushkin’s poem “The Bronze Horsemen.” The city’s oldest building is the fortress of Peter and Paul (1703), which served as a political prison in imperial days. Among the baroque buildings of the early 18th cent. are the Alexander Nevsky monastery (1710), the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul (1733), the Winter Palace (1762), and the Smolny convent (1764). Neoclassical buildings of the late 18th and early 19th cent. include the Academy of Arts (1772), the Marble Palace (1785), the Taurida Palace (1788), the cathedral of the Virgin of Kazan (1811), and the Exchange (1816). Among the city’s educational institutions are the St. Petersburg State Univ. (est. 1804) and the St. Petersburg State Univ. of Economics and Finance. There are numerous theaters, museums, scientific and medical institutes, and libraries, including the Maryinsky Theater, the Saltykov-Shchedrin Public Library (1795) and the Academy of Sciences library. Outside the city are Pushkin, with the Summer Palace, and the former imperial residence of Peterhof (now Petrodvorets) and Gatchina. A striking phenomenon of St. Petersburg is the prolonged twilight, or the “white nights,” of June and July.

Khabarovsk

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Khabarovsk is the largest city as well as the administrative center of Khabarovsk Krai in Russia and is located at a distance of 30 kilometers from the border of China. Khabarovsk is also famous as the second largest city in the far eastern region of Russia after the city of Vladivostok. The importance of he city of Khabarovsk lies in the fact that it was declared as the administrative centre of the Far Eastern Federal District of the country of Russia in the year 2002.

The tourists coming to the city of Khabarovsk enjoy the laid back spirit as it is quite different from the hectic schedules which we usually come across in the other cities. The 5 picturesque districts of the city of Khabarovsk spread across 45 kilometers along the Amur River are favorite haunts of the tourists coming to the city from far and wide. Take a walk along the Amursky Boulevard which is both broad and lined with some vibrant shops.

The central part of the city of Khabarovsk has undergone renovation when the old historical structures were rebuilt for the tourist who come to see these from different corners of the world. One of the popular tourist attractions in Russia includes the walking stretch hat extend from Lenin Square to Utes via Muravyov-Amursky Street. Here the visitors can have a great time if they try out the traditional Russian restaurants or visit the shops from where they can buy souvenirs for their loved ones. If you want to feel the pulse of the city hen this area is perfect as many night clubs and pubs can be found here.

The city has been successful in retaining its historic flavor as it had acted as the had-quarters of the Far East Military District. This city has also seen strong influence of the Asian people since the division of the Soviet Union and it has been see that more than 1 million Chinese visit the city of Khabarovsk every year!

Nizhny-Novgorod

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A city with many colors the Nizhny-Novgorod is famous among all the Russian cities as the cultural and economic hub of the “Volga-Vyatka Region”. Established by “Grand Duke Yuri II of Russia” Nizhny-Novgorod is famous as its stands in the meeting point of two rivers the Oka and the Volga. The pages of history has come alive in all nook and corners of Nizhny-Novgorod, Russia and is regarded as one of the important tourist destinations in Russia. The city of Nizhny-Novgorod in Russia was gutted down by a huge fire but it regained a strong foothold again and the Muscovites rebuilt the whole city. It is the commercial development that has made Nizhny-Novgorod one of the most important cities of Russia. The Stroganovs were responsible for the prosperity of the city.

It was in 1817 that the famous Makaryev Fair was shifted to Nizhny-Novgorod and by the 19th century it became famous all over the world as the important “trade capital” of Russia. There is much to see in Nizhny-Novgorod and you can see the famous Virgin’s Nativity Church which is famous for the architectural designs. It has followed a style which is popularly known as the Baroque style and there are only a few buildings all over the world which has such an impressive structure. Some of the other important tourist attractions in Nizhny-Novgorod include the Saviour Cathedral and a number of small churches popularly known as the “parish churches”.

Accommodation in Nizhny-Novgorod is not at all a problem as you will have a number of options including luxury hotels and inexpensive accommodation. As the city is an important commercial centre it is visited by many corporate holidayers from all over the world. If you are in Nizhny-Novgorod, it will be a sin to miss the Nizhny Novgorod Art Gallery. It has some 12,000 exhibits and some famous paintings by the Russian masters like Karl Briullov, Ivan Kramskoi, Boris Kustodiev and Vasily Surikov. A number of art works are from the period of Russian avant-garde and boasts of paintings by the Natalie Goncharova, Kazimir Malevich and Mikhail Larionov.

Perm

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erm is one of the most preferred tourist destinations in Russia. It is an important and as well as an administrative zone of Perm Krai in Russia. Situated on the banks of Kama River, it is nestled in the foot hill of Ural Mountains. Perm is also the largest city of Russia. With 976,116 citizens, Perm is the 13th most populous city of Russia.

Getting to Perm:
Perm is served by the Bolshoye Savino Airport. It also houses the Bakharevka air base that receives many domestic flights. The major administrative divisions of Perm are Dzerzhinsky, Industrialny, Kirovsky, Leninsky, Motovilikhinsky, Ordzhonikidzevsky, and Sverdlovsky.

History of Perm:
Perm was initially inhabited by the Pagan Finno-Ugric tribes. They resided in the southeast of the legendary Bjarmaland and the northeastern parts of Volga Bulgaria. It was the site of earliest settlement of Moscow. Russian fur traders and Christian missionaries were the first to inhabit these places. St. Stephen of Perm was responsible for the conversion of the city in the later half of 14th century.

Perm became very popular in the 15th century for fur trading. It faced stiff competition from Moscow and Movgorod. In 1472 it was ultimately annexed by the grand Duchy of Moscow. It again came under the Tsarist administration in the 16th century. Soldiers, Christian monks, peasants and merchants and priests all settled in the tsarist Russia.

Today the city is the chief administrative, scientific, industrial and cultural hub of Russia. It is the main center of machinery, defense, oil production and refinery, chemical and petrochemical, timber and wood and food processing industry.

Perm also some of the important center of education. It houses the Perm state University, Perm State Choreographic, Perm State Medical Academy, Perm State Technical University and Perm State Pharmaceutical Academy.

Saint Petersburg

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The vibrant city of Saint Petersburg has to offer much on its platter for the holidayers will be pleasantly surprised with the vivacity of Saint Petersburg. Seasons are distinctively marked in Saint Petersburg and you cab actually feel the twilight of a midsummer night, the golden tinge of the sun as it prepares for the long and harsh winter and the famous Russian winter which is brittle yet charming. Saint Petersburg, Russia was established by the famous Peter the Great. Usually regarded as one of the famous tourist destinations in Russia for its cultural heritage Saint Petersburg in Russia is pleasant surprise for one and all. Popularly known as the “window on Europe” Saint Petersburg” maintains a distinctive European charm.

There’s so much to explore in Saint Petersburg that you will have no time to waste. Begin your journey with the famous Saint Isaak Cathedral which is a brilliant specimen of the architecture that was vogue in XIX century. This huge cathedral is ideal for Sunday mass as it can effortlessly accommodate 10,000 people at a time. On you way to the Cathedral you cab drop at the Hermitage which is one of the most famous museums of the world. Spread over 5 buildings which also includes the Winter Palace of the Czars the museum has a huge collection and boasts of exhibits that date back to the prehistoric times. Some of the other places of interest in Saint Petersburg include the Kazan Cathedral and the Yusupov Palace. Home to one of the wealthiest families of Russia, the Yusupovs the palace is a living example of the glories of the Czars and stands as a silent witness to many historical events including the murder of Rasputin.

Explore the city to the fullest and forget about other worries like accommodation as there are a number of hotels which offer excellent services to the guests. Saint Petersburg is well connected with the rest of world through the daily flights that operate from different countries to this place. It is always better to avoid the winter in Saint Petersburg which will be extremely cold but the fall is the best season to come to this city. To have a thorough knowledge about the city it is always better to take a professional guide with you who will help you through this city which breathes history.

Tobolsk

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Tobolsk is one of the most frequented tourist destinations in Russia. Located in the Russian town of Tyumen Oblast, Tobolsk was once the historical capital of Siberia. It is posited at the juncture of the Tobol and Irtysh River. It is a scenic location and offers a lot of tourist attractions that are a must-see for the tourists. Tobolsk in Russia gives a glimpse of the culture and traditions of the lost world of Russia.

History of Tobolsk:
In 1585-1586 Tobolsk was first established by Yermak’s Cossack when Russia made its advance into Siberia. It was declared the seat of the Viceroy of Siberia. It was also the center of trade with China and Bukhara. Tobolsk was also the first town to have a school, theatre house and newspaper in Siberia. It also appeared in Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe.

Tourist Attractions of Tobolsk:
Tobolsk houses many historical attractions that draw many tourists to the town. Kremlin, a standing stone is one of its kinds and is the only piece in entire Siberia. It is a city fortress that was built in the 17th and 18th century. The towers and the white walls are an amalgamation of churches and palatial building. Its chief monuments are Cathedral of St. Sophia, a merchant Baroque, the Swedish Chamber and the Episcopal palace. There are also many neoclassical style churches and baroques that are noteworthy.

Excursions from Tobolsk would take you to the neighboring places where you would find many Kurgans and pagan shrine. These shrines date back to the 10th century BCE.

As it was the historical of Siberia, Tobolsk has still been a center of attractions. the heritage buildings, the monuments and other historical spots make it one of the best tourist destinations of Russia.

Russia

Russia  , also officially known as the Russian Federation, is a state in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects. From northwest to southeast, Russia shares borders with Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland (both via Kaliningrad Oblast), Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the People’s Republic of China, Mongolia, and North Korea. It also has maritime borders with Japan by the Sea of Okhotsk, and the United States by the Bering Strait. At 17,075,400 square kilometres (6,592,800 sq mi), Russia is the largest country in the world, covering more than a ninth of the Earth’s land area. Russia is also the ninth most populous nation with 142 million people. It extends across the whole of northern Asia and 40% of Europe, spanning 9 time zones and incorporating a wide range of environments and landforms. Russia has the world’s largest reserves of mineral and energy resources. It has the world’s largest forest reserves and its lakes contain approximately one-quarter of the world’s freshwater.
The nation’s history began with that of the East Slavs, who emerged as a recognizable group in Europe between the 3rd and 8th centuries AD. Founded and ruled by a Varangian warrior elite and their descendants, the first East Slavic state, Kievan Rus’, arose in the 9th century and adopted Orthodox Christianity from the Byzantine Empire in 988, beginning the synthesis of Byzantine and Slavic cultures that defined Russian culture for the next millennium. Kievan Rus’ ultimately disintegrated into a number of smaller states; most of the Rus’ lands ultimately were overrun by the Mongol invasion and became tributaries of the nomadic Golden Horde. The Grand Duchy of Moscow gradually reunified the surrounding Russian principalities, achieved independence from the Golden Horde, and came to dominate the cultural and political legacy of Kievan Rus’. By the 18th century, the nation had greatly expanded through conquest, annexation, and exploration to become the Russian Empire, which was the third largest empire in history, stretching from Poland in Europe to Alaska in North America.
Russia established worldwide power and influence from the times of the Russian Empire to being the largest and leading constituent of the Soviet Union, the world’s first constitutionally socialist state and a recognized superpower, that played a decisive role in the Allied victory in World War II. The Soviet era saw some of the greatest technology achievements of the 20th century, such as the world’s first human spaceflight. The Russian Federation was founded following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, but is recognized as the continuing legal personality of the Soviet state. Russia has the world’s 12th largest economy by nominal GDP or the 7th largest by purchasing power parity, with the 5th largest nominal military budget. It is one of the five recognized nuclear weapons states and possesses the largest stockpile of weapons of mass destruction.
Russia is a great power and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, a member of the G8, G20, the Council of Europe, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Eurasian Economic Community, the OSCE, and is the leading member of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Russia  , also officially known as the Russian Federation, is a state in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects. From northwest to southeast, Russia shares borders with Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland (both via Kaliningrad Oblast), Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the People’s Republic of China, Mongolia, and North Korea. It also has maritime borders with Japan by the Sea of Okhotsk, and the United States by the Bering Strait. At 17,075,400 square kilometres (6,592,800 sq mi), Russia is the largest country in the world, covering more than a ninth of the Earth’s land area. Russia is also the ninth most populous nation with 142 million people.
It extends across the whole of northern Asia and 40% of Europe, spanning 9 time zones and incorporating a wide range of environments and landforms. Russia has the world’s largest reserves of mineral and energy resources. It has the world’s largest forest reserves and its lakes contain approximately one-quarter of the world’s freshwater.The nation’s history began with that of the East Slavs, who emerged as a recognizable group in Europe between the 3rd and 8th centuries AD. Founded and ruled by a Varangian warrior elite and their descendants, the first East Slavic state, Kievan Rus’, arose in the 9th century and adopted Orthodox Christianity from the Byzantine Empire in 988, beginning the synthesis of Byzantine and Slavic cultures that defined Russian culture for the next millennium. Kievan Rus’ ultimately disintegrated into a number of smaller states; most of the Rus’ lands ultimately were overrun by the Mongol invasion and became tributaries of the nomadic Golden Horde.