It is exciting to think that the Russian Federation may soon have closer and more friendly ties with the rest of the world, particularly the western world and most particularly with the United States. Having traveled Russia from north to south and west to east, I’ve had the opportunity to interact and meet with many folks throughout Russia and I can tell you, they are friendly, welcoming and anxious to get to know us. I also noticed an awful lot of capitalism going on in Russia as well as a vibrant culture of Christian faith, both of which would have been impossible during ‘soviet times’.
St. Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square, Moscow, Russia
Perhaps the most iconic landmark in all of Russia is Moscow’s onion domed St. Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square. But did you know that the adjacent Kremlin, the seat of the Russian government, contains four beautiful cathedrals? Quite often, the most important landmarks for tourists to visit in each Russian city are the cathedrals. These cathedrals are open and free for anyone to visit and are usually packed with parishioners who stand rather than sit in pews. It is a moving experience to rub shoulders with other Christians amid the splendor of magnificent artwork while the beautiful music of live choirs echoes throughout these architectural treasures.
Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia
Other than the few remaining busts of Lenin, usually splattered with pigeon droppings, there are few vestiges of Russia’s sad dalliance with the Bolsheviks. Even the mortal remains of Tsar Nicholas II and his family, who were brutally murdered in Ekaterinburg on July 17, 1918, enjoy a renewed reverence in Russia. Their mortal remains were removed and interred in the St. Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg eighty years to the day after their murder. A visit to Russia should be on everyone’s bucket list and the cathedrals throughout this beautiful country are a must see.
St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Petersburg, Russia
A tour of the Ring of Kerry, located on the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, has become an almost mandatory pilgrimage for every visitor to Ireland. A bus tour is a great way to see the many beautiful sights on this heavily trafficked trail and usually takes about six hours to complete. Because of the difficulty buses have passing one another on some of the narrow roads, they all travel in a counterclockwise direction along the coast. I had a great experience with O’Connor Auto Tours which provided an entertaining (and very skilled) bus driver who regaled us with his gift of Irish gab and gave us plenty of time at each stop. The tour cost about $32, not including lunch, and I’m quite sure you’ll be glad you left the driving to them rather than trying to navigate the narrow, winding roads in a rental car.
The Ring of Kerry, Ireland
There was an additional fee for several special points of interest along the way, one of the most interesting of which was the sheepdog herding demonstration. The tour took us through Killorglin, Caherciveen, Waterville, Sneem, Molls Gap and Ladies’ View in addition to a visit to the Kerry Bog Village Museum in Glenbeigh before returning to Killarney. One of the most enjoyable things about traveling is the people you meet along the way, like the nice folks who were on the tour bus with me. So, here’s a ‘hello’ to Luca and Elena from Italy, Brian from Philadelphia and the two lovely young ladies from Victoria, British Columbia.
The Kerry Bog Village Museum, Ireland
Killarney
Located in southwestern Ireland, Killarney has an ancient history and the castles, abbeys and cathedrals to prove it. With its trout filled lakes, mountain crags and oak studded woodlands, it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Ireland. Killarney is not just a great jumping off place for the Ring of Kerry, but a worthy destination in its own right! After returning from the Ring of Kerry tour I walked around the old town with its colorful shops, pubs and restaurants, visited the famous St. Mary’s Cathedral and enjoyed seeing some of the beautifully manicured gardens that surround many of the lovely homes that line the streets.
Killarney National Park, Ireland
I always like to immerse myself in local events when I travel and it just happened that there was an international gathering of bikers taking place at the Gleneagle Hotel while I was in Killarney. I had fun mingling with the crowds, enjoying the free entertainment and drooling over the beautiful Harley-Davidson motorcycles that had come from all over the world. My walk skirted the Killarney National Park where I got a glimpse of Muckross Abbey, but unfortunately I missed some of the most well known sites in Killarney, including Ross Castle, Muckross House and the nearby Torc Waterfall, which will have to wait until my next trip to Ireland. There just was not enough time to see everything, giving me a good excuse to return to Killarney some day.
Bikers in Killarney, Ireland
Trek through Ireland Drawing to a Close
With my trek through Ireland winding down to the last few days before I would have to fly home, I couldn’t imagine that there would still be so much more waiting for me to see! It seemed that each place I visited outdid the ones that came before and the town of Killarney and the nearby Ring of Kerry were no exception! Fortunately, I’d made reservations before I left Tralee for a room at a bed and breakfast as well as a seat on the tour bus to the Ring of Kerry. The 40 minute bus ride from Tralee to Killarney cost about $12 and the driver was kind enough to make a special stop near Leen’s Bed and Breakfast where I was given a warm welcome. I was able to check into my room early so that I could leave my pack and be ready for the tour bus that picked me up out front at 10 AM. Be sure to return for our full report on Leen’s Bed and Breakfast in Killarney, Ireland…a wonderful place to stay!
