Colvin:
Be sure to keep an eye out for the stone marker delineating the border between Europe and Asia just before you get to Yekaterinburg. Speaking of Yekaterinburg
This will be during day time, so I will keep my eyes open! I choose Yekaterinburg to have a break somewhere on the long train trip, it sounded more interesting than Omsk, Tomsk or Krasnoyarsk.
barabanov:
It's a huge pity I will go myself 1-15 September to Ireland and Canada, what an unfortunate coincidences ence! (wanted to invite you for crab dinner)
Are you going to try out for Skellig Michael as well? Good luck then!
Thanks for the other tips, I just bought a Moscow Kremlin ticket to be sure to get in.
And I have started Duolingo lessons since last week to learn some Russian - although I do not know whether "I am eating an apple" will be of any help, I'd rather have "Do you have boat tickets left to Bolgar for tomorrow?"
mrayers:
Hmmm. Good for you! Is that a single-entry visa?
Yes, single entry 15 days 'normal' tourist visa.