RUSSIA
Russia History Timeline: From Rurik the Warrior to the Tsars, the Soviets and the Present. It's an amazing history
Practical Information:    
RussianVisa.org Visas  
RussianRails.com Trains  
Russian Train Information What's available; 1st class, 2nd class, multi berth compartments  
St Peterburg.com Travel info, Hotels, Restaurants, shopping and more in St Petersburg. A really good site  
     
MOSCOW    
Apartment rentals and Hotels:    
Golden Apple Hotel great location,comfortable and good weekend rates although the 80's disco decor is a bit bizarre $$-$$$
Hotel Baltschug Kempinski beautiful and classic and very expensive $$$$$
Sheraton Palace Moscow central location, historic building; luxury $$$$
Moscow City.com 3,4,5 star hotels. Good website but we've only stayed at the Golden Apple $$-$$$$$
Museums and Destinations:    

Red Square

Guides and Tours    
Your Moscow Guide We love Elena Mikhaylova  
Restaurants and Food:
     
     
ST PETERSBURG    
Apartment rentals and Hotels:    
Hotel Astoria Luxury, charm and great location near St Issac's Square $$$-$$$$
Grand Hotel Europe Luxury, old world charm, great location and expensive (at least 600 euros per night) $$$$-$$$$$
Angleterre Hotel from the same people who own the Astoria $$$$
Kempinski Hotel Moika 22 renovated mansion looks over the Hermitage and the river $$$$
Museums and Destinations:    

Hermitage

Guides and Tours:
St Petersburg.com is a good all around resource site
 
is one of the best tour guides in the world  
Restaurants and Food: