Why Visit Russia

Russia is on the bucket list of every traveller! The marvellous architecture, vast landscape, Slavic spirit and a proud nation are just a drop in the ocean of things Russia is famous for. Spreading over two continents and bordering 14 countries, Russia is a unique combination of cultures and influences. Check out the main reasons why Russia is so magnificent and start planning your trip.

The Largest Country in Europe

Russia is the largest European and Asian country that covers over 17 million square kilometres. True, almost 28% of the land is still undiscovered and most of it probably has very extreme and inhumane conditions. Still, imagine the vastness of the diverse landscape Russia has to offer. From imposing, modern cities to numerous natural and protected areas, including 48 national parks. Simply, everything in Russia is grand, from art and literature to its rivers, lakes and wilderness. Here is situated the oldest mountain in the world – Uralus, and the deepest lake in the world – Lake Baikal. Discover the untouched nature of the Altai Mountains, the lunar landscape of Kamchatka or spot a polar bear up in the Arctic Circle.

Although the largest country, Russia has good travelling connections with the rest of Europe, Asia and the world considering there are more than 200 Russian airports. Getting to Russia is possible by all means of transport, some of the most popular routes include Kiev – Moscow, Gdansk – Kaliningrad, Minsk – Moscow and Tallinn – Saint Petersburg.

Frozen Lake Baikal

Diversity of the Cities

There are so many splendid cities in Russia, but Moscow and Saint Petersburg steal most of the attention, undoubtedly. Moscow’s Kremlin and the Red Square are truly a sight to behold that presents the Russian power. The former capital Saint Petersburg is a place from a fairy tale that exudes elegance and luxury.

However, if time is on your side, Russia is much more than these two cities. Sochi is a popular tourist resort located on the Black Sea. If looking for a good sports event or a summer getaway, this city is a great choice. Located far on the Asian side, Vladivostok is where East and West blend perfectly. Often referred to as “San Francisco of Russia”, the city offers many cultural attractions with North Korea and China being just a step away.

A completely different vibe is present in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan and an Istanbul-like city. This is a great place to witness the incredible mixture of cultures. Close to the biggest lake in the world, Lake Baikal is located in Irkutsk, a cultural, intellectual and artistic centre. Also, this is a great starting point for exploring the mighty Siberia.

Saint Petersburg

Golden Ring of Russia

One of the popular tourist routes in Russia got a name the Golden Ring of Russia. This is a circle of cities belonging to five Oblasts, often excluding Moscow. The Golden Ring includes the following cities: Sergiev Posad, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Rostov Veliky, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Ivanovo, Suzdal, Vladimir and several small towns. All of these cities represent the unique Russian architecture from the 12th to the 18th century, featuring the recognizable onion domes of the Russian Orthodox Church. These picturesque medieval cities remained mostly untouched, preserving the authentic atmosphere of Russian history that will leave you in awe. You can visit the Golden Ring by yourself since the ride between the cities is about an hour or so, but you can also book one of the numerous organized tours.

Sergiev Posad

Beautiful Russian Architecture

There is no place like Russia when speaking of architecture. The famous onion domes, red bricks, colourful facades and Byzantine-like style make the Russian architecture very distinctive and above all – beautiful. And while there are many common features, the architecture of each city has its own characteristics. The Red Square and Kremlin with its red bricks along with the colourful and unique St Basil’s Cathedral are breathtaking. The golden-green combinations of colours and eclectic style in Saint Petersburg exude luxury and power. Different parts of Russia were under different influences, some reflecting Muslim features, some resembling eastern Asia look. However, one style that pervades in the whole of Russia is the Soviet Architecture, a significant style of modern Russian history. You will find high, simple skyscrapers and blocks of buildings all over the ex-USSR.

Besides these mentioned, here is a list of just a few of the magnificent architectural pieces of Russia one must visit:

• Winter Palace (Saint Petersburg)
• Peterhof (Saint Petersburg)
• Catherine Palace (Saint Petersburg)
• State Historical Museum (Moscow)
• Cathedral of Christ the Saviour (Moscow)
• Kazan Kremlin and Mosque
• Kizhi Museum
• Valaam Monastery (Karelia)

Church in Irkutsk

Rich History and Tradition

Russia is the only country with Turkey that covers both European and Asian continents. Therefore, there are strong and diverse influences from both sides, this is the place where the East and West collide. The splendid palaces and gardens tell the stories about the Tsars while the contrasting Soviet architecture reveals modern history. Grandiose cities such as Moscow provide a huge selection of events and happenings, while places such as those in Siberia provide peace and quiet. Russia is rich and huge in every aspect. The never-ending vastness of nature inspired numerous great artists. The worldwide known traditions of ballet, literature, music and art last for centuries. With more than 100 identified minority ethnic groups, numerous traditions and customs have been woven into Russia. Finally, we suggest you give it a try and learn Cyrillic and a few basics in the Russian language. The locals will appreciate it, especially since they don’t speak English much.

The Kul Sharif Mosque in Kazan

Once-in-a-Lifetime Activities

Whether you came to visit the most popular destinations or get lost in the less-known places, Russia is full of amazing things to do and try. One of the top wishes of many visitors in Russia is to experience the ride with a Trans-Siberian rail. The railway connects Moscow with the far East, the last station being Vladivostok. The scenic ride lasts for about 7 days and the train makes a stop at multiple stations for about 20 minutes, just enough for you to stretch your legs.

Besides the train ride across Siberia, you can stroll the canals of St. Petersburg. There is 300 km of canals with over 800 bridges, so the canal tours can last up to several hours. One of the unique things to do in Russia is to book a ballet ticket, especially in Bolshoi Theatre, since there is hardly a place where you will experience such glamour and fairy tale.

If you’re a fan of mystery, you can visit one of the most interesting places in Russia, Dargavs Village also known as the “City of the dead”. There are numerous stories about the city and its cemetery. In the end, there are some of the weirdest museums on Earth located in Russia, we’ll mention them in a second.

Railway passing Baikal Lake

Plenty of Museums

In Russia, there is a museum for everything! In Russian museums, it is possible to find anything, from the finest works of art and the rarest artefacts to the weirdest exhibitions that leave you speechless. If you are a fan of Russian history and art, there are so many museums of this kind worth visiting. Here is a list of just a few Russian museums that are obligatory for getting to know the country:

• The State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg)
• The Fabergé Museum (St. Petersburg)
• The State Russian Museum (Moscow)
• The Pushkin Museum (Moscow)
• Garage Museum (Moscow)
• The Museum of Cosmonautics (Moscow)
• Moscow Museum of Modern Art
• The Kremlin Museum (Moscow)

However, besides these art museums, Russia has a wide offer of the most unusual thematic museums you could imagine. Depending on your interests, here are just a few mind-blowing museums that are definitely worth a visit:

• Kunstkamera (St. Petersburg)
• Sigmund Freud Dream Museum (St. Petersburg)
• The Vodka History Museum (St. Petersburg)
• Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines (Moscow)
• Cold War Museum, Bunker 42 (Moscow)
• Museum of Death (Novosibirsk)
• Museum of Sin (Tambov)

Kuntskamera

Russian Cuisine

No travelling is ever complete without trying the local cuisine. Russian cuisine is diverse and influenced by many traditions of nearby countries. It may not be the most popular cuisine, but you would be surprised actually how many well-known dishes originate from Russia. Although it is hard to define Russian cuisine as it is a combination of various cultures, there are some typical dishes you must try.

Borscht might be a Ukrainian dish, but it was very quickly adopted by Russians. It is a beetroot soup with other vegetables and sour cream. Russians love soups so there are various types you can try, such as shchi, solyanka and ukha. Pelmeni is a Russian version of dumplings filled with meat and spices. The legendary dish, beef stroganoff, turns out to be named after the Stroganov family that lived during the Tsars. One of the most important dishes of Russian cuisine is blini, a version of pancakes that can be filled with basically anything. One of the most popular dishes in Eastern Europe that is served on all festivities is Olivier salad made of cooked and diced potatoes, carrots, pickles, peas, eggs, some kind of meat and lots of mayo as a dressing. This dish is known under various names all over Europe but its origins are from Russia.

Borsch

Experience Russian Winter (if you dare)

Winters marked a huge part of Russian history, but don’t be afraid of experiencing the Russian winter. Although it gets cold, the cities and landscapes turn into a fairytale-like place that will warm your heart within seconds! Just imagine the winter holidays in the homeland of Nutcracker! Therefore, booking a performance in one of the magnificent Russian theatres might be the ultimate thing to do in winter. Christmas markets are a true fantasy all over Russia, but especially in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Russia in winter is far from dull, there are so many activities you can try. Ice skating is available in most cities and other winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding are on offer in numerous resorts. However, Russians do not hibernate during the winter. The events schedule is rich and most of life is happening indoors.

Moscow in winter