Russia has been popular for being the largest nation in the world. A lot of famous museums such as The Hermitage Museum also have their homes in this country. Apart from the beauty of its architectural works, Russia is also blessed with abundant natural beauty. Nature lovers will fall in love with Lake Baikal and the rest of the beautiful mountains, trees and rolling meadows. Russia has been instrumental in producing some great gems in the field of both literature and music – Anton Chekhov, Igor Stravinsky and Leo Tolstoy to name a few.

Russia is considered to be at its peak during the summer. When the areas are not covered by snow, the true beauty of the landscape stands out. Greenery abounds and a lot of different birds can be spotted. During the other months, it gets extremely cold and is not at all favourable for tourism.

Russian food is very reflective of their traditions. One can trace the sources of its influence from the various regions within Russia. Pork, fish, poultry and wheat, barley, rice and millet are their staples. Soups are also an integral part of every meal and are divided into hot soups and cold soups. Ukha, shchi and solyanka are some of the more popular ones. Kasha or porridge is also consumed on a large scale here. Apart from that, pancakes and pies which contain different kinds of fillings are also essential elements of Russian cuisine. Regarding beverages, Medovukha, an alcoholic drink is very popular. Kvass is a non-alcoholic drink, prepared using bread.

Russia is a fascinating shopping destination that offers the most exclusive and expensive objects of desire alongside an eclectic selection of quintessentially Russian mementos. These include Russian shawls, porcelain figurines, Palekh miniatures, Faberge copies, Gzhel earthenware, Russian chocolates and the famous Matryoshka dolls. Russia is home to a lot of malls, markets and streets selling everything from the latest fashions to the choicest produce. But if you want authentically Russian commodities, you can visit the markets and shop for souvenirs, jewelry, cheaper clothes and more.

The Russian language is the principal state and cultural language of Russia. Russian is the primary language of the majority of people in Russia. It is also used as a second language in other former republics of the Soviet Union. It belongs to the eastern branch of the Slavic family of languages.

1. ST. PETERSBURG

While St. Petersburg today is Russia’s second most important and populated city, it was once the centre of political power in the country. The Tsarist capital of Russia, St. Petersburg is still home to the glorious heritage of the dynasty, reflected in its museums, gardens and many stunning palaces.

The city of St. Petersburg captures the imperial history of Russia to perfection. A few days spent here and you will come to realise the grandeur with which the Tsars rules the vast land for two long centuries. There are tons of museums throughout the city, most of them set in imperial buildings, displaying various facets of Russian history. The Hermitage Museum, for example, is one of the world’s finest art collections, occupying a total of 6 major buildings. The main building of the Hermitage Museum, the Winter Palace, was actually the residence of the Tsars and is an absolutely overwhelming structure on Palace Square, St. Petersburg’s equivalent of the Red Square. There are also several stunning churches and cathedrals throughout the city, the most popular of which are St. Isaac’s Cathedral and the historic Cathedral of the Saviour on Spilled Blood, which also serves as museums today. Catherine Palace on the outskirts of the city is another hugely famous attraction, and the detail and the magnificence of this palace are sure to blow you away! And the same can also be said for Peterhof Palace, an entire estate of stunning works of architecture. During the summers, the city literally never sleeps. The world-famous White Nights mean that the sun sets for barely an hour at night before rising again. St. Petersburg is truly quite the place to visit during these months, absolutely buzzing with energy! After all that, you can well imagine what a trip to this city holds! Truly, a trip into the grand history of Imperial Russia.

Places to visit in St. Petersburg: Hermitage Museum, Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Winter Palace, State Russian Museum, Palace Square, Catherine Palace, Grand Maket Rossiya, Peterhof Palace, Mariinsky Theatre, Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan, Neva River

2. MOSCOW

Moscow is Russia’s capital, and its cultural, economic and political heart. It is the largest and the most populated city in Russia, and also a city of huge global influence. It is the country’s biggest tourist destination, home to some of the most historic architectural works in the country.

Moscow is a city with a very rich past. It served as Russia’s capital for a long time and after the Bolshevik Revolution became the capital of Russia again. It has one of the best collections of architectural structures in the world. The Kremlin, which serves as the residence of the Russian President today, is an emphatic complex of palaces, cathedrals and walls. The iconic St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of the most unique cathedrals you’ll find anywhere in the world.

Moscow has a huge number of museums as well, displaying artworks from throughout the history of Russia. There is even a display of priceless jewellery and state regalia in the Kremlin Armoury. Apart from that, Moscow is home to many splendid gardens and parks that find their origins in the imperial era. These parks today have been restored and beautified and are a favourite hangout spot for locals who are looking for some time away from their busy lives. Gorky Park, Tsaritsyno and the Alexander Garden are an example of the remarkable gardens in the city. The city’s nightlife is world famous and so is it’s shopping, symbolised by the GUM on the Red Square. Several musical concerts and cultural events take place often in the city and the city is also home to Russia’s national theatre, the Bolshoi Theatre. Moscow provides you with a huge variety of activities and is sure to keep you occupied throughout your trip. When you’re done with it all, take a hike up Sparrow Hills and absorb a beautiful panorama of the city.

Places to visit in Moscow: Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow Kremlin, State Tretyakov Gallery, Bolshoi Theatre, Armoury museum, Kolomenskoye, Gorky Park, Pushkin Museum, Sparrow Hills, Tsaritsyno, Alexander Garden, State Historical Museum, GUM (most popular shopping space), Muzeon Park of Arts (Fallen Monument Park)

3. SIBERIA

The Siberian Federal District covers 30% area of its country, Russia. Holding over a dozen cities, Siberia boasts of the deepest lake in the world, Lake Baikal. Siberia is an ideal location for travellers who want to encounter with the untouched beauty of nature, mighty mountains, and unexplored enigmas.

Known for its extremely harsh winters, Siberia has a lot to offer. From the crown of Siberia ‘Lake Baikal’ to the rides in Trans-Siberian railway; from the fascinating Altai Mountains to picture-perfect cities- Siberia has its own ways to entice its visitors. Cities like Novosibirsk, Tomsk, Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude, Omsk and Krasnoyarsk take pride in their own beauties. Novosibirsk is not just the capital of Siberia, but also the most pulsating city with thriving cultural scenes. Tomsk is an architectural heaven absolutely one of its kind, offering you endless photographic spots. Irkutsk is not just the gateway to Lake Baikal, but also a great exemplar of contrasts of the new and old. Ulan-Ude is a tranquil Buddhist city you definitely can’t miss to visit. Some breathtaking destinations to explore in Siberia other than the lake are Ulkok Plateau, Lena River, Sayan Mountains, Chara Sands and Ergaki National Park.

Places to visit in Siberia: Lake Baikal, Altai Mountains, Trans-Siberian Railway, Cities in Siberia

4. SOCHI

Sochi is an idyllic seaside retreat that attracts hundreds of people to it each year, including celebrities and renowned politicians. In 2014, Sochi hosted the Winter Olympics, making it even more popular amongst tourists across the globe. The city is also called the Black Sea Pearl.

Think picturesque mountains, pretty shingle beaches and a nightlife to die for! Sochi is a popular spot among tourists, attracting a whopping total of more than 4 million visitors each year. It also has something on offer for everyone _ parks for nature lovers, museums and other sites for history lovers and beautiful beaches for some true R&R.

Places to visit in Sochi: Park Riviera, Rosa Khutor Ski Resort, Lake Ritsa, Park Arboretum, Frunze Park, 33 waterfalls

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