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Boasting of the world’s greatest collection of paintings across time and countries, from Ancient Egypt to the 20^th century Europe, the museum preserves the works of master painters like Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Titian. One can also see a unique collection of Rembrandts and Rubens, along with the works of a number of French Impressionists like Renoir, Manet, Cezanne, Monet and Pissarro. Canvas paintings by Van Gogh, Matisse, Gaugin; and sculptures by Rodin are considered to be the centre of attraction for tourists here.

The Museum Complex

Representative of the Baroque architecture, this three-storied palace was the residence of the Russian Tsars. Located on the bank of river Neva, this green and white marvel enhances the beauty of the city. The building boasts of 1,786 doors, 1,945 windows and 1,057 halls and rooms-each of them decorated with utmost care to suit the taste and the luxury of the Tsars. While some of these rooms are open to public, some require strict preservation given the years that have gone by.

The complex has in all four portions-the Winter Palace, which is the main building; the Small Hermitage, the Old Hermitage, and the New Hermitage.  The adjoining buildings of the Winter Palace have the precious collections of the museum on display. Worth seeing are the interiors of all the buildings that reflect the efforts of some of the best architectures of the world. The Hermitage Theater, which was initially the private theatre of the Tsars, is a magnificently decorated amphitheatre, which still hosts concerts, opera, lectures, and seminars. Participating in a cultural program in such a classic ambiance can make your day in the city.

Things to be seen in Hermitage Museum

There are lots to see and loads to learn; experts say that visiting the entire museum and learning about them would take an individual about 11 years. Get a tourist guide instead, who will take you through the best and the most remarkable pieces that have a marked place in history. However, is you are well-read  and wish to probe on your own, you can check out the several genres of art that are available here, including the Egyptian antiquities, the classical antiquities, the Prehistoric Art, Jewellery and decorative art; art from the Italian Renaissance, and the Italian and Spanish fine art. Artefacts from the Dutch Golden period and the Flemish Baroque, along with Neoclassical, Impressionist and the post-impressionist art forms, form some of the chief attractions here.

So, take the next cheap flight to Russia and explore the land of culture.

The clear water of the lake allows one to see as far below as forty meters. There are plenty of ways to reach Lake Baikal, the most popular and time tested one happens to be via Irkutsk. One can reach Irkutsk via plane and then take a bus or hire a car to the lake; one can even find lodging at the lake side town of Irkutsk or Listvyanka or stay at the wooden houses in villages. The water at Lake Baikal is one of the biggest reservoirs of fresh water and it is safe to even drink it. When you visit Lake Baikal do taste the smoked Omul which is sold near the lake as well the in the nearby towns, it is delicious. When you reach the Lake, you can hire an idle fishing boat and tour the lake.

Vacation travel deals offering trip to Volgograd are usually via St. Petersburg or Moscow. The best way to reach Volgograd is via train though one can also opt to reach the city via car or even boat. Once in Volgograd, one can simply avail of the metro tram system to tour the city. The most popular tourist sites in Volgograd are Mamayev Kurgan and the Panorama Museum. The Mamayev Kurgan was the site of the battle of Stalingrad. A memorial is located at the site which overlooks the city as well as the river Volga. One can find artifacts from the battle of Stalingrad in the Panorama museum which is situated along the River Volga along with a panoramic painting of the battle.

The architecture of the site is truly stunning with its famous redbrick towers. The Cathedral is made up of eight chapels and each chapel has an onion dome. In the seventeenth century, a bell tower was added to the structure. The Cathedral now serves the purpose of a museum and holds service, but once a year on the Day of the Intercession which is organized in the month of October. Restoration work of the cathedral led to the discovery of a wooden spiral staircase within the walls. The wooden staircase is used by the tourists to reach the main church.

The St. Basil’s Church is open on all days from eleven in the morning till five in the evening except on Tuesdays when it is closed. The interiors of the church can be accessed only during the day but if you want to appreciate the color scheme of the Cathedral, you must visit it at night.

The Kremlin is not just a majestic complex of structures but a symbol for the Russian state. The Kremlin is a treasure of old relics and art. The Kremlin houses the Kremlin Museum, which includes some amazing exhibits, special exhibitions are also carries out by the Kremlin. The Kremlin Museum includes the famed armory chamber, Ivan the Great Bell Tower Complex, the Assumption cathedral, the Annunciation Cathedral, The Patriarch’s Palace, The Archangel’s Cathedral and more.

It is not difficult to reach the Kremlin; one can take the subway to reach it. It is open every day but Thursday from ten in the morning till five in the evening. One has to purchase tickets to enter the Kremlin which are available at the Kutafiya Tower, Aleksandrov Gardens, Cathedral Square and Armoury Chambers.

Russia has been one of the super powers in past and still holds a formidable position in world politics and hence there are several landmarks in this capital city of Russia which reinforces the fact. The Mausoleum of Lenin found in Red Square close to the Kremlin Wall is a popular tourist spot. Build with red granite, this is a huge structure and looks particularly beautiful with flowers on 21^st January, which is the death anniversary of Vladimir Lenin. The Big Moscow Circus is an ideal venue for people holidaying with children. Known as the Bolshoi Moskovskii Tsirk in Russian, this is a multipurpose arena where you can watch different performances everyday.

Moskovskaia Dolfinariia or the Dolphinarium in Moscow and the Zoo are interesting places for kids and adults alike. The zoo is one of the oldest in Russia and over the years it has been expanded by the incorporation of waterfalls and streams. It covers an area of 52 acres and is home to 6000 species of animals. The Dolphinarium is situated inside the Palace of Water Sports. Get close to the Black Sea Dolphins, Seals and Beluga Whales inside this area.

Kinosentr or the Cinema Center in Moscow is an enormous cinema complex which consists of the largest cinema screen. It was built during the 1980s. Catch your favorite movie on the biggest screen and also do not forget to go to the exhibition of film posters and other memorabilia related to films and this theater. Moscow Planetarium is another popular tourist attraction. Children particularly enjoy watching stars on the domed ceiling of the planetarium. It was established in the 1920s and hosts show regarding the universe everyday. It is home to Russia’s largest telescope and this is an added attraction.

The Vse Rosiiskii Vystavochnyi Tsentr VVTs or the All Russian Exhibition Center is another mammoth exhibition center with around 70 pavilions. International and Russian exhibitions are organized from time to time in this center which can be visited by people from all around the world. Nothing in Moscow is small, everything you see is gigantic. Hence, the experience of exploring the city is unique.

1. The Hermitage Museum

If you thought the Louvre in Paris was impressive, you are in for surprise. The Hermitage houses millions of works of art from all parts of the globe and from all periods of history. Founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great, the museum has the largest collection of paintings in the entire world. For a glimpse into this famous landmark and a better insight into Russian history, check out the movie The Russian Ark, shot in 2007 and filmed entirely in the Hermitage.

2. Mariinsky Theatre

Even if you aren’t a die-hard theater fan, the Mariinsky is one attraction you will not want to miss. Built in the mid 19th century, the Mariinsky Theater became a premier set for operas, orchestras, ballets and more. Many of the masterpieces of famous composers like Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov were premiered at Mariinsky. It now hosts the Mariinsky Opera, Ballet, and Orchestra.

3. Kunstkamera Museum

If art museums don’t strike your fancy, then the Kunstkamera surely will. As the oldest museum in St. Petersburg, the Kunstkamera was instituted by Peter the Great himself in 1727. In order to quell ignorance that so often resulted from superstition, Peter the Great set about on a systematic campaign of prioritizing culture and education. With the Kunstkamera, he set up exhibitions of deformed fetuses and other curiosities in order to demonstrate that “monsters” did not exist. The Kunstkamera Museum is especially recommended for science buffs.

4. Peterhof Palace

Although located a train or car ride outside of the St. Petersburg city center, the Peterhof Palace complex is a site worth going out of your way for. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Peterhof is a popular spot for locals during the summer, when the sun is out and the stunning English gardens are in bloom. Having an ice cream cone while you stroll through the palace grounds, complete with ornate fountains, is the perfect thing if you enjoy outdoor activity.

While many European travelers don’t think of Russia as a tourist haven, it would be a huge mistake to not consider St. Petersburg for your next trip. It’s sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Bio: Hajera Blagg is a freelance writer based in Houston, Texas. She often contributes content to OnlineUniversities

Added to the World Heritage list by UNESCO in 1996, the Lake Baikal is often called a Siberian pearl for its exceptional beauty. The word “Baikal” came from the Turk language. “Bai” means “wealthy” and “kul” means “lake”. So “Baikal” is a “wealthy lake” and this precise name fits perfectly to describe its abundant beauty, unique flora and fauna, and limitless opportunities for travelers. Lake Baikal offers hot springs, helicopter tours to remote wilderness areas, diving, off-road expeditions, hunting, fishing, mountain climbing, snow-cat skiing, heli-skiing, rafting and much more.

Scientists are still debating the lake’s origin. Some are trying to prove that it emerged as a result of tectonic processes of orogeny, while others think it has been formed as a result of the earth’s crust gradually subsiding. So far nobody has been proved right. But a known fact, however, is that Baikal is the world’s deepest fresh water lake and that it holds 20% of the world surface fresh water.
It would take all the rivers of the world – Volga, Don, Dnepr and Yenisei, Ural and Ob, Ganges and Orinoko, Amazon and Thames, Seine and Oder – nearly one year to fill lake Baikal’s basin. It would take four hundred years for all the rivers, streams and brooks now flowing into the Siberian lake-sea to perform the task.

The Baikal area is a veritable treasure trove of mineral resources. Sables thrive in the region’s taiga; valuable fur animals live in the surrounding mountains and valleys; and birds and fish abound in the forests and rivers of the area. The nearby Dauro-Mongolian steppes are very fertile. There are hot springs in the vicinity of Lake Baikal. The lake acts as a powerful generator and bio-filter producing this water.

The size of the lake is so enormous that the locals call it the sea. This “sea” is rapidly growing with the average speed of 2 cm (0.8 in) per year. Baikal is believed to be an ocean in the future; some say that Baikal will be a starting point of a new great ocean across Asia.

The Baikal Lake is also one of Asia’s holy places. People through over the centuries worshiped the lake and believed in its magic powers. One can still see the unique carvings and remains of the ritual buildings, constructed by the lake by the local tribes thousands years ago. The original inhabitants of this area were Eskimo (who now live in Alaska). In the 9th century, the Mongols came from the south, mixed with Eskimos and formed a new nation – the Buryats (Mongolian language group), who practiced Buddhism. The idea of freedom from serfdom and the promise of free land have driven many Russians to Siberia between the 17th and the 19th centuries. Baikal lake was discovered by Russians in 1643. The forts on the lake became an important link in the trade route between Russia and China.

The traditions and customs of the lake people is a mix of traditional beliefs, Buddhism and Christian Orthodox customs.

Buryats believe in Spirits livings with us, and that every mountain and river has its own spirit. Humans can’t survive without the help of the spirits; therefore they should respect them and show this respect in every way. Buryats leave coins and cigarettes, and tie pieces of fabric to the trees in holy places. They drop coins on the road when driving through forests. And even when they drink alcohol, they share it with the spirits by spilling a few drops to the ground.
There a lot of interesting customs and rituals born in this area. For instance, when guests visit a Buryat home they should leave their luggage outside. If a host gives you a cup with both hands, you should accept it with both hands. If the host uses the right hand, a guest should take a cup with his right hand as well. It is not allowed to take pictures of a shaman, touch him or his ritual clothes unless he gives you his permission to do so.

Useful things to remember when traveling to Russia:

VISAS
Travel in Russia has become easier than ever. Remember however that visa is required. And you need a fully licensed travel company like Go To Russia Travel (www.gotorussia.com) to provide the necessary visa support and registration

TOURS:
We recommend using a professional guide to fully enjoy the beauty and magnitude of the Baikal Lake. We can help with a tour-guide: http://www.gotorussia.com

FLIGHTS:
It is best to fly from Moscow to Irkutsk to get to the Baikal Lake; we can help with international as well as domestic flights.

TRAIN TICKETS:
You can also get to the Baikal Lake by train. A journey on the Tran Siberian railway route will add more memories to your trip. Train tickets are available online http://www.trainsrussia.com/en/travels

The towns of the Golden Ring represent 1,000 years of rich Russian history written in stone and wood, from an 850-year old church in Rostov to a 19th-century log house in the Suzdal’s open air museum. Each of the “golden” Russian towns once played an important role in the history of Russia and was connected in one way or another with famous historical figures such as Alexander Nevsky, Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great and many others. In addition to their great historic value, the towns represent the true provincial Russia.  Such towns as Vladimir, Ivanovo, Kostroma, Yaroslavl can give you a pick of the traditional Russian way of life, not yet as much westernized and hectic as the big cities.

Vladimir

The City of Vladimir is one of the oldest Russian communities. It is located in the heart of the historic Vladimir region (Vladimirskaya Oblast) 115 miles northeast of Moscow on the bank of the Klyazma River. The city was founded in either 990 or 1108, depending on which historians you consult. For the better part of two centuries (from 1157 to the mid 1300s) it was the capital of ancient Rus’. Vladimir is now considered one of the major members of the Golden Ring of communities which have played a significant role in Russian history.

Among many other attractions, the City boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are the Golden Gates, Vladimir’s unofficial symbol, and the Assumption and St. Demetrius Cathedrals. The city is also home to several award winning museums, art galleries and theaters; a number of world-class performing groups, artists, and artisans, and several first rate institutions of higher learning.

Suzdal
Suzdal is another notable town in the Golden Ring. It thrived between its founding in 1024 and its sacking by Mongols in 1238, and has remained peripheral ever since. Its residents have retained a quiet dignity and sometimes the town feels untouched by Russia’s past century of upheaval. It boasts 50 well-preserved examples of ancient architecture contained within a relatively small area, providing a wonderfully coherent vision of its past.

Suzdal’s highlights are its convents and monasteries. The oldest and the first on most tours is Rizopolozhensky Monastery, founded in 1207. Most structures inside date from 300 years later, including the three-domed Rizopolozhensky Cathedral at the center of the complex. Monks again wander the grounds, seemingly unperturbed by tourists.

Sergiev Pasad

This town’s magnificent 14th-century monastery and its history as the holiest of Russia’s Orthodox shrines draw pilgrims from around the country and plenty of non-Russian tourists and are often called the Russian Vatican. Suzdal is a great place to study Russian architecture and sociology, as well as Orthodox traditions. Music enthusiasts will appreciate informal choral concerts – even a small midday church service produces hypnotizing harmonies. The town also claims to be the birthplace of the matryoshka, the ubiquitous nesting doll.

Rostov

While the official name of the town is Rostov, it is better known to Russians as Rostov Veliky (Rostov the Great). This name is used to distinguish it from Rostov on Don, which is now a much larger city.

Rostov is one of the oldest towns in Russia, tracing its roots back to 862 AD. The town has a long history of rebellion, and many of its inhabitants (including women who dressed in men’s clothing) went on to fight other principalities and invading armies. The city played a critical role in Russian history, having been a major site of siege and revolt against the Mongols in the 13th and 14th centuries, and the birthplace of some of the most influential leaders and clerics of the early Russian state.

Yaroslavl
Yaroslavl is one of the bigger cities in the Golden ring with over half a million of population.  It is a unique city on the Volga River where the breathtaking beauty of the nature, the splendor of ancient architecture and the modern industry coexist in harmony. The town was first mentioned in Russian chronicles at the beginning of the 11th century. As the ancient legend goes, on the precise location of today’s city Great Kiev Prince Yaroslav the Wise killed a bear and ordered to build a fortress. Another legend says that the Prince with the retinue conquered a small pagan settlement and cut out a heathen picture of bear with an axe. These legends explain the emblem to the town – a bear with a pole-axe represented on a silver shield.

Yaroslavl has some of the Golden Ring’s most impressive churches and monasteries featuring country’s most beautiful frescos. It is also a college town, with about a dozen universities. The city boasts the oldest remaining theater in all of Russia, the Volkov Theater built in 1750.

Kostroma
This town stands at the confluence of the Volga and the River Kostroma. It is a renowned cheese-making centre. Its most outstanding building is the Ipatievski Monastery-Fortress. Built during the first half of the 14th century, it became the Romanovs’ residence three centuries later. The open-air museum features a collection of traditional Russian buildings, including wooden churches, log cabins and windmills brought from all over Russia.

Useful things to remember when traveling to Russia:

VISAS

Travel in Russia has become easier than ever. Remember however that visa is required. And you need a fully licensed travel company like Go To Russia Travel (www.gotorussia.com) to provide the necessary visa support and registration

TOURS:

We recommend taking a tour to fully see all beauty and historic importance of the towns of the Golden ring. Book your tour here: http://www.gotorussia.com/travel_services_tours_and_packages.htm

FLIGHTS:

Getting to Moscow from the US requires a non-stop 10-hour flight from New York, Atlanta, Washington D.C. or Chicago. You can book your tickets at www.eufares.com

TRAIN TICKETS:

You can travel the Golden ring by train from Moscow, trains tickets are available online http://www.trainsrussia.com/en/travels

By Svetlana Alimova of Go To Russia Travel

For many tourists Russian hallmarks such as the Red Square in Moscow and the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg are just not enough. The famous Trans-Siberian rail-route has long been one of the most popular journeys among adventure-seekers, and for a good reason. Trans-Siberian railway (usually called TransSib in Russia) is the longest continuous rail line on earth, taking travelers on an epic journey of almost six thousand miles (or 9,259 kilometers) over one third of the globe. It crosses the whole continent; starting in Moscow, passing through the European Russia, crossing the Ural mountains which separate Europe and Asia, continuing into Siberian taiga and steppes, and finishing in Vladivostok — the Russian Far East coast on the Pacific Ocean.

During this journey that lasts more than six days, travelers see different landscapes, meet new people, experience different cultures (especially, if you do stopovers along the way), and just enjoy sitting back and watching the land go by.

From the starting point in Moscow, the journey goes through 89 cities: five cities with the population of over one million (Moscow, Perm, Yekaterinburg, Omsk, Novosibirsk), nine cities with the population between 300 thousand and a million (Yaroslavl, Kirov, Tyumen, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude, Chita, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok) and 75 smaller cities.

The first major stop at the beginning of the TransSib journey is Vladimir. The city was founded in the year 995, and at one time served as a capital of Russia and as its political, cultural and religious center. It is famous for its unique cathedrals, four of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Nizhni Novogorod – another architectural gem of Russia was founded in 1221. It was a trading center for people from the Orient, Siberia and Turkistan. Formerly named Gorkiy, it was a city housing the country’s political exiles and therefore closed to the outsiders for many years. The city recently opened its doors for visitors and its many well preserved memorials from the 13th and 14th centuries are amazing attractions.

The city of Perm lies about 800 miles east of Moscow on the western slopes of the Ural Mountains, and stretches along both sides of the Kama River. Perm was founded in 1568 as the village Lagoshikha. Since 1756, Perm has been a center for manufacturing military weapons, vehicles and supplies. By 1781, it was established as the administrative center of the northern Urals and gateway to Siberia.

Russia’s third largest city and the capital of the Urals, Ekaterinburg (formely Sverdlovsk) is one of the most developed and advanced regions in Russia. It is rich in natural resources and is a heavily industrialized area. It also boasts a lot of historic landmarks. Ekaterinburg was founded by the first Russian Emperor Peter the Great and was the city where the last Russian Emperor Nickolai II was executed.

Ekaterinburg is also one of the most important Russia’s economic centers and may continue to be so. In 2008, Forbes magazine ranked the city number 59 of the greatest cities of the future. Only two other Russian cities made the list – Moscow (# 14) and Saint Petersburg (# 41)

Another stop some 30 hours into the journey is the city of Tyumen. It was the first Russian town in Siberia and has since become famous for lavish trade fairs and skilled craftsman. The city was considered the richest Russian town in the pre-Soviet era. Today it’s an oil and gas capital.

Five hundred kilometers east of Tyumen lies another important Russian city, Omsk. Omsk was built as a fortress at Russia’s southern border by Peter the Great’s guardsman Ivan Buchholz when in 1716, he and his detachment landed on the shore of the Irtysh river at the place where this powerful Siberian river joins the quiet Om. Thus, came the name of the city of Omsk. Today, Omsk is one of the largest industrial and cultural centers in Siberia.

After almost two days of travel, the TransSib train takes you to the Siberian region’s largest city Novosibirsk. Founded in 1893, Novosibirsk is the third main cultural and scientific center in Russia (after Moscow and St. Petersburg) and is also home to the famous University of Novosibirsk. The city is developing quite rapidly, and is considered to be the capital of Siberia. The area around Novosibirsk and the Altai Mountains holds some incredible nature for the outdoorsmen.

Another magnificent-in-landscape stop enroute to Vladivistok is Krasnoyarsk. The city is steadily becoming one of the most attractive regions in Russia for both Russian and foreign tourists. The region offers a unique combination of beautiful rivers and mountains, clean air, great hunting and fishing, architectural sites and the ethnic culture of the northern nation.

Irkutsk is a major point on the Trans-Siberian/Trans-Mongolian train route because from Irkutsk travelers can go to the world’s deepest lake Baikal. The city has over 600,000 people and is located on the picturesque Angara river. Founded by Russians in 1652 as a major fort beyond the Ural Mountains, it was populated by exiled political prisoners sent by the tsars and communists. Today, the city has a reputation of a college town with many young people attending universities there.

The next city worth having a stopover in is Ulan-Ude. Founded in 1666, it is a capital of the Buryat Autonomous Republic, which in the 13th – 17th centuries was a part of the vast Mongolian Empire. This a classic example of the Eastern influence in Russia. Until 1991 Ulan-Ude was closed to foreigners. There are old merchants’ mansions richly decorated with wood and stone carving in the historical center of Ulan-Ude, along the river banks which are exceptional examples of Russian classicism. The city has a large ethnographic museum which recalls the history of the peoples of the region. There is also a large and highly unusual statue of the head of Vladimir Lenin in the central square, the largest in the world.

Trans-Sib’s final destination is Vladivostok. The locals call it Vladik and the actual name loosely translates into Lord of the East. The city is the largest Russian port by the Pacific ocean and is located less than 100 km east of the Chinese border, and just across the Sea of Japan from the main Japanese island of Honshu.

Sopki, long-dead volcanic hills, give the city layer-cake effect. Buildings rise from different levels and eras. Wherever you walk, you’re going up or down, and it’s a rare moment when you can’t get a glimpse of the sea.

Despite having a reputation of heavily polluted and industrialized city, Vladivostok offers plenty of nature getaways with breath-taking views. Visit the Botanical Gardens and you will walk into the taiga. Explore the hills with dug-in stone forts, and more on nearby Russky Island. And if you want secluded beaches, they are out there too.

Things to remember when traveling to Russia:

FLIGHTS:

Getting to Moscow from the US requires a non-stop 10-hour flight from New York, Atlanta, Washington D.C. or Chicago.

TRAIN TICKETS:

You can book your Trans-Siberian trip on http://www.trainsrussia.com/en/travels

VISAS Travel in Russia has become easier than ever. Remember however that visas are required. And you need a fully licensed travel company like Go To Russia Travel (www.gotorussia.com) to provide the necessary visa support and registration

Covering an immense territory of 5600 miles from west to east and 3100 from north to south, Russia encompasses more than 100 different ethnic groups speaking more than 100 languages. Therefore, Russia is often called a “bridge” between Europe and Asia. For most travelers acquaintance with Russia starts with its capital.

Moscow is the Russian version of a sin city; it never sleeps and will shock even the most sophisticated traveler with its sky-high prices. For four years in a row the Russian capital has been topping the charts of the most expensive cities in the world. It is also the city with the highest concentration of Bentleys you would ever see parked in one street, and the most expensive real estate with some properties going as high as $2000 per sq. ft. It is the place where, with the right amount of funds, one can experience the most luxurious treatment. However, travelers on a budget can also find plenty of things to do and see here.

Moscow is home to over 10 million people representing over 120 ethnic groups and nationalities. Its ancient traditional architectural landmarks cohabit with the Soviet style sullen grey boxes of buildings and Western glassy office plazas. With the abundance of places to see, Moscow is surprisingly inconvenient for tourists. Just recently it started adding signs and maps in English. Traffic jams is the city’s plague, navigating downtown Moscow can be a nerve-raking experience, but the Moscow subway system is superb. The Moscow Metro carries up to 3 million passengers a day and its trains run every few minutes. The stations’ marble covered interiors could easily rival any art museum, and even if you do not plan to use subway for transportation, it is worth going to the underground just for a tour. And as an alternative to a subway or getting stuck in traffic, you can catch a ride with the legendary MiG-29 or Russia’s newest and most advanced high-altitude interceptor, the MiG-31 Foxhound. The helicopter tours offer breath-taking views of the Russian capital and its metro area.

The best way to see the city, though, is on foot with a professional guide who in addition to all standard attractions (the Kremlin, the Red Square with St. Basil Cathedral, the Bolshoi Theatre and Tretyakov Gallery, the Pushkin Art Museum, the 16th-century Novodevichy Convent, Christ the Savior Cathedral, Vorobyevy Hills, Ismailovo Flea Market, to name a few), can take you to places favored by locals and representing the true Moscow – hidden from tourists, with its old buildings, beat up sidewalks and old Moscow courtyards.

Moscow boasts a large number of high-end hotels where rooms can easily cost from $700 a night. Balchug Kempinski Hotel, Hotel Metropol, Savoi, Ararat Park Hyatt offer exquisite service along with the fantastic views of the historic city center.

The city has a huge selection of restaurants representing cuisine from all over the world. The most popular is Japanese with sushi places at every corner but if you came all the way to Russia you might as well taste its traditional food with borsht, pelmeni (Russian meat dumplings), pirozhki, chicken-Kiev and of course blinets with the red and black caviar.

Being a multi-million city, Moscow has an amazing array of nightlife options and a scene for everyone – be you a jazz aficionado or a hardcore clubber. One thing that newcomers to the city will quickly notice is that a bar or nightclub is rarely just that. Nearly every drinking hole in Moscow also serves as a restaurant, a bowling alley, billiards club, casino, concert venue or even book store!

The best time to visit Moscow is from April to October.

Things to remember when travelling to Russia:

FLIGHTS:

Getting to Moscow from the US requires a non-stop 10-hour flight from New York, Atlanta, Washington D.C. or Chicago. You can book your tickets at www.eufares.com

VISAS:

Travel in Russia has become easier than ever. Remember however that visas are required. And you need a fully licensed travel company like Go To Russia Travel (www.gotorussia.com) to provide the necessary visa support and registration.

ELECTRICITY

Electricity throughout Russia is 220 volt/50 Hz. The plug is the two-round-pin thin European standard. Be sure to bring your own converter as most places in Russia do not carry them.
CURRENCY

All prices are generally quoted in rubles. Currency can be freely converted at banks, hotels or kiosks. Traveler’s checks are hard to cash. Credit cards are accepted in most places that work with foreign tourists. ATM machines are widely available in major cities.

TIPPING

Tipping is increasingly expected at restaurants. Tip 10-15% depending on service. It is typical to round up the amount due to the next round figure.

Unlike Moscow’s red bricks and onion domes, St Petersburg’s network of canals and baroque architecture give the city a European flavor. It was built by Italian architects and is often called the Venice of the North. 300-year old Saint Petersburg is a relatively young city, however, it is considered among the oldest cities in Europe. Saint Petersburg managed to preserve almost all the buildings constructed before 1917. It has over 18,000 historic buildings and is often called the museum under the open sky.

St. Petersburg is not as crazy and life-bursting as Moscow. It is the place to relax and take in the magnitude and beauty of its architecture. Here one can walk in the footsteps of Pushkin and Dostoevsky, Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich, admire city’s fantastic palaces and ride one of the world’s deepest subways. Because the city was built on the marsh, its subway tunnels are 70-80 meters deep.

The best way to see St. Petersburg is to walk along its main street Nevsky Prospekt, which is 4.5 km long. You really need at least a couple of days to see the attractions St. Petersburg offers: Peter and Paul Fortress, The Palace Square, the Winter Palace, the Hermitage (you can easily spend a day just in this place), Admiralty, Isaak Cathedral, Kazan Cathedral, Church of the Savior, the Summer gardens, Alexander Nevsky Monastery and Necropolis, etc. The famous oldest department store Gostiny Dvor is a good place to stock on Gucci, Prada, Christian Dior and other big name items.

Like Moscow, Saint Petersburg offers a huge variety of places to eat for every taste and every budget. As an alternative to hugely popular Italian, Asian and European eateries and an addition to the Russian traditional food, we recommend trying dishes from the former Soviet republic of Georgia, which offers a mix of Slavic, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors. Enjoy a filling meal of shashlik (lamb skewers), eggplant with walnuts and khachapuri (a dish that’s akin to a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich).

St. Petersburg was the first city in Russia to adapt club culture in the late 80s. The club movement started with underground rock clubs and art centers and expanded later, in the beginning of 90s, to rave clubs. Today, St. Petersburg is the place to go for live alternative and rock music concerts, as well as for jazz and “artsy” clubs, where you can have a beer and meet a lot of people over one evening. But most of all Saint Petersburg is famous for its rich theatrical scene with over 100 theatres to choose from.

Things to remember when travelling to Russia:
FLIGHTS:
Getting to Moscow from the US requires a non-stop 10-hour flight from New York, Atlanta, Washington D.C. or Chicago. You can book your tickets at www.eufares.com

VISAS:
Travel in Russia has become easier than ever. Remember however that visas are required. And you need a fully licensed travel company like Go To Russia Travel (www.gotorussia.travel) to provide the necessary visa support and registration.

ELECTRICITY
Electricity throughout Russia is 220 volt/50 Hz. The plug is the two-round-pin thin European standard. Be sure to bring your own converter as most places in Russia do not carry them.

CURRENCY
All prices are generally quoted in rubles. Currency can be freely converted at banks, hotels or kiosks. Traveler’s checks are hard to cash. Credit cards are accepted in most places that work with foreign tourists. ATM machines are widely available in major cities.

TIPPING
Tipping is increasingly expected at restaurants. Tip 10-15% depending on service. It is typical to round up the amount due to the next round figure.

www.GoToRussia.com