What to see in Russia
What to see in Russia “It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma,” said Winston Churchill in October 1939. Here
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Russia is a vast country – in fact, it is the largest country in the world. Stretching from eastern Europe all the way across to northern Asia, it covers nine time zones and a huge range of environments, much of it within the geographical territory of Siberia.
To the south are immense stretches of plains and steppes while to the north are forests and tundra. This huge expanse of land is broken up by features such as the Ural mountains, separating Europe and Asia; large bodies of water including Lake Baikal, the world’s oldest and deepest freshwater lake in the world; and thousands of rivers, the Volga being the most well-known.
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For some people, a trip to the theatre to see a ballet or opera performance is the primary reason for their visit to Russia. The Bolshoi theatre in Moscow and the Mariinsky in St Petersburg stage highly acclaimed performances, from classics such as Giselle and Tosca to new works by Russian and western composers, and the ballet companies associated with each of these theatres have achieved worldwide acclaim. Cox & Kings can book tickets for a performance during your stay or arrange behind-the-scenes tours of the theatre.
St Petersburg was once the capital of Russia. Its imperial past is evident in the sumptuous palaces found in and around the city. Make sure to visit the town of Pushkin, formerly known as Tsarskoye Selo, or the ‘Tsar’s Village’, which was a royal country residence just south of St Petersburg. Tour the impressive rooms of Catherine Palace as well as the smaller Alexander Palace, the favourite residence of the last Russian emperor. In St Petersburg itself is the extravagant Peterhof Palace with over 300 fountains in its landscaped gardens. The palace has a wonderful location overlooking the Gulf of Finland.
It would take several days to see everything on show at The Hermitage in St Petersburg, one of the largest and oldest museums of art and culture in the world. Consisting of six separate buildings, including the Winter Palace, the museum displays jewellery, mosaics, arms and armour, items from Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece, and an extensive gallery of paintings. Artwork includes a fabulous collection of European masterpieces coupled with the best of Russian avant-garde painters and sculptors.
Various trips can be made along the Volga. Take the route between Moscow and St Petersburg, visiting both cities as well as beautiful sights along the way such as the medieval cities of the Golden Ring. Alternatively, sail all the way to the Caspian Sea, combining stops at Soviet-era towns with picturesque villages.
The deepest lake in the world and one of the oldest, Lake Baikal is home to an abundance of wildlife, including freshwater seals. With the introduction of the Trans-Siberian railway in the late 19th century, plus the exile of political prisoners into the region’s notorious Gulag penal colonies, the city of Irkutsk, started to expand to become the regional capital. Visitors can either stay here or in Listvyanka village, which is situated on the lake and offers peaceful and relaxing accommodation, ideal for hiking along the shore. From Listvyanka, you can catch a boat to the island of Olkhon, which is inhabited by indigenous Buryat tribes and is known as one of their holiest places of worship.
What to see in Russia “It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma,” said Winston Churchill in October 1939. Here
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Find out more about what you can expect from travelling in Europe – from internal flights to accommodation standards and local transport.
Learn more about the airlines we use to fly to Europe, chosen for reliability and good service; as well as any available upgrade facilities.
Before travelling to Europe, please read more about the entry requirements for each country, as well as any general health advice.
Discover the temperatures and rainfall you can expect when visiting the main areas of Russia, along with the best time to travel.
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