Russia Sightseeing

Arkhangelsk
The largest city in the White Sea area, Arkhangelsk was only opened to tourists in 1990. Before the founding of St Petersburg it was the first and only seaport in Russia. From here, visitors may travel to the nearby village of Mali Kareli to view Russian white stone and wooden architecture.

Black Sea
The beach resort towns of Sochi and Rostov-on-Don on the shores of the Black Sea offer a warmer climate and sophisticated health spas, scenically situated at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains.

Buryat Republic
Many of the inhabitants of the Buryat Republic are Buddhists. Dozens of picturesque temples (datsans) sprang up round Lake Baikal after Empress Elizabeth, Peter the Great’s daughter, recognized the Buddhist religion in the Russian Federation. Although most datsans were destroyed during the 1930s, many of their treasures were preserved in the Russian Orthodox Church in Ulaan Ude, the capital. The Sandalwood Buddha, on display in the town’s Exhibition Hall, is said to have been made with the Buddha himself sitting as a model.

Famous Estates
Located near the town of Tula, 160km from the capital, Yasnaya Polyana is historically significant as the author Leo Tolstoy’s estate. The author of War and Peace and Anna Karenina is buried here; his house, surrounded by landscaped parkland, is now a museum open to the public.

Tver, situated 160km from Moscow overlooking the Upper Volga River, is where Catherine II built a palace in order to take a rest en route from Moscow to St Petersburg. The palace, called Putyevoi Dvorets (Route Palace) was built in 1763-75.

Tchaikovsky’s home at Klin, 90km from Moscow, and Boris Pasternak’s home at Peredelkino (30 minutes’ drive from Moscow), are also interesting museums.

Golden Ring
Several ancient towns of great historical, architectural and spiritual significance make up the Golden Ring, a few hours drive northeast from Moscow. They are a rich collection of kremlins (citadels), monasteries, cathedrals and fortresses. These can be visited on day trips from Moscow. Since many of the towns were founded on river banks, a cruise is a pleasant way of discovering the region.

Gorky Park
Situated just across the Moskva River from Park Kultury Metro Station, Moscow's Gorky Park is famed for the American writer Martin Cruz Smith's novel and later film of the same name. Opened in 1928, the park was created by combining the extensive gardens of Nezkuchny Palace and an old hospital covering some 300 acres. Today the park is filled with children's play areas, fun fairs, an original Buran spacecraft now open as a "Cosmic Experience for Kids", various rides and an enormous Ferris wheel next to the river, offering some spectacular views of the city! During the winter many of the footpaths are flooded and freeze over to allow children to ice skate around the park, and in February visitors can enjoy Moscow's annual Festival of Ice Sculpture. In the summer months hydrofoils and various other small boats depart from the jetty next to the park and take visitors on cruises right through the center of the city and to most of her famous sights. Address: Krymsky Val, near Park Kultury / Oktyabrskaya subway stations. Open daily.

Irkutsk
Sometimes called the “Paris of Siberia”, Irkutsk is a long way from anywhere except Mongolia, but is on the Trans-Siberian train route and well worth a stop-off. The city is mostly charming, with considerable Chinese influence and some magnificent architecture, including typically elaborate Siberian 'gingerbread' houses. Another of Irkutsk's attractions is the proximity to the expansive Lake Baikal where hiking, biking, horse trekking, fishing and boating are enjoyed. The north end is the most beautiful and remote.

Karelia
Bounded by Finland and the White Sea, Karelia’s landscape is a patchwork of lakes, marshes and forests, whose canopies shade abundant mushrooms and berries. The small island of Kizhi within Lake Onega is easily accessible by hydrofoil from here. The island’s surviving heritage features the 22-domed 18th-century Church of the Transfiguration, whose wooden structure was built without a single nail. Tranquil waters offering spectacular views of the countryside are suddenly interrupted by rapids cascading over glacial boulders. A Russian sauna (banya) followed by a plunge into a river or lake is an ideal way to unwind at the end of the day.

Lake Baikal
The world’s deepest lake (1637 metres) is accessible from Irkutsk by hydrofoil during the summer. It is 25 million years old, and it would take three months to walk around its 2000km shoreline. Its shores are a feeding ground for wildfowl and the occasional bear. Freshwater seal colonies are found around the Ushkan Islands in the centre of the lake. Olkhon Island is the site of primitive rock drawings and a unique necropolis of an ancient Siberian tribe.

Lake Ladoga
Vast and often turbulent, Lake Ladoga is situated between Finland and St Petersburg. The island of Valaam is the most significant of the lake’s archipelago because of its ancient monastery. Despite years of neglect, Valaam still retains a mysterious air.

Moscow
The capital is a diverse and interesting city with masses of history, action and must-see spectacles, such as the stunning architecture of Red Square. Theatre, music, and art are a primary part of city's life.

Novgorod
Picturesquely located on the banks of the River Volkhov, 190 km south of St Petersburg, Novgrod is a treasure trove of ancient architecture, with 39 cathedrals and churches. Within the walls of the Kremlin, St Sophia’s Cathedral is the oldest stone structure in Russia.

Saint Petersburg
St Petersburg is one of the world's most beautiful cities, with many phenomenal buildings, palaces and museums, including the wonderful Hermitage Museum. The city is spread over 42 islands in the delta of the River Neva, giving it its nickname of the “Venice of the North”. In comparison to Moscow, which tends to be more Eastern in character, St Petersburg has always retained a European flavour. The Palace Square and the Winter Palace are among the most popular attractions.

Siberia
Covering an area of over 12,800,000 sq km, Siberia contains unimaginably vast stretches of forests, a million lakes, 53,000 rivers and an enormous wealth of wilderness. Although the temperature in winter falls well below freezing point, the weather in summer can be very warm. Tourism is less developed here than anywhere else in Russia. Air-hopping is one way of exploring. A famous alternative is the Trans-Siberian Railway, the longest continuous railway in the world, a journey which is one of the greatest travel adventures. The most scenic part of the journey is between Irkutsk and Khabarovsk.

Volga River
The Volga River begins south of Moscow and ends some 2000km further in a vast delta at the Caspian Sea. A river boat tour or canoeing adventure is an excellent way to see the sights along this ancient water way, via old towns like Kazan (ancient Tatar city), Shiryaeva and Ulyanovsk (Lenin's birthplace).

Admire the Russian Ballet
From the country that brought us Anna Pavlova and Tchaikovsky, Russia is world famous for its exquisite ballet. See classic performances such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Romeo & Juliet, done by the some of the best dancers in the world! Regular ballets are held in Moscow and St Petersburg in elegant and historical venues such as Moscow’s Kremlin Palace. It’s a must-see! Visit www.aha.ru/~vladmo/ for more information.

Bathe in a Banya
The Russian style sauna is not only a perfect way to get warm and relax - it’s a fabulous introduction into Russian social life. Banyas are everywhere – from little wooden huts in the forest by a lake, to palatial banyas in fancy hotels and spas. The traditional routine is to sweat and then jump in a lake or roll around in the snow! Most hotel banyas will have a cold plunge pool. It’s exhilarating and will leave your skin smooth as silk!

Dine at Khlestakov Restaurant
A perfect Moscow evening of dining and ballet starts at the historical and enchanting Khlestakov Restaurant. Located on one of the fashionable side streets leading away from the river bank, the restaurant was discovered by the current owners after the demise of the Soviet Union. Within the building they found an amazing treasure - the entire movie set designed for the Russian film The Inspector General!

Explore Moscow’s Kremlin
A Kremlin is a self-contained city within a city. The Moscow Kremlin in Red Square is the most photographed and famous sight of the capital. The Kremlin is extensive, with stunning architecture, palaces, cathedrals, medieval fortresses and an air of mystery.

Explore the Golden Ring
Just a few hours drive from Moscow, the Golden Ring contains many ancient, picturesque towns, many along river banks. The towns are of great historical, architectural and spiritual significance; a rich collection of kremlins, monasteries, cathedrals and fortresses. Since many of the towns were founded on river banks, a cruise is a pleasant way of discovering the region.

Go Ice Skating
Ice Skating is perhaps Russia’s most popular pastime with frozen lakes and outdoor rinks all over during the long winter and even indoor rinks open in the summer. St Petersburg’s Central Recreation Park is a favourite among skaters and it also has a ski centre.
Ice rinks tend to be inexpensive and very cheerful.

Hop on-board a River Cruise
This is an excellent way to see historical sights, scenic wilderness and meet interesting people. The main route is the Volga River with boats going to/from Moscow, St Petersburg, Novgorod, Volgograd and many other attractive cities. Boat tours are the easiest and safest way to get around Russia, plus some tours offer on-board Russian language lessons. Boat tours run from June to September only. A reputable tour company is Intrav, offering Journey of the Czars River Boat Cruises; visit www.intrav.com for more information.

Sample Vodka and Caviar
The two most famous exports of Russia are best enjoyed in their homeland. A dizzying array of vodka and colourful caviar offer a perfect way to jump start and evening out!

Visit Novgorod
Picturesquely located on the banks of the River Volkhov, 190 km south of St Petersburg, Novgrod is a treasure trove of ancient architecture, with 39 cathedrals and churches. Within the walls of the Kremlin, St Sophia’s Cathedral is the oldest stone structure in Russia.

Visit St Petersburg
This is Moscow’s elegant cousin, with heaps of palaces, superb museums and restaurants, all spread over 42 islands, giving it its nickname of the “Venice of the North”. In comparison to Moscow, which tends to be more Eastern in character, St Petersburg has always retained a European flavour. The Palace Square and the Winter Palace are among the most popular attractions. Tired of the city? Head to the shores of Lake Ladoga for a picnic…in the right season of course!