5 Reasons To Visit…Russia

Whether it’s city breaks to St Petersburg or river cruises along the Volga, Russia is a really popular destination for travellers at the moment. The country that will host this year’s football World Cup appeals in many different ways and to many different types of holidaymaker. Here are just a few of the reasons why you might like to visit Russia.

Art Is Everywhere

It’s easy to think of art as just occurring in the form of paintings and sculptures, but it has many different guises. And nowhere is this truer than in Russia. World-renowned museums showcase paintings by some of the biggest names to ever hold a brush, onion-domed buildings stand proudly in iconic squares, stunning Fabergé eggs make your eyes light up and beautiful ballets bring a tear to your eye. In fact, Russia has so much art on display that it even graces Moscow’s historic metro system.

A History Of Tsars And Literary Stars

Russian history has had its ups and downs but this all makes for a fascinating and poignant look back in time. From the days of Ivan the Terrible to the time of Lenin and Stalin (with a little bit of Peter the Great in the middle), not every point in history can be looked upon favourably but all tell the story of a country constantly being shaped by its leaders.

Alongside the Tsars, you can follow in the footsteps of literary stars such as Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky and Chekhov – to name just a few. Across Russia, you can visit the places they were born, their past haunts and areas used as inspiration for their best works.

The Difference Between Night And Day

Northern parts of Russia have the beauty of being bathed in light long into the night during the summer, creating a warm glow and giving you more time for sightseeing. The famous White Nights of St. Petersburg take place over three weeks in the summer when the extended daylight hours play host to a plethora of events and parties.

Conversely, the winter months create an entirely different picture. As darkness descends and the snow starts to fall, everything is transformed into a scene from a fairytale. In fact, some people say you haven’t experienced the real Russia until you have visited during the winter months.

Trans-Siberian Railway

If you are looking for more than just a city break, the Trans-Siberian Railway will offer a real adventure. One of the most talked about train journeys in the world can take you all the way from Moscow or St. Petersburg to Vladivostok on the east coast or even into China. It’s a very affordable way to see Russia, giving you the chance to stop off in more remote destinations to explore and stretch your legs.

Authentic Experiences

When you visit any country, searching out some of the things locals like to do is a great way to learn about the culture. In Russia, there are many authentic local activities that you can get involved in if you like. Vodka tasting is somewhere many people like to start, and why not? There are hundreds of different types to try and this national drink is thought to form 70% of the all the alcohol drunk across the country. Other local customs in which you can indulge include banya (sauna), throat singing near the Mongolian border, tea drinking, matryoshka doll painting and staying in a traditional Russian summer home known as a ‘dacha’.

Those are just some of the reasons to visit Russia – a country that offers a vastly different experience depending on which part you visit. The team at TravelQuest can help you book anything from a city break to a river cruise or rail holiday, so call us on 0800 021 3237 today.