Travel to Russia

Monument Petry Velikomu

Neat to see but even better are the other things you can see in the process. While in this section take a tour of the Red October chocolate factory and stare in wonder at the Church of Christ the Savior. The view from the bridge is amazing!

The Kremlin

The Kremlin is one of those stops in Moscow that is non-negotiable. Certainly, you won't regret it. The gold-domes are more beautiful in reality than any photograph can portray. Each church in the walls is unique and fascinating. There are usually exhibits on Russian history, showing paintings, artifacts. There is an extra fee for cameras so, make sure not to miss this step the guards will demand to see the photo ticket so don't get in any troubles for such a small thing. The Armory inside is also not to be missed. The exhibition on women's dresses is particularly attractive and make every woman imagine how to will be to wear one of those. Kids will love the horses in suits of armor so it is a great place for them too.

Tretyakov museum

Want to spend a good half day in a world class museum? Find your way to the Tretaykov, and wander through the galleries. You can follow Russian History as you progress through the museum. Something for everyone, from busts, to landscapes, to portraits, to statues to icons. Rennaisance to modern. Not a lot of information in English, so either buy a guide book, or the audioguide, although it takes a lot longer to do the museum as you stop and listen to each recitation but it's always worth it.

Sochi

Officially founded in 1898 on the territory won by Russia in the Caucasian War, Sochi from the very beginning served as a resort area. The discovery of the salubrious sulphuretted hydrogen springs throughout the territory of the town contributed greatly to its rapid development as the most popular health resort in Russia. By the beginning of the 20th century several hotel complexes as well as numerous private summerhouses of Russian nobility had been constructed in the town. Several of them have been preserved and considered to be the excellent examples of Russia's Art Nouveau architecture. In the Soviet times and at present Sochi stays one of the most popular summer resorts in Russia. The major attraction of Sochi is its natural beauty. Pristine rivers and streams down the picturesque Caucasus mountains, mixed primeval forests engirdle foothills, boundless golden beaches stretch as far as the eye can see.

Pskov

Pskov is situated in northwestern Russia and has internal borders with the Novgorod, Leningrad, Tver and Smolensk Regions as well as external borders with Belarus, Estonia and Latvia. Founded in the 10th century, this is a city rich in history. During the Middle Ages, Pskov was a main stronghold on Russia's northwestern frontier, a capital of a wealthy principality, and one of the largest cities in Europe. In Pskov trade was thriving, the arts were developing rapidly, and the unassailable fortified city walls protected the town and its citizens from the attacks of those attracted by fabulous treasure. Many of the architectural monuments of medieval Pskov can still be seen today. Historical landmarks include beautifully preserved ancient stone building such as the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral and the 12th century Cathedral of the Spaso-Mirozhsky monastery.

Saratov

Once the capital of the Lower-Volga region, Saratov is now a modern city located in the center of one of the biggest provinces in Russia. Founded in 1590 in the heart of the Volga River Valley. Manufacturing and metal processing as well as agriculture determined its rapid development and by the late 19th century it had been a regional center of industrial and cultural importance. The city boasts a large number of buildings built in provincial modern, pseudo-gothic and Moscow baroque style of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century. Among the landmarks of modern Saratov one of the longest bridges in Europe (4,5 km long) should be mentioned. Saratov offers all the attractions of the megapolis - theaters, Russia's oldest functioning circus, several art galleries and museums, many fine cafes and restaurants, casinos, nightclubs, supermarkets, etc - but at the moderate prices of a small city.

The red square

It is not comun to find a place that has seen so many political changes: the Red Square was a silence witness when the country was beginning to unite under the rule of the prince of Moscow, when Ivan the Terrible instituted his ‘oprichnina’. Its buildings still stood when Russia became an Empire and Moscow lost the status of the capital to St. Petersburg, and when the monarchy fell and when Russia plunged under the rule of the communists and Moscow regained its status. It was also there when the peaceful (relatively) revolution took care of the Soviet Union and Russia began to transform once again. It has seen loads of historical changes, but its main attractions remain the same.

There are still the red-brick walls of the Kremlin, the Lenin mausoleum (now closed to the public, though), the History Museum that has been closed for more than 20 years, the GUM – this shopping paradise of Moscow where you can find stuff by every designer whose items have graced the front pages, and so on. I would not advice you to go shopping there, though, as prices can be twice as high as in the European capitals or in New York., but that is part of Moscow as I know it, too.

The inimitable highlight, though, is the St. Basil’s Cathedral, built during the rule of Ivan the Terrible – it has long been a symbol of Moscow. And many original monuments, destroyed during the communist rule, where rebuilt and restored to their original glory. Beware of one thing, though. The Red Square can be closed and you will not be able to actually walk across it.

Irkutsk

Irkutsk was founded in 1661 on the place of the junction of the Angara and the Irkut Rivers. The Irkut River gave the name to the city.

At the beggining it was just a little wooden town, but then it grow up very fast, and 25 years later Irkutsk was given the status of the city.

Today Irkutsk is one of the largest economical, industrial and cultural centers of Eastern Siberia.

The citizens  believe that Irkutsk means for Siberia as much as Paris for France and London for England. It really has a lot to offer to the tourists like  theaters, architectural and historical monuments that amaze with their beauty.

One of the most charming parts of Irkutsk is the city center with its green boulevards and the ensemble of the central square. Magnificent nature and closeness to the Baikal, the deepest lake in the world, also attract the tourists.

Samara

Samara was officially founded in 1586. During World War II Samara (the city is situated not far from Moscow), then named Kuibyshev, was considered to be the second capital of USSR.
Many famous people worked and lived in Samara including outstanding Russian writers Lev Tolstoy and Maxim Gorky, painters Ilya Repin, Vasily Surikov and Ivan Aivazovsky, revolutionists Michael Frunze and Vladimir Lenin. Even French writer Alexander Duma had paid a visit to Samara in 1858. Impressed by the travel he wrote the book "From Paris to Astrakhan" and gave his description of Samara in it.
Full of historic priceless art works, it's a very cultural city and an interesting one to visit if you are in Russia although is not a very tourism destinated place.

Saint Petersburg

I can say that Saint Petersburg is a very young city compared to old European capitals and, probably, the only city in the world that has acquired so much historic significance in such a short time.
Founded in 1703 as an outlet to the sea, which was very important for Russia's future development from both strategic and economical points of view.
Saint Petersburg was considered to be "a key for paradise" for the Russian Empire, so the city's name is very symbolic: it was called in honor of Saint Peter, who, as we know from the Holy Bible, was a keeper of the keys from the paradise.
Today it's known as one of the most important cultural, scientific and industrial cities in Russia, with several hundred of museums and exhibition halls. Great Russian and foreign artists, poets, writers and composers admired the beauty of Saint Petersburg and commemorated it in their works.