Tailor Made Holidays in Russia: Highlights

Discover the treasures of the Hermitage in St Petersburg

One of the world's premier galleries, the Hermitage is a must-see for any visitor to St Petersburg. Home to the royal family until the revolution, the building itself is known as the Winter Palace, and was a masterpeice of the architect Rastrelli. With many famous Impressionist paintings, old Dutch masters and a whole range of other periods, the Hermitage has something for everyone.

Read more about: St Petersburg
 
Feast your eyes in the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

Founded by one of the Tretyakov brothers – two of Moscow’s richest merchants in the 1850’s - the Tretyakov Gallery offers Russia’s finest collection of Russian art. With more than 130,000 paintings, sculptures and graphics, the exhibits include all trends in Russian art - from a priceless collection of Russian icons to Soviet Realism to avant garde pieces. This is one of the world’s best museums and is definitely not to be missed.

Read more about: Moscow
 
Follow in the footsteps of Tsars, Dictators and Presidents in the Kremlin in Moscow

Dating back to the 12th century, the Kremlin is an imposing self-contained fortress city that was and still is the seat of Russian power. It has been the central stage for shaping Russia’s history since the early days of the Russian state, and currently President Putin’s office windows face the internal courtyard. It is well worth a visit to discover the treasures it contains, with the architectural ensemble comprising works of the best Russian as well as foreign artists: 15th century cathedrals (the coronation, wedding and burial place of Russian rulers), the Bell Tower and the Armoury, which contains a magnificent collection from the Tsarist era, including priceless Faberge eggs.

Read more about: Moscow
 
Learn about the Mystery of the Amber Room in St Petersburg

Visiting the Amber Room at the Catherine’s Palace near St Petersburg, gives you a chance to experience one of Russia’s great unsolved mysteries. The amber was presented to Peter the Great by the Dutch and later turned into the magnificent Amber Room by his daughter Elisabeth. During Hitler’s occupation the collection was stolen and has been missing ever since. In celebration of St Petersburg’s 300th anniversary the Amber Room was painstakingly restored by a group of Russian artists (financed by the German government), while the hunt for the originals is still ongoing.

Read more about: St Petersburg
 
Enjoy musical St Petersburg

The home of the acclaimed Kirov Ballet Company and the birthplace of many of Russia’s most famous composers including Stravinsky and Rimsky-Korsakov, St Petersburg is renowned for its musical heritage and offers a wealth of exciting experiences for music lovers. Visit the city’s Museum of Theatre and Music, located in the imperial Sheremetyev Palace which once hosted some of the city’s most sumptuous private concerts or take the opportunity to pay your respects at the graves of some of the world’s most notable composers. In the evening take the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of a performance at one of the city’s many theatres and concert halls which regularly play host to a variety of Russia’s most famous stars of ballet and opera.

Read more about: St Petersburg
 
Experience 24 hour daylight at the White Nights in St Petersburg

The White Nights in St Petersburg (from late May to early July) are a strange natural phenomenon, caused by the city’s geographical position. Although they happen in other northerly European cities, the White Nights of St. Petersburg are a truly unique experience. When the sun barely sets at night, sleeping is practically out of the question, but there is much to do. With balmy weather, a lively and friendly atmosphere in the city and lots of cafes and bars along the canals to choose from, this is definitely the best time to visit this amazing city. The city also hosts a world famous ballet festival at this time of year, the Stars of the White Nights.

Read more about: St Petersburg
 
Experience a different side of Russia in Novgorod

We highly recommend a visit to Novgorod for a taste of 'real' Russia and its more laid back atmosphere. It is one of Russia’s oldest cities and home to yet another one of Russia’s impressive fortress cities - the Kremlin of Novgorod - with well preserved walls and beautiful towers located on picturesque hills along the river. Once inside the Kremlin, there is a variety of architectural gems to see, including the oldest Russian bell and clock towers and the beautiful St Sophia’s cathedral – probably one of Russia’s oldest buildings with frescos dating back to the 12th century. After sightseeing enjoy a traditional Russian dinner at Detinets restaurant, located inside one of the Kremlin’s towers.

Read more about: Novgorod
 
Experience Buryat Culture in Ulan Ude

The capital of the Buryat Republic, Ulan Ude is a fascinating place to visit and represents a diverse mix of peoples and cultures. Undoubtedly one of the highlights of a visit to the city is a chance to visit one of the numerous Buddhist datsans which have sprung up in and around the city since the fall of Communism in the 1990’s. The oldest (completed in 1946), Ivolginsk Datsan, now acts as the centre of Russian Buddhism and boasts a wide ranging collection of Buddhist artefacts and takes in a significant number of new novices every year. In addition the Datsan is proud of its affiliation with Tibetan Buddhism and has hosted visits from the Dali Lama on numerous occasions.

Read more about: Ulan Ude
 
Experience one of Kamchatka’s mighty volcanoes

To witness a volcano bubble away is to take a trip back through time, to the earth’s beginnings. Kamchatka has nearly 200 active volcanoes, with some being more active than others; some also have year round ice and snow on top to make for even more dramatic and contrasting vistas. For those who want just a flying visit, it is also possible (depending on the conditions) to take a helicopter and land near the top of one of the volcanoes.

Read more about: Kamchatka
 
Experience Russian Rural life on Lake Baikal

A world away from dynamic Moscow and the cultural refinements of St Petersburg, rural life on the shores of Lake Baikal has continued on unchanged for centuries. Indeed many generations of Russians continue to live in the small wooden houses (dachas) of their forbears for at least part of the year, (and some stay all year round despite temperatures of -30 and below), enjoying the simple pleasures that the Siberian countryside has to offer. Visitors to the area can enjoy a day trip to the small settlement of Bolshie Koty, enjoy lunch with a Russian family in their traditional wooden home and take relaxing walks around the local area including a visit to Irkutsk University’s small but interesting marine museum.

Read more about: Lake Baikal
 
Explore revolutionary Moscow & St Petersburg

One of the most fascinating aspects of a visit to Moscow and St Petersburg is the opportunity to trace the story of Russia’s transition from grand imperial power to mighty Soviet state. Follow the path of revolutionary Russia from the splendour of the lavish royal parks and palaces in St Petersburg to the power and might of the Kremlin in Moscow exploring some of the country’s most fascinating museums and historical sights along the way.

Read more about: St Petersburg
 
Explore St Petersburg by boat

In the summer and early Autumn months there is no better way to explore St Petersburg than by whiling away an afternoon travelling down its canals and waterways by boat. With sunlight glinting on golden spires, lighting up the blue and yellow facades of some of the city’s most magnificent buildings, a trip on the waterways of St Petersburg really does display Russia’s imperial capital at its architectural best.

Read more about: St Petersburg
 
Follow the trail of the Romanovs to Ekaterinburg

As the city in which the ill-fated Romanov family met their untimely end, Ekaterinburg certainly is a must for those travelling in search of imperial Russia. Although the fate of the country’s most famous royal family was kept secret for decades, the city now proudly remembers the last of the Romanovs in a series of memorials which serve as a monument to a family who have been recently canonised by the Russian Orthodox Church. The most spectacular of these is the enormous Annunciation Cathedral, erected on the spot where the family were held in exile and later cruelly shot. Visitors can also take an excursion out to the peaceful Ganina Yama, a monastery consisting of seven traditional wooden churches (one for each of those who died), located on the site where the family were buried.

Read more about: Ekaterinberg
 
Sample Russian cuisine

Although not normally known for its culinary masterpieces, no trip to Russia is complete without sampling traditional Russian cuisine. Relax with a glass of champagne or a shot of vodka in one of Moscow or St Petersburg’s plush caviar bars or simply visit a local café or restaurant and ask for traditional Russian blini (pancakes) served with sour cream or jam.

Read more about: Moscow
 
See Lake Baikal

'The pearl of Siberia', Lake Baikal contains a fifth of the world's fresh water and is the deepest freshwater lake in the world. A remarkably unspoilt ecosystem, the lake has abundant opportunities for hiking and getting away from it in small villages that surround the lake. It is possible to visit the lake as part of a trans-siberian journey, though there are regular flights via both Moscow and St Petersburg.

Read more about: Lake Baikal
 
See one of the largest concentrations of brown bears in the world at Kurilskoe Lake

In August and September, millions of salmon pass through Lake Kurilskoe to spawn in nearby streams. This attracts multitudes of brown bears, untroubled by humans in this remote part of the peninsula – so remote that the only way to access it is by helicopter. Sightings of bears feeding on the salmon in this picturesque area is almost guaranteed, and it is possible to see them from close quarters. Trained guides armed with shotguns accompany you to ensure your safety.

Read more about: Kamchatka
 
Marvel at St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow

You will not forget your first glimpse of St Basil's Cathedral, glittering at the end of Red Square. Legend has it that after its completition, Ivan the Terrible blinded the architect so that he couldn't create anything as beautiful again. With its multi-coloured domes and exotic shape, you know instantly which country you are in.

Read more about: Moscow
 
Stay in a working convent in Suzdal

Suzdal, one of the famous Golden Ring towns, along with nearby Vladimir was once the capital of Russia, and both towns pre-date Moscow. Suzdal's Kremlin in particular is very picturesque, but the whole town is well preserved and contains remarkably little Soviet-style architecture. The Pokrov Convent is a working convent that has a number of pretty little Russian-style wooden cottages in its grounds where visitors can stay and soak up the tranquil atmosphere. After the hustle and bustle of Moscow, it can be a welcome relief to stay here.

Read more about: Suzdal & Vladimir
 
Take a stroll on Red Square, Moscow

Nothing can prepare you for the splendour of Red Square – one of the most spectacular architectural ensembles in the world. The beauty and the grandeur of it will literally take your breath away, and explains why it is called 'Krassnaya' (meaning 'beautiful') in Russian. Originally built as a market square, it has now come to be a symbol of Russia, with major sights like the Kremlin and St. Basil’s Cathedral, as well as Lenin’s mausoleum. A walk along the Kremlin wall where many of the former Soviet leaders are buried will give you a true sense of history.

Read more about: Moscow
 
Take a train journey

'When the trains stop running, that is the end' - so said Lenin during the Russian civil war. Russia is criss-crossed by an extensive network of trains, and taking a journey on one is a quintessential Russian experience. Whether taking an overnight train from Moscow to St Petersburg, or taking the longest continuous railroad in the world, the Trans-Siberian, taking a train in Russia is certainly very different from a British train!

 
The Bolshoi in Moscow

One of the premier attractions for any visitor to Russia’s bustling capital, Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre has, for centuries, played host to the country’s most notable stars of ballet and opera.

Read more about: Moscow
 
Visit one of St Petersburg's summer palaces

Surrounding the old capital of St Petersburg are a dozen or so summer residences, built for the royal family to escape the heat of the city. Some are in a better state of repair than others, but Peterhof and Pushkin are particularly well preserved, and give some idea of just how rich and powerful the tsars were.

Read more about: St Petersburg
 
Visit Port Baikal & ride the Circumbaikal Railway

Between 1900 and 1904 those travelling on the Trans-Siberian railway from Irkutsk would have passed through Port Baikal, traversing the lake via the picturesque Circumbaikal Railway line. Requiring so many impressive tunnels and bridges that the line earned the nickname ‘The Tsars Jewelled Buckle’ the line fell into disuse in the 1950’s and a new line (todays Trans-Sib) was laid. Today travellers to the area can enjoy a day’s picturesque ride along the line from Port Baikal to Slyudyanka. A must for real train enthusiasts!

Read more about: Irkutsk
 
Visit the Even reindeer herders and experience their nomadic lifestyle

The livelihood of the indigenous Even reindeer herders is their enormous herds of reindeer – up to 1000 strong. In summer the herders move their charges from pasture to pasture, camping out in traditional shelters made from reindeer skins. Flying out by helicopter to spend a day or two with them is a memorable experience. You may see the herders lassoing some of the herd to trim their antlers – if the antlers get too long the reindeers get entangled with one another. Sometimes visitors may see the slaughter of one of the herd for the evening meal. Regardless of what you witness, it will be memorable – the herders lifestyle is totally different to that of our own, and to a large extent they live as their forefathers lived, untroubled by modern technologies.

Read more about: Kamchatka
 
Visit the Paris of Siberia

The gateway to Lake Baikal and once the springboard into the wilds of the far north and east, Irkutsk has a fascinating history which makes it an essential stop off point along the Trans-Siberian route. A mixture of the old and the new, from the brightly coloured 19th century wooden houses which offer a glimpse into the city’s imperial past to the vast concrete administrative buildings of the Soviet Era a visit to Irkutsk is a must for travellers enroute to Lake Baikal.

Read more about: Irkutsk
 
Visit the Solovetski Islands

It is well worth visiting the isolated Solovetski Islands, situated on the shores of Russia’s White Sea, with their fascinating history, haunting natural beauty and remarkable spiritual aura. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, the islands were home to one of the most powerful monasteries in the Russian empire and a notorious Soviet prison camp. The islands are rarely visited by foreign tourists and as such offer a perfect opportunity to explore rural Russia at its stunning best as well as to discover the fascinating history of an area inhabited since ancient times.

Read more about: Solovetski Islands
 
Walk in the footsteps of Dostoevsky's Raskolnikov

As the scene of one of literature’s most notorious murders, St Petersburg’s atmospheric Haymarket district offers the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Dostoevsky’s Raskolnikov as well as to visit the some of the places which provided the inspiration for the characters and settings he later immortalised in his work.

Read more about: St Petersburg
 
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