Russia, the largest country in the world with an area of 17 million square kilometers is located in the North of Eurasia covering 11 time zones. Russia is a cold country. It’s true that in some northern cities of Russia like Yakutsk those who own cars have to park their cars in the heated garages with a blanket wrapped around the battery and when they drive they keep the engine running all day. Winston Churchill once said; “Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma”. Russia is steeped in history everywhere a traveler goes, from vicious battles to great classical music and literature.
Yekaterinburg has been the setting of numerous important events in Russian history. It is here that the Romanovs were executed and Boris Yeltsin came into power. Lying next to the Ural Mountains, the city was once the object of a gem rush, as miners poured into Yekaterinburg hoping to make their fortune. Nowadays, it has lots of historical and cultural sites for visitors to enjoy. With a growing economy, many bars and cafes are springing up and there is a fantastic gastronomic scene.
Situated on the Black Sea; Sochi is a great winter sports destination and in fact, it hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics. Despite winter snow, Sochi offers a subtropical climate and great beaches, making it a key part of Russian Riviera. The resort city makes a great summer and winter getaway for Russians. Strolling along the pedestrian-only sea embankment is a pleasant experience. From here you can go hiking to Agura Valley or head to nearby ski resorts in the mountains – where the Olympics took place.
One of the most beautiful places to visit in Russia is Lake Baikal. It’s the deepest and the oldest lake on Earth. Lake Baikal holds around 20% of the world’s fresh water and is considered one of the cleanest lakes in the world.
Other important places to visit in Russia include ancient city and former capital of Russia Veliky Novgorod that lies on the bank of Volkhov River. Most of the fantastic monasteries and monuments are still intact. Another famous tourist destination is the stunning and gorgeous city named Vladivostok. It’s the country’s largest port with some lovely architecture and Soviet-era buildings. Its fantastic restaurant scene is perfectly complemented by trendy cocktail bars and pumping nightlife.