RUSSIA (Europe)

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This is a land of snow and deadly winters, but also of rivers that meander across meadows and a midsummer sun that never sets. Its people, in the words of a Russian proverb, 'love to suffer', yet they also love to party and can be disarmingly generous and hospitable.

As Russia moves forward into the 21st century, it leaves behind a turbulent history of tyranny and a crippled economy: from Ivan the Terrible to Peter the Great, from the fall of the tsars to the dictatorship of the Soviet government. Today it is a nation embracing its newfound freedom and future potential, whilst enjoying a renewal of the rich cultural heritage of its past.

Despite the visible effects of hardship and economic disparity, and its previous isolation from the rest of the world, travellers will encounter a country of enormous diversity and vitality, with cultural treasures and historical monuments, great imperial cities and glittering cathedrals. Visitors will experience the enchantment of Tchaikovsky, the Kirov and Bolshoi Ballet, and marvel at priceless Russian icons and the unique style of decorative onion-domed architecture.

Most westerners associate Russia with the great imperial centres of Moscow and St Petersburg, and although these two cities, the capital and the beautiful 'Venice of the North' are a must-see, they are a mere scratching on the surface of this vast and varied land. Straddling two continents and 11 time zones, the Russian Federation is the largest country on earth, nearly twice the size of the United States of America. Within this impressive expanse lie natural wonders such as Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world, and beautiful mountains, rivers and forests abounding with wildlife as well as timeless traditional villages scattered across the Siberian landscape.

Visitors taking the opportunity to explore Russia will not be disappointed: its impressive museums, overwhelming sense of history, culture and unspoilt wilderness will leave one with a desire to see more.

This vast and diverse country, occupying the top chunk of a continent all the way from Poland to Japan - and a big chunk of world history too - demands travel attention.
The architecture is both glorious and hideous, the history is monstrous, the art is sensational and the people can be touchingly friendly .
Absurd Fabergé eggs? Extraordinary onion domes? Caviar crepe? Yes, please.
A hard day's White Night in St Petersburg? Slamming vodka with your taxi driver? Da!
Big , brutal, beautiful and intriguing, Russia is an enigma that's got to be sampled by any serious traveller

- Accommodation is hardly cheap if comfort is an issue, though plenty of budget options are available.
- Hygiene can be a problem.
- Officials are often unpleasantly boorish .
- Crime and corruption in the cities requires an ever-open eye .
- Despite the size of the country, internal flights are unreliable and Russian airlines have the world's worst safety record.