Russia evokes so much mystery that the opinions and advice given to travellers by the Evaneos Travel community are even more relevant. Faced with the sheer size of the country, it's difficult to manage to decide a route for a few weeks. You'd need months to have a good look at all of the different federations, from Magadan Oblast to the Republic of Karelia. So to help you a little, here's a selection of places to visit.
Of course, the capital Moscow, the hub of all travel in the country, will attract your attention due to its famous basilicas and cathedrals, not forgetting the Red Square, the Kremlin and the subterranean life of metros and passages.
Before choosing the slow Trans-Siberian railway, the high speed train (the Sapsan) will take you from the capital to St Petersburg in less than 4 hours. From there, the big cultural classics in the Venice of the North are available for you to see. Amongst 70 museums, there is for example the Hermitage Museum and the Russian Museum. A long walk will take you along the banks of the Neva River, the Palace Square, the Summer Gardens and the Nevski Prospect.
If you're looking to be completely immersed in Russian culture, don't hesitate to go across to Yekaterinburg, the 4th biggest city in the country. Its location in the Urals makes the city the crossroads between Europe and Asia, especially when on board the Trans-Siberian railway.
To continue, the next step is to go up to Lake Baïkal which will attract you after having spent some days on Olkhon Island. The steppes, the amazing view over the lake from the peaks, the wild horses roaming free and the Buryat people will welcome you in a mythical atmosphere. To put the finishing touches to your trip and to increase your fascination of Russia, go along to the Barguzin Valley which is still not very popular with visitors but which contains many geological curiosities due to not being very populated.
That's it! Now the Russian virus has taken hold of you!
