10 Days Highlights of Russia

About the destination: Moscow, the political, historical and economic capital of Russia, displays the country's most extreme contrasts. The old and the modern come together perfectly in this city of 10 million people. The Russian capital is today a dazzling metropolis whose sheer grandeur never fails to amaze. Take the metro from one of the ornate stations to get close to the city’s main attractions that are a symbol of the great and terrible past of the city. The remains of the Soviet state are scattered all around the city. Monuments remember fallen heroes and victorious battles, while museums attempt to analyse and synthesise the past. See Lenin and Stalin – off their pedestals – at the whimsical Art Muzeon. Step into the Socialist Realist fantasy at VDNKh. Descend into the depths of the Soviet system at Bunker-42 Cold War Museum. And remember the millions who suffered at the Gulag History Museum. Nowadays, many fun or clever retro clubs and cafes give their guests a taste of the Soviet experience. The very founding site of the city (and arguably, the country), the Kremlin and Red Square are still at the heart of Moscow – historically, geographically and spiritually. Among the city’s most recognisable sights are the almost cartoon-like onion domes of St Basil’s Cathedral that tower above Red Square, UNESCO gems that were built between the 14th and 17th centuries. Modern-day Moscow defies its grey Soviet past and has developed a hedonistic atmosphere and the sense that great things are once again happening here. Shopping for designer labels at frighteningly expensive boutiques has become a national sport, but Moscow is regarded as one of the world’s most culturally sophisticated capitals, with world-class institutions like the Bolshoi Theatre, the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts. The city is also proud of its great writers, playwrights, composers, choreographers, and film-makers. Glitzy, historical and screaming hedonism, Moscow is truly beguiling.

About the destination: Inextricably linked to the major events of Soviet Union, St. Petersburg cannot escape its imperial past. Physically, at least, St. Petersburg has been the city of the tsars since Peter the Great founded the city in a swamp and moved the capital here from Moscow in 1712 to provide greater contact with the West. Many of the major baroque and neoclassical buildings and well-designed streets and landscaped parks are the work of imperial French and Italian architects. St. Petersburg, Russia’s second largest city, is often called Russia’s Western Gate, and the City of White Nights. For a splendid overview of the city, climb the dome of St. Isaac’s Cathedral on Isaakievskaya square, a massive example of 19th century civic-religious architecture; its dome is covered in pure gold. Nearby, on Senate Square overlooking the Neva, is Falconet’s Monument to Peter the Great. Peter and Paul Fortress was founded by Peter the Great and was erected in just one year between 1703 and 1704 during the Great Northern War against Sweden. The fortress was never used to defend the city but it was used as a political prison under the Tsar. Inside the fortress is the main attraction for visitors: the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul containing the tombs of Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, Nicholas II and other tsars. Nevsky Prospect is St. Petersburg’s main avenue and one of the best-known streets in Russia. The buildings along Nevsky Prospekt are a treasure house for art-nouveau-fans. Nevsky Prospect is also the city’s central shopping street and the hub of the city’s entertainment and nightlife. Even if the rest of the city were non-existent, the Hermitage alone would merit a week-long visit to St. Petersburg. Located in the magnificent, luxurious Winter Place, former residence of the tsars, this collection of art unquestionably ranks among the world’s finest. But before you immerse yourself in the art, take in the main halls where the tsar reigned and entertained, especially the awesome Malachite Hall, where the provisional Government held its last meeting before the revolution exploded around it. Cool and aristocratic St. Petersburg is a magnificent city with beautiful architecture everywhere. Often described as the Venice of the North, St Petersburg is a city defined by water. Whether you’re cruising the elegant canals, crossing one of the 342 bridges in the city, or just watching them being raised over the mighty Neva River at night to allow ships to pass through, you’re never far from water in St Petersburg.

About the destination: Kazan is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Tatarstan, on the Volga river. It is called the 3rd capital of Russia. The Kazan Kremlin is a World Heritage Site. Kazan has just recently earned the reputation of a sports city, due to its recent investments in this domain. Kazan organized the World Summer Universiade 2013, and will be a host city for FINA World Aquatics Sports Championship in 2015 and for FIFA World Cup in 2018 in Russia. This city is home to Orthodox and Catholic Christians, Muslims, Protestants, Jews and other smaller religions. Coming to Kazan is a unique chance to enjoy remarkable nature, to get unforgettable impressions of viewing historical and cultural sites such as the Kazan Kremlin, the Kazan trading quarter, the Kazan State University, the Old Tatar cemetery, to get in touch with ancient history living today (Saint Peter and Saint Paul Cathedral, "The Virgin Monastery of Raifa", "The Sacred sites of Bulgaria on the Volga river", "The Kyrlai village"), both imprinted in architectural forms and persistently following you during the trip.

About the destination: Yekaterinburg is an important industrial and cultural center and the 4th largest city in Russia. It is official capital of Urals region of Russia. Ekaterinburg is famous for its unique location – Europe and Asia border. In the Ekaterinburg downtown tourists can observe the place where Romanovs were imprisoned and murdered, now there raises Cathedral on the Blood. Pilgrims from all sides of the world come here to pray. In the center city, there is the Historical Square and the heart of the city - the Dam or Plotinka on the Iset River, a place where Ekaterinburg started its story. Another famous place and a must for visitors is Ganya Pit. On the one side it is unique architectural monument, which presents 7 wooden churches built without single nail. On the other side, this place has sorrowful story connected with last Russian tsar Romanov (Nikolai 2) and his family, whose bodies were burnt and buried here.