| It comes as no surprise that Russia, a country | | | | unknown destination but that will change drastically |
| considered to be the largest in the world and beating | | | | after the Olympics.o Volgograd - once known as |
| its closest rival by a huge margin, is a mystery to most | | | | Stalingrad, it is the sight of the final deciding battle of |
| people. With an area spreading over 10.5 million square | | | | World War II. A huge war memorial is erected here to |
| miles, the most people know is what they have studied | | | | commemorate those that lost their lives.o Lake Baikal - |
| in textbooks; the Tsars and their bloody rule, Mongolian | | | | or as is affectionately called the "pearl of Siberia" it is |
| invasions and the horrifying tales of their looting and | | | | arguably the world's deepest and biggest lake. 25-30 |
| Marxists lead revolutions. This is a very narrow view | | | | million years old and home to 2500 animal species it is |
| of a country that by sheer mass of its border qualifies | | | | the perfect destination for those who enjoy nature |
| as one of the most versatile destinations in the world. | | | | and crave it.o Trans-Siberian Railway - seen by some |
| However, before embarking on your adventure across | | | | as the longest train track in the world, a tour aboard |
| Russia, remember to look for the best bargains in | | | | the train means going all around Asia as well as a |
| airfare as there are quite a few available options. | | | | good part of Europe. |
| Some of the places to visit in Russia are:o Moscow- | | | | Several of the travel restrictions imposed specially |
| Russia's gigantic capital. It has numerous tourist | | | | during the Cold war were lifted in the 1990s making it |
| attractions for those that crave for a bit of | | | | possible to get a true flavor of the picturesque country. |
| adventure.o Irkutsk - this popular Siberian city is located | | | | The Siberian town of Ulan Ude is a must see. The |
| at a distance of merely an hour of the breathtaking | | | | restored Tibetan Buddhist Monastery is located here. |
| Lake Baikal on the Trans-Siberian Railway.o Kazan - | | | | Traveling to Russia is quite easy. With over 70 |
| for those traveling after a bit of research on Russian | | | | international airports, getting a flight that matches your |
| history, this capital of Tatar culture offers immense | | | | schedule is no problem. Due to the competition |
| attraction and is in the very center of the Volga | | | | between airlines, cheap airfare is easily available. Daily |
| Region.o Saint Petersburg - the city boasts of | | | | flights are available to Moscow and St. Petersburg |
| containing one of the world's best museums, the | | | | from all over Europe as well as North America and |
| Hermitage. This historical city is also home to a unique | | | | the U.A.E. |
| open air museum, its city center. All this makes St. | | | | There has been a new trend in the behaviour and |
| Petersburg a popular choice amongst tourists.o Sochi - | | | | approach of modern Russia towards foreign tourism. |
| hosts to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, this is | | | | Once hostile to the curious visitors, it now accepts |
| Russia's favorite Black Sea beach resort. It is a virtually | | | | them with open arms. |