Officially known as the Russian Federation, this country may
not seem like the best place in the world for a vacation or
getaway, but for many people it has everything they want and
more. It is the world's largest country, spanning parts of
Europe and Asia alike. Not all areas of the country are
habitable, but there is quite a bit of diversity around the
country, depending where you go. The country is so large it
spans 11 different time zones! As you might imagine, in such a
big country there is a lot to do and see. We're going to take a
quick look at some of the more popular destinations in Russia.
Places to See in Russia
Moscow - The capital of
Russia is one of the largest, most grand cities in the entire
world. If it's your first trip to the country or you haven't
been here yet, you're going to want to make a special trip and
spend some days exploring this city. You could actually spend
weeks without seeing everything the city has to offer.
Saint Petersburg - This is
the cultural center of Russia and a wonderful city to visit if
you ever get the chance. The Hermitage - one of the best
museums in the world - is located here. This city is visited
by people all over the world and is probably a top 10
destination for many people.
Sochi - Not many people
outside of Russia know about this Black Sea Resort area, but
that may change with the 2014 Winter Olympics being set to
take place here. It might be a good time to travel here before
that time to see what it's like before the Olympics.
Kizhi - If you're a fan of
architecture - especially wood churches - you're going to want
to visit this Island on Lake Onega.
Travel to Russia
Although it has changed dramatically since the fall of
Communism, travel into and out of Russia can still be a bit
tricky. That said, Russia is coming around to the idea of
tourism and how much money it can bring. Because of this, it is
becoming easier and easier for Westerners to travel to Russia
without having to worry about being followed around or
investigated too closely. That said, Russia is still perhaps a
little more strict than most Western countries. Because of this,
it's important to follow all the local laws and regulations so
that you don't get into trouble.
Things to Do in Russia
As you might imagine in such a large country, there are a
wide variety of activities available. From the more nature
filled ones like hunting, fishing and hiking to the more
intellectual ones like visiting museums and checking out the
architecture, there's quite a bit to do in Russia. While it may
have a bleak, dark image built-up because of its past history,
Russia in the 21st century is a different place. Although
Russian is the official language, more and more businesses are
turning to using English, making it a requirement for their
workers. This itself shows how far the country has come over the
last few decades.
There's actually a lot of great shopping opportunities in Russia
as well. It doesn't matter if you're after more traditional
items - like the round dolls that stack inside each other - or
more modern items, Russia is becoming known as a place that
shoppers from around the world come to for certain things. As
for currency, all transactions in Russia must be in rubles, the
official currency. This won't be a problem as long as you
convert when you first get there.
As for eating and drinking, there are many options here as well,
depending on what you're into. Prices are generally pretty
reasonable, just be sure you don't fall into any tourist traps
and end up paying more than something's worth. For the most
part, the people of Russia love to see outsiders come and enjoy
their country. This will vary from area to area, but most people
realize that tourism is going to play a large role into
rebuilding Russia into the mighty world power it once was.
