Russia and Belarus

The Russian Federation is the largest country on Earth, spread across ten timezones and millions of square miles. Russia has always had an air of mystery about it, from the Vikings who explored the Volga and Don rivers, to the days of the Tsars and Napoleon's retreat from Moscow and into the secretive Communist era. Since the fall of Communism, Russia has become a popular destination for tourism, with the epic Trans-Siberian journey being a must, but the great cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg as well as less well-known historical cities are also open to the explorer.

Featured Destinations

MoreMoscow - The Russian capital has transformed itself from the secretive centre of the USSR to one of the world's most exclusive destinations.

MoreSt. Petersburg - The city of St. Petersburg is different to any other in Russia, with its canals and its Western outlook, and some of the most sumptuous palaces to be found anywhere.

The Trans-Siberian RailwayMore
Probably one of the best known railway lines in the world - find out here how to go about making this epic journey. 

In Depth

Our featured destinations are the most popular cities in Russia, but there is plenty more to see and do. Here are some more ideas.

Yekaterinburg - Yekaterinburg, the capital of the Urals, was for many years known as Sverdlovsk and is best known as the place where the Tsar and his family met their fates.

Irkutsk - The "Paris of Siberia" is a popular stop on the Trans-Siberian railway, with its rich architectural heritage paid for by a 19th-century gold rush and its proximity to Lake Baikal.

Belarus - Lying to the west of Russia, you will travel through Belarus if you take the train from Poland into Russia. Maybe not the most popular spot to take a holiday, but there are some hidden treasures here worth going off the beaten track for.