It is the largest nation in the world. Russia, which borders Europe and Asia, the Pacific Ocean and the Arctic Ocean, is 10,000 km long. Its landscapes range from tundra to subtropical beaches, from birch forests in taiga, from the Urals mountains to the steppes of Central Asia and to the highest mountains near China, which reach their peak of communism (7,495 m) and their peak Lenin (7,134 m). This country is so dizzy! And to soak up its variety, to cross the dachas and bulbous bell towers, the statues of socialist realism and other vestiges of communism, the best thing is still to travel from one end to the other with the Trans-Siberian Railway, Samovar within reach of a cup. We will necessarily stop over in its two jewels. St. Petersburg, on the one hand, the ancient capital, the sumptuous city of Peter, founded by the Russian Emperor Peter the Great, with its famous Baroque winter palace which now houses part of the Hermitage Museum's collections. Moscow, on the other hand, the capital, with its red square and its Bolshoi ballets, one of Russia's cultural symbols. Among the must-see attractions (but you won't see everything in one trip): the Golden Ring and its churches, Lake Baikal, Vladivostok, Kamchatka, a paradise for wild hikes, Karelia... And when you have eaten several versions of borscht, drank vodka and enjoyed Russian caviar, you will still have to find the Russian chapkas and dolls that you will bring back as souvenirs.
No, Russia is not covered with snow all year round and contrary to popular belief, you can enjoy this destination all year round. The Russian winter is splendid, immaculate white. February and March are the best months, as the nights are shorter and the snow still holds everywhere. With the right equipment, and as long as you don't go too far in this season, negative temperatures are not a real challenge. In summer, temperatures can become very hot, especially in the city, so it is the best time to enjoy the mountains and lakes. Summer can be very hot and humid, even in Siberia. A small part of the Black Sea coast near Sochi has a subtropical climate and temperatures in the North Caucasus plains are regularly recorded at around 40°C in summer. Russia is therefore the country of contrasts: with the record lows of -68°C recorded in Oïmiakon and Verkhoïansk in Yakutia, the temperature range is extremely high. Obviously, with such a large territory, it is difficult to give precise dates, the seasons come with different intensities depending on the region. To visit Moscow, the Golden Ring and the Volga, the most suitable period is from June to September. But can we really have seen Central Russia and its churches without its coat blanc ? For St. Petersburg and the North, prefer the period between May and September, with particular interest if you come between June and mid-July for the famous all-nighters. But here again, the heart of winter has something magical about it. For the Black Sea coast and the South, the period from mid-July to the end of August is characterized by a peak in the number of local tourists. Two periods are essentially to be avoided: snowmelt (around mid-April, early May), and the period from mid-October to early December
Russia enjoys a continental climate. To the west of the Urals, long and cold winters, long and hot summers. In Siberia, very cold winters, short summers. There are only two major seasons: winter and summer. The coldest month is January (February on the coast): temperatures drop from south to north and from west to east: on average -8°C in St Petersburg, -27°C in Western Siberia, -43°C in Eastern Siberia. July is the hottest month: 20°C on average in Russia
The currency is the ruble (RUB), subdivided into 100 kopecks. You can change your euros on site or use your credit card for withdrawals at the counter. Russia is vast, living standards differ from one region to another. Moscow and St. Petersburg, which are reputed to be expensive, the regional capitals and tourist centres (including the Black Sea coast), which are affordable, and other cities that are even more affordable must be distinguished. It is the most expensive hosting
EU nationals wishing to stay in Russia must first obtain a visa (one month maximum for a tourist visa). You need an invitation if you are travelling individually, if you are going on an organized trip, your tour operator will take care of everything. The passport used must still be valid at least six months after the date of exit from the country.
No specific risks for stays in large cities. However, be up to date with your vaccinations, preferably drink mineral water and be careful what you eat. In Russian and particularly Siberian forests you can be in contact with arbovirus-carrying ticks (tick-borne encephalitis), protect yourself and check carefully when you return from your hike that you have not brought back any unwanted guests. Vaccination may be recommended. Nile fever transmitted by mosquitoes in wet and swampy areas can affect parts of Russia (Volgograd, Rostov on the Don and Voronezh) where you will need to protect yourself from bites. Avoid swimming in lakes and ponds due to the risk of leptospirosis (Novosibirsk and Ekaterinburg regions). Some cases of indigenous malaria are described
Organized trips to Russia are a good option. They generally take place over three weeks, which still allows you to discover several regions efficiently as long as everything is organized and you will not waste your time looking for your route or your accommodation. Another advantage: you do not have to worry about your visa.
Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destinationNot mastering the Russian language is no longer a problem on the spot, except perhaps in the countryside, because the practice of English is growing more and more. You will easily find air-only flights to St. Petersburg or Moscow, you can book your hotels in the city from home. On site, according to the itinerary you have planned, you can always connect one point to another by bus or train.
Domestic flights are efficient but expensive. Take the buses and marshroutkas from the bus station, which criss-cross the country at unbeatable prices. But it is the train that will take you to the measure of the country, samovar within reach of a cup, with or without a berth. A high-speed train links Moscow and St. Petersburg in 5 hours. Cruise ships use rivers. In Moscow, boats sail the Moskova River at a low price. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, take taxis instead of buses
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Suggested by Petit Futé
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Suggested by Petit Futé
9 days
No, Russia is not covered with snow all year round and contrary to popular belief, you can enjoy this destination all...
Read more about it
Russia enjoys a continental climate. To the west of the Urals, long and cold winters, long and hot summers. In Siberi...
Read more about it
The currency is the ruble (RUB), subdivided into 100 kopecks. You can change your euros on site or use your credit ca...
Read more about it
EU nationals wishing to stay in Russia must first obtain a visa (one month maximum for a tourist visa). You need an i...
Read more about it
No specific risks for stays in large cities. However, be up to date with your vaccinations, preferably drink mineral...
Read more about it
Not mastering the Russian language is no longer a problem on the spot, except perhaps in the countryside, because the...
Read more about it
Organized trips to Russia are a good option. They generally take place over three weeks, which still allows you to di...
Read more about it
Domestic flights are efficient but expensive. Take the buses and marshroutkas from the bus station, which criss-cross...
Read more about it
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