RUSSIA TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Guided walking tour of St. Petersberg
- Take a high-speed Sapsan train
- Expert local guides of famous attractions & sightseeing
- Visit the center of Russian power at the Kremlin
- Spend the day at the Red Square, where most of the popular attractions are
- Enter the Mausoleum of the late ruler, Lenin
- Shop until you drop at the GUM, Russia’s largest indoor shopping mall
- Snap a photo of Russia’s most recognizable building, St Basil’s Cathedral
RUSSIA VACATION TIPS
- Start working on your visa early – at least 2-3 months – before your trip
- Most businesses will take credit cards so you won’t have to worry about carrying large amounts of cash on you
- Many older Russians will not be able to speak English, so it’s a good idea to learn as many basic phrases in Russian as you can
- Learning the local alphabet would be helpful as well, to help read street signs and metro signs if taking public transportation
- If you order Vodka anywhere, don’t order any mixers to go with it, unless you want awkward looks
- Be mindful of the things you take photos of and follow photography rules while in museums. For example, don’t take photos of government buildings or inside museums when explicitly stated.
- It’s a good idea to have a copy of your passport while out around town
THINGS TO DO IN RUSSIA
1. THE KREMLIN
Translating directly to “strength” or “fortified city”, the Kremlin is synonymous with Russia’s government in the same way as the White House is to the USA. There are actually over 20 Kremlins in Russia, but the most famous is of the one in Moscow. The complex has an intricate system of palaces and cathedrals and is walled in. The Kremlin is where Russia’s president works out of, but is not his place of residence.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
When visiting the Kremlin, you’ll be able to visit the country’s main museum, the Kremlin Armory, and also the Cathedral Square, famous for coronations and funerals of all the Russian tsars.
2. KREMLIN ARMORY
Don’t be fooled by its name, the Kremlin Armory is the country’s main musume and does not house only weapons. It has a very large collection of art from Russia as well as from all over Europe from the 5th to 20th century. If you like Faberge eggs, well you’re in luck because this armory is equipped with the largest collection of Faberge eggs, as well as crowns, carriages, and tsars’ royal vestments.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
When visiting the museum, you’ll have the option of visiting another exhibit – one of the most important diamond exhibits in the world. You can say it’s comparable to the Crown Jewels of England.
3. CATHEDRAL SQUARE
The Cathedral square in the Kremlin is a plaze made up for 4 other cathedrals. This area is famous for the coronations and funerals of Russian Tsars. However, as these days they do not name Tsars in Russia, but Presidents, this square is mainly used for Presidential inaugurations now.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
Also present here is the Tsar-Bell, a gigantic bronze bell that, has been called the largest bell in the world by some, weighing over 200 tons and measuring over 20ft diameter.
4. RED SQUARE
Located right in the heart of Moscow, the Red Square is the most famous square in the country. Not only is the square massive in size, but some of the country’s most famous attractions are also all right here. The Red Square has been a central hub for traders and merchants for centuries, mainly due to its close proximity to the Kremlin. This pedestrianized area was designated a UNESCO site in 1990.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
The Red Square is a central location for most of what you want to see in Russia. Just standing in the square you’ll be able to see, The Kremlin, the GUM department store, Kazan Cathedral, State of History Museum, Lenin’s Mausoleum, St Basil’s Cathedral, and more!
5. LENIN’S MAUSOLEUM
Just a couple of feet away from the Kremlin Wall, lies Vladimir Lenin, former Russian leader, embalmed in his Mausoleum. Around 2.5 million people visit every year. First opened to the public in August 1924, this iconic building and major tourist attraction is free for everyone to see.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
Keep in mind photography of any kind is strictly forbidden when visiting the Mausoleum. If caught taking photos, security guards and/or workers will ask that you delete any images taken inside the Mausoleum.
6. ST BASIL’S CATHEDRAL
At the head of the Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral stands proudly as Russia’s most recognizable building. Along with the Kremlin, it was designated as a UNESCO site in 1990. Although the cathedral is the most iconic in the country, it isn’t the main cathedral. When visiting, it’s a must-do to take a tour inside as it is just as unique as the outside architecture.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
The cathedral was built in 1561 to celebrate the defeat of the Khan of Kazan at the hands of Ivan the Terrible. This defeat cemented Msocow’s hold of power as the most dominant city in the region.
7. STATE HISTORICAL MUSEUM
With exhibitions and collections dating back to the Stone Age and Medieval Russia, The State Historical Museum is the biggest historical museum in the country and as such has an impressive and enormous collection of work, with over 5 million total pieces.
8. THE GUM
The Glavny Universalny Magazin, or GUM, is the largest department store in Russia. Built in 1889 and reconstructed in 1953, this building is as famous as the high end boutique stores it houses. It now has 3 levels and functions more as a mall instead of a single department store.
9. GRAND PETERHOF PALACE
Originally planned to be the “Russian Versaille”, the Palace at Peterhof was going to be the centerpiece of the complex for Peter the Great. Construction of the palace began in 1714 and halted after Peter’s death in 1725. It wasn’t until 1740 when his daughter took the throne and completed the palace.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
The palace was partially destroyed after WWII but none of the reconstruction takes away from the elegance and beauty of this palace. This is a must-see while visiting Russia.
10. CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR
During the Napoleonic invasion, the idea of constructing the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour was born. It wasn’t until 1883 when it was finally done and opened to the public. However, in 1931, Stalin blew it to pieces to make way for a proposed Palace of Soviets, which never got built. The grounds were then used for different things but eventually, $360 million later, the cathedral was rebuilt.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
The Cathedral was built as a national monument as a way to express the nation’s deepest gratitude for saving Russia.
RUSSIA BEST TIME TO VISIT
As you’re planning this once in a lifetime visit to Russia, keep in mind Russia is the largest country in the world and geographically it spans across multiple regions. The weather can vary greatly, depending on where you’re going. So you’ll want to know the best time to visit Russia and we can help with that!
QUICK FACTS
- January & February are the coldest months in the country
- During the Summer months of June, July and August is the high season for Russia
- September – November are the Autumn months and is considered low season
1. Summer – June to August – High Season
The average high in the Summer is 84F with average lows of 62F. Summertime is a fun, vibrant time to visit. The weather is warm and the crowds are buzzing. St. Petersburg will have fireworks and cultural events happening throughout the city. However, the best time to visit is also the wettest time as it rains the most during Summer.
2. Fall – September to November – Good Season
The average high in the Fall is 64F and 42F lows. Fall is a great time to visit. As the weather cools down, so do the crowd sizes. Touring the country will be very comfortable, but pack layers. Another benefit of visiting in the Fall is to witness the beautiful Fall foliage as the leaves turn a golden brown and deep dark reds.
3. Winter – December to February – Low Season
The average high during the Winter is 50F and 32F low. As you can imagine, the Winter is brutally cold with most of the country covered in snow. Aside from the cold, the days are also shorter, lasting just a few hours. The tourists here mainly here for winter sports.
4. Spring – March to May – Low Season
The average high in Spring is 60F with 38F lows. During Spring, there are still not too many visitors. However, it’s still cold and you’ll find walking around not as fun – and potentially dangerous – as the muddy snow is still melting. If visiting in the Springtime, May would be a better time to come as the weather warms up and the days start to get longer.