Historically rich and politically controversial, Russia is an astonishing destination that never leaves you indifferent. You’ll be won over by their friendliness and the famous Russian soul, charged with extreme joy and stubborn melancholy. As the world’s largest country, Russia is a land of adventure at the foot of Europe. What’s more, few people speak English, which makes for a complete change of scenery.
Where to visit?
The two must-see cities are Moscow and St Petersburg.
Moscow is a cultural capital, with its medieval roots and mythical sites such as Red Square and the Kremlin, as well as the Mayakovsky Museum and the Zoological Park. You’ll also find huge avenues with Stalinist buildings, and writers and artists whose homes you can visit. Today, luxury hotels are springing up at breakneck speed, restaurants of all origins compete in originality and kitsch, and bars and clubs are veritable fashion shows where young Russian girls flaunt their glamour. But be careful with your budget when going out, as it’s also one of the most expensive cities in the world.
St Petersburg is the other city you won’t want to miss. You’ll be delighted by canals and palaces reminiscent of the time of the Tsars, as well as legendary landmarks such as the Peter and Paul Fortress and Nevsky Prospect.
St. Petersburg was created by Peter the Great, who wanted to get away from Russian customs and soul and open a window on Europe. His phobia of Moscow and the rusticity of Russia translates into a frenzied desire to move closer to Western culture. A clash with Moscow is guaranteed.
If you’d like to discover other “worlds”, we recommend Vladivostok in the far east, which has recently become a city open to foreigners and is the center of a nature reserve where you’ll find tigers, bears and leopards.
To the south, Sochi is a seaside resort on the shores of the Black Sea. Russian and foreign tourists are attracted by its subtropical climate and warm waters, as well as the nearby spa towns.
Not far from Moscow, Novgorod has preserved some of its marvels despite Nazi ransacking, such as the icons in the Faceted Palace, the Historical Museum and numerous churches.
And last but not least, the Trans-Siberian Railway is more than just a means of transport: for almost a thousand kilometers over 6 days, it crosses gigantic forests, skirts Lake Baikal, …. Fabulous landscapes.
Going to Russia is not something you can improvise!
A rather closed and strict country, as you know, customs don’t play around with the arrival of foreigners, even if they’re just tourists. Visas are mandatory, even for EU citizens. And the conditions for obtaining this visa are not the easiest. This should be requested from the Russian Embassy in Paris or the Russian consulates (in Strasbourg or Marseille). To receive an official invitation, you must book your accommodation in advance. You’ll also need to take out travel and health insurance with repatriation cover and cover in excess of 30,000 euros. In addition, this insurance must be recognized by the Russian authorities, like those offered by Mondassur 😉
