The legendary poet and writer, Robert Louis Stevenson once wrote, “There are no foreign lands. It is the traveller who I foreign.”
Travelling is indeed bliss. For those who travel, it gives them a new experience to see different places and to meet new people. There are several places around the world which are worth visiting and exploring. Like several countries of the world, Russia has been a popular destination for travellers from across the world due to its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. This country has UNESCO’s 23 World Heritage Sites. Tourists travelling to this part of the world roam around the ancient cities, enjoy river cruises on rivers like Volga. Russia offers different cuisines and souvenirs and offers variety of traditions. Here are some of the popular tourist’s destinations of Russia:
- St. Petersburg: This is one of the largest cities of Russia which is situated on the river, “Neva”. It is known as the Western city and the cultural capital of Russia. It has famous monuments listed in the UNESCO’s world heritage sites. This city has one of the largest museums in the world, known for its art collections. Palace square is best viewed at night. To get the true feeling of Russia, one of the must do activities is watching ballet in Marrinskey Theatre and strolling along the Nevsky Prospect.
- Moscow: When anyone talks about Russia, the first name which comes in mind is Moscow. Nobody can miss this city due to its vibrant and colourful life. It has an unusual charm in its nightlife, restaurants, shops and bars. Moreover this city has some of the world’s best cultural institutions, magnificent churches and ancient monuments.
- Vladivostok: Just nine hours by air from Moscow, Vladivostok is the window to East Asia. Even though it is not as large as the two above mentioned citities, Vladivostok does make a popular tourist destination. It is a port city which can be travelled on foot. It is prefect for wanderers and nature seekers. One can explore various forts, monuments and museum. Brynner House is often visited by tourists as it is the birthplace of Yul Brynner, the famous actor.
- Kazan: This city has been the focal point of higher education in Russia as it has all the major universities. With blend of Muslims and Christian culture, this city is has a history of more than 1000 years. It is thronged by number of tourists every year and this number is rapidly rising.
- Irkutsk: Situated along the famous Trans-Siberian railway station. It gives you a preview of 19th century Russia as it has traditional wooden structures. This city forms the starting point of mountain ranges. It has another popular tourist destination-Olkhon Island. There are several museums in Irkutsk which are worth visiting. Not only this, this city offers you a great ambience with its famous eateries, cafes and bars.
Abhishek Yadav
