Tourism in Russia

Since the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, both domestic and international tourism has risen exponentially. Under Soviet laws, citizens were not able to leave its boarders, because the government feared they would flee. Only party members that were of higher rank and citizens with special permission, and usually a bodyguard, were permitted to leave for short periods of time. Now that the boarders are open, Russia has become one of the world’s most popular countries to visit. Russia has a long history and many ancient and modern riches to show off. Some of the most famous travel sites are the Golden Ring of ancient cities, river cruises on the Volga, and trips across the frozen tundra on the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Popular Destinations

The two most visited cities in Russia are Moscow, which is the current capital, and Saint Petersburg, which was the Soviet capital. Both cities are centers of culture and entertainment; the cities house the Tretyakov Gallery, the Hermitage museum, and world famous theaters like the Bolshoi and the Marjinsky. There are an array of beautiful churches like Saint Basil’s Cathedral and Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, with their bright colors and domed steeples. One of the most visited sites in Russia is Moscow’s Red Square. The square is home to the Kremlin, which was once the royal citadel, and is now the home of the president of Russia.

The Golden Ring is a circle created by multiple cities in Moscow’s Northeast sector. The cities that comprise the ring are all ancient Russian towns that were important in creating the Russian Orthodox Church. These cities are filled with magnificent architecture from the 12^th to 18^th centuries. The twelve cities included in the Golden Ring are: Sergiyev Posad, Pereslavl-Zaleskiy, Rostov Velikiy, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Ivanovo, Gus-Khrustalny, Suzdal, Vladimir, Rybinsk, Uglich, and Alexandrov.

Nature Destinations

Russia has a very diverse natural topography and is home to many natural destinations, like Kamchatka, which has volcanoes and geysers. On the coast of the Black Sea, the Sochi region, strangely enough, is known for its subtropical climate, beautiful beaches and ski resorts. Krasnaya Polyana, which is located in the Northern Caucasus, has some of the most popular ski resorts in Russia and has been chosen to host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

The most popular natural tourist spot, however, is Lake Baikal, which has been dubbed “The Blue Eye of Siberia.” This lake is the oldest and the deepest in the world, has clear water, and is surrounded mountains covered in evergreen trees.