Russia

Pros: The banya was the key that unlocked Russian culture for me.
Cons: You must go to the hinterlands to find an authentic Russian banya.

I've been to Russia three times. Each visit was at least a month long and I've spent a total of almost 6 months there. I studied Russian eagerly at university and by the end of my last trip, I spoke it well enough to get by in almost any situation,...

Pros: history, enormity, culture
Cons: lodging expense, infrastructure, food

We were invited to visit the Yaroslavl region and quickly arranged our travel through an agent in Richmond, VA. Looking to save money, she booked us on Aeroflot(see my review on this flight) through Shannon, Ireland. Initially we were hesitant,...

Pros: Fabulous views over the earth's biggest hole. A favourite destination for the Hole Tourists!
Cons: Difficult to get to, Not much choice in accommodation. Winter temperatures at 40 under Zero.

Prologue,Mirny is a fairly large mining town in Far Eastern Siberia located next to the famous and enormous diamond pit, also known as the earth's biggest hole! A favourite destination for the world's inspired hole tourists. ...

Pros: Spectacular architecture and art.
Cons: The inability to read, speak or understand Russian.

In June of 2002, we were met at the Moscow airport by guides from the Viking MS Kirov who helped us with luggage and through customs then took us to the ship that was docked at the Northern River Terminal.

The ship carries 199 passengers and...

Pros: Cultural Capital of Russia and One of the most beautiful cities in the world
Cons: It's Russia, so expect the unexpected

This article is part of “Home Town Write-off” hosted by Phineaskc. So, I think for the first time I should introduce St. Petersburg as my hometown. I had spent most of my life here, was born, went to pre-school, kindergarten, elementary, middle and high...

Pros: Beautiful landscapes and constant adventure.
Cons: Surly train-attendant ladies.

During the Russian holidays in early November, many people fled Moscow’s rapidly plunging temperatures and increasingly treacherous icy walkways for a variety of considerably warmer locales. Whether it was a getaway to Egypt, a pampering weekend in...

Pros: culturally enriching, different, low-cost
Cons: long way from Manhattan

Ok so you've gone to Russia before and absolutely loved it. And now you can't wait for for another trip. Or perhaps you've never gone but always wanted to get a taste of the Russian culture. Or perhaps even, you went to Russia and hated it. Maybe upon...

Pros: now I really want to try the Trans Siberian
Cons: no showers on the train

On my recent trip to Russia I took the train from Moscow to St. Petersburg and back within a week.

On the trip to St Petersburg, my friend and I took a second class berth. This means that you get beds in a compartment with four beds. (This...

Pros: beautiful architecture
Cons: hard to get along without good Russian

I traveled by myself to Russia and Belarus in August, 2000. Had only 24 days or so there, and I made myself a fairly ambitious itinerary: Moscow, Novgorod, St. Pete, Yaroslavl, Volgograd, Astrakhan, Minsk. I'm sure this contributed to my rather...

Pros: Fascinating, worn, charming, illuminating
Cons: not for the weak or cushy

In choosing travel destinations, some look for white beaches, cocktails, and clean, sterile bedrooms. These folks are welcome to snooze in Cancun for the remainder of their days.

For others, however, travel is about finding out what the rest...

Pros: An excellent overview of Russia
Cons: Packaged tour leaves too little time for self exploration

Review Topic:  Overview

In early summer, 1999, I enjoyed a UniWorld cruise from St. Petersburg to Moscow. Taking the better part of two weeks, the cruise was on a small river boat built by the East German government originally...

Pros: Sights, Metro, Nightlife, and Cost
Cons: Possible language barrier

Review Topic:  Sights & Attractions

In August 2000, I visited Russia for the second time in 5 years. Previously I had visited in January of 1997. And though much has changed economically, It's still a great place with many...

Pros: History, Philosophy and Culture
Cons: Water, Food, Bathrooms

Russia was enjoyable for spiritual reasons, but bad for practical reasons. This is not a good family vacation, honeymoon, or any of that. It's not quite like visiting Jerusalem, but a person who would enjoy Russia is also the type who would enjoy...

Pros: It was amazing
Cons: moscow is huge - it could take forever to see all you want to see

This is about the rest of my February trip to Russia. (For those of you who haven't seen it yet, there is an St. Petersburg, Hermitage and trains travel epinion because I felt like I was going on a bit but wanted to make sure that I was accurate...

Pros: Very different experience, for some - eye-opening and enlightening
Cons: Unpredictable weather

I want to tell about Solovki, an archipelago in the White Sea, in the north of Russia. I've been there two times, in September and July, a year apart, and I will definitely return in the future. The islands are reached either by air from Arkhangelsk or...