Russia is the largest country in the world. It also happens to straddle two continents – Asia and Europe. The country is home to about 190 ethnicities, which may be more than you are used to.
With such a vast area, Russia is a great place to explore. And you could enjoy yourself and learn a lot while there if only you let yourself.
But you need a strategy to travel across Russia. It’s too big a country for you not to have a traveling plan especially if you have a limited vacation period.
Here are 3 ways to experience Russia:
1. Travel Russia by Geographical Section
One of the best ways to see and experience Russia is by visiting one region at a time. Due to the country’s size, it is divided into multiple regions for easier administration. These include 21 republics, 2 federal cities, 6 federal territories, 1 autonomous region, 49 regions, and 10 autonomous areas.
There is absolutely no way you can get to see all of Russia in a short period. You will always be on the move, without rest, and unable to savor the experiences of any of the destinations that you visit.
So, the best way to go about doing things is to travel the country by picking out a few of its geographical sections.
You could start by visiting the two federal cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg first. These are some of the most well-known areas of Russia. Take your time to enjoy tourist attractions such as St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Red Square, the State Hermitage Museum, and the Winter Palace among others.
Then if your vacation is up, you can go back home and plan to travel to another geographical section and experience every aspect of it the next time around.
2. Travel Russia Based On A Predetermined Theme
Another way to travel across Russia is based on a predetermined theme. The theme that you choose depends on what you enjoy most in life. For example, if you love politics, you could choose to travel to political tourist sites no matter which region they are in. If you are religious you could travel to religious sites as a form of religious pilgrimage.
And if you have no idea of what to do, you could always start with UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Russia. There are 29 such sites in the country, which will offer you the challenge you need if you want to cover a lot of areas within Russia. Some of these sites have been chosen for the cultural value while others are naturally- endowed with unique features that make them stand out.
So, you could find yourself visiting the Virgin Komi Forests in the Komi Republic, Climbing on the Golden Mountains of Altai in Altai, then completing your Russian journey by sightseeing the Moscow Kremlin. By following a predetermined theme, you get to enjoy a variety of attractions in different parts of Russia.
3. Travel Russia By Opting For The Road Not Taken
Another excellent strategy to experience Russia is to opt for the road not taken. Instead of visiting world-famous tourist sites, you could opt for the remote areas of Russia where people don’t visit often.
By opting for the least-traveled destinations in Russia, you would get to experience something few tourists ever have. And you will have memories and photographs that are unique and worth sharing with the world.
Some of the remote areas of Russia you could visit include Elista, which is the capital of the only Buddhist European state, the Kamchatka Peninsula, which is the second-largest city in the world whose roads are inaccessible, and the Sverdlovsk Oblast.
You can travel the length and breadth of Russia over time so long as you plan for it. But you must also get a Russian invitation letter. You need such a document from a licensed Russian organization or licensed travel agency to get a Russian visa. Then you can experience Russia in all its glory.
