Tag Archives: Suzdal

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Touring Russia By Train

Train station, Russia

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Being the largest nation in the world, each region of Russia offers quite a different travel experience, with landscapes ranging from snow-capped peaks to sub-tropical beaches. For this reason, if you really want to experience the authentic heart and soul of Russia, touring multiple spots in the country is always going to be worthwhile. While train travel may not give you as much flexibility as driving, it is extremely more convenient, and will enable you to see some of the very best that Russia has to offer.

Trans-Siberian Railway
The Trans-Siberian Railroad is a historic one, having been built between 1890 and 1916, and holds the record for being the longest railway in the world. It takes passengers from one end of Russia to the other, with the total journey taking a week, and that is not including time for stopping off and exploring each destination along the way. Crossing seven different time zones, this is truly the best way to tour Russia by train, and while you may not have the time to thoroughly explore each stop, there are some that you definitely should not miss.

Vladimir and Suzdal
Vladimir and Suzdal are both easily accessible by the Trans-Siberian Railway, and are two towns that are a part of Russia’s Golden Ring. Steeped in history and culture, these two towns are a must-see if you are going to be touring Russia.

Tomsk, Russia

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Tomsk
Tomsk is a quaint university town, packed with gorgeous wooden architecture, and makes for a refreshing change from the larger cities that the Trans-Siberian Railway stops at. Its intellectual but laid-back atmosphere sets it apart from other Siberian destinations, and, if you decide to stay the night, you will be pleasantly surprised at the range of classy restaurants, bars and clubs that you will find here.

Ulan-Ude
The capital of the Buryatia Republic, Ulan-Ude is home to the famous Ivolginsky Datsan Monastery, which is the centre of Russian Buddhism. Due to this, it is quite different from other parts of Russia, which are mostly Christian or atheist, and has a strong sense of spirituality and calmness.

Lake Baikal, Russia

Lake Baikal
Set within some of the most beautiful countryside in the world is Lake Baikal, which, having been formed around 50 million years ago, is the oldest lake in the world. Being 1637 metres deep, Lake Baikal holds about 20% of the world’s non-frozen fresh water, and, due to the natural filtering processes that occur within the lake, it is completely clear and safe to drink. This area is filled with so much natural beauty that it is often a stop that people stay for a couple of days to explore, making the most of the outdoor activities available, from trekking to boating to diving.

Many people that visit Russia for the first time tend to stick to the larger, well-known cities, such as Moscow or St. Petersburg, and while these destinations are no doubt exciting, you need to experience more of the country in order to gain a well-rounded insight into Russia. From the spirituality of Ulan-Ude to the stunning natural beauty of Lake Baikal, taking the Trans-Siberian Railway through Russia will expose you to some extraordinary parts of the country that you may have otherwise missed.

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Luxury Tours in Russia

St. Basil's Cathedral, Russia

From the brooding symbolism of Moscow to St. Petersburg’s romanticism, Russia’s history, culture and beauty will captivate just about any traveler. While there are a number of ways to explore the country, a luxury tour does away with all of the hassle of planning, allowing you to soak up all that Russia has to offer in true comfort and style.

Moscow and St. Petersburg – Scott Dunn
Moscow and St. Petersburg are two Russian cities that are steeped in history and culture, but are both extremely distinct in their own way. Scott Dunn is a luxury travel company that offers a fantastic tour of both cities, enabling you to experience the contrast between each. All of the hotels chosen for this week-long itinerary are five stars and centrally located, from the Ritz Carlton in Moscow to the Belmond Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg, allowing you to easily explore your surroundings during any down time. Some of the highlights of the Moscow portion of the tour include shopping on Arbat Street, taking in the art at the Tretyakov Gallery, and a visit to Lenin’s mausoleum, while in St. Petersburg you can expect to sample caviar and vodka at a famous bar, visit some 18th century palaces, and check out the Hermitage Museum.

Assumption Cathedral, Golden Ring of Russia.

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Golden Ring – Open Russia
The ancient kingdoms of the Golden Ring are located just outside of Moscow and showcase the important developments that have occurred in Russia’s history. Open Russia offers a two-day tour of the Golden Ring, taking guests to some of the historical towns around Vladimir and Suzdal, many sites of which have been granted UNESCO World Heritage status. The tour company focuses on the ultimate VIP experience, from preferential rooms at luxury boutique hotels to private museum viewings with tours conducted by museum curators to VIP restaurant reservations. In addition to this, all transport will be carried out in a luxury vehicle of your choosing, whether this may be a limousine, a luxury bus or a retro Russian vehicle.

Luxury Volga Cruise – Volga Dream
Running for over 2000 miles, the Volga is the longest and largest river in Europe, and, flowing all the way through Central Russia, is considered to be the national river of the country. The boutique Volga Dream vessel replicates the tsarist-era of luxury, making it feel as though you are aboard a private yacht. With 60 crew members to 100 passengers, the level of service is at the highest, and the rich onboard program ensures that you are always kept entertained while out on the water. There are a number of different cruise itineraries to choose from, depending on which cities you want to stop at and explore, and the crew are also able to create customized itineraries if there is somewhere in particular that you are especially eager to see.

Being the world’s largest nation, there is so much to see and do when you visit Russia, which is why a luxury tour is often preferred when it comes to taking in the sights. This way, you can be sure that you will not miss out on any highlights, and will also be able to enjoy the range of VIP extras that are added on by the tour operators.