As Russia moves forward into the 21st century, it leaves behind a turbulent history of tyranny and a crippled economy: from Ivan the Terrible to Peter the Great, from the fall of the Tsars to the dictatorship of the Soviet government; today Russia is a nation embracing its newfound freedom and future potential, whilst enjoying a renewal of the rich cultural heritage of its past.

Despite the visible effects of hardship and economic disparity, and its previous isolation from the rest of the world, travellers will encounter a country of enormous diversity and vitality, with cultural treasures and historical monuments, great imperial cities and glittering cathedrals. Visitors will experience the enchantment of Tchaikovsky, the Kirov and Bolshoi Ballet, and marvel at priceless Russian icons and the unique style of decorative onion-domed architecture.

Most westerners associate Russia with the great imperial centres of Moscow and St Petersburg, and although these two cities, the capital and the beautiful 'Venice of the North' are a must-see, they are a mere scratching on the surface of this vast and varied land. Straddling two continents and 11 time zones, the Russian Federation is the largest country on earth, nearly twice the size of the United States of America. Within this impressive expanse lie natural wonders such as Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world, and beautiful mountains, rivers and forests abounding with wildlife as well as timeless traditional villages scattered across the Siberian landscape.

Visitors taking the opportunity to explore Russia will not be disappointed: its impressive museums, overwhelming sense of history, culture and unspoilt wilderness will leave one with a desire to see more.

The Kremlin

Address: Moscow

Admission: RUB 350; Armoury Museum RUB 700. Concessions available. Daily except Thursdays 10am-5pm.

Telephone: (495) 695 4187.

Red Square

Address: Krasnaya Ploshchad Moscow

St Basil's Cathedral

Address: Krasnaya Ploshchad 4 Moscow

Admission: Daily 11am-5:30pm. Closed Tuesdays.

Telephone: (095) 298 5880

Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre

Address: Teatralnaya Ploshchada Moscow

Admission: Ticket prices for performances vary.

Telephone: (095) 292 9270 (ticket outlets)

Tretyakov Gallery

Address: 10, Lavrushinsky Lane Moscow

Admission: RUB 300 adults; RUB 180 students Tuesday to Sunday 10.30am to 7.30pm; last admission 6.30pm

Telephone: (095) 951 1362, 238 1378, 230 9766; recorded message: 230 7788

The Winter Palace and the Hermitage Museum

Address: Dvortsovaya Square St Petersburg

Admission: RUB 400, free for students and children. A valid form of ID is required to enter. Separate charges are levied for special exhibitions. Daily except Mondays 10:30am-6pm. Closes 5pm Sundays.

Telephone: (812) 710 9625

Yasnaya Polyana

Address: Shchekino District, Tula Region Moscow

Admission: Admission is only allowed on a guided tour from April through October. Tuesday to Sunday 9am-5pm. The Tolstoy House is closed for cleaning last Tuesday of each month, and the Kuzminsky House is closed for cleaning last Wednesday of each month.

Telephone: +7 (4872) 38 67 10

Palace Square

Address: Dvortsovaya Ploshchad (Palace Square) St Petersburg

Nevsky Prospekt

Address: St Petersburg

St Isaac's Cathedral

Address: Isaakievskaya Ploshchad 1 St Petersburg

Admission: Open daily 11am-7pm. The colonnade is open until 6pm. Closed Wednesdays.

Telephone: (812) 315 9732

Peter and Paul Fortress

Address: Petropavlovskaya Krepost St Petersburg

Admission: There is no charge to enter the fortress, but the cathedral and museums require tickets. The fortress is open 24 hours daily. The cathedral and museums are open daily 11am-6pm except Wednesdays and the last Tuesday of the month.

Telephone: (812) 238 4550

Poklonnaya Hill

Address: 3 Pobeda Square Moscow

Admission: 10am-7pm daily except Mondays and the last Tuesday of each month.

Telephone: 495 142 4185

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Address: 15-17 Volhonka Street Moscow

Borodino Panorama Museum

Address: 38 Kutuzovsky Avenue Moscow

Telephone: 495 148 19 67

Moscow Metro

Address: all over the city Moscow

Admission: RUB 26 per trip Daily 5:30am-1am.

Agura Waterfalls

Address: Sochi

Sochi Dolphinarium

Address: House 219 / 2, Lenin Street, Adler Sochi

Admission: RUR 300 (adults); children under 6 are free. Open daily 10am-6pm. Closed weekends.

Telephone: +78622452798

Sochi Art Museum

Address: 51, Kurortny pr, Krasnodar area Sochi

Admission: Open for pre-arranged tours only.

Matsesta Spa

Address: Sochi

Golden Ring

Address: Moscow

Trans-Siberian Railway

Fishing

Volga River Cruises

Starlite Diner

Address: Bolshaya Sadovaya Ulitsa, No. 16a Moscow

Food Type: American

Filimonova & Yankel

Address: No.2 Kiev Station Sq Moscow

Food Type: Seafood

Mu-Mu Café

Address: Myasnitskaya St. No. 14, metro Lubyanka, Kitai Moscow

Food Type: Local

One Red Square

Address: Red Square Moscow

Food Type: Seafood

Café Pushkin

Address: 26a Tverskoi bulvat, Tverskaya Moscow

Food Type: International

Shinok

Address: 2 Ulitsa, Garden Ring Moscow

Food Type: Local

Sudar

Address: 36A Kutuzovsky Avenue Moscow

Food Type: Russian

Yolki-Palki Po

Address: Pushkinskaya Metro, Tveskaya Metro Moscow

Food Type: International

Bon

Address: Yakimanskaya Embankment 4, Building 1 Moscow

Food Type: International

Metropol

Address: 1-4 Teatralny Proezd Moscow

Food Type: International