Russia Travel: An Enigmatic Encounter Between East and West
The mystique of Russia lies in its unique geographical location. Set at the cultural crossroads between the East and the West, between Asia and Europe, the centuries have forged a unique identity that permeates everything from its culture to politics and cuisine. So much of what we know of Russia in the post-World War II era has been told to us by writers and artists in exile. It’s probably their deep yearning for home that gave the world its profound fascination with this country. In this era, travel to Russia has relaxed into carefree exploration, without the Bond-style adventurousness of stepping behind the Iron Curtain. Our team of experts offers you an exhilarating encounter with past and present on your Russia tour!
We suggest that you start your trip with a visit to two iconic cities: Moscow and St Petersburg. See the Kremlin and the Red Square to experience the setting of many epic historical events in real life. Visit the Bolshoi in Moscow, not just to watch the ballet, but also to be a part of the boisterous Russian audience, loudly cheering pirouettes and fouettés. Even if you think you’ve had enough of ballet in Moscow, stop by the imposing Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg. This is where the former Soviet Union’s most famous defectors, Baryshnikov and Nurejev, started their careers.
St Petersburg is also home to the Hermitage museum, immortalized in Alexander Sokurov’s movie The Russian Ark. As the title of the film suggests, this is the place to take a thrilling artistic journey, and also to witness the growing pains of a nation. Originally established by Catherine the Great, the Hermitage was expanded to include the Winter Palace after the October Revolution and heavily bombed during WWII. Today, it stands as testimony to a turbulent past.
To really feel the big beating heart of this country, however, go beyond the cities. The legendary Trans-Siberian Railway route from Moscow to Vladivostok covers some of the most dramatic isolated wildernesses in the world. Visit the ancient Lake Baikal to see what the words ‘crystal clear waters’ really mean. You don’t even need to go as far as Siberia to experience the pristine beauty of the taiga. We’d suggest a quicker getaway to Karelia, a haven of lakes, boreal forests and tiny villages where you can still see historic wooden Orthodox churches.
As for the food, we recommend that you prepare yourself for big, hearty meals. Russians like their ballet and their architecture big, bold and dramatic. The same goes for the food – generous helpings of black caviar, salmon, and hearty soups like the ruby red borscht, perfect for chilly nights. You’re not expected to order vodkas by anything less than the bottle.
If you really need any more reasons to experience the drama and grandeur of Russia, get in touch with us; we’ll give you plenty!
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My wife and I have been planning a trip through South America and our Travel Consultant, Lisa Fox, has provided nothing but exceptional service and support to create the perfect itinerary for this trip. Bags were nearly packed and we could picture the view from Machu Picchu, but plans have had to change due to travel safety and restrictions from the recent Coronavirus. While this could have been a very stressful time having to reschedule, rebook and who knows how much money could have been lost for what has already been paid for, Enchanting Travels has made it incredibly easy and stress free to reschedule the trip once this passes. We are very appreciative for the pre-trip support, and can already tell that the experience once we are actually on the road will be equally incredibly. Thanks for all your support!
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They helped us put together a complex schedule which included a number of experiences that we could not otherwise get. Also, in light of Covid-19, they were able to reschedule our upcoming Japan trip without additional fees, where many of my friends have scheduled similar trips (same timeframe) on their own, and all were refused a refund or reschedule without significant fees, despite having trip insurance.”
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Enchanting Travels is a bespoke experience. From planning my trip, through to the trip itself, everything was thought about. We traveled at a particularly difficult time, due to the Coronavirus outbreak. We were supported with everything, kept up to date with how the situation was developing and how this might affect us. Having WiFi in the car allowed us to communicate with our Trip Coordinator and check with our online government updates. Our stay was luckily not affected, but I felt so supported by the team. Our guides were ready waiting for us, could answer any questions about the sites we were visiting, they communicated with our chauffeur to ensure everything went smoothly. I could not recommend this company more highly. Excellent planning, experience, and execution. Our holiday was truly ENCHANTING!
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