Visiting the coldest reaches of Siberia in the depths of winter takes some preparation and I don’t just mean packing a thick coat. Temperatures in this part of Russia can fall so low that if you usually wear metal spectacles…
How will you spend November 7th?
In Russia, November 7th is a date with an interesting story behind it. From 1917, it marked the Great October Socialist Revolution, though in post-Soviet times, it was renamed The Day of Accord and Conciliation by Boris Yeltsin’s government. Though…
How much do you know about Fabergé’s exquisite eggs?
Most visitors to Russia will have heard of Fabergé, creator of the most ornate and precious Easter eggs on the planet. But how much do you know about these eggs? Here’s what you need to know. The son of a…
What you need to know about visiting Kizhi Island in winter
Given its location in the far northern republic of Karelia, you could be forgiven for thinking that the UNESCO-listed museum on Kizhi Island would be off-limits to visitors during the winter months. Actually, the museum is open year-round. The museum…
A beginner’s guide to Russian nesting dolls
If there’s one souvenir that’s synonymous with Russia, it’s surely the nesting dolls known as matryoshkas. It’s hard to resist bringing a set home from your holiday, but few who do know much about their origin and how they get…