A banya is a Russian sauna. Taking a steam bath is one of Russia’s oldest traditions and its popularity shows no signs of waning. Visiting a bath house during your holiday is a great way of immersing yourself in Russian…


A banya is a Russian sauna. Taking a steam bath is one of Russia’s oldest traditions and its popularity shows no signs of waning. Visiting a bath house during your holiday is a great way of immersing yourself in Russian…

Despite the plunging sub-zero temperatures, one of the most fun activities I’ve ever done on holiday was to ride a dog sled through a snowy forest. I’d never done it before, but with a bit of tuition from my guide,…

In Russia, January 25th marks Tatiana’s Day. This annual public holiday is also known as Students Day, but it’s actually a religious holiday named after Saint Tatiana who was a Christian martyr back in Roman times. The link to education…

In recent years, pop-up ice rinks have been a feature of the festive season across the UK, from London’s Hampton Court Palace to the rink at the Princes Street Gardens in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle and everywhere in between.…

With strong showings over the last few winters, seeing the Northern Lights has been a feature of many bucket lists. Watching a curtain of green and purple light dance across the dark night sky is a sight that will remain…