Russia used to be a mysterious country that few international travelers will go for vacations. Today, it is open to everyone and its tour industry is seeing an upward trend. It has so much to offer regardless you are interested in taking an historical trip around its imperial past or you want to do something a little more adventurous.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union more than a decade ago, more and more foreigners are traveling to Russia now for business and leisure. However, it can still be a difficult place if you are unable to speak their language. Fortunately, you will find that the Russians are incredibly warm and inviting hosts most of the time. If you are looking for some where that takes you away from the normal holiday routes then you should consider Russia as one of your must visit place.

The Trans-Siberian Railway or Trans-Siberian Railroad is a network of railways connecting Moscow and European Russia with the Russian Far East provinces, Mongolia, China and the Sea of Japan. During this journey, you will travel from Vladivostok Moscow to the wilds of Khabarovsk in the heart of Mongolia. You will also get to visit Lake Baikal and the snowcapped mountains of the Urals. This journey is a total of 6,135 miles in distance and you will pass through 8 different time zones during the journey. The trains are very comfortable, but it is the beauty of the country as you pass through the various areas that really gets an adventurer excited! However, if you think this a bit staid for an adventurous journey in Russia, you could try the following instead.

With this type of adventure travel, you are given a chance to add your name to the very small list of people who have already made this epic journey in the past. This is certainly the more challenging of any types of adventure travel that you may find, but it will be worth it when you reach the top of the world. When traveling through the Arctic you will notice that everything seems bigger, the icebergs are massive and the horizon just seems to go on forever. You will board an icebreaker at Murmansk, Russia and sail into the Barents Sea before breaking into the dense Arctic ice. You will experience an ever-changing panorama of wind-polished ice up to five meters thick and enjoy the immense polar landscapes from the Bridge or deck of the ship. And along the way, you can expect to encounter a variety of Arctic wildlife such as polar bears and walrus.

Russia has become a popular tourist destination and this will continue as it is now a main target for the low cost airlines. Bad points may include some of the following. Throughout Russia there is risk of terrorism linked to Chechnya and other extremists from the Northern Caucasuses. These threats include bombings, hostage taking and suicide attacks in public places. Moscow is often a primary target.

St Petersburg and Moscow have pick pockets and muggers especially in and near railway stations. These may involve children and women. Theft from hotel rooms and cars is a problem. Beware of strangers in bars and night clubs who may spike your drinks in order to rob you. Several tourists have been held up at knife point in St Petersburg and robbed on public transport. Bogus police officers operate in both cities. Racist attacks may also occur by skinheads on Asians and Afro Caribbeans.

Moscow is the Capital of the largest geographical country in the world which has a population of over 145 million living in eleven time zones. 82 percent of the population are Russian with the other 18 percent being made up of more than one hundred nationalities. The official currency is the rouble, but American dollars are widely accepted.

The leading religions are Orthodox Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Buddist. Climate is moderate. The average temperature in July and August is 20 in December and January 10. The humidity is moderate. The Moscows winters are, as a rule, cold and snowy. Moscow is conveniently sited in the centre of Russias European part where the rivers Moskva and Yauza cross the Central Russian Plateau.

Russia today is a nation of enormous diversity and tremendous vitality. It is as if the cultural traditions of a century ago have re awakened with a newfound strength ancient cathedrals are being rebuilt and restored, colourful markets hum with activity once again and literature and the arts are quickly regaining the creative renown they enjoyed decades ago. A new Russia is now in full bloom.