Russia, a world power steeped in a long history, has started to shed its austere image, a hangover from its time under Communist rule. From Slavik and Viking hamlets right through to the bigger, more prosperous cities, Russia is reclaiming and reinventing its diverse ethnic influences, with many communities asserting a specific local, cultural identity. The result is a vibrancy and diversity that draws both on Russia's heritage and modern conveniences, mixing old with new and creating cities and towns that are always in movement; dynamic, innovative, forward-facing but always with a nod to the past that bore them.
One of the best ways to sample the full gamut of cultural history in Russia is through guided tours. A package is built around your requirements - look out for themed packages if you are after something specific - and you have the option to choose from several destinations which will serve as handy 'stop-off' points on your journey. This way, you have the opportunity to see as much of a particular region as possible, without the hassle of booking domestic transport on the day. All transport between locations is included in your package, for peace of mind. And, with a tour guide on hand throughout your trip, you can leave out all the guesswork with direct access to information about the places you visit, and their respective histories. Coach and rail excursions ensure that you can travel freely not only between but within your city stop-offs, and expert drivers will supplement the knowledge and expertise of your guide.
Most guided tours will take in some of the bigger cities, like Moscow and St Petersburg. With reputations for their impressive cultural history and imperialist architecture, these two cities are in constant competition. However, many guided tours take in both of these sites, so there's no need to forfeit one for the other. With the new high-speed Sapsan train, travel between these cities is easier and more comfortable, so you spend more time on tour and less time travelling.
In St Petersburg, be sure to visit the State Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace, and the beautiful gold-covered Spas na Kravi, known as the Church of our Saviour on Spilled Blood. There are boat trips that take tourists along the city's canal system, offering vistas onto the city skyline with its many churches and cathedrals, including the impressive St Isaac's Cathedral, with its imposing collonades and dome stretching 100 metres into the air.
In Moscow, the Kremlin continues to top 'must-see' lists. Overlooking the Moskva River, this impressive fortified complex includes four palaces, four cathedrals and the Kremlin Wall. Its system of walls and towers is recognised as one of the most notable architectural structures in the world, and if you're after history, the site itself has been occupied since the 2nd century BC. However, there is a second, little known Kremlin in Moscow - the Izmailovo Kremlin. Built in 1998, it is a colourful structure that now hosts festivals, fairs and even weddings. And if you'd rather stick to places of historical interest, there's no shortage in either city. From the famous Red Square (named not after the Soviet colour but in fact an old Russian word meaning 'beautiful') and the pedestrianized art-hub the Old Arbat in Moscow, to bustling Nevsky Avenue and the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg, the rich culture of this historic country lives in its every detail.
