If there is one place you should explore in the immense territory of Russia, it is Lake Baikal. A land of conquests, marked by trouble and history, a land soaked in Shamanism, where you feel sucked in by the translucent water of the lake. It's called the "pearl of Siberia" for good reason. Lake Baikal is an endless source of fascination for the travellers who go to see it.

Lake Baikal

Madja, Pezmog, Niobdino,…Names that don't mean anything to anyone. These are unknown villages in the foothills of the Urals which seem to have nothing interesting about them. However, it's in places like these that a traveller can have an unforgettable time, living with real Russian culture.

Exploring the villages of the Urals

A historic centre of power in Russia, the Kremlin is the absolute must-see site during a visit to Moscow. Although the capital has been turned upside down by its successive masters, its tsars' palace, which remained the residence of the country's managing powers through all the regimes, is steeped in history and heritage. From Cathedral Square to the Kremlin Armoury, you will be plunged into the country's history and crowning achievements.

A visit to the Kremlin

Moscow was built in the heart of Russian history. All around, princes, dukes and tsars built sumptuous palaces, and the Orthodox church erected some magnificent monasteries. Between Moscow and the Golden Ring cities, you can go on fascinating trips discovering Russia's historical heritage.

From palaces to monasteries around Moscow


Sprawling, noisy, polluted and overcrowded - Moscow is good at hiding its attractions and charm.

Europe

Russia fascinates people. It is the largest country in the world, 70 times bigger than the UK, has one foot in Europe, one in Asia and covers almost a seventh of the planet’s land mass… This excessiveness is not limited to its geography. It is a country rich in culture, that has given us some of the most brilliant artists, whether musicians or writers. A trip to Russia will automatically take you to St-Petersburg: ancient capital of the tsars and cultural centre of Russia; with its numerous canals, it is often called the Venice of the north… 450 miles to the south, is Moscow, the largest town in Europe, with 10 million inhabitants. It is a sprawling capital, where all the populace of the Federation are represented; Moscow will rarely leave you indifferent. You then need to leave the towns to reach the vast expanses of Russia. Discover the edges of the biggest soft-water lake in the world, Lake Baïkal. Have a taste of Russian soul, by travelling on a train for hours and hours – probably the trans-Siberian train; or even a cruise on the Volga, the biggest river in Europe, that, with its tributaries, cuts across the biggest part of the country… These varied experiences will no doubt allow you to fall under the spell of Russia…

Russia

Moscow

The former imperial capital is the fourth biggest city in Europe, one of the most beautiful cities in the world and an absolute must-see during a trip to Russia.

Saint Petersburg

 Irkutsk is Russia's biggest eastern city, and it will draw  you into its fascinating history. It was founded in the 17th century and was the point of departure from numerous expeditions towards Lake Baikal, as well as home to numerous exiles.

Irkutsk

Olkhon

A collection of historic villages in the region of Moscow populated with rich kremlins and religious monuments.

Anneau d'or

Albania

England

Greenland

Spain

Central America

Africa

North America

South America

Asia

Middle East

Oceania

The dozen villages which make up the Golden Ring to the north of Moscow are villages which all had an important part to play in the history of "Mother" Russia. You can visit all the villages but if you want to do it comfortably it's best to do them by car, one after the other. Sometimes it can be arduous taking public transport during a <a href="/russia/">trip to Russia</a>. However, as all these magnificent churches and monasteries seem to end up looking like each other, I recommend you just visit 2 or 3 or you'll end up overdosing on colourful onion domed churches. So, for example, you can get to Sergiev Posad from Moscow by "elektrichka" (a local train).

<a href="/russia/">During my stay in Russia</a>, and in particular in the Golden Ring, I loved the feeling of these ancient princely towns that could have been created to form the backdrop to an old Slavic fairy tale.
Every town had is own special beauty and particularity but my favourite was definitely Rostov. A small tranquil town, far from the chaos of Moscow. It has streets lined with colourful isbas, and a frozen Lake Nero for as far as the eye can see, a natural barrier that is dominated by the kremlin. An astonishing kremlin, with sugar pink walls and a church with crumbling frescoes where I felt much more emotional than in the overcrowded churches in Moscow. And then a delicious Georgian restaurant, with no pretensions, but good wine and kachapuri, a divine Georgian specialty.
You also shouldn't miss Suzdal, the pearl of the Golden Ring, which has a church with onion domes that look like starry skies and marvellous isbas, each more beautiful than the last.
Finally, no visit to the Golden Ring would be complete without a proper Russian banya. This Russian sauna was unforgettable: in an 80 degree heat you drink boiling tea, to make it hotter, and then go and jump in a hole in the ice to cool down. Unforgettable!

The Golden Ring is a trip through old Russia.

Anneau d'or Vacations

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