RUSSIA BY RAIL

Trans-siberian Railway

At 102 years old, the monumental engineering feat that is the Trans-siberian railway is a travel marvel not to be missed.

As the longest railway line in the world, a lot of its appeal as a travel experience lies in the sheer distance covered. And thus, the opportunity to see so much of Russia’s commanding and hybrid landscape in one go.

But to make the most of a Trans-siberian trip, one would be well-advised to soak up as much as you can of Russian culture along the way; attend the ballet or the opera or try some Russian street food at a local market.

The starting point of the Trans-siberian route is Russia’s capital, Moscow. It is most highly endorsed for sightseeing by Booking.com travelers and as you dash between palaces and churches you’ll discover that almost every corner of the city boasts some form of historic intrigue. First to visit would have to be Red Square and the Kremlin. Then the city’s numerous galleries and museums, often framed by regal gardens.

Notably, the Tretyakov Gallery, containing the greatest collection of Russian fine art in the world. Take a stroll along the Old Arbat, a street dating back to at least the 15th century that has been home to several Russian heavyweights including poet and playwright, Alexander Pushkin. If you can get hold of tickets, catching a performance at the Bolshoi Theatre makes an unforgettable evening.

First stop, Kirov. As is popular amongst visitors and local alike, you’ll want to explore on foot. The city is named after Soviet leader, Sergey Kirov, but its story goes back to the 14th century. Visit the Vyatka Museum of Art, founded in 1910 by local artists and one of the oldest of its kind.

This attractive city of Kirov is best explored on foot.

Yaroslavl’s winning feature may well be its stunning skyline. Thanks to some generous religious patrons, the city is filled with churches, cathedrals and monasteries. All of which possess wonderfully garish and bulbous domes, dripping in gold and reaching up into the sky.

Yekaterinburg is perhaps most famous as the place where the Russian royal family, the Romanovs, met their tragic fate. But in their memory, various typical Russian churches have been constructed, hence the town being most highly-endorsed for ‘temples’. While you’re in town, potter around the busy Bazaar for a taste of a real Russian marketplace.

The Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre is the largest theatre in Russia, and modeled on ancient Greece. It’s best viewed when lit up at night and blanketed in snow, dominating Lenin Square in the city center with its sturdy columns and palatial dome. But this populous city has many more delights, be it nightlife, the restaurant scene, or its many monuments, from the Novosibirsk Rail Bridge the Byzantine-esque Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

Of all the stops along the TransSiberian route, Khabarovsk is perhaps the prettiest. Booking. com travelers endorsed it most for ‘parks’ but its whole riverside area on the banks of the Amur, filled with tsaristera architecture and decorated walkways, is the major attraction. With good weather comes live music, al fresco eateries, and warm evening walks but it’s equally majestic when covered with snow.

With sea mist rolling in from Vladivostok’s Golden Horn Bay and the city skyline focused on its two mighty bridges, this Pacific port city feels reminiscent of San Francisco or Istanbul. Though its most endorsed for ‘excursions’, you could easily occupy yourself for days just wandering around under your own steam. Walk along the waterfront on Korabelnaya Embankment to get the closest views of Russia’s Pacific Fleet.