Yaroslavl is the oldest city on the Volga, and was founded in 1010. The historic city center, has been named one of 24 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Russia. The construction of the city, which reached its peak during the 17th and 18th centuries, is an outstanding example of the mixture of cultural and architectural influences of Western Europe on Russia. Yaroslavl is the city that will captivate your eyesight, even with its minor details, such as an inconspicuous tile or a painted house board, hidden behind the luxurious façades. Religious establishments encompass the main points of interest in Yaroslavl, including the old Transfiguration Cathedral of the Savior Monastery, built between 1506-1516; the Church of Elijah the Prophet, with extraordinarily beautiful forms of this simple but solemn temple with two white domes; the massive Church of St. John the Baptist, the masterpiece of the Yaroslavl architecture of the 17th century, with fantastic silhouettes of its 15 chapters and a rich interior with an abundance of tiles, brick patterns and murals.

Yaroslavl, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia

Founded by Peter the Great, Yekaterinburg is known as the Great Divide of the Urals. The Ural Mountains form a natural border between Europe and Asia, so the cultural and architectural influences of European and Asian civilizations have merged together in this fascinating and cosmopolitan landscape. Until the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Yekaterinburg was a secret and closed city to foreigners, due to the presence of the USSR’s defense industry. Now Yekaterinburg is totally different in its vibe, bustle and residents from cosmopolitan giants like Moscow and St Petersburg, and here you will be able to experience a more genuine Russia, with the city’s many pre-Soviet buildings being of great interest.

Yekaterinburg, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia

Kazan, Tatarstan, Russia

Krasnoyarsk is located on the banks of the Yenisei River and is surrounded by picturesque mountains to both the south and north of the city. Although, Krasnoyarsk may not have sights that would be historically and culturally important for the whole of Russia, the city provides a mild climate and is constantly welcoming to new guests. To the south of Krasnoyarsk is Mount Karaulnaya, which offers an incredible view over the flat lands and the city itself. An unmissable highlight of stopping in the area will be a visit to the unique national park with a number of volcanic pillars named Zapovednik, or the ‘Stolby’ Nature Reserve, a popular destination for rock climbing enthusiasts. Day or night hiking trips alongside the signed and well-maintained trails will reward you with some spectacular views awaiting you on top of the pillars.

Krasnoyarsk, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia

Lake Baikal is the biggest, deepest and most diverse lake on Earth. The region offers a similarly diverse range of opportunities for holiday makers, including living in small wooden houses with little convenience and amenities, sitting on the shore of the Lake Baikal in a deck chair and fishing, sampling delicious Baikal omul fish and posy, going dog sledding and visiting thermal saunas in winter, and watching nerpas swimming in their natural habitat. Few natural sights can surpass the beauty and grandeur of Lake Baikal, and the pure clear water of the lake call people to plunge into its waters.The area surrounding the lake is unique, and many of its plants and animals exist only here.

Lake Baikal, Russia

Ulan-Ude is a unique Siberian town. It has the world’s largest bust of Lenin, and also the title of the center of Russian Buddhism. The city is home to the large population of the Buryat people, who are friendly, welcoming, and caring, and city’s cultural diversity will make you surprised about its wonderful heterogeneity. An unspoken symbol of Ulan-Ude is the Ivolginsky Datsan, a Buddhist monastery located 35 kilometers outs of the city on a plain ground with a backdrop of picturesque mountains. Datsan symbolizes the re-emergence of Buddhism in this Asian part of Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Dalai Lama himself has paid a visit five times since his first tour in 1992.

Ulan-Ude, Buryatia, Russia

Mongolia can be visited via the third primary route called the Trans-Mongolian Railway. Visiting Mongolia is very popular among travellers who decide to embark on the Trans-Siberian Railway voyage because of its untouched nature, vast steppes, stunning deserts, livestock freely walking around, nomadic culture and hospitable people. A few must-visit spots in Mongolia include: the empty steppe of the Gobi Desert, the Gandan Monastery, Mongolia’s most important Buddhist monastery, the monument to Genghis Khan at the Sukhbaatar Square, and the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. Gorkhi-Terelj National Park offers you the beautiful scenery of wild and unspoiled Mongolia, and is where you can go inside the traditional Ger and meet a nomadic family, or even try to ride a horse, which is a routine part of Mongolian life.

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia