The Surprises of a Russia Cruise
Closed to conventional travelers until only recently, a Russia cruise offers access to a land that is home to a culture that has been largely undiscovered by modern day tourism. With the dissolution of the USSR and its communist concept of uniformity, Russians are now attempting a return to the previous centuries’ rich cultural heritage and traditions. The arts and literature are flourishing once again, and this re-awakening of their cultural roots is encouraging Russians to a re-establish their traditional heritage.
Commonly known by foreigners for being the coldest country in the world, many travelers are leery about a cruise to this great land. Many travelers, however, forget to take into account the climate variations that such a huge land mass can provide. The city of Sochi is a popular destination known for its beaches, and the areas along the Baltic and Caspian Sea coastlines offer a more Mediterranean Climate for vacationers. Yalta and Sevastopol are also well known vacationing spots, and the metropolitan areas of St. Petersburg and Moscow offer the tourist a glimpse at the vast historical legacy of this country. With the Kremlin’s collections, the Bolshoi Theatre, and the Hermitage and Russian Museums, tourists have plenty of opportunities to experience the local culture and inherited traditions. While westerners tend to stay mostly in the western cities, many little towns with old castles scattered through the countryside also offer a treat to those who venture out.
A Russia cruise offers a taste of the local cuisine: famous for its vodka and other foods such as caviar, borscht, and shashlik, the food in Russia is possibly the most widespread cuisine internationally. The imperial buildings and cathedrals of old Russia are truly unique architectural works of art, and colorful markets draw in travelers and citizens alike. Within the large expanse of Russia’s borders, the landscape offers spectacular views of towering mountains and volcanoes, rivers and forests bursting with wildlife, and the largest freshwater lake in the world. For those desiring a peek at the remainder of the taiga ecosystems in Russia, the Kamchatka Peninsula is largely untouched by humans and houses some of the last remaining wild large carnivores on the continent.
A number of obstacles still exist to the foreign tourist, including an outdated and sometimes costly visa system. Hotels are not abundant, often making those available in the city very expensive. Travelers on a tour of Russia will need to come prepared to meet these challenges, which while inconvenient, are a small price to pay to explore this remarkable country.
