The first thing any traveller contemplating a trip to Russia must comprehend is the country's sheer size. It's the largest unified nation in the world, spanning two continents, nine time zones, and vast geographical distances. Russia's cultural diversity is equally impressive.
The best way to experience Russia is to sample it the way you would a delicious banquet. Book one of the many available Russia hotel packages. Expedia will help you find cheap hotel deals in Russia everywhere you decide you want to go.
St. Petersburg and Moscow are two of the world's great cities. The famous onion-shaped domes of St. Basil's Cathedral are only one of the Kremlin's inspiring sights. Moscow's Pushkin Fine Arts Museum is well worth visiting too. It contains an incredible collection of European and American art, including the Rembrandt masterpiece "Portrait of an Old Woman." Many Russia hotels in Moscow are designed to accommodate every budget. Whether you're looking for rooms at special discount rates or for a five-star luxury resort, you'll find it here.
St. Petersburg's neoclassical architecture gives this city far more of a European feel. For two weeks in June, the sun never dips beneath the St. Petersburg horizon, and the entire city celebrates its White Nights. Finding a cheap Russia hotel deal in St. Petersburg during White Nights can be a challenge, so be sure to book reservations for rooms beforehand to take advantage of top prices.
Nature lovers should be sure to visit Lake Baikal in south-east Siberia. Lake Baikal is both the oldest and deepest lake in the world. Geologists estimate it contains roughly 20 percent of the world's fresh water reserves. UNESCO has designated it a World Heritage Site. The awe-inspiring landscapes surrounding the lake basin include mountains, boreal forests, tundra, lakes, islands, and steppes. Hotels in Russia throughout Siberia tend to be simpler than they are in the cities, but they're still very comfortable.
One of Russia's most eeriest places is Dargavs in North Ossetia, better known as the City of the Dead. The city is an ancient Ossetian cemetery, filled with crypts dating back to the 16th century. Elista, located between the Black and Caspian Seas, has one of the few Buddhist temples in Europe. Statues of Lenin and the Buddha stand side by side in the town's main square.
Novgorod, halfway between Moscow and St. Petersburg, was Russia's original capital. Originally founded by Varangian Norsemen in the 6th century A.D., the city's main attractions are a beautifully restored mini-Kremlin and the spectacular 11th-century St. Sophia Cathedral. You'll be able to locate many Russia hotel deals in this charming city.