europe

russia

The Tsars, Stalin and Lenin. Just the leaders of this mammoth country make it a perplexing place. The 20th Century saw interesting times for Russia – not all good – revolution, two world wars, Cold War the rise and fall of the Soviet Union. Yet there is more to Russia than associations of its glib winters, Siberia and tortuous Gulags.

The spirit of the people is one of survival, albeit with the help of a little vodka here or there. Russia’s recent affluence has meant the cosmopolitan-isation of cities like Moscow and St Petersburg (as well as Mafioso-types and their primped and primed fur-clad girlfriends). From there you can find anything from sun-kissed beach resorts, forests to snow capped mountains and decadent palaces. Of course the Trans-Siberian is a train journey that really is impossible to match.