Being by far the largest country on earth, Russia’s vast expanse of land mass offers a multitude of exciting and intriguing possibilities. It borders a number of European and Asian countries and its endless list of cultures, languages, historical landmarks and must-see destinations goes on and on.

One of the best places to start could be with an ocean-cruise along the Baltic, which provides an easy point of access for the iconic city of St. Petersburg. This city is so impressive that the whole historic centre area has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage site and there are many headaches with regards to where you should start. During a visit, you should definitely consider visiting the Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace, the mosaic-filled Church of the Saviour of Spilled Blood, the Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Isaac’s Cathedral and many more palaces and religious buildings.

Seeing the almighty Kremlin building of Moscow will almost certainly leave you feeling bewildered. This vast complex is such a symbolic and historically significant landmark and is well worth taking the time to fully appreciate. One of the walls of Kremlin also borders the Red Square, which is where you will find a number of fascinating must-visit landmarks including St. Basil’s Cathedral, the State History Museum, and Lenin’s Mausoleum.

You can combine visits to both Moscow and St. Petersburg and one of the best ways to do this is by embarking on a river cruise aboard the Volga Dream. In addition to these two majestic cities, you will also be able to visit crystal-clear lakes, idyllic countryside, and smaller settlements including Yaroslavl, Goritsy, Kizhi, and Svirstroy.

Another way to fully appreciate Russia is to embark on a journey aboard the Trans-Siberian Railway, which provides an opportunity to travel through Russia from the Yaroslavsky Terminal in Moscow all the way to Vladivostok, on the eastern coast. Additionally, there are also branches of this world-renowned railways line that can connect you with cities in Mongolia and China.

It may come as a surprise to some to learn that Russia is home to an abundance of beautiful beaches. Towards the south-western reaches, this vast land expanse shares a coastline with on the Black Sea – an enclosed body of water that makes for blissful relaxation. One of the most renowned places to stay within this area is the city of Sochi, which hosted the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.