Before You Go
- Confirm passport validity and entry requirements.
- Check whether a tourist visa is required.
- Keep digital copies of important documents.
- Consider purchasing travel insurance.
Moscow
Russian Ruble (RUB)
Russian
MayโSep
Multiple TZ (UTC+2 to UTC+12)
Welcome to Russia, the largest country on Earth, where grand imperial history meets an extraordinary range of landscapes across eleven time zones. Moscow's Red Square and the colorful domes of St. Basil's Cathedral reflect centuries of Russian history and power. St. Petersburg's grand palaces and canals showcase imperial elegance along the Neva River. The Trans-Siberian Railway offers an epic journey across vast forests, steppe, and remote Siberian towns. Lake Baikal, the deepest and oldest lake on Earth, holds a striking, crystal-clear beauty found nowhere else. Russia's diverse regions, from the Caucasus Mountains to the Kamchatka Peninsula's volcanoes, reveal extraordinary natural variety. World-class ballet, literature, and art reflect Russia's deep and influential cultural legacy. Russia invites travelers to experience a country of staggering scale and historical depth.
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Helpful information to consider before and during your visit.
Discover some of Russia's most popular flavors, traditional dishes and memorable local treats during your visit.
Beef Stroganoff is a signature Russia specialty known for its distinctive local ingredients, seasoning and traditional preparation.
This popular Russia dish brings together familiar regional flavors and is commonly enjoyed in homes, markets or local restaurants.
A well-loved part of Russia cuisine, Borscht reflects the country's culinary traditions and locally available ingredients.
Blini is a comforting regional favorite, prepared in styles that may vary between families, cities and different parts of Russia.
Visitors often seek out Shchi for an authentic taste of Russia's everyday cooking and food culture.
This traditional favorite highlights the bold, savory or gently spiced flavors associated with cooking in Russia.
Pirozhki is widely recognized in Russia and is often served at casual meals, celebrations or community gatherings.
A memorable choice for travelers, Syrniki offers a flavorful introduction to the ingredients and techniques used across Russia.
This classic food is an important part of Russia's culinary identity and is best sampled freshly prepared.
Rwanda is nicknamed the "Land of a Thousand Hills" for its densely terraced, mountainous terrain, and despite being one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in Africa, it has become one of the continent's most notable conservation and recovery success stories in the decades following the 1994 genocide, in which an estimated 800,000 people were killed in roughly 100 days. Rwanda has since become a global model for post-conflict reconciliation, including establishing community-based Gacaca courts to process the enormous backlog of genocide-related cases at a local level.
The country is home to a significant portion of the world's remaining mountain gorillas, protected within Volcanoes National Park, and Rwanda's conservation efforts have helped mountain gorilla populations grow steadily in recent decades even as the species remains endangered. Rwanda has also become known for banning single-use plastic bags nationwide as early as 2008, one of the first countries in the world to do so, and its capital, Kigali, is frequently cited as one of the cleanest cities in Africa as a result of strict environmental policies, including mandatory monthly community cleaning days.
Rwanda has also made notable strides in political representation, having had one of the highest percentages of women in national parliament of any country in the world for over a decade.
Another little-known fact is that Albanians have a unique cultural tradition called "Besa," meaning "to keep one's promise." This centuries-old code of honor became internationally recognized during World War II when Albania was one of the few European countries where the Jewish population actually increased because local families risked their lives to shelter refugees. Albania also boasts the stunning Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltรซr), a natural spring with crystal-clear turquoise water whose exact depth remains unknown despite multiple explorations.
Finally, Albania enjoys more than 300 sunny days each year, rivaling many Mediterranean destinations. The country is also famous for its "sworn virgins"โa centuries-old tradition in remote mountain villages where women could legally assume male social roles by taking a lifelong vow of celibacy, preserving family inheritance and leadership in the absence of male heirs.
