Russia

The Winter Palace, former residence of the Russian Tsars and the site of revolution in the early 1900s, is now home to the Hermitage Museum. Nestled in front of the Neva River, the Baroque treasure features exquisite halls and rooms host millions of pieces of art. Gaze at work by artist legends such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Matisse, Gaugin and more.

Think of Russia and you'll undoubtedly conjure images of Moscow's St Basil's Cathedral. Russia’s poster boy, the patterns and shapes are instantly recognisable. Distinctly Russian and unique to this remarkable nation, cast your eyes over one of Russia's greatest treasures.

Kremlins are defined as fortified city centres, and although there are plenty to be found across Russia, The Moscow Kremlin is quite possibly the best known, and without doubt, the most fortified. Marvel at the great kremlin wall, the city’s first defence. Fashioned from signature red brick and great steepled towers, the handsome aesthetics only hint at the beauty beyond its threshold.

Catherine’s Palace, just a short way out of the city, is absolutely awe-inspiring, as is Peterhof’s Palace with its impressive gardens, fountains and golden statues.

Peterhof Palace, a mere 29km hop to the west of St Petersburg dishes up enough extravagance to leave you momentarily stunned. Plucked from the imaginations of Peter the Great, a Russian tsar, the splendour stretches from shining statues to palaces, gardens, fountains and the infamous Grand Cascade. Take sunglasses, because the shimmer of gold is never out of sight.

One of the largest cities in Russia, Kazan has its very own Kremlin which along with the one in Moscow, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city has a truly impressive array of religious buildings from mosques with towering minarets, standard Catholic churches and of course, traditional Russian buildings with brightly coloured domes.

This city sitting north of the Caucasus region is probably better known by its former name, Stanlingrad. It is here the famous Battle of Stalingrad took place killing up to an estimated 1.7 million soldiers and civilians. Much of the city was destroyed during the battle and his since been rebuilt, with the most impressive feature being ‘The Motherland Calls’ statue which towers 91 metres over the city, making it one of the largest in the world.

The Trans-Siberian Railway, a rail network between the Russian Far East and the Sea of Japan, is one of the longest railways in the world, linking Europe with China. There are endless epic train journeys to embark upon on the network, such as the seven-day Moscow to Vladivostok or Moscow to Beijing, either on the Trans-Mongolian line or the Trans-Manchurian line.

Discover intriguing contrasts and contradictions in opulent Russia, wild Mongolia and exotic China. Watch the world transform from your window as you relax on the world’s greatest railway. Hop off and encounter captivating cultures and diverse landscapes; from European Russia, draped in ornate architecture, to breathtaking Mongolia, steeped in nomadic traditions, and bustling Beijing, a patchwork of imperial heritage and vibrant modernity.

Lenin's Dacha houses many of his possessions, including his personal car- a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost adapted for snow conditions.