Russia has a long and fascinating history that is said to have begun at the hands of the Scandinavian People. Originally not a unified country, Russia consisted of a number of Slavic cities until the latter half of the 19^th century when names such as Lenin took the stage. Russia has witnessed some great social uprisings and the move from communism to socialism seemed to waver, at least among the public if not among the government, during this era.

Throughout history and even today, two parts of Russia get a lot of mention and they indeed deserve it; St. Petersburg and Moscow. Today tourism in Russia, though mainly centered on these two cities, also includes other areas that contain a lot of interesting opportunities. The Bolshoi Theater is a common tourist attraction, as is the Tolstoy Museum. Of course, your visit to Russia would not be complete without a trip to Red Square. Once the site of executions and military parades, the Red Square is right in the middle of Moscow and is located next to the Kremlin walls and Lenin's tomb. Russia has it all with art galleries boasting of the finest collections, magnificently designed churches, vibrant cities buzzing with life and incredible world heritage sites.

One of the advantages of staying in Russia is that you can find many lodging accommodations right within its fabled historic buildings. If you are lucky enough, you will have the opportunity of staying in one of them. There are also a large number of modern hotels that have reasonable rates and exquisite service.

The public transportation system in Russia is very good, especially in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Roads were little used in Russia once upon a time, but today it boasts of an excellent road system. If you have a valid International Driving Permit you can use a rental car service and very easily explore the land on your own. Various cities also make use of buses, trains, taxis and other forms of public transportation.

Moscow

If you are an art lover, then you will certainly enjoy the State Tretyakov Gallery and Sculpture Park in Moscow, which features modern Russian art works and other 20th century paintings. And don't miss the Moscow Metro, whose many stations contain beautiful pieces of socialist realist art. You can also visit the 800 year old Kremlin, which has played a dominant role in Russian life from medieval citadel to modern power center. Other important attractions in Moscow include the Novodevichy Convent, Poklonnaja Mountain, and St. Basil's Cathedral.

St. Petersburg

This is an important place in Russia that entertains visitors a lot with its many beautiful attractions. Take a tour on the pier with the Dolphin Queen, which works completely on the water and has wildlife and bird settings. If you are interested in taking in a little history you can learn the stories of the area from the First Methodist Church of St. Petersburg. Nevsky Prospekt Street is another famous landmark that is filled with buildings of amazing architectural design. For other ideas of places to visit, check out St. Petersburg's official tourism website.