The Hermitage, St. Petersburg -- One of the world's greatest museums, housed in the Winter Palace of the tsars. The collection spans three million items, from Rembrandt and Matisse to Scythian gold. You could spend days here and barely scratch the surface.
The Trans-Siberian Railway -- The longest railway in the world, stretching 9,289 km from Moscow to Vladivostok across eight time zones. The journey takes six days and passes through birch forests, the Ural Mountains, and the shores of Lake Baikal. It is one of the defining travel experiences on earth.
Lake Baikal -- The deepest and oldest lake in the world, holding one-fifth of the planet's fresh water. The water is so clear you can see 40 meters down. In summer, hike the Great Baikal Trail or take a boat to Olkhon Island. In winter, the lake freezes into a surreal landscape of ice with cracks that glow turquoise.
Moscow's Kremlin and Red Square -- The political and spiritual heart of Russia. The Kremlin's cathedrals contain centuries of Russian history, while Red Square with St. Basil's Cathedral is one of the most recognizable places on earth.
The Golden Ring -- A circle of medieval towns northeast of Moscow, including Vladimir, Suzdal, and Yaroslavl. These small cities preserve Russia's oldest architecture -- white-stone churches, fortified monasteries, and kremlins that predate Moscow itself. Suzdal in particular feels like stepping back several centuries.
Kazan -- Where Russia meets the Tatar world. Kazan's Kremlin is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Orthodox cathedrals and the Qol Sharif Mosque stand side by side. The city's food, combining Russian and Tatar traditions, is some of the best in the country.
Kamchatka Peninsula -- A remote volcanic wilderness on Russia's Pacific edge, home to brown bears, geysers, and some of the world's most active volcanoes. Getting there is expensive and requires planning, but for wilderness lovers it is unmatched.
St. Petersburg's White Nights -- In late June, the sun barely sets in St. Petersburg. The city comes alive with festivals, concerts, and the famous opening of the drawbridges over the Neva River at 1 AM, when enormous ships pass through the heart of the city.