FIFA World Cup 2018: Head off to a Russian holiday

ST. PETERSBURG

Stroll along the banks of Neva river to take a look at the resplendent mint-green,white and gold Winter Palace. Browse the masterpieces at the State Hermitage Museum (above) and see a ballet at the Mariinsky Theatre.

Source: FIFA, CultureTrip, Russia Tourism

MOSCOW

Founded in the 12th century, Moscow, the capital bursts with history and charm. Begin with an evening of ballet at the Bolshoi Theater and experience the electric atmosphere in its hallowed halls. Step afterward into the classy Darbazi or Elardzhi for a tasty Georgian meal.

Source: FIFA, CultureTrip, Russia Tourism 

MOSCOW

Stroll to the spectacular Red Square and its iconic St.Basil’s Cathedral at the southern end; the lively Old Arbat with its cafes and live music; and the ever-impressive Metro (above), where endless escalators descend to platforms adorned with mosaics and marble. Do not leave Moscow without gazing at a priceless Faberge egg at the Armoury.

Source: FIFA, CultureTrip, Russia Tourism 

SOCHI

The Russian Riviera on the Black Sea rose to global prominence after the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. In Sochi, you can go skiing in the morning and sailing or swimming in the afternoon on the same day. Situated along a 140 km stretch of the coast, the city offers so much more: Mountain climbing, hang-gliding, diving, aqua bikes, and much more.

SOCHI

Serving as a beautiful backdrop for Sochi are the Caucasus Mountains, a paradise of undisturbed forest with its wealth of caves, canyons and pristine waterfalls. The mountains are home to the snow skiing resort of Krasnaya Polyana, if that’s your calling.

KALININGRAD

Kaliningrad has one of the most turbulent - and interesting histories - of any territory in Europe. Now Russian, but once Prussian, German and Polish, Kaliningrad’s architecture is a fascinating mix of the old Prussian red-brick buildings, Soviet blocks of flats, detached houses, brand-new Orthodox churches and glass high-rises. Kaliningrad’s pride is the Königsberg Cathedral and the beautiful nature reserve of Kurshskaya Spit.

Source: FIFA, CultureTrip, Russia Tourism 

KALININGRAD

The region has been known from classical antiquity as a main source of amber in Europe. Around 90 percent of the world’s amber deposits are located here. The Amber Museum’s galleries are full of curiosities - from enormous 4kg chunks to chips that have encased ancient insects for hundreds of thousands of years.

Source: FIFA, CultureTrip, Russia Tourism

ROSTOV-ON-DON

A 1000 km to the south of Moscow lies Rostov, a city on an embankment by the slow-flowing Don river. The main promenade, Pushkin Street is a wonderful stretch to wander around in, basking in its historical heritage. Look out for statues of well-known characters from Mikhail Sholokhov’s novel ‘And Quiet Flows the Don’, which won him a Nobel prize for literature in 1965.

Source: FIFA, CultureTrip, Russia Tourism 

ROSTOV-ON-DON

Known from the time of Herodotus as a land of warlike Scythians, the endless steppes of the Don river basin eventually became home to the freedom-loving Cossacks. Catch a glimpse of the flamboyant Cossack culture still prevalent here, in a modern city.

Source: FIFA, CultureTrip, Russia Tourism