more expensive but infinitely fascinating region for the adventurous traveller. Flights fromMoscow cross Siberia to distant Petropavlosk,from where the adventure begins by helicopter,boat or six-wheel drive truck. Kamchatka's harshclimate makes June to September the best timeto travel to this region.Solovetsky IslandsIn the far north of Russia, just shy of the ArcticCircle are the remote and beautiful SolovetskiIslands. Home to a monastery since the 15th century, the islands are a testament tohuman endurance, as well as human suffering. The monks who originally populated the islandsovercame the harsh environment to establish oneof the most important and richest monasteries in Russia. After the revolution, it became anotorious prison camp, with forced labourersbeing incarcerated in tortuous conditions.Recently re-established as a working monastery,the islands exude peace, and despite their grimhistory, feel like a special, spiritual place. Visitorscan also relax, explore the islands by bike, gowhale-watching, and enjoy being in a unique,unspoilt setting that few westerners experience. A trip here can easily be combined with a visit to Moscow and St Petersburg. www.audleytravel.com/russia ?01993 838 230 ?Russia77Wooden house detail, SuzdalMonastery, Solovetsky IslandsBabushka, SuzdalReindeer herd, KamchatkaThe Three CapitalsA trip to Kiev in Ukraine, Moscow and St Petersburg is to venture right through thehistory of the Russian peoples, visiting threecontrasting capitals. Kiev, the modern-dayUkrainian capital was established sometime in the 6th century. Back then it was theancient capital of the so called Rus (earlyRussians), who were most likely descendedfrom Viking traders. In the 15th century, it was Moscow thatemerged as the strongest regional power,defeating the descendents of Ghengis Khan,who had overrun the whole region. Rulerssuch as Ivan the Terrible expanded Russianterritory and built iconic buildings like theKremlin and St Basil's cathedral. In 1703,Peter the Great founded the city of StPetersburg as his modern 'window on thewest', making it his capital. From here asuccession of Romanovs further expandedRussia into a huge empire, turning it into amajor world power and financing the buildingof countless grand palaces, churches andmonuments. In 1918 Lenin moved the capitalback to Moscow, fearing a German assaulton St Petersburg. Moscow has been thecapital of Russia ever since.Caves Monastery, KievKremlin, Moscow

Classic RussiaMoscow and St Petersburg are must-sees for anyfirst time visitor to Russia. Moscow has a real buzzand swagger about it, while St Petersburg is a littlemore refined and aristocratic. Taking the trainbetween the two cities is a good option, withovernight or day trains available.Day 1Fly from the UK to Moscow.Day 2See Red Square and the Kremlin,travelling by Moscow's ornate metro system.Day 3Continue to explore Moscow, taking in Novodevichy convent. Day 4Have more time in Moscow,exploring some of the many worldclass museums, before taking a trainto St Petersburg - day trains orovernight trains are available.Day 5Start exploring St Petersburg, with a guided tour of the Hermitage in the afternoon.Day 6A day at leisure to continue exploringthe city, perhaps visiting the Russianmuseum, or take a stroll along thecity's beautiful canals.Day 7A further day to either see the palaceof Peterhof, or drink in more of thebeautiful city centre.Day 8Visit the Summer Palace of Catherine the Great, before flyingback to London.Stay longerYou can easily spend a day or two more in St Petersburg. Alternatively, the Baltic capitals of Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius can be visited as part of a trip to the region. When to go??The best time to travel.?A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of.~Travel is possible, but this is not the best time of year.?Travel is not recommended.Summer, with its long, light evenings and balmytemperatures, is the classic time to visit thesenortherly climes. However, we would suggest theautumn months of September and early Octoberas being a great time to visit - the weather is notyet cold, and sites less busy. Winter is also amuch underrated time. If you can bear thefreezing temperatures, you will be rewarded withwonderful snowy vistas, reduced prices, and farfewer visitors. Time difference:GMT+3 hoursFlight time from UK:4 hoursPricesWe offer trips to cater for a wide range ofbudgets. You can find up-to-date guideline prices for your trip to Russia on our website,alternatively please call our specialists to discussyour plans.78JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec??~~?????????????Tailoring your tripThe itineraries shown are designed to give you aflavour of what is possible, and are routes thatwork particularly well. We can use these as abasis to plan your trip or can design a completelydifferent itinerary to suit your tastes and interests.Please call one of our Russia specialists to startplanning your itinerary.Telephone: 01993 838 230Getting aroundWith regular scheduled flights linking the UK with Moscow and St Petersburg in less than fourhours, getting to Russia is simplicity itself. Once onthe ground we can provide guidance to help youexplore under your own steam, or alternatively we can arrange walking tours within the cities orprivate cars for journeys into the countryside. Theefficient rail network is best for longer journeys -and certainly between St Petersburg and Moscow,this is a better option than flying. For thoseheading out east the great Trans-Siberian railwaycan be undertaken in its entirety, or alternativelyexperienced in sections, with domestic flights usedto cover the great distances quickly and efficiently. Wooden House, IrkutskKremlin and Moscow skylineBoarding a train, SiberiaFountains, Peterhof Summer PalaceSt PetersburgMoscowRUSSIABELARUS