A guide to some of Russia’s best museums

If you are traveling to Russia, one thing you will notice is the abundance of museums. Major cities like St. Petersburg and Moscow are full of museums, both big and small.

And to visit every museum in the city would take up your entire trip. However, we’ve got it covered for you! In this article, we have listed some of the museums you need to visit while in Russia. Note that you should have a proper Russian travel visa to tour across the country.

Here are some of the museums that you should pay a visit while in Russia:

1. The Hermitage Museum

The Hermitage is a renowned museum located in St. Petersburg, Russia. If you are into art and culture, this is a museum you shouldn't miss out on. You will be amazed by the exhibitions that take you back to imperial Russia. The place is magnificent and is often considered the largest museum for art.

The museum has a vast collection varying from prehistoric art to Russian art. It's worth every minute, and you probably get to brush up on your history knowledge. Also, the entry fee is free for students and children under eighteen years. Note that the museum is closed on Monday.

2. Memorial Museum of cosmonautics



Another museum that you should visit while in Russia is the Memorial Museum of cosmonautics. It is found in Moscow, the capital of Russia. If you are intrigued by space exploration, you need to visit this museum. In addition, you will learn about astronomy, space exploration and flight history.

Furthermore, it is also known for its rich collection and brilliant architecture. A visit to this museum helps you get insight into Soviet space exploration and how it has gained dominance. The museum is closed on Monday but is open the rest of the week.

3. The Tretyakov Gallery



Another famous museum that you should visit is Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. It is one of the important art museums in Russia. If you are in the capital, this is a gallery worth visiting. You will see exhibitions that dated many centuries ago of Europe and Russia.

The gallery helps you to get a peek into the history of Russia and its evolution. A trip to this gallery will leave you amazed as it is home to famous paintings by prominent artists of Russia. It is like a national treasure for the fine arts. The ticket fee to visit this gallery is free for students and children.

4. The State Russian Museum



The State Russian Museum is a prominent museum that showcases the works of Russian artists. It is found in St. Petersburg at Grand Duke Michael's residence. Furthermore, you get to delve into the history of Russian arts and its evolution.

It is a museum that showcases the art and artists of Russia. Also, over 38,000 artworks date back from the 10^th century till to this day. If you are curious about Russian arts and their evolution, this is a place you should visit. Note that the museum is closed on Thursday and free entry for children.

5. Mosfilm Museum

If you love cinema and are intrigued about Russian film history, then you should visit Mosfilm Museum. It is found in Moscow, and the place is a visual treat. The museum has diverse collections, from costumes to cars used in popular films. There are also stage sets of well-known films such as Anna Karenina and war and peace.

Note that it's a guided tour, and it can be in groups or individuals. In addition, you need to make an appointment in advance. The tour will take about 1.5 hours, and it's open daily.

Note: The photographs in this article are courtesy of wikipedia.org and have been borrowed under the creative commons license. Each photograph has been linked to its host page on wikipedia.org.

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Traveling Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe and the Baltics are places left undiscovered to many travellers. The lands of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc were, for many years, difficult to access for many tourists. Even if you were permitted entry, you were likely to be watched strictly by government assigned tour guides. Those days, however, are long gone. Today thousands of people visit these fascinating countries every year. Look below for some tips on the major cities of this fascinating part of the world.

Moscow



Perhaps more than any other city in the region, Moscow is a place that inspires awe in the hearts and minds of people around the world. Once the centre of the Muscovite aristocracy, then the centre point of the Russian Empire, and latterly the capital of global communism, Moscow is a truly fascinating place. Like many metropolises, Moscow can cause shock and wonder in equal measure.

A note for when you are travelling to parts of the world that you are unfamiliar with, such as Russia: money transfer services can be a little hard to understand when in Eastern Europe, so it’s best to visit a money transfer site like www.exiap.com/guides/money-transfer-services before you set off. This will ensure you have a back up plan if you do find yourself in a sticky situation with your finances when you travel.

Tallinn



This Baltic city is a real gem. The Estonians are proud of their national identity and consider the rule of the USSR an illegal occupation. Therefore, it is not strictly speaking correct to describe the country as a one time member state of the Soviet Union. The fierce independence of the Estonians is clear in the unique architecture of their maritime capital. St Olaf’s Cathedral is believed to have been the tallest building in the world in the 16th century and it still stands imperious over the city today. The historic old town centre is another enjoyable architectural wonder.

St Petersburg



The next city on our list is another Russian marvel. St Petersburg has long been considered the “cultural capital” of the Russian Federation, and it’s clear to see why - the city’s thriving arts scene rivals those around the world. The city is replete with historical splendor as well. A trip to the Hermitage museum (the 2nd largest museum in the world) will leave any traveler truly amazed. The Winter Palace, part of the Hermitage and home of Russian emperors for almost 300 years, is an incredible example of grandiose, aristocratic European design.

Tbilisi



Tbilisi is a fascinating and unique place where East begins to interact with the West. Sitting on the southern side of the Caucasus mountains, Georgia borders Turkey and comes close to Iran and the Middle East. Georgians are renowned for their hospitality and residents of Tbilisi are no different in this respect. Be sure to try the incredible Georgian cuisine. Dishes like Khachapuri and Khinkali are a well kept secret to those not from Georgia - they are wonderfully full of flavor.

Minsk



Minsk is a little known gem. It is the capital of Belarus, a country that sits between Poland, Russia, the Baltic countries and Ukraine. The city is renowned for its incredible Soviet architecture. If Soviet Realism is your thing then Minsk is the place to be.

Photo Courtesy: The photographs in this article are courtesy of wikipedia.org and have been borrowed under the creative commons license. Each photograph has been linked to its host page on wikipedia.

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So what’s the weather like where you are?

It’s the usual conversation opener. And weather is usually the main thing we complain about – it’s either too hot, cold, wet or dry for someone. But although we might complain bitterly about the rain or heat, few of us live in places with really extreme weather. Holiday Lettings explores those places in the world where the climate will really take travellers to the limits.

As hot as hell


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Where: Death Valley in the Mojave Desert, California. This aptly named desolate terrain has little vegetation, although when the meager spring rains arrive, wildflowers burst out of nowhere and color the arid landscape.

Weather record: This inhospitable spot lays claim to the highest temperature ever recorded – a sizzling 56 degrees Centigrade.

Trip tips: Visit between October and March when daytime temperatures don’t soar so high. Top up your fuel tank and take plenty of water and moisturizer. Watch out for rattlesnakes and take care on the road – car accidents are the main cause of death here.

As cold as ice



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Where: Verkhoyansk in Siberia, Russia. This chilly and often snowbound place is home to a sizeable population that makes a living from extracting tin and gold, as well as rearing cattle.

Weather record: The absolute freeze dates back to 1892 when temperatures plummeted to minus 67.8 degrees Centigrade. Since then, it hasn’t been much warmer and the January average sits around a very chilly minus 46.

Trip tips: Be prepared for a challenge – winter visits involve an 8-day journey along the frozen river, and in summer you’ll need a boat to get there. Overload on warm clothing (locals pile on real furs) and swig away at the vodka.

As wet as it gets



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Where: The title of world’s wettest place probably belongs to Puerto Lopez de Micay in western Colombia. Sitting in the high mountains on the, the small population relies on fishing and mining to make a living.

Weather record: 1984 is recorded as the year of the deluge, when rain levels topped 23,818mm and it rained for 353 days out of 366. Average annual rain falls at much lower rates but the 12,898mm is still nearly 22 times higher than the amount Londoners moan about.

Trip tips: Make sure your gear really is waterproof and invest in several umbrellas. When you’re inside, savor the cup of coffee made from locally grown beans.

Dry as a bone



Photo credit: Luca Galuzzi (license) via Wikimedia Commons

Where: Atacama Desert in South America. The windswept plateau spanning four countries is home to over 1 million people, mostly working in the rich copper mines or looking through giant telescopes at the stars.

Weather record: The Chilean part of the Atacama takes the prize for the world’s driest spot. Annual rainfall averages a minuscule 0.1mm, although most years don’t see a single drop come out of the sky.

Trip tips: Keep your fuel and water levels topped up at all times and wrap up warmly. Unlike other deserts, the Atacama doesn’t heat up too much and night temperatures are chilly. Be prepared for snow in winter – over 76cm fell in July 2011.

As windy as can be


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Where: Wellington in New Zealand gets the prize for windiest city in the world. The country’s capital and most populated area sits in a so-called ‘river of wind’, making life a breeze practically every day.

Weather record: Wellington’s strongest blast registered 246kph and the windiest year included 233 days with winds at speeds above gale force.

Trip tips: Make the most of any sports needing wind behind them. Don’t bother with an umbrella and hold onto your hat.

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