Holiday lettings & accommodation in Russia

Food and drinks is an integral part of life in Russia. Though the cities are now home to a range of international cuisines and high-end restaurants, hearty Russian food is still at the core of dining here. Some highlights of Russian gastronomy to sample, when you rent your holiday home, are dumplings, Oladyi (a kind of thick pancake), and Pirozhki (a bread stuffed with various fillings). Street food is still common in Russia and is a great way to sample authentic local food for a fraction of the cost of restaurants. Eating outdoors is common, though not so much in the winter when temperatures can get very chilly.

Moscow boasts many traditional art museums - some of the most popular and well curated are the Pushkin Museum and the Tretyakov Gallery, the largest collection of Russian fine art in the world. For those with an interest in modern art, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art is an excellent visit.

The Hermitage Museum is St. Petersburg's principle museum, housing a collection of some of the world's best fine art. No visit to Russia would be complete without taking in some ballet. Various theatres have regular performances - an excellent way to spend an evening.

Most people who visit Russia will either choose a cosmopolitan venture in either Moscow or St. Petersburg or travel to the Russian Far East and explore the wild landscapes and volcanoes of Kamchatka. If you're heading East, then a trip to Yakutsk is a must. Known as the coldest city on earth, it is surrounded by immense natural beauty. A trip down the Lena River and ice fishing in the Lena Pillars are both excellent excursions.

The principle attractions in Moscow are the Kremlin (the Russian parliament building), St Basil's Cathedral, and the square in which it is located - The Red Square. Known as the Venice of the North, the stunning waterways of St. Petersburg are must, and tours are readily available. Back on dry land, attractions not to miss are: St. Isaac's Cathedral, Church of the Saviour on Blood, and the Winter Palace - the former home of the Russian Emperors.