I first came to Russia back in 2006, more than twenty years ago. At the time, Russia still felt like a mysterious destination to me, with international travel there seeming relatively new compared with much of Europe. During that trip I explored Moscow and Sochi and successfully climbed Mount Elbrus, one of the Seven Summits.
Between the architecture and history of Moscow, the surprisingly subtropical environment of Sochi, and the nearly 6,000-meter peaks of the Caucasus, Russia offered an incredible amount of variety in a single trip. Yet I experienced only a tiny part of the largest country in the world. When I return, some of the places at the top of my list are St. Petersburg, Kamchatka, Siberia, and Volgograd.
Explore Moscow
Moscow is Russia’s capital and largest city, centered on a remarkable collection of historic landmarks, monumental architecture, churches, museums, and modern neighborhoods. Red Square forms the historic heart of the city, bordered by the Kremlin and surrounded by landmarks including St. Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum, and the GUM department store. Beyond Red Square, Moscow’s architecture ranges from ornate Russian Orthodox churches to the monumental Stalin-era skyscrapers that remain prominent features of the city’s skyline.
Explore Mount Elbrus
Mount Elbrus rises to 5,642 meters (18,510 feet) in Russia’s Caucasus Mountains and is the highest mountain in Europe. The massive dormant volcano has two summits and is one of the Seven Summits, the highest peaks on each continent. Although the standard climbing route is not highly technical, reaching the summit requires glacier travel, acclimatization, and the ability to cope with rapidly changing mountain weather and high altitude. The surrounding Caucasus add to the experience with glaciers, steep valleys, rugged peaks, and some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in Russia.
Explore Sochi
Sochi stretches along Russia’s Black Sea coast beneath the western Caucasus Mountains and has a humid subtropical climate that sets it apart from many common images of Russia. The surrounding region combines beaches and the Black Sea with dense forests, mountain rivers, waterfalls, hiking areas, and easy access to the Caucasus. Its unusual geography allows warm coastal landscapes and high mountains to exist remarkably close together, making Sochi an important destination for both seaside recreation and outdoor activities.
