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Russia is open for international travelers regardless their citizenship/country of residence. Tourist visas are being issued in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK, EU, Japan, and worldwide. Electronic visas (up to 16 days of stay, single entry) are available for the following nationals: Austria, Andorra, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Croatia, Cyprus, China, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Myanmar, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Philippines, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, Vatican, Vietnam.

You can bring foreign currency and exchange money freely in Russia. You can open a bank account and g et a debit card in one hour time, once you will have arrived, we assist.

Medical insurance is available for international travelers through Russian insurance companies.

International flights to Moscow and St Petersburg are available via Tbilisi (Georgia), Yerevan (Armenia), Baku (Azerbaijan), Istanbul (Turkey), Belgrade (Serbia), Dubai & Abu-Dhabi (UEA), Doha (Qatar), Algiers (Algeria),Tehran (Iran), Muscat (Oman), Cairo (Egypt), Astana & Almaty (Kazakhstan), Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Shenzhen, Qingdao & Xian (China), Delhi (India), Colombo (Sri-Lanka), Male (Maldives). Information changes frequently, please inquire.

Trans-Siberian travels can fly in/out Vladivostok via Beijing (China), Harbin (China), Bangkok (Thailand), Tashkent (Uzbekistan).

Trans-Siberians taking off in Irkutsk/Lake Baikal, fly to Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Dushanbe (Tadjikistan), Namangan (Uzbekistan), Osh (Uzbekistan), Beijing Daxing (China), Bangkok (Thailand), Ulaaanbaatar (Mongolia).

Explore the best travel destinations in Russia with our wide range of sightseeing tours to Moscow, St Petersburg, Golden Ring, Kazan; Northern Lights viewing tours; wildlife & nature tours to Lake Baikal tours, Altai, Kamchatka tours, Trans-Siberian train tours, and more. Find the best guided trips and expert planned Russian holidays 2023-2024.

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Read our articles and discover Russia’s tourist attractions, ways to learn its traditions and culture, top activities and interesting places, world-famous museums and hidden gems, and much more that’ll inspire you to come and see Russia.

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These are some of our hand-picked tours and itineraries that will let you get the most out of your trip to Russia. Choose one of ready programs or customize it and create your own trip!

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Unforgettable experience of thoroughly made routes

Heli-Skiing in Kamchatka

Heli-Skiing in Kamchatka is an unbounded freedom of travel, the rush of adrenaline and an unforgettable experience for years and years to come. However, this tour would suit...

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I can’t find proper words to describe my feelings when I was hiking around the volcanoes. I felt like exploring a new planet! Julia Emily Parks (UK) Was there in July 2019

russia travel and tours

I fell in love with icy Baikal. It is pure, transparent, mysterious and enormous! My dream to skate on the biggest natural skate rink came true! Monika Sadkowska (Poland) Was there in February 2020

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Dog-sled expedition was great experience for me. Huskies are fabulous, each of them has its own character! And I enjoy remembering the sound of snow scrunching beneath our feet :) Jana Ulrich (Germany) Was there in February 2019

russia travel and tours

I was totally amazed by nature wonders: fumarols, volcanoes, deserted bays and thick bamboo woods. Also enjoyed seafood delicacies – freshly caught in the Pacific ocean! Daniel Pasquier (France) Was there in July 2019

Vast fields, high mountains, endless forests and great rivers filled with big Russian heart. Russia welcomes you!

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There are our 20 top-rated tours on Big Country Travel. Would you like to see more?

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Big Country Travel is the community of travellers devoted to Russia and inspired by its nature. We help you organise your trip:

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All our guides are locals and professional travellers. We provide tours to all regions of Russia and of all travel styles.

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Russia Tours & Trip Finder

As a destination specialist travel company, we focus on delivering outstanding Russia tours and travel experiences in many regions of Russia. Using decades of experience combined with latest travel insights, we focus on producing travel services in Russia that combine seamless logistics, optimum attractions, and best of all, awesome guides who go the extra mile to make your next trip to Russia a memorable one.

Russia Tours & Russia Travel Packages

  • Below you can explore a range of masterfully designed Russian tour itineraries. Use the Tour Finder to help you find tours in your desired Russian destination.
  • All our Russian tours are escorted by English speaking guides. Guides who speak other languages like Chinese, French, German, and Spanish are also available upon request.
  • Among the different Russian tour options, you’ll find group tour itineraries with guaranteed departures, private itineraries (our itineraries, your group, any time of year) and options for customising your Russian tour itinerary.
  • Some destinations in Russia are available for travel all year round, like Moscow , St Petersburg and the Golden Ring , while other destinations are seasonal, like Kamchatka , Lake Baikal , Yamal etc. Usually, either summer or winter is the best time to visit as the in-between seasons may not be optimal for remote destinations.

Customized & Tailor Made Russia Tours

Our trip-designers will be glad to help you create your own perfect tour to suit your travel vision. You can either request for adjustments to one of our awesome packaged Russian tour itineraries or you can create a totally new customised itinerary with the help of our Russian travel specialists.

Russia River Cruises & Russia Discovery Voyages

Experiencing Russia from its waterways is an exciting way to explore Russia. Whichever cruise or discovery voyage you choose - be it a Volga River Cruise from Moscow to St. Petersburg or a discovery cruise to the Russian Arctic - you will enjoy amazing sightseeing, wonderful onboard entertainment, excellent food, and most importantly a warm and welcoming atmosphere aboard the ship.

Trans Siberian Railway Tours

There is no better way to discover Russia's diverse landscapes and colourful cultures than onboard a train travelling along the iconic Trans Siberian Railway. With planned excursions at every stop along the route and a range of optional activities, our award-winning Trans Siberian tours and Trans Siberian Railway itineraries will not disappoint.

Russia Winter Tours

We urge you to consider travelling to Russia in winter , as the country transforms into a world of cultural festivities and snow-white cities and countrysides. Exciting winter activities are also available to get the blood pumping and the soul fed. Russian winter holiday celebrations, such as Orthodox Christmas and New Years, are like no other and something every traveller should experience at least once in their lifetime.

Land-Only Russia Tours

Our Russia tours are offered as land-only unless there is domestic travel on Russia's trains , which we also arrange. We ask that you arrange your own airfare to, from, and within Russia. We will meet you at the airport or train station and handle everything else on the ground including accommodation, guides, transport, activities on tour and more.

Experienced Staff and Happy Customers

Travelling in Russia can be extremely interesting, rewarding, and exciting if you know the right places to visit, have a well-planned itinerary, and escorted by expert guides who focus on making your Russian travel experience a memorable one. Please see what past travellers to Russia have to say about our services by visiting our Testimonial page . If you have not found a tour that represents what you are looking for and would like to create something special for you, please contact us .

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Kamchatka – Spring Awakening

The "Kamchatka - Spring Awakening" tour showcases the natural diversity of the Kamchatka Peninsula during its beautiful time when nature awakes from the harsh Siberian winter and ...

Yenisei River Cruise – Siberian Exploration

A one-of-a-kind cruise on the untouched wilderness of Siberia's Yenisey river. Discover untouched lands and sail unshared waters – the first and only river cruise to travel the ...

Volga river: Russian countryside voyage

Sailing between Moscow and St. Petersburg, this unique experience includes an array of cultural riches and awe-inspiring natural phenomena, bookended by the country’s most ...

Altai Photo Tour, Shimmers of Siberia’s Autumn

You’ll be given ample opportunity to snap stunning landscape photos of Altai at its very best. Contrasting colours are everywhere - red canyons, silver mountains, white ...

Moscow Vibes – Three Day City Escape

This handcrafted Moscow tour is perfectly planned weekend exploration of Russia capital's most famous tourist attractions. You will enjoy a panoramic tour of this ...

Highlights of Moscow & St Petersburg

Immerse yourself in the art, history and culture of Russia and explore the contrasting styles of Moscow and St Petersburg in just one week. Experience the iconic landmarks of ...

Moscow and St Petersburg in Style

This carefully crafted 9-day itinerary tells the tale of two cities – Moscow, the source of Eastern political, economic and spiritual influence, and St Petersburg – Russia’s ...

Volga River Cruise: Tsars Waterways of Russia

Sailing between Moscow and St. Petersburg, though the Russian countryside. Experience includes an array of cultural riches and awe-inspiring natural phenomena, bookended by the ...

Trans-Siberian Odyssey Across Russia

What can be more captivating then crossing Russia from West to East in a train? It gives the full understanding of country’s scale and treasures, of how diverse and united it is ...

Lake Baikal: Two Shores, Four Cultures

Get acquainted with the fascinating history and different cultures of people inhabiting the shores of Lake Baikal. In just 9 days you will explore two shores of Baikal: see the ...

Lake Baikal – Frozen beauty of Olkhon Island

Step foot on Siberia’s most famous attraction, Lake Baikal – see its clear-as-a-mirror waters which reflect Siberia’s wildness, vastness and natural beauty. Explore the ice ...

Ring of Fire – Kamchatka, Commander & Kuril Islands Expedition Cruise

Journey to the most dramatic reaches of the Pacific Ring of Fire in the Russian Far East. Discover astounding landscapes, active volcanoes, forgotten Soviet hideouts, nesting ...

Golden Mountains of Altai Adventure Tour

This awe-inspiring circuit within the dramatic Altai Mountain range crosses vast distances to reach some of the most beautiful places in Siberia. Stretching from the capital, ...

Moscow & St Petersburg Winter Escapade

Experience the romantic, winter wonderland atmosphere and festive city lights of Russia’s two biggest cities and celebrate the New Year! You’ll discover some of the cities' ...

Kamchatka’s Forgotten Coast – Expedition Cruise

Kamchatka's forgotten coastline is largely unspoiled by human influence. Get up close and personal as you explore this remote, pristine landscape which is home to a variety of ...

Moscow, St Petersburg and Golden Ring Rendezvous

This tour of Moscow, St. Petersburg and the Golden Ring explores the places that shaped Russia’s history – past, present and future. Uncover Moscow’s ongoing revolutionary ...

Tsars Gold – A Trans-Siberian Railway Adventure

Experience one of the last great travel adventures - a journey on the Trans-Siberian Railroad, one of the world’s most fascinating and safest train routes. Starting from Moscow ...

Spirit of the Altai Nomads Tour

This 12-day Altai tour offers a combination of incredible sightseeing, undemanding adventure activities and culturally immersive experiences. You’ll be one of a few privileged ...

Lake Baikal Cruise – 6 Days Exploring Islands of the Sacred Sea

Journey to the centre of the world’s deepest lake on this breathtaking 6-day cruise of Lake Baikal. Go beyond the reach of the day-trippers to the wildest corners of its ...

Kamchatka – The Lost World

This 18-day expedition to Kamchatka takes place in late August, one of the best times to enjoy the spectacular scenery with the first signs of the autumn colours. We visit as many ...

Giants of Kamchatka – Trekking Active Volcanoes

Enjoy easy and moderate hikes of Kamchatka’s active volcanoes: Mutovsky, Gorely and Avachinksy, for thrilling views of steaming vents and breathtaking panoramas of snow-capped ...

Franz Josef Land and Svalbard Cruise

Explore the many waterways and islands of this unique Arctic landscape in the Russian Arctic. Cross back through the bountiful waters of the Barents Sea and then along the coastal ...

Trans-Siberian Winter Fairytale

Go on a troika sleigh ride or stroll through a snow forest under the winter morning sun. Sleep snugly on the Tsar’s Gold, your heated private train, on this 13-day private ...

Lake Baikal: Ice, Sun, Snow & Fun

Tour Russia's Lake Baikal in just four days, on a guided small group tour that offers the perfect combination of adventure, culture and relaxation. You will depart in mid-winter, ...

Volga River Cruise – Russian Odyssey

Embark on a luxurious odyssey from Astrakhan to St.Petersburg aboard the deluxe MS Volga Dream. Discover the rich cultural side of Russia as you stroll through historic towns like ...

Top of the World – North Pole Cruise

Embark the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy for a roundtrip voyage through the frozen Arctic Ocean to the geographic North Pole. Enjoy the opportunity to explore the ...

Classic Moscow – Art, History and Culture

Breathe in the history of Moscow, explore its Imperial and soviet past, dynamic contemporary culture and lifestyle. On this 5-day tour of Moscow, you'll visit the must-see sights ...

Northern Lights in Russia – Railway Adventure to the Arctic Circle

We invite you to feel the atmosphere of the magic of winter St. Petersburg, Petrozavodsk, Vologda and witness the Northern Lights beyond the Arctic Circle on the shores of the ...

Treasures of St Petersburg

This in-depth tour is a fun and fascinating discovery of the legacy of Imperialist Russia, just in one week. A showcase for the wealth and tastes of the Emperors of Russia from ...

Golden Ring at a Glance

Take a short detour from Moscow to discover the age-old allure of Russia. Travelling from the capital to the countryside, where golden spires and the onion-shaped domes of ...

Golden Ring – Reflections of Russian Heritage

The tour will take you to the eight cities of the Golden Ring, starting from Vladimir. The 'classical' route will take you to the fascinating sites of ancient cities. Get to see ...

Volga River Cruise and Two Capitals

This glorious journey combines the best sites of Moscow and St. Petersburg, with a deluxe cruise on the iconic Volga River. An ideal journey for individual travellers and small ...

Grand Volga River Cruise from Moscow to Astrakhan

Traverse the longest river in Europe and discover the myriad landscapes and diverse cultures that make Central Russia a truly intriguing cruise destination. On a journey aboard ...

Karelia & Kizhi Island in 3 Days

On this short detour from Moscow or St Petersburg, you will explore cultural and natural sites of Karelia. Your tour starts in Petrozavodsk - the largest city in Karelia mostly ...

Gems of Karelia – Kizhi Island, Solovki and Valaam

Enjoy all major sights of Karelia just in a 7-day tour. You will visit Kizhi and Valaam Islands, Kivach Waterfall and Ruskeala Park, Solovetsky and Valaam monasteries. See the ...

Imperial Russia, Classic Trans-Siberian Journey

Embark on a classic two-week adventure across Russia to China onboard the comfortable Imperial Russia train. Starting either from Moscow or Beijing, this train journey will show ...

Golden Eagle, Luxury Trans-Siberian Express

The Trans-Siberian Railway journey, onboard of the luxurious Golden Eagle across mysterious Russia from Moscow over the Urals, across the magnificent and endless steppe and ...

Kamchatka Discovery

Enjoy a variety of day excursions around Kamchatka, such as volcanoes trekking, marine trip, rafting and cultural experience, while staying in a comfortable hotel in the Paratunka ...

Kamchatka – Kingdom of the Brown Bears

Stay for three days on the shores of the iconic Kurilskoye Lake and take part in bear viewing, as the bears gorge themselves during the annual salmon run. After Kurilskoye Lake, ...

Reindeer Herders Festival in Yamal 2023

Visit the Yamal region of Russia to witness the Reindeer Herder's festival and immerse yourself in the rich culture of local nomads - the Nenets people. On this tour you will ...

Legend of Lake Baikal

Experience the main sites of Lake Baikal just in one week. Visit Irkutsk and Listvyanka village, explore the iconic Olkhon island, learn about a local Buryat people culture and ...

Lake Baikal Ice Adventure

Feel as though you have stepped into a fantasy novel as you experience a magical adventure, one that you will never forget. You'll explore the frozen beauty of Olkhon Island by ...

Reindeer Migration with the Nenets in Yamal

Be a part of the ancient nomadic culture of the Siberian Arctic on this immersive experience, participating in massive reindeer migration and staying in the winter camps of Nenets ...

Kamchatka’s Critters and Craters

Take part in some of the best bear viewing on the peninsula, stay in the camp on a slope of active volcano Tolbachik and explore its lava fields. Immerse yourself in the ...

Northern Lights in Russia: Arctic Winter Magic

Explore main sights of mighty Moscow and cultural capital of Russia - Saint Petersburg. Head to Karelia, where we’ll stop to admire the Ruskeala Mountain Park and historic ...

Northern lights in Murmansk – Quest for Aurora Borealis

Spend 3 full days in Arctic city of Murmansk on the Kola Peninsula, where you will enjoy snow activities such as husky dog sledding and snowmobiling during days and will get a ...

Kamchatka Photo Expedition – Bears and Volcanoes

If you’ve ever dreamed of capturing the explosive drama and raw beauty of Kamchatka’s volcanic landscapes on camera, this is the tour for you. We will stay for 3 days on Kuril ...

Wrangel Island – Expedition Cruise in Russian Arctic

Truly wild and remote, Wrangel Island is the frontier of adventure cruising. This rarely-visited Arctic refuge is famed for its world's biggest population of polar bears. ...

Naadam Festival – Trans Mongolian Express

Join us and experience 'The Big Event' in the Mongolian calendar. Soak up the exciting atmosphere of the Naadam Festival from the opening ceremony to the 20km horse race, an ...

Arctic Rail Explorer – Quest for Northern Lights

Take in the beautiful cities of St Petersburg and Moscow before exploring deep into the Russian and Norwegian Arctic Circle in pursuit of the magnificent Aurora Borealis (Northern ...

Lake Baikal Photography Tour

Stay for 4 days on the famous Olkhon Island in Lake Baikal. Walk on the glass-clear ice and catch the perfect shots of this amazing frozen beauty! We will spend plenty of time on ...

Sea Kayaking in Kamchatka

Explore the bays, islets and caves of Kamchatka by kayak and get closer to its wild inhabitants than you ever imagined.

Kamchatka Winter Adventure

Enjoy skiing from Kamchatka’s fiery volcanic peaks, relax in thermal hot springs and experience the most popular winter activities - dog sledding and snowmobiling.

Kamchatka Heli Ski

Fly high above the untamed peaks of Kamchatka in a Russian chopper, and carve down the untouched slopes of the peninsula.

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Solovetsky Transfiguration Monastery

Northern European Russia

This imposing, stone-walled monastery is the heart and soul of the Solovetsky Islands. Founded in 1429, it has played various roles throughout its…

The crown of Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich in the Armoury in the Kremlin, Moscow. 21/06/2003. (Photo by Jeff Overs/BBC News & Current Affairs via Getty Images)

The Armoury dates to 1511, when it was founded under Vasily III to manufacture and store weapons, imperial arms and regalia for the royal court. Later it…

Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts

Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts

Arbat & Khamovniki

This is Moscow’s premier foreign-art museum, split over three branches and showing off a broad selection of European works, including masterpieces from…

Jordan Staircase Of Hermitage Museum

State Hermitage Museum

St Petersburg

The Hermitage fully lives up to its sterling reputation. You can be absorbed by its treasures for days and still come out wanting more. The enormous…

St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square, Moscow, Russia

St Basil's Cathedral

At the southern end of Red Square stands the icon of Russia: St Basil’s Cathedral. This crazy confusion of colours, patterns and shapes is the culmination…

Grand Palace

Grand Palace

Around St Petersburg

The Grand Palace is an imposing building, although with just 30-something rooms, it is not nearly as large as your typical tsarist palace. From the start…

Exterior of Water Tower at Kremlin.

Moscow Kremlin

The apex of Russian political power and once the centre of the Orthodox Church, the Kremlin is the kernel of not only Moscow, but of the whole country…

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Lenin's Mausoleum

Although Vladimir Ilych requested that he be buried beside his mum in St Petersburg, he still lies in state at the foot of the Kremlin wall, receiving…

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Russia Tours in 6-8 Days

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Top russia travel packages, russia in 7-10 days.

Russia itineraries are extremely varied, as one would expect give the country’s massive size. The type of travel available in Russia is richly diverse.

Adventurous travelers looking to get away from it all can escape to Siberia for the snowy experience of a lifetime, or those seeking a bit more comfort and who have a lot of time can meander through history aboard the historic Trans-Siberian Railroad.

History buffs will be in heaven on a richly cultural visit to St. Petersburg and Moscow. And nature lovers will discover a truly beautiful and diverse landscape of wildlife and wilderness.

The size of Russia does somewhat dictate the amount of time you spend in any given place. The majority of Russia tour itineraries are no fewer than 7 days, most much longer.

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Russia in 6-8 Days

If you have about one week in Russia, you will have just enough time for a visit to the top two cities, Saint Petersburg and Moscow. Hitting the highlights of each unique location, you will see the most famous Russia sights on these tours.

Days 1-3, Saint Petersburg : Get acquainted with Saint Petersburg and tour famous sights such as St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Hermitage Museum, the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood, and Peterhof Palace.

Days 4-7, Moscow : Take a relaxing, high-speed train from Saint Petersburg to Moscow. Explore the vast structures of Red Square and immerse yourself in the fascinating Moscow culture and history.

See  all Russia Tours between 6-8 Days  »

Russia in 2 weeks

With two weeks, you have a little more time to dive deep into the culture, history, and communities of Russia. Although you still hit the top destinations of Saint Petersburg and Moscow, you also get to visit the historic Solovetsky Islands, the world’s largest Arctic city, Murmansk, and the ancient Golden Ring city, Yaroslavl.

Days 1-4, Saint Petersburg : Explore the ‘City of the Tsars’ and its architectural monuments and top attractions including Kazan Cathedral, Peter and Paul Fortress, Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, Mariinsky (advanced booking essential), and the Hermitage museum.

Days 5-7, Solovetsky Islands : Take a ferry on the White Sea to the Solovetsky Islands and nearby Bolshoi Zayatsky Island.

Days 8-9, Murmansk : Learn about the “hero city’s” role in World War II and visit Teriberka, an Arctic fishing town.

Days 10-11, Yaroslavl : Take a walking tour of the ancient and largest city of the “Golden Ring,” including the Kotorosl and Volga Rivers.

Days 12-14, Moscow : Tour the famous Red Square including St. Basil’s Cathedral, the GUM Department store, the State Historical Museum, and the Moscow Kremlin.

See  all 2 Week Russia Tours  »

See   all 3 Week and Above Russia Tours  »

The Trans-Siberian Railway Express

This concise version of the traditional Trans-Siberian Railway route hits all of the main attractions in about half the time. Starting in Moscow, this nine-day journey takes you across the Siberian terrain until you reach the famous Lake Baikal.

Days 1-2, Moscow : Hit the the top must-see destinations, including Red Square’s impressive buildings.

Days 3-4, Kazan and Ekaterinburg : Cross from Europe to Asia while visiting historic Russian Orthodox churches and a kremlin wall.

Day 5, Novosibirsk : Stop in this Siberian hub to visit the Opera House, Lenin Square, and the Ob River.

Days 6-7, Irkutsk : Experience the classic wooden architecture of the “capital” of Siberia.

Day 8-9, Lake Baikal : Explore the world’s oldest and deepest freshwater lake.

See all Train & Rain Journeys in Russia  »

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Small Group Tour Vacation Packages

The joys of travel are always far more exciting when you have someone to share them with! Traveling with a group of friends or like-minded globe-trotters provides the opportunity to share amazing moments and create long-lasting memories together from your trip to Russia. Together with an intimate group of up to 12-14 people, you will take part in exceptional activities, enjoy numerous guided sightseeing tours, visit spectacular marvels of nature, and other wonderful sights. You might even find the company for your next adventure abroad!

Things To Do & Places To See on small group tours

Don't miss out on important sights & experiences on small group tours

Enjoy a Small group tour and share unforgettable moments with a group of fellow travelers! Discover hidden gems of your destination with top-notch service.

Highlights of small group tours

  • Comprehensive guided tours
  • Sightseeing the hidden gems
  • Authentic activities
  • Group meals together with fellow travelers
  • Private group transfers if required
  • Carefully planned day tours

Small Group Travel Tips

Check out the best travel suggestions for a Small Group Tour travel, carefully chosen for your easy next perfect adventure.

Hermitage, St.Petersburg

What to pack

Make sure to pack comfortable and warm clothing as the weather can often be unpredictable. Comfortable footwear is advisable.

It's better to check the weather forecast before your departure, but bringing a water-resistant jacket is recommended.

Local cuisine is always worth tasting. To try all the flavors, visit a small place and a fancy restaurant.

How much to tip

Tipping is optional yet appreciated; thus, feel free to leave up to 10-15% of the bill if you enjoyed the service.

It's always a good idea to have some cash in local currency for small expenses. Before your departure, check the local currency online.

When to travel

In each season, you can find a fantastic destination to explore. Contact our destination specialists for more details.

We enjoyed the whole trip a lot

Overall we enjoyed the whole trip a lot. Moscow is beautiful and clean. Thank you very much for your patience and excellent organization of this tour. Everything ran very smoothly and according to schedule. The guides met us on time at hotels or at our train carriage on arrival. They all spoke good English, had a good local knowledge and were very kind and helpful.

Travel All Russia was flawless

My husband and I have traveled extensively over decades and this is one of the finest trips we have ever taken. From planning to our flight home, Travel All Russia was flawless. The hotels, logistics, and guides were all superb. Thank you for a wonderful trip!

Absolutely the trip of a lifetime

Absolutely the trip of a lifetime. Russia is a beautiful country with so much history and culture. The local people were wonderful and so very helpful. I wish there wasn’t so much bad political press from our media in the US. Hopefully, more people will visit Russia and see the beauty of the country and its people. Thanks for your amazing services.

Russia was explained perfectly

We were apprehensive about organizing everything online but it all worked! Guides were knowledgeable and willing to answer all questions, hotels were great and central to sights, groups were small and dynamic. Russia was explained perfectly with all its history. We loved it.

Just wanted you to know what a wonderful trip I had - Treasures of Two Capitals, Small Group Tour June, 2017

Just wanted you to know what a wonderful trip I had!!!

The guides were absolutely great and Russia is so very interesting and amazing!!

I will be sure to check your website out and maybe go on another venture to Moscow sometime; Would love to see a ballet at the Bolshoi and maybe see some other venues there.

Loved the St. Regis – excellent location. Thanks for your help.

Russian Small Group Tour, June 2017

The St Regis hotel in Moscow was excellent; however, the Petro Palace in St Petersburg was 1-2 steps 'below' -- though it was centrally located.

Both guides (Moscow and St Petersburg) were excellent and found our Moscow guide knowledgeable about Russian history.

We enjoyed the tour very much - Small Group Tour to Russia, June 2017

We enjoyed the tour very much. All included meals/restaurants and our welcome drinks were excellent. The St Regis was wonderful, however the Petro Palace, although comfortable, seemed a lower level hotel with its "budget" decor (especially the bathroom) however the staff were friendly and location was good. Thank you.

I really like the "small" group tour - Classic Moscow & St. Petersburg Small Group Tour May, 2017

The itinerary on some days noted the time the guided tour would finish but actually finished sooner. What was nice was that there was a lot of free time available. I would have liked maybe a map and list of places of interests we may like to explore on our own and also a list of recommended local places to eat.

I really like the "small" group tour. Also would like to note that Ludmilla ("Mila"), our guide in Moscow was exceptional. I would definitely recommend this tour to my friends. Thank you!

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Join a Russia small group rail tour for an experience of a lifetime and discover the main historic cities and fascinating villages of the Trans-Siberian rail. Don't miss the chance to cross 7 time zones, travel through the Ural mountains and endless taiga forests, enjoy carefully planned city tours, and meet with hospitable locals on a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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Russia Travel

Red Square, Moscow, Russia Travel

“Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.”

Winston Churchill’s observation is as pertinent today as it was in the mid-20th-century. Russia is as intriguing as it ever was. Stubbornly standing its ground as a country which will bow down to no conventions-refusing to be classified as either European or Asian-Russia is still Russia.

While the country has modernised in leaps and bounds since the fall of the USSR, the culture remains ever defiant in its distinctness to western norms. Stirring ballets and operas, not soppy musicals, fill the playbills and sincerity, which is often mistaken for seriousness, i s valued over shows of pleasantries.

Apart from the allure of the enigmatic Russian soul, there are countless other reasons to visit the world’s largest country. Its pristine forests are ripe territory for explorers thirsty for adventure and eye-opening vistas. Villages and cities alike are treasure-troves for history-fanatics. And, since the collapse of the Soviet Union, both art and religion have blossomed — reviving the rich legacy left by the Russian Empire.

Should you already have your heart set on Russia and simply need guidance on the practicalities of visiting this magnificent country, please see our Russia travel tips page.

Your Guide to Russia by a Local Travel Expert

  • 1. What is Russia Famous for?
  • 2. Is Russia Safe to Visit?
  • 3. Top Destinations
  • 4. Top Experiences
  • 5. Visa Matters
  • 6. Russia Travel Seasons
  • 7. Russia Travel Map
  • 8. Holidays and Festivals
  • 9. Curious about Russian Cuisine?
  • 10. Dos and Don’ts in Russia
  • 11. Speak the Language
  • 12. Virtual Russia Travel Guide: Further Reading
  • 13. At Your Service

What is Russia Famous for?

R oyal residences: The Romanov family possessed one of the greatest fortunes in their times, most of which they used in building the most extraordinary palaces and parks.

O rthodox religion: The golden cupolas of Orthodox Churches have brightened up Russia’s villages and cities for almost half a millennial. Submerge yourself in the history and traditions of this ancient religion.

S oviet history: In all of Russia’s cities, the Red forces left their indelible mark. Though the gargantuan concrete structures may seem oppressing even today, they are a must-see for anyone hoping to understand Russia’s history.

S cenery: Being the largest country on earth, Russia has no shortage of sights to take your breath away. Any enthusiast of the great-outdoors should see Lake Baikal, Mt. Elbrus and the Siberian Taiga.

I zbas: Far away from civilisation, deep in the depths of Russia’s forests, villages made up of traditional izbas (log houses) seem to come out of a distinctly Russified version of Handsel and Gretel.

Y uletide: Russia is special in any season. But for those who brave the cold and come in December, something more than just special awaits.

A rt: Ballet, poetry, architecture, landscape: Russians have mastered the language of the heart better than any other nation. Experience the crème-de-la-crème of Russian art from the glittering balconies of the Mariinsky and Bolshoi and delve into its history down the marble corridors of the Hermitage and the Tretyakov Gallery.

Is Russia Safe to Visit?

Despite the political jostling between the West and Russia, Russia is as safe for tourists as any other European destination. Since the wild '90s, a lot has changed. Russian cities now have lower crime rates than some of their counterparts in America and corruption in the police force is no longer the norm. Though only a third of Russians speak English, foreigners are met with enthusiasm (and rounds of vodka) in almost all regions of Russia. There are less savoury locations in the south of Russia, but these regions are far from the tourist trails. The only danger that could pose an actual threat to visitors is Russians’ infamously reckless driving. Only taking licensed taxis and crossing roads with care easily solves that issue.

Top destinations

Discover the real Russia — feel the force of history on the Red Square and be dazzled by the best of Russian culture at the Bolshoi — while having all the comforts and conveniences of big city life at your fingertips. Centuries-old royal estates like Tsaritsyno, haunts of the soviet-era — such as Lenin’s Mausoleum and the Seven Sisters — along with the high-rises of Moscow City and high-tech of Star City paint a vivid picture of Russia’s history; from its beginnings as a princedom to the capital of a world superpower. There’s no better place to start your journey into Russia than the sprawling, roaring, yet always welcoming capital that is Moscow: Europe’s biggest city.

Saint Petersburg

See Russia from the vantage point of one of the world’s most cultured cities: Saint Petersburg. Far away from the buzz of Moscow, time seems to stand still. Reflections of baroque palaces glitter in canals and the golden domes of neo-classical cathedrals dominate the skyline unblighted by high-rises. The Hermitage, Peterhof and the Mariinsky — bastions of prestige — are complemented by hidden gems such as the Alexander Nevsky Monastery and Pavlovsk Palace. In Russia’s Imperial capital, culture, history and architecture intertwine to form a city so romantic that it would make a poet’s heart sing.

Dive deep into Slavic culture in the land of the taiga, Ural Mountains and Lake Baikal in Russia’s largest region: Siberia. See how generations of Siberians have braved the extreme climate in historic towns like Tobolsk and marvel at the forces of nature in the boundless wilderness of Siberia’s forests.

Off the beaten-track destinations

On the banks of the Volga, east meets west in the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan: Kazan. Having been founded more than a millennial ago by the Mongols, the city still retains the pompous aura befitting for a key city of the Golden Horde. Elements of Orthodoxy and Imperialism, however, diluted the Oriental influences during the five hundred year Russian rule. See Russia’s lesser-known side, uncover its ties to both Arabia and Asia and meet Russians of many faiths and faces: like a matryoshka doll, Kazan is full of surprises.

Nizhny Novgorod

As the largest closed city in the Soviet Union, this historic hub of industry still remains unknown to most tourists. Yet, according to UNESCO, its collection of medieval cathedrals merits it a place in the top 100 cities of the world. Sail the 300 mile journey from Moscow up the Volga or catch the overnight train to have ancient Rus’ treasures almost all to yourself.

Veliky Ustyug

In the northerly Vologda region, in forests deep and dark, a land of mythical creatures beckons those who are young at heart. Ded Moroz (Father Frost — the Russian Santa Claus) welcomes thousands of guests to his official residence on the outskirts of this small town. Within his whimsically carved wooden palace, Russia’s oldest fairytales are brought to life with the help of the ghastly Baba Yaga and gorgeous Snegurochka. Veliky Ustyug itself is delightfully quaint — being one of the few towns in Russia with almost all its pre-revolution architecture intact. In tsarist times, it was famed for its craftsmen who produced religious iconography — examples of which can be admired in the town’s Museum of Iconography.

Top Experiences

The Golden Ring: Rostov Kremlin

Visa Matters

Tourist visas for visits of 30 days or less can be obtained through Russian consulates, official visa centres or via tour operators like us. The requirements are literally as easy as 1-2-3 to meet. A visa application form, passport and letter of invitation are all that is needed. But, while in theory it may be smooth sailing, the practicalities of applying for a visa in a Russian consulate can make the process rather daunting. Worldwide, dreadful queues and waiting lists served with the typical lack of courtesy characterise Russian consulates. The fees official visa centres or tour operators charge are almost always more palatable than the ordeal that is an appointment at a Russian consulate. While US citizens must apply for a visa via one of the ways listed above, some nationalities can avoid the queues and fees entirely. Lucky nationals of Israel, South Africa, Qatar and the UAE among a few others can visit Russia for up to 90 days without any visa. While citizens of other countries like the EU, China, Norway, Switzerland, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Turkey can also skip consulate queues by applying for a free, 8-day e-visa when going to designated tourist areas like Saint Petersburg.

For further information or assistance please visit our page dedicated to visa applications .

Best Time to Visit Russia

It is difficult to generalise when speaking about a country as vast as Russia. With regards to weather, this is especially true. While certain parts of Russia are indeed formidably freezing, down south the flocks of Russian holidaymakers on picture-perfect beaches gleefully disprove the stereotype that Russia is miserably cold. That being said, the majority of foreigners only visit north-western cities like Saint Petersburg and Moscow and hence the climate most tourists need to prepare for can be characterised as moderately cold European weather. To read about the climate of other Russian regions click here or take look at our travel map below.

Best Time to Visit Russia

When to visit the North-West of Russia:

Spring: Winds of change, fresh and vibrant, fill the air with excitement as crowds bustle in the streets to celebrate the end of winter with an endless stream of public holidays. Defender of the Fatherland Day, Women’s Day, Maslenitsa (blini week), May Day and Victory Day all make for perfect excuses to visit Russia in spring, as do the bargain prices. But though Russians may mark the beginning of spring with much ado in March, snow, ice and knuckle-freezing temperatures are all possible till mid-May.

Summer: Russia isn’t known for its warm summers but, in fact, the period from mid-May to August is almost always pleasant, if not a little too pleasant (temperatures can shoot to 30c and over in cities like Moscow). Prices rise with the temperature as tourists stream in to marvel at the sprawling royal estates in full bloom and the enchanting White Nights in Saint Petersburg. While the main ballet troupes embark on international tours during the summer down season, outdoor festivals like Scarlet Sails take centre stage and enthral crowds till the wee hours of the morning.

Autumn: Affectionately known as Babye Leto (Indian summer), the first few weeks of Russian autumn are often just as golden as the leaves on the parkland trees. As the 20c temperatures plunge towards the end of September, locals replace their weekend strolls with days in the near-empty museums and warm up during the crisp evenings in cozy jazz bars or lavishly-decorated theatres for the start of the ballet season.

Winter: There is no view more quintessentially Russian than that of a church’s onion domes bulging out under a quilt of snow. Nor is there a season that reflects the character of the Russian people better. For those prepared to wrap up warm, a whole month of merriment and heart-warming sincerity during the New Year celebrations awaits as do a multiplicity of traditional and daredevil winter sports.

Russia Travel Map

Use the Russia Map to locate the country’s main cities and find out what each one has to offer:

Holidays and Festivals

New Year decorations in Moscow

Organise your travels to Russia around one of these celebrations:

New Year Season (December to January 8th) – Undoubtedly the nation’s best-loved holiday, Russia’s legendary New Year’s celebrations officially last a whole week. Unofficially, Russians usually pop open the champagne and start turning the music up by the middle of December when New Year’s bazaars, outdoor ice-rinks and ice festivals are in full swing. Uniquely in Russia, one can see in the New Year twice. The splendour of the fireworks, feasts, family-gatherings and fun in the snow are repeated yet again on January 14th — New Year according to Russia’s pre-revolutionary, Julian calendar. Best place to celebrate: Moscow or Saint Petersburg

International Woman’s Day (8th March) – “International Woman’s Day” is a bit of a misnomer. While the day is most certainly feminine (chocolates and flowers are the symbols of this holiday), only ex-Soviet states and their allies actually celebrate Women’s Day in a meaningful way. Along with appreciating mothers, grandmothers, sisters and aunties, this holiday also doubles as a Russian alternative to Valentines Day. This combination of feminism, family and romance may be unorthodox, but somehow it all merges together to form something really special. Best place to celebrate: Moscow

Maslenitsa (Late February-Early March) – This holiday is the perfect excuse to indulge in all the delights of the Russian cuisine. While often translated as “Shrovetide”, Maslenitsa differs starkly from Pancake Day. For starters, the pancake flipping lasts an entire week and the resulting mountains of buttery golden, paper-thin discs are quite unlike western pancakes. In Russia, pancakes or blinis are a meal in themselves. Caviar, fried mince, potatoes, condensed milk and sour cream are just some of the delights stuffed within blinis. Best place to celebrate: Moscow and the Golden Ring

  • Siberian Maslenitsa Tour

Victory Day (9th May) – Russia may well be an enigma, but it can become that bit more comprehensible if one learns some of its history. Each spring, on the anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany, Russia’s sorrowful history is relived with great passion and pride. The grand parades, solemn ceremonies and nation-wide exhibitions provide the perfect opportunity for foreigners to peer into the Russian national psyche. Arrive a few days earlier on May 1st to see the equally grand May Day celebrations which hark back to the communist parades, with their red banners and mega-floats, banging the drum for workers’ rights. Best place to celebrate: Moscow or Saint Petersburg

White Nights Festival (June) – From May 26th to July 16th, Saint Petersburg becomes the only city in the world with a population of over 1 million to be plunged into the endless days of the polar summer. Strolling under a frothy-pink sky at midnight is a mesmerising experience in itself but, in typical Saint Petersburg fashion, even the seemingly perfect is improved upon and taken to new heights. With the bright-sky as a backdrop, Saint Petersburg’s renowned performing arts troupes take to the streets and wow audiences with pirouettes, arias and rock concerts. The festivities peak at the height of June with the other-worldly high-school graduation celebration, Scarlet Sails; a recreation of a romantic Russian fairytale with a nautical twist. Best place to celebrate: This festival is only held in Saint Petersburg

Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival (Late August – Early September) – Fighting for the love and admiration of the audience with the clamouring beat of drums and bellow of trombones, the annual military tattoo in Moscow is a ‘battle of the bands’ in the truest sense of the word. Army bands from the world over come to the Red Square for the chance to march past the monumental walls of the Kremlin in an annual show of musical and military prowess. The harmonious combination of military, classical, folk and pop music, parades and light shows makes this festival one of the brightest and most memorable events of the year. Best place to celebrate: This festival is only held in Moscow

Curious about Russian Cuisine?

The Top Best Dishes to taste while in Russia:

Refined Tastes of Saint Petersburg

Beef Stroganoff, Russian Cuisine

Finely sliced beef sautéed in sour cream and forest mushrooms served on a bed of either rice or pasta. This immensely popular dish was dreamed up in the 19th century by French chefs for the ageing Count Stroganov who couldn’t chew tough meat.

Fried Smelt, Russian Cuisine

As soon as the ice on the Neva melts, quaint fishermen’s boats sail through the centre of Saint Petersburg to catch bucket-loads of silvery smelt. On corner cafes and streets stands, dozens of these finger-sized fish are battered and fried to a crisp. Locals sometimes call these fish “cucumbers” because of their peculiarly fresh, cucumber smell.

Medovik (Honey Cake), Russian Cuisine

Many of Russia’s most elaborate dishes can be traced to the royal scullery of the Hermitage. Comprising of dozens of crisp, caramelised layers of honey biscuit slathered in whipped crème-fraiche, even Empress Elizabeth — who detested honey — was wowed over by the floral notes and luscious creaminess of this cake. Medovik is one of many delectable desserts created by the confectioners of the Romanov court that are still enjoyed by Russians.

Hearty Slavic Foods in Moscow

Piroshki (Pies), Russian Cuisine

Piping-hot, puffy and bite-sized, Russian piroshki are worlds-apart from flat american-pies or flaky cornish-pasties. They are an integral part of the Russian diet — the original Slavic fast food — and are especially popular in Moscow. Fillings range from savoury to sweet and change with the seasons: berries or fresh cottage cheese for summer and wild mushrooms, potatoes or baked pumpkin for winter.

Blini, Russian Cuisine

The humble blini rules supreme as the ultimate culinary achievement of Russia. The difference between a pancake and a blin may just be a pinch of yeast, a teaspoon of caviar and a dollop of cream, but these small alterations make all the difference. In Moscow’s ritzy restaurants, one can savour the most sumptuous renditions of this classic Slavic dish.

Birds' Milk Cake, Russian Cuisine

Invented in 1978 by a confectioner in Moscow’s Praga restaurant, the unique combination of the cake’s airy vanilla mousse, entrapped in a thin layer of crisp chocolate and cushioned by a fragrant sponge is simply beyond belief. Hence, the cake’s unusual name. It’s so delicious it seems too good to be true — a little like mythical birds’ milk.

Rib-Sticking, Fiery Siberian Dishes

Pelmeni, Russian Cuisine

Stuffed with satiating fillings and served simmering hot with a spoon of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh herbs, Siberian pelmeni were made for firing up bellies in the harshest of winters. Throughout the ex-USSR, renditions of these petite dumplings abound. The Ukrainians have varenyiki, the Poles pierogi, but none come close to rivalling the original, meaty, umami-spiced pelmeni of the Siberian hunters.

Dried fish, Russian Cuisine

From the seemingly boundless waters of the Baikal, fishermen haul in copious stocks of fish. The most prodigious species of fish in Baikal, the Omul, is preserved through an age-old curing process. Long lines of these semi-desiccated fish can be seen drying in between windows, trees, market stalls and even bus stops throughout Siberia. These salted fish are then shipped throughout Russia where they are considered a delicacy.

Check out our Russia Travel Guidebook for Food for an in-depth look at:

  • Russian National Cuisine

Dos and Don’ts in Russia

  • Carry your passport and visa with you at all times. The police sometimes ask foreigners, especially men, to present their IDs.
  • Dress modestly, take off your hat and cover your hair with a scarf (if female) when visiting religious sites.
  • Be prepared for very cold weather in winter and sweltering days in summer.
  • Contact your bank in advance to notify them of your travels to Russia so as to ensure your card payments aren’t subject to undue security restrictions in Russia.
  • Carry at least 2000 roubles in cash — card readers aren’t universal. Also, American Express and Discover customers should bear in mind that these sort of cards aren’t usually accepted as a means of payment.
  • Use taxi hailing apps or licensed cab companies to get around: it’s easy and avoids the risks that could come with flagging down a ride.
  • Look twice when crossing the road, even when crossing on green.
  • Drink alcohol outside on the streets or anywhere that isn’t a bar or a restaurant — it could be against the law.
  • Buy alcohol or cigarettes from unlicensed buyers.
  • Drink unfiltered tap water.
  • Purchase antiques of value without procuring an export certificate from the seller.
  • Be scared to ask for help. Most Russians understand English, even if they’re too embarrassed to speak it.
  • Accept free drinks (foreigners are often targets for drink spiking) or invites to clubs or even museums by strangers on the street.

Speak the Language

Knowing a few basic phrases in the local language will endear you to people and open up doors for friendship and connection during your travels in Russia. Some words and sayings that may come in handy:

Virtual Russia Travel Guide: Further Reading

  • Russia Travel Tips
  • Russia Tours Page

At Your Service

Whether you’re visiting Russia for the first or hundredth time, a little help and expertise from our passionate team in Moscow will go the way to making sure your trip to Russia is perfect from touch-down to take-off.

Our Russia travel services include:

RUSSIA GUIDE

  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  • Rites and Customs
  • Russian Customs
  • Russian Cuisine
  • Russian Food
  • Russian Dishes
  • Circum-Baikal Railway
  • Exhibitions & Events

RUSSIA TRAVEL

  • Travel Restrictions - Covid-19
  • Best Time to Visit

RUSSIA SERVICES

  • St. Petersburg
  • Gobi desert
  • Golden Ring
  • Khustai National Park
  • Novgorod the Great
  • Novosibirsk
  • Rostov-on-Don
  • Solovetsky Island
  • Terelj National Park
  • Ural Mountains
  • Vladivostok
  • Volga (River)
  • Yangtze River
  • Yekaterinburg
  • Yenisei (River)

Best of Moscow & St. Petersburg Guided Tour (CB-17)

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Russian Tours and Cruises from Express to Russia

  • Moscow Tours

Our 20 Best Moscow Tours of 2022

Join us on an unforgettable tour to Moscow, the capital of Russia. Imagine visiting Red Square, St. Basil’s the Kremlin and more. Moscow is one of Europe’s most vibrant cities and one of Russia’s most historical. All of our tours to Moscow are fully customizable and can be adjusted to fit any budget. Our most popular tours are listed below. Please click on the tour details to learn more or contact us for more information about our Moscow tours using the form at the side of the page. You can also schedule a call with one of our Russian travel specialists to learn more.

Moscow Kremlin, photo by Walkerssk on Pixabay

Classic Moscow

This is our most popular Moscow tour that includes all the most prominent sights. You will become acquainted with ancient Russia in the Kremlin, admire Russian art in the Tretyakov Gallery, listen to street musicians as you stroll along the Old Arbat street, and learn about Soviet times on the Moscow Metro tour.

Accommodation

PRIVATE TOUR

St. Basiils Cathedral, Moscow, Photo by vierro from Pexels

A Week in Moscow

This tour is a perfect choice for those who wish to get to know Moscow in depth. One of the highlights of this package is the KGB history tour which gives an interesting perspective on the Cold War. You will also have time for exploring the city on your own or doing extra sightseeing.

Photo by Andrey Omelyanchuk on Unsplash

Weekend in Moscow

This tour is a great way to get acquainted with the capital of Russia if you are short of time. You will see all the main attractions of the city, the most important of which is the Kremlin - the heart of Russia. The tour starts on Friday and can be combined with a business trip.

russia travel and tours

Group Tour Moscow Break by Intourist

Russia's capital has so much to offer, from the Kremlin and the Metro to the Old Arbat street and the Tretyakov Gallery. Besides these sites, you will also visit a fascinating country estate which today is quite off the beaten path, Gorky Estate, where the Soviet leader Lenin spent the last months of his life.

russia travel and tours

Kolomenskoye Tour with transport

The history of Kolomenskoye stretches back for centuries. In 1380, Dmitri Donskoi’s army passed through Kolomenskoye on their way to the Kulikovo battlefield, and it was...

Tours by car

russia travel and tours

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Armory Tour

The Kremlin is truly a fascinating structure, at the same time it is an ancient tower, the city’s former military fortification, a palace, an armory, the sovereign treasury...

Walking tours

russia travel and tours

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals, Armory, Diamond Fund Tour

russia travel and tours

Old Arbat walking tour

You will be told of the street’s interesting history and view the street’s artisan culture. You will also have the opportunity to view and purchase souvenirs from the...

russia travel and tours

Tour to Sergiev Posad with transport

Considered by some to be the Russian Vatican, Sergiev Posad is the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Trinity St. Sergius Monastery (Lavra)...

russia travel and tours

Tour to Kuskovo with transport

The Kuskovo Estate often called the Moscow Versailles due to its perfectly preserved French park, is an example of an 18th century, luxurious Moscow summer residence. Its history...

russia travel and tours

Tour to Tsaritsyno with transport

The Tsaritsyno Estate is located in the southern part of Moscow. The estate was constructed for Catherine the Great by the Russian architects Bazhenov and Kazakov in a romantic...

russia travel and tours

Moscow Metro and Old Arbat Tour

The Moscow Metro is one of the largest and most grandly built metro systems in the world. It was meant to be a showcase of the Soviet Union’s achievements for both the Russians...

russia travel and tours

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion and vodka tasting)

Vodka is an important component of Russian life, an element of national identity and everyday culture. We invite you to visit the Vodka Museum and feel the atmosphere of long-gone...

russia travel and tours

Mikhail Bulgakov Apartment Museum

This apartment museum located close to Patriarch Ponds became the prototype of the "bad apartment" described in the novel "The Master and Margarita." Currently the museum's...

Spasskaya Tower,Moscow Kremlin, Russia, image from Shutterstock

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Diamond Fund Tour

Portrait of Leo Tolstoy by Ilya Repin (1887)

The State Museum of Lev Tolstoy Tour

Take this opportunity to learn more about the Russian writer Lev Tolstoy. During the visit to the museum you will see part of a vast collection of exhibits connected to Tolstoy...

Novodevichy convent, Moscow, Russia, image from Shutterstock

Novodevichy Convent Tour with transport

Tour of the Novodevichy Monastery. Founded in 1524 by Grand Prince VasiliIoanovich, the original convent was enclosed by fortified walls and contained 12 towers. The structure...

St. Basil's Cathedral, Moscow, Russia, image from Shutterstock

City Tour with Visit to St. Basils & Red Sq. with transport

Panoramic City Tour. This Moscow tour is a great start to your trip and the best way to get acquainted with many of the city’s major highlights. Our professional guide will...

russia travel and tours

City Tour of Moscow

Head to the heart of Moscow with a professional guide on a 4-hour private walk through the city center. See Tverskaya and Old Arbat streets, Theatre Square with the world-famous...

russia travel and tours

Moscow Metro walking tour

The Kremlin, Moscow, Russia, image from Shutterstock

Kremlin, Red Square and Cathedrals Tour

russia travel and tours

KGB Tour with transport

This is a very interesting and insightful tour. You will visit places connected with Stalin’s terror - a time of great repression and fear. You will be shown monuments to...

russia travel and tours

Soviet and Post-Soviet Moscow Tour

The tour begins with a drive or walk down Tverskaya Street – a Soviet masterpiece. In the years of Soviet power, Tverskaya began to undergo a transformation: it was widened...

Girl with Peaches by Alexander Serov

Tretyakov State Gallery Tour

This world-famous gallery contains masterpieces of Russian art beginning in the 10th century up until today. You will view exquisite Russian icons and paintings from the 18th and...

russia travel and tours

Jewish Heritage of Moscow Tour

This tour offers a detailed look into the history and present-day life of the Jewish community of Moscow. On the tour, you will visit sites connected with the cultural and religious...

Vodka, photo by Detonart at Pixabay

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion only)

Customer

Lena, our guide in Moscow was excellent. She was very knowledgable and could answer any question we had for her. We liked that she could pick up on our interests and take us places we might not have thought of to go. When we realized that one of the places we had chosen to see would probably not be that interesting to us, she was able to arrange entry to the Diamond Fund and the Armoury for us. Riding the Metro with Lena was a real adventure and a lot of fun. In Saint Petersburg we found Anna well versed in the history of the Tsars and in the Hermitage collection. Arkady in Veliky Novgorod was a very good guide and answered all of our questions with ease. Novgorod was perhaps a long way to go for a day trip, but we did enjoy it. Vasily was a great driver to have and kept us safe with good humour and skill. We enjoyed ourselves so much, my daughter says she is already planning to return. We would both have no hesistation to recommend ExpresstoRussia to anyone we know.

Just wanted to let you know that My grandson Bruno and I couldn´t have been more pleased with our week in Moscow (6/15 - 6/21). We were absolutely enchanted with the whole experience, including getting lost a couple of times in the Metro during our free time. Although both our guides (both Eleanas) were excellent, I would particularly commend the first one (she took us to the Tatiakov, the KGB tour, and to that beautiful cemetery where so many great Russian artists, authors, composers, musicians, militarists, and politicians are buried). Her knowledge is encyclopedic; and her understanding of today´s Russia as a product of its past was, for us, truly enlightening. I will be taking another tour in Russia, with my wife, within the next two or three years. I will be in touch with you when the time comes. Meanwhile, I will refer you to other potential visitors to Russia as I meet them.

Tours to Moscow

Our Moscow tours are land only meaning that you arrange your own air travel to Russia and our expert staff meets you at the airport and handles everything else from there. Our online Airline Ticket booking system offers some of the most competitive rates to Russia available on the web so if you need tickets, please visit our Russian air ticket center . Rest assured that you will be taken great care of on one of our Moscow tours. Express to Russia has a fully staffed office in Moscow that will help to make your visit fun, informative and unforgettable. Please remember that of all these tours are private and can be adjusted to your taste. You can add, replace or skip some sights; you can add more days to the package or cut the tour short. Our specialists will be glad to help you create the tour of your dreams!

Novodevichy Convent, Moscow

Moscow, a City Like No Other

Moscow is Russia’s largest city with a population of between 12 and 13 million. It is also Europe’s largest city and when you visit Moscow, you can feel it. The layout and architecture of the city is eclectic, ranging from crooked, ancient streets and alleyways to wide, bustling boulevards, from medieval churches to Stalin skyscrapers and to modern, glass buildings towering over everything and of course in the center of it all is the Kremlin and the magnificent Red Square. Moscow is also home to a fantastic, efficient and very beautiful metro system – each station having its own special design. In fact, Express to Russia’s Moscow metro tours and excursions are some of our most popular attractions that we offer. On our Moscow tours, you will see this and more.

Moscow Kremlin in the times of Ivan III

Moscow Tours centering on Russian History

Moscow has a long and interesting history and has been the capital of Russia in many of its different iterations – capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow , the Russian Empire and of course the Soviet Union (who could ever forget the Soviet Union?). Moscow, was founded in the 12th century by Prince Yuri Dolgaruki (Yuri of the long arms – he really did have long arms!). From that time on, it was home to the Russian Tsars until Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1703. The city has survived invasions and sieges from the Mongols, the Tartars, the Poles, Lithuanians and Napoleon but has always persevered. Our Moscow tours will enlighten you on this great history and give you insights into Muscovites and their unique culture. Our Moscow tours show you what the city is like today but also brings to life the past. Moscow never seems to sleep and is bursting with energy. A Moscow tour with Express to Russia is truly the best way of getting to know Russia’s largest and most vibrant city.

Frequently Asked Questions From Our Travelers

What is the best time to visit moscow.

Any time of year is fine depending on what you plan to do. Summertime is pleasantly warm, ideal for exploring the city and its vibrant atmosphere, but Moscow will be much busier and accommodation is more expensive. Winter can be quite cold but beautiful nonetheless, and this is unproblematic if you intend to spend most of your trip in museums and galleries. There are also various festivals and events organised throughout the year. For more information about the best time to visit, read our guide

How many days are enough in Moscow?

If you plan your itinerary strategically and aren’t averse to a packed schedule, you can cover Moscow’s main sights over a long weekend. Most popular attractions are in the city centre, and the Moscow Metro allows you to cover much ground in a small amount of time. Ensure that your accommodation is fairly central and book tickets in advance, so that you can make the most of your days. For an informative and well-organised day out, check out our Moscow day tours with options to suit all interests.

Do they speak English in Moscow?

As Russia’s capital city, tourists are well accommodated in Moscow. There should be English-speaking staff in restaurants, bars, hotels, shops and attractions in tourist hotspots, and there are also English-speaking tourist police. Transport services have English translations on their maps and English announcements via intercom; alternatively, order taxis from the Yandex Taxi app (Russian Uber), though it’s unlikely that your taxi driver will speak English. If you get stuck and cannot communicate, it’s fine to use Google Translate.

Is it safe to travel to Moscow?

It is no less safe to travel to Moscow than to any European city if you exercise common sense and look after your belongings. As with every city some regions can be more unsavoury than others, but no tourist attractions are located there. The traffic in Moscow is notorious, so exercise caution when crossing roads. Do not take unlicensed taxis; book in advance or take public transport, which is widespread and perfectly safe. If you encounter any problems, look for the special tourist police who can help you. For more information, read our guide about staying safe in Russia .

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Travel to St. Petersburg 2024 - Russia Forum

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russia travel and tours

Is their tour travel to St. Petersburg from Sweden or Copenhagen in August or September 2024?

10 replies to this topic

' class=

Probably only independent travel to St. Petersburg in 2024 as travel agencies in the EU aren’t allowed to organize tours to Russia due to sanctions. Once you have entered Russia through the Narva, Estonia/Ivangorod, Russia border crossing you are free to join a city tour in St. Petersburg organized by a Russian travel agency though.

' class=

No there isn't.

Hello, I am a US citizen and will be in Copenhagen in August then will be in Stockholm in September. I would like to visit St. Petersburg for couple days. Please advise the following:

1) how to get to St. Petersburg; from Copenhagen or Stockholm?

2) Do I need visa to enter Russia for 3-4 days?

However I don't think it is really possible to predict with exactitude the conditions half a year from now.

Those based in the region will know that the situation just continues to deteriorate, as regards relations to Russia.

russia travel and tours

there are some border crossings, but it's impossible to tell today what the situation would be by August. The problems could range from outright closing of the border, to closing individual checkpoints, to all sorts of processing delays, lines, etc.

Note that a popular border crossing in Narva/ivangorod, the closest to St. petersburg, has been only open for foot traffic since Feb. Double check its status.

For recent experience traveling to Kaliningrad read the story below.

Also keep in mind thatc rossing into Belorussi and then traveling to russia is an option too. Connections between Belorussia and Russia are plentiful and easy.

https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/open-source/russland-reise-mit-hindernissen-ausflug-nach-kaliningrad-li.2191385

Russia trip with obstacles: What I experienced on a trip to Kaliningrad

The travel agency does not want to sell a ticket to Russia "for ethical reasons". A trip to Kaliningrad is cumbersome but rewarding. A field report.

Dirk Engelhardt

07.03.2024 | updated on 07.03.2024 - 10:40 p.m.

Travel to Kaliningrad in Russia: Where can I get the visa?

I received the Russian visa for 50 euros via the Internet within two days, the hotel reservation online went without any problems. So I took the train to Gdansk and then bought a bus ticket to Kaliningrad for 40 euros. The route is only 165 kilometers long, but it took five hours. The reason: passport control at the border crossing. Passports and visas are meticulously checked, and this procedure took more than two hours.

Arrival in Kaliningrad then around 11 p.m. in the evening, in driving snow. Kaliningrad is a modern Russian city, and taxis that are recognizable as taxis and that you can simply hail on the street are a thing of the past here. Every Kaliningrad resident has various apps for driving services on his mobile phone.

Luckily, there was a Russian McDonald's across the street from the bus station, and one of the guys on duty there ordered me a "taxi" using his app. "It's going to be a white VW Polo," he told me, and just moments later, the described vehicle stopped right in front of the burger joint.

The ten-minute drive to the hotel went smoothly, but the next problem arose when paying: My Visa card, which I can use to pay anywhere else in the world, is not accepted in Russia. Because of the sanctions. The driver quickly converted the fare into euros, three euros had accrued, and accepted payment with cash in the foreign currency with a smile – the exchange offices had long since closed.

For the return trip, the hotel organized a "transfer" for me to Gdansk. It turned out to be a VW Jetta, driven by a young Belarusian woman who chatted cheerfully about her life in Russia, Israel and Poland. She describes her client as a "mafia" who receives part of the 50 euros per passenger for the mediation. But the assumption that the border procedure would be easier on the return journey turned out to be wrong: the Polish border guards were in no way inferior to their colleagues from Russia in slowness and thoroughness.

Russian and foreign airlines plan to operate direct flights from the Russian Federation to 40 countries in 2024.

These are Azerbaijan, Algeria, Armenia, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Belarus, Venezuela, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Georgia, Egypt, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Kazakhstan, Qatar, China, Cuba, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Mauritius, Maldives, Morocco , Mongolia, Myanmar, UAE, Oman, Seychelles, Serbia, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia.

for additional details translate this story:

https://www.atorus.ru/node/55343?fbclid=IwAR1wRmU6fVFJlsj6e0czfMSGeW-DWMOH9qXNZKHHm0NEM5yDwktQaCan16E

Thank you so much for this info. Greatly appreciate.

Thank you all that responded to my post. You have provided very valuable information and shared experiences of what may be expected at the border crossing.

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Pope Francis meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy

Packaging billionaires to help fund Trump campaign, FT reports

Conservative billionaires Liz and Dick Uihlein will help fund Donald Trump’s campaign, giving the former president financial support as he seeks to catch a fundraising lead built by President Joe Biden, the Financial Times said on Saturday.

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Spanish tourist camping with her husband is gang raped in India; 3 arrested as police search for more suspects

Updated on: March 4, 2024 / 8:47 AM EST / CBS/AFP

Three Indian men have appeared in court after the gang rape of a Spanish tourist on a motorbike trip with her husband, with police hunting four other suspects, reports said Monday.

The attack took place on Friday night in eastern India in Jharkhand state's Dumka district, where the couple were camping.

A total of seven men are accused of carrying out the brutal assault.

"We have formed a team to hunt the remaining suspects," senior local police officer Pitamber Singh Kherwar told AFP.

On Sunday, three accused were seen being escorted into court with sacks on their heads by police officers holding ropes tied around their waists. The three were later remanded in custody.

INDIA-SPAIN-CRIME

The Spanish woman and her husband were also in court.

The couple  told Spanish TV channel Antena 3 on Saturday that the men raped the woman and hit the man repeatedly, the Reuters news agency reported.  They said they had camped out because they could not find hotels nearby, Reuters reported.

"We have to ensure strict punishment," Kherwar said, the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency reported Monday.

Kherwar said a special team including forensic officers had been formed to scour the scene of the attack, while another team was hunting more suspects.

"They are constantly raiding places," Kherwar said in PTI's report. "We will soon arrest the remaining accused."

An average of nearly 90 rapes a day were reported in India in 2022, according to data from the National Crime Records Bureau.

That year, police arrested 11 people after the alleged brutal gang rape and torture of a young woman that included her being paraded through the streets of Dehli. Also in 2022, a police officer in India was arrested after being accused of raping a 13-year-old girl who went to his station to report she had been gang-raped.

In 2021, a 34-year-old woman in Mumbai died after being  raped and brutally tortured .

Large numbers of rapes go unreported due to prevailing stigmas around victims and a lack of faith in police investigations.

Convictions remain rare, with cases getting stuck for years in India's clogged-up criminal justice system.

The notorious gang rape and murder of an Indian student made global headlines in 2012 .

Jyoti Singh, a 23-year-old physiotherapy student, was raped, assaulted and left for dead by five men and a teenager on a bus in New Delhi in December that year.

The horrific crime shone an international spotlight on India's high levels of sexual violence and sparked weeks of protests, and eventually a change in the law to introduce the death penalty for rape .

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Four arrested after Spanish blogger on India motorcycle tour gangraped

The couple had set up a tent to pass the night in Jharkhand state’s Dumka as seven men attacked them.

Women in India protest rape

Indian authorities have arrested four people suspected of being part of a group that gangraped a Spanish tourist and assaulted her partner.

The woman – whose identity was not revealed by the authorities – is a travel blogger with more than 200,000 followers on Instagram.

Keep reading

India court overrules early release of 11 men in bilkis bano gang rape case, india’s federal agency to probe dalit woman’s gang rape and death, pakistan arrests suspect in highway gang rape case amid protests, ‘they ordered me to undress’: from nigeria to italy, surviving rape.

She was travelling with her partner in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand when the attack happened on Friday night.

The couple had stopped their motorbikes and set up a tent to pass the night in the state’s Dumka district before a group of seven men attacked them.

All the members of the group have been identified and the remaining suspects will be arrested “soon”, Jharkhand police chief Ajay Kumar Singh told The Indian Express newspaper.

“They had beaten us and robbed us, although not many things [were taken] because what they wanted was to rape me,” the 28-year-old woman said in an Instagram post.

In another post, her male partner said he was hit several times in the head with a helmet and that his “mouth is destroyed”.

A patrol car rescued the duo late on Friday night after the assault and escorted them to a local hospital.

The couple were touring South Asia and had concluded a trip to Sri Lanka before the Indian leg of their journey.

Sexual violence targeting women is common in India, with women from minority tribal communities being particularly at risk. Taboos around speaking up about the crime and low conviction rates of suspects add to the problem.

An average of nearly 90 rapes were reported in India every day, meaning one woman was raped every 18 minutes, in 2022, according to the National Crime Records Bureau, which recorded 31,516 rape cases that year.

Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh states recorded the highest number of cases.

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Another Russian tour group visits North Korea as it slowly opens to travelers

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The second Russian tour to North Korea since the start of the pandemic left for Pyongyang on Friday, as the DPRK pushes forward efforts to normalize tourism and market itself as a destination for Russian travelers.

Natalya Zinina of Vostok Intur, the agency organizing the tour, told NK News that 47 people have joined the trip running from March 8-11, less than half the nearly 100 Russian travelers on the first tour in early February. 

While Zinina did not explain the reason for the decrease, the travel agency has announced two more tours to North Korea, one slated for March 11-15 and one tentatively scheduled for April 29-May 3.

russia travel and tours

She confirmed on Friday that the second group of Russian tourists departed Vladivostok International Airport aboard Air Koryo’s Tu-154 at 12:58 p.m. KST. It was expected to land in the North Korean capital at 1:38 p.m. KST, according to the airport’s timetable.

The group will follow a nearly identical itinerary as the first batch of tourists, according to Vostok Intur’s website , touring the North Korean capital and then heading to the Masikryong Ski Resort on the country’s east coast.

The company has raised the tour’s price to around $855 compared to $750 in February, which includes accommodation, meals, transportation and entry fees to attractions. The next tour from March 11 is priced at $955. 

While the first tour last month flew from Pyongyang to Wonsan, this week’s tour will travel between the two cities by bus since the tour group comprises less than 50 people, according to information on the Vostok Intur website.

Vostok Intur’s director Inna Mukhina announced on social media that the April tour will include a visit to the Pyongyang subway for the first time, adding that only Russian nationals can join the trip as of the moment.

Russian tourists who visited North Korea last February told NK News that some of the group was able to visit the Wonsan-Kalma tourist zone that has been under construction for many years, which Russian media claimed was specifically designed for Russian tourists.

The tourists said they were surprised by the scale of the resort but raised doubts about whether it will open its doors any time soon and were skeptical about the destination attracting large numbers of Russian visitors.

Alexey Kozak, one of the Russian tourists who visited North Korea last month, compared his trip to the country to “traveling 50 years back in time” in an interview with NK News .

He said he’d strongly recommend Russians visit to see the country for themselves and make sure “Russia doesn’t turn into another North Korea.”

Edited by Alannah Hill

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Anton Sokolin

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Anton Sokolin is the data correspondent at NK News. He previously worked at Reuters, TASS and the Korea Trade Promotion Corporation (KOTRA).

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West watches for Putin's next move after breakaway region asks Moscow to 'protect' it from Moldova

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  • Russian President Vladimir Putin's next move is being watched closely after the pro-Russian, breakaway region of Transnistria in Moldova asked Moscow to protect it.
  • The self-proclaimed pro-Russian authorities of Transnistria on Wednesday asked Moscow to implement measures to protect the region and its economy against an alleged threat from Moldova.
  • Putin delivered his state-of-the-nation address Thursday.

The West is watching Russian President Vladimir Putin 's next move closely after pro-Russian officials in the breakaway region of Transnistria in Moldova appealed to Moscow for "protection" against the Moldovan authorities.

Russia's Foreign Ministry responded Wednesday by saying protecting that the interests of the residents of Transnistria — calling them "compatriots" — was one of Russia's priorities and that it would carefully consider the request, the ministry told RIA Novosti .

Analysts believed that Putin could use his state-of-the-nation address — an overview of the current situation in the country, and Russia's goals at home and abroad — to make an announcement about Transnistria. However, he was tight-lipped Thursday about the region in eastern Moldova that Russia has backed since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Putin intends to sieze southern Ukraine to Moldova

The self-proclaimed pro-Russian authorities of Transnistria held a congress of senior officials Wednesday, at which they asked Moscow to implement measures to protect Transnistria — a region also known as Transdniestria or Pridnestrovie — and its economy against an alleged threat from Moldova, which has been aiming to reintegrate the region.

"There is social and economic pressure on Transdniestria, which directly contradicts European principles and approaches to the protection of human rights and free trade," read the text of a resolution from the meeting, Reuters reported.

The document was addressed to Russia's parliament, the Federal Assembly, asking it "to implement measures to protect Pridnestrovie [Transnistria] in the context of increasing pressure from Moldova," news agency Tass reported .

The request, officials said, was made "taking into account the fact of permanent residence on the territory of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic [the official name of Transnistria] of more than 220,000 Russian citizens and the unique positive experience of Russian peacekeeping on the Dniester, and also the status of a guarantor and mediator in the negotiation process," the resolution said.

Moldova's government dismissed the statement Wednesday as "propaganda," with a government spokesperson stating that "at this point, we want say clearly and firmly – there are no dangers of escalation and destabilization of the situation in the Transnistrian region of Moldova."

"We keep a close eye and reiterate that the Transnistrian region is aligned with the goal of peace and security of Moldova. This is another propaganda event," spokesperson Daniel Voda said.

The White House said it noted the development with U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, stating on Wednesday that "given Russia's increasingly aggressive role in Europe, we are watching Russia's actions in Transnistria and the broader situation there very closely."

Concerns growing

While the self-proclaimed authorities of Transnistria have made similar calls in the past, the latest request, amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine , is sure to heighten "concerns about Moscow's broader territorial ambitions in Europe," Andrius Tursa, Central and Eastern Europe advisor at risk consultancy Teneo, said in emailed comments.

"As a result, recurring rumors about Russia's alleged plans to annex the region could be part of Moscow's attempts to heighten political tensions in Moldova ahead of the pivotal autumn 2024 presidential election, which might be held along with a referendum on pursuing EU membership," he noted.

No member of the United Nations (including Russia) recognizes Transnistria's sovereignty, and all U.N. members consider the region to be part of Moldova, which has expressed a desire to reintegrate the region. Still, Russia has a small military presence in Transnistria that is part of a "peacekeeping operation" there , Russia's defense ministry says. Today, there is only one battalion (usually around 1,000 soldiers) in the region, the ministry notes, although it's believed there are around 1,500 Russian soldiers there.

The latest call for help gives Russia a feasible excuse to reinforce those numbers, although it would be "extremely difficult" to do so, Tursa noted, because of its landlocked location.

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It's likely that Russia will justify the move by saying it is acting to protect its own citizens. The same tactic has been used in eastern Ukraine with support for pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk, and in the case of the Russian-backed breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in Georgia. Both of those cases led to, or involved, war.

"Transnistria is a focal point for Putin's games, as he can easily escalate a crisis due to the presence of Russian troops and Russian citizens there," Ivana Stradner, research fellow at the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank, said in emailed comments.

"Putin understands that as the West is distracted in Ukraine, the Middle East, elections in the EU and the U.S., he can escalate the Transnistria crisis via his proxies and show that the West will not protect Moldova."

CNBC has contacted the Kremlin for a response to the comments and is awaiting a reply.

Putin's ambitions go beyond occupying Ukrainian territory, says former German ambassador

The move could also be a precursor to a referendum on joining the Russian Federation, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War said , or to Russian troops not only entering but annexing Transnistria, amid speculation that Russia wants its "land bridge" of occupied territory across a swathe of southern Ukraine to reach Transnistria.

So far, however, Russian forces do not occupy the whole of southern Ukraine, with Kherson, Mykolaiv and Odesa still in Ukrainian hands.

Similarly to Ukraine, both Moldova and Georgia have pro-Western governments and want to join the European Union, meaning relations with Russia continue to be tense.

After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, another former Soviet republic, there have been heightened concerns that Georgia and Moldova could be next on the list, given Putin's apparent ambition to rebuild Russia's sphere of influence and semblance of a Russian empire.

Any move by Russia to reinforce its military presence in Moldova could put it on a direct collision path with Moldova's government and armed forces, potentially opening another front in Russia's expansionist war.

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  26. Spanish tourist camping with her husband is gang raped in India; 3

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  30. Putin could announce Russian troops will enter Transnistria region

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