The Hermitage Museum houses one of the world's oldest and largest art collections, including more than 3 million items spread out in buildings such as the Winter Palace and General Staff Building.
The State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg) —
The Hermitage Museum houses one of the world's oldest and largest art collections, including more than 3 million items spread out in buildings such as the Winter Palace and General Staff Building.
The Trustees of the British Museum
Lake Baikal is approximately <a href="http://www.lakebaikal.org/index.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">25 million years old and 1,637 meters</a> at its deepest point, making it the oldest and deepest fresh water lake in the world. Half of the species at the UNESCO World Heritage Site are endemic to the lake, including the freshwater seal.
Lake Baikal —
Lake Baikal is approximately 25 million years old and 1,637 meters at its deepest point, making it the oldest and deepest fresh water lake in the world. Half of the species at the UNESCO World Heritage Site are endemic to the lake, including the freshwater seal.
Mikhail Markovskiy/Lernidee Erlebnisreisen GmbH
The Volga is the longest river in Europe, passing 11 of Russia's biggest cities. Along with river, you can see Kizhi Island's Preobranzhenskaya Church, constructed in 1714 without the use of a single nail.
Volga River —
The Volga is the longest river in Europe, passing 11 of Russia's biggest cities. Along with river, you can see Kizhi Island's Preobranzhenskaya Church, constructed in 1714 without the use of a single nail.
Courtesy Viking Cruises
The main route of the Trans-Siberian railway runs from Moscow to Vladivostok. It takes eight days, traveling through seven time zones, to cover the 9,258 kilometers of track.
Trans-Siberian Railway (Moscow to Vladivostok) —
The main route of the Trans-Siberian railway runs from Moscow to Vladivostok. It takes eight days, traveling through seven time zones, to cover the 9,258 kilometers of track.
Gregor M. Schmid/Lernidee Erlebnisreisen GmbH
The hype from the Winter Olympics has moved on, but Sochi's Olympic Park is still worth a visit. Russia's first Formula One Grand Prix brought <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2014/10/12/sport/motorsport/formula-one-russian-grand-prix/">almost 55,000 fans</a> to the coastal park.
Olympic Park (Sochi) —
The hype from the Winter Olympics has moved on, but Sochi's Olympic Park is still worth a visit. Russia's first Formula One Grand Prix brought almost 55,000 fans to the coastal park.
YURI KADOBNOV/AFP/Getty Images
Moscow's St. Basil's Cathedral was among the top 10 most Instagrammed places of 2014. The cathedral's colorful domes draw millions of visitors a year.
St. Basil's Cathedral (Moscow) —
Moscow's St. Basil's Cathedral was among the top 10 most Instagrammed places of 2014. The cathedral's colorful domes draw millions of visitors a year.
Laura Ma/CNN
Surrounded by the State National Museum, Kremlin, the GUM Department Store and St. Basil's Cathedral, as well as traditional Russian cafes and shops, it takes days to properly explore Moscow's Red Square.
Red Square (Moscow) —
Surrounded by the State National Museum, Kremlin, the GUM Department Store and St. Basil's Cathedral, as well as traditional Russian cafes and shops, it takes days to properly explore Moscow's Red Square.
Laura Ma/CNN
Yaroslavl makes up one of eight towns that are part of Russia's original Golden Ring -- ancient towns significant in forming the Russian Orthodox Church. The Golden Ring features churches with "onion" domes.
Golden Ring churches —
Yaroslavl makes up one of eight towns that are part of Russia's original Golden Ring -- ancient towns significant in forming the Russian Orthodox Church. The Golden Ring features churches with "onion" domes.
Harry Engels/Getty Images
The Church of All Saints, or Church on the Blood, is built on the site of Ipatiev House, where Russia's last Tsar, Nicholas II, and his family were killed in the Russian Civil War.
Church of All Saints (Yekaterinburg) —
The Church of All Saints, or Church on the Blood, is built on the site of Ipatiev House, where Russia's last Tsar, Nicholas II, and his family were killed in the Russian Civil War.
Courtesy nigeburtonphotography.co.uk
The Moscow Kremlin includes five palaces, four cathedrals and the enclosing Kremlin wall and towers. Only a few of the areas and palaces have exhibits open to visitors.
Moscow Kremlin —
The Moscow Kremlin includes five palaces, four cathedrals and the enclosing Kremlin wall and towers. Only a few of the areas and palaces have exhibits open to visitors.
Lernidee Erlebnisreisen GmbH