Russia

Mysterious, enigmatic, and totally arresting, Russia is clearly a place that offers more than most people know about. For years there have been contrasting ideas about this country - home of tyrants as well as great minds, land of untold riches and also of poverty.
Even then, Russia's vast lands, local diversity, and rich cultural heritage make it a joy to discover. From its icy Siberian tundras and myriad postcard attractions, to its hip urban scene and idyllic countrysides, its easy to see why people are beginning to see this country as a prime destination.
Case in point, the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg offer tourists probably more panoramic landmarks than their cameras can hold. But journey outside these cities and one can discover the wonders of Kamchatka's hot springs, the beautiful Lake Baikal, the ski trails if the Russian Far East. For the more daring the Siberian's vastness is a challenge to be conquered, while Yekaterinburg has a bloody and notorious past to discover.