As it transforms itself from the largest bastion of communism to a modern capitalist state, Russia is one of the most dynamic countries in Europe. Full of monumental palaces, grand cathedrals and lively street merchants, Russian cities are truly an experience unto themselves. The largest country in the world in terms of landmass, Russia also contains an enormous and varied selection of rural escapes. A land where wooden villages, hot springs, and Byzantine cathedrals coexist, to understand the Russian character is to respect and admire it's enigmatic complexity. Russian cuisine is just as diverse as it's people and landscapes. Encompassing equal parts European and Asian, a Russian will tell you that there is nothing better than blini from a streetvendor. Then there’s the vodka. Russians love their vodka- and with nine time zones, that means there are nine happy hours per day. Budem Zdorovy! (Cheers!)
