You probably know that a lot of countries successfully adopted the electronic visa system over the last decade, and travelers all around the world could not be happier. An electronic visa spares you the time and effort of going to an embassy to apply for the document.

Instead, you get to do it from the comfort of your own home with a laptop and an internet connection. All you need to do is find an online visa service. But what about Russia? Can you go to Russian on an electronic visa?

The answer is yes and no. How is that possible? While Russia’s visa policy does not include an electronic visa, you have the option of getting one but only if you are interested in traveling to the Russian Far East. Even so, not all nationalities have access to such a document. Only the citizens of 18 countries have this option. You can check online whether or not your nationality is on that list.

Vladivostok – the capital of the Russian Far East.

Source: Pixabay

terms and conditions

Tags: Far East District

With the World Cup finals on the way, few fans are looking past those fateful final matches in the great Russian capitals, and for many, their travel plans past that point may not go beyond catching that flight back home on the 15th of July.

However, if you’re a true globetrotter who wants to make the most of their Russia trip by experiencing all of what this vast and beautiful country has to offer, then now’s the best time ever to do some exploring and set out on a true Russian odyssey. Whether a road trip or by train, once the final match in Moscow wraps up and all the dust has settled and vodka drank, make sure to continue the celebration (or flee your sorrows) by packing your bags and embarking on the trip of a lifetime.

Few people beyond the most seasoned travellers tend to see much of the country beyond the big cities of Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad, so if you want to enter the ranks of the most niche and experienced nomads, then now is the time to do it.

To experience the full spectrum of this diverse, wild and at times bewildering country, which spans nine time zones and contains at least as many languages and dialects, you need to go west to east, starting in the more European areas near Moscow and ending in the more Asian locales in the far east of the country. Here’s your guide to doing the ultimate Russian road trip.

Say Goodbye to Moscow

Source: Pixabay

explore Russia

Tags: No tags

In the Caucasus there are a lot of interesting and beautiful places and one of them is Digoria located in the western part of the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania, on the northern slope of the Main Caucasian ridge.

Digoria, named after the local ethnic group of Ossetians-Digorians, is located on the territory of the Digorsky and Irafsky districts of North Ossetia. The mountainous part of Digoria is the most popular among travelers. Photos by: Andrei Kireev.

beautiful mountain scenery

Tags: North Ossetia Republic

Taganay is a national park located in the Southern Urals, in the western part of the Chelyabinsk region, 130 km from Chelyabinsk. The territorial center of the park is the city of Zlatoust.

The total area of the park is 568 sq. km. The following photos were taken in the area of the Meteorological Station “Taganay-Gora” – the most remote shelter of the national park located on a picturesque mountain plateau. Air temperature – minus 30 degrees Celsius. Taganay National Park on Google Maps. Photos by: Andrei Kireev.

beautiful dawn in the harsh winter conditions

Tags: Chelyabinsk oblast · Zlatoust city

The Sinyaya River is a 597 km long river running through the territory of the Republic of Yakutia, the left tributary of the Lena River.

In the lower reaches of the river, not far from the confluence with the Lena and relatively close to Yakutsk, there is an amazing natural monument called Sinskiye Stolby (Pillars). Sinskiye Stolby on Google Maps. Photos by: Petr Ushanov.

amazing monument of nature

Tags: Sakha Republic · Yakutsk city

Yamal is a peninsula located in the north of Western Siberia, on the territory of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District. The landscapes of the peninsula are represented mainly by tundra with numerous lakes.

The peninsula is poorly developed by people. Nenets, the indigenous inhabitants of Yamal, are engaged in such traditional activities as large-scale reindeer herding, fishing, hunting. Yamal on Google Maps. Photos by: Andrei Kireev.

Polar lights and a typical Nenets raw-hide tent. Air temperature – minus 30 degrees Celsius.

harsh life of reindeer herders

Tags: Tyumen oblast · Yamalo-Nenets okrug

Saint Petersburg is not only about a pompous European architecture and prim, but merry Petersburgers. It is also a beach resort. Sounds weird? And what in Russia is not weird?

The resort area stretched a narrow strip along the shore of the Gulf of Finland. Here are the best sandy beaches, wide and beautiful, and the smell of the sea is mixed with the scent of pine trees. In the resort villages – Sestroretsk, Repino, Komarovo, Zelenogorsk – there are popular sanatoria, country hotels and restaurants. Photos by: Anton Putyatin.

beaches of the northern capital of Russia

Tags: No tags

The sight of the unassailable beauty of Putorana Plateau, located in the north-west of the Krasnoyarsk region, is breathtaking. Here the mountains do not have peaks, and the canyons seem bottomless. The lakes are hundreds of kilometers long, and the rivers are torn from the rocks, forming the highest waterfalls in Russia.

There are no typical landscapes for Russia on Putorana Plateau. The fairy-tale nature of this place pushes us to reflect on ancient creatures, originating from Slavic myths and fairy tales. If Peter Jackson saw this place in preparation for the shooting of The Lord of the Rings, New Zealand would have to try very hard to stay in the place of the favorite.

one of the most beautiful places in Russia

Tags: No tags

Lake Seliger is a famous Russian landmark. Located in the center of Valdai, it is quite far from the noise of civilization and at the same time only seven hours of going by car from Moscow. The ideal geographical location made it a very popular place for tourism.

Here come not only the Russians but also guests from many different countries. The special atmosphere of Seliger provides leisurely, comfortable rest, long and interesting conversations. Does the world have a more fertile soil for cultivating the colors of love?

Seliger – a great place for outdoor recreation

Tags: No tags

Veliky Ustyug is a town with a population of about 30,000 people located in the northeast of the Vologda region, 446 km from Vologda. In 1999, it was declared the birthplace of the All-Russian Father Frost.

Founded in 1147, Veliky Ustyug is one of the oldest towns in the Russian North that has preserved a rich cultural heritage, a popular tourist center. Covered with snow, the town looks especially picturesque on a clear sunny day. Veliky Ustyug on Google Maps. Photos by: Marina Lystseva.

walk around Veliky Ustyug

Tags: Veliky Ustyug city · Vologda oblast