More and more travelers from across the globe pack their bags and head to the world’s largest country for the winter holidays. Why might you ask? To get a piece of Russia’s one-of-a-kind overwhelming winter spirit!

There’s more to do in winter Russia than just eating pierogi and going shapka-ushanka shopping, so book Russian rail tickets ahead of time and use this handy list of entertaining Russian winter activities to make your trip even more unforgettable!

winter in Russia is fun

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Gus-Khrustalny is a town with a population of about 55,000 people located in the Vladimir region, about 100 km southeast of Vladimir.

In 1756, the merchant Akim Maltsov began the construction of a glass factory on the Gus River. Later, it turned into the Gusevskoy Crystal Factory and a town with the name Gus-Khrustalny grew around the factory. Photos by: Katya Utemova.

colorful glasswork

Tags: Gus-Khrustalny city · museum · Vladimir oblast

Valdai is a picturesque lake located in the territory of the Valdai National Park in the Novgorod region. The area of the lake is about 20 square kilometers, the average depth is 12 meters (the maximum depth – 60 meters).

On an island in the center of the lake, there is a historical and architectural monument of the 17th-18th centuries – an ensemble of buildings of the Iversky Monastery. On the western shore of the lake the town of Valdai is located. Lake Valdai on Google Maps. Photos by: Konstantin Antipin.

fly over Lake Valdai

Tags: Novgorod oblast

The final part of the 2018 FIFA World Cup will be held in Russia from June 14 to July 15, 2018. The matches will be played at 12 stadiums in 11 cities. Let’s take a look at these stadiums and the matches they will host. Construction work is still ongoing in several stadiums. Photos by: FIFA.com

Matches of the World Cup 2018 at the Krestovsky Stadium also known as Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg.

June, 15, 18:00 MSK (UTC+3) – Match 4: Morocco – Iran
June, 19, 21:00 MSK (UTC+3) – Match 17: Russia – Egypt
June, 22, 15:00 MSK (UTC+3) – Match: 25: Brazil – Costa Rica
June, 26, 21:00 MSK (UTC+3) – Match 39: Nigeria – Argentina
July, 3, 17:00 MSK (UTC+3) – Match 55: Winners Group F – Runners-up Group E (Round of 16)
July, 10, 21:00 MSK (UTC+3) – Match 61: Winners Match 57 – Winners Match 58 (Semi-finals)
July, 14, 17:00 MSK (UTC+3) – Match 63: Losers Match 61 – Losers Match 62 (Third place play-off)

stadiums and matches of the World Cup 2018

Tags: Ekaterinburg city · Kaliningrad city · Kazan city · Moscow city · Nizhny Novgorod city · Rostov-on-Don city · Saint Petersburg city · Samara city · Saransk city · Sochi city · Volgograd city · World Cup 2018

The Cathedral Church in Kaliningrad (former Koenigsberg) is an inactive cathedral located in the historical district of the city – Kneiphof island (also known among locals as the “Island of Kant”).

For centuries, it was the main Catholic church in Koenigsberg. In the Soviet years, the cathedral received the status of an object of cultural heritage and was included in the list of architectural monuments. Photos by: Vasiliy Nikitinskiy.

one of the symbols of Kaliningrad

Tags: churches · Kaliningrad city

Today, in the world there are only about 800 representatives of the indigenous Siberian nation of the Tofalars. Once nomads, most of them live compactly in three villages in the Nizhneudinsky district of the Irkutsk region.

This very beautiful and isolated mountainous region located in the Eastern Sayan mountain system in the south of Siberia is called Tofalaria. You can get to it only by air. Tofalaria on Google Maps. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

fly over Tofalaria

Tags: Irkutsk oblast

Surgut is a city with a population of about 350,000 people located in the Khanty-Mansi autonomous region – the main oil and gas producing region of Russia.

This city is known as the unofficial oil and gas capital of Russia, the headquarters of such large oil and gas companies as “Surgutneftegas”, “Gazprom transgaz Surgut” and “Gazprom Pererabotka” are located here. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

fly over Surgut

Tags: Khanty-Mansi okrug · Surgut city

If you’re visiting Russia for the first time, I envy you! You’re about to go on one of the best adventures of your life. There’s so much culture to be experienced, as well as historical sights, fun activities, and unbeatable nightlife.

Of course, visiting a new country is also intimidating, and Russia has a reputation that might make you slightly wary. The Russian people are hardened, in a good way. They don’t suffer fools, and live in an admirably self-sufficient manner. For those who don’t know any Russians, however, this can come across as cold or rude.

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Geyzernoye Lake, also known as Blue Lake, is a unique body of water in Siberia located in the Ulagan district of the Altai Republic, near the village of Aktach.

The main feature of this clean and ice-free lake is thermal springs that bring the blue silt to the bottom forming colorful and bizarre pictures – various concentric circles. Geyzernoye Lake on Google Maps. Photos by: Andrei Kireev.

lake with geysers at the bottom

Tags: Altay Republic

Kolomenskoye, a former royal residence located south of the center of Moscow and occupying an area of about 390 hectares, is an interesting art, historical, architectural, and natural museum-reserve.

The main exhibit of Kolomenskoye is a beautiful park with numerous buildings of different times – one of the most popular parks in Moscow. It looks especially picturesque during the golden autumn. Kolomenskoye on Google Maps. Photos by: Vladimir d’Ar.

stroll through the autumn park

Tags: Moscow city