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

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Watching the World Cup is one of the most exciting experiences for any football fan in the world. But as you travel through Russia to watch the games, there are certainly a number of things you can do to pass the time.

Sports betting might be the first thing that comes to mind as it’s the most excitement you can have while following the competition. If that’s your choice, you can check for the best world cup betting sites while you are on your trip. But there are also some beautiful sights of Russia that you really shouldn’t miss out on visiting – especially if you’re adventurous and like to explore.

Here are 5 things to do in the 5 cities where the matches are played.

Visit the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg

@Andrew Shiva, Wikipedia

places of interest in Russia

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The Gostiny Dvor (The Old Merchant Court), built in the 1790s-1830s, is a historical monument located in the heart of Moscow (Il’inka Street, 4), a few hundred meters from the famous Red Square. Today, it is a large recreation, business and retail center.

During the 2018 World Cup in Russia, this building houses the National House of the Fans of Mexico (from June 14 to July 15). The entrance is free. Here you can taste national Mexican cuisine, get acquainted with the culture of this country and of course watch football. The Gostiny Dvor on Google Maps. Photos by: Nefer.

very colorful place

Tags: Moscow city · World Cup 2018

The Holy Trinity Ipatiev Monastery is located in the western part of Kostroma on the bank of the river of the same name near its confluence in the Volga. It is considered one of the symbols of the city.

The monastery was first mentioned in written sources in 1432. Although, it was founded about 100 years earlier. The compositional center of the monastery is the monumental five-domed Trinity Cathedral (1650-1652). Ipatiev Monastery on Google Maps. Photos by: Eduard Skvortsov.

very picturesque monastery

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Moscow, the sprawling historical, economic and cultural capital of Russia, home to 12 million people and countless museums, galleries, restaurants and parks, is certainly seeing a lot of action this summer.

With the FIFA World Cup in full swing, over 1 million fans from across the globe have poured into this iconic city, which is hosting a grand total of 12 World Cup matches this summer. Although there’s never been a better time to be in Moscow, the intense crowds and, of course, the infamous summer heat waves, can sometimes be a little too much.

The Russian capital is well connected to a huge variety of national parks, cities, villages and historic sites, meaning you’ve got no shortage of amazing options to escape the city and soak up the best of Russian culture. Here’s a round-up of the best day trips to take from Moscow.

The Archangelskoye Estate

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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

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Tobolsk is a city with a population of about 100 thousand people located in the north of the Tyumen region. It was founded as a center for the development of Siberia in 1587.

Since 1708, Tobolsk was the center of the Siberian province stretching from the Urals to the Pacific Ocean. In the 19th century, Tobolsk lost its economic importance. Today, it is one of the most important center of cognitive tourism in Siberia.

Tobolsk – past and present

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Alexey Belous, a graphic designer from Tula, created 44 posters for the 2018 World Cup. The posters are dedicated to the cities and stadiums of the championship, as well as to all national teams.

On the posters dedicated to the stadiums, the author shows how this sports festival is held in the cities with football stadiums in their centers. The arenas are reminiscent of schemes and drawings, as the World Cup is a big construction project.

All cities and national teams of the World Cup in Russia.

cool posters of the World Cup 2018

Tags: Tula city · World Cup 2018

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

Karabash is a small town with a population of about 11,000 people located in the Chelyabinsk region, 112 km north-west of Chelyabinsk.

Today, it is one of the most polluted places in the world due to the fact that copper has been continuously produced here for more than 100 years, and the toxic chemicals resulting from it have often been discharged into the environment. Karabash on Google Maps. Photos by: Andrey Grachev.

multicolored Karabash

Tags: Chelyabinsk oblast