Quick facts about Russia:

When you book flights to Russia today, you’ll arrive in one of the best places in the world to see the ballet or take in the opera. Russia boasts a renewed sense of excitement. Cathedrals are being renovated, street market vendors are making money and the Red Square is back to being a high-traffic meeting place. Even literature is making a comeback in Russia. While some people were forced to read Dostoyevsky’s “Crime and Punishment” for school requirements, many travelers pass the time on their flights to Russia with a leisurely read of the classic book. Book a cheap flight to Russia now and avoid the crowds – the World Cup is heading to Russia in 2018, and the country is sure to be laden with crowds and tourists. The Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, and the Bolshoi Ballet and Red Square in Moscow are considered a tourist 'must'.

When to fly to Russia:

 Peak season: Moscow and St Petersburg are two of the most popular tourist destinations and are traveled too much of the year. The early summer (May and June) has the festivals, exhibitions, carnivals and concerts; autumn (September) is a great time to book flights to Russia for the foliage; and late winter (January and February) is when these cities are covered by thick falls of snow. Moscow’s temperatures can range between -22 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit; St Petersburg’s average winter temperature is about -14 degrees and summer highs are about 77 degrees Fahrenheit .St Petersburg (and other northern cities such as Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo and Aberdeen) enjoys White Nights when the sun does not set until after 10pm – twilight melts into dawn – between late-May and early-July.

Off Season: Winters are bitterly cold. If you visit in the off-peak season, be sure to bring plenty of warm clothes. However, the winter is the best time to find cheap flights to Russia.

Russian cuisine is very varied foundations were laid by the peasant food of the rural population in an often harsh climate, with a combination of plentiful fish, pork, poultry, caviar, mushrooms, berries, and honey. Crops of rye, wheat, barley and millet provided the ingredients for a plethora of breads, pancakes, pies, cereals, beer and vodka. Soups and stews are centered on seasonal or storable produce, fish and meats. Russia is famous for its many and strong Vodka's, often drunk neat. A Borscht Soup consisting of vegetables,beetroot, broth and beef may keep you warm in the winter, eaten with black bread..and of course a cold vodka.

Remember Russia is absolutely huge, stretching from Europe to China and South to the Balkans and Central Asia, so it will take you more than one visit to see a lot of what it has to offer.

Russia Airports:

Moscow, Russia - Domodemovo (DME)
Moscow, Russia - Sheremetyevo Intl (SVO)
St Petersburg, Russia - Pulkovo (LED)
Yekaterinburg, Russia - Koltsovo Airport (SVX)
Vladivostok, Russia - Vladivostok (VVO)
Irkutsk, Russia - Irkutsk (IKT)

Getting There: United,Delta, Aeroflot, British Airways, Air France Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines and AlItalia are the major airlines into Russia, Best deals from New York are around $600 return, for the best prices go to http://www.paylessflights.com

Entry Requirements: United States and European citizens must have passport valid for the length of their stay. A visa is required Passport/Visa: Visitors must carry ID at all times while in Russia; a photocopy of your passport and visa will suffice. An Immigrant Card will be issued on board the aircraft or on arrival. All visitors staying for longer than three days must register their Immigrant Cards with their hotel or sponsor. Technically anyone applying for a tourist visa needs to have pre-arranged accommodation, but hostels or hotels can often provide an invitation as long as the first night is spent there. Exit permits are required on departure. These are usually issued with the visa, or can be obtained at hotels not less than two days before departure. Passports must be valid for period of intended stay.