The architecture of Moscow is truly outstanding, and the Kremlin, with the awesome striped onion domes of St Basil's Cathedral are a true highlight, as is the rather macabre Tomb of Lenin in Red Square. The beauty of imperial Russian architecture is thrown into contrast by the ugly slab buildings that punctuate the city at the behest of Stalin.
St Petersburg has been likened to Venice, for the many palaces that line the streets, and the city is home to the Winter Palace, as well as some wonderful galleries.
The main cities have excellent nightlife, with many small bars that attract locals and foreigners alike. Everything seems to revolve around Vodka, and aficionados will be in heaven, with thousands of varieties to choose from, and almost any flavour available. Handily, Vodka doesn't leave you with much of a hangover, so you find yourself doing it all again the next night.
One of the greatest legacies of the decades of cummunism is the fantastic cultural institutions that remain in the country, the Kirov and Bolshoi Ballets are world famous, and the Russian State Circus, as well as the various orchestras and opera companies all offer very cheap subsidised tickets to travellers and locals alike.
Russian cuisine is everything you expect, unless you like potatoes and watery stew, avoid it.
