Europe is widely considered the beginning of Western Culture. Geology-wise, Europe is 1 highly complex continent. Geographical attributes range from rolling plains to highlands and mountain ranges as well as water bodies like the Celtic Sea, the Baltic Sea plus the Caspian Sea. Europe likewise has broad river systems. People have a way of stoning up ideal alongside bodies of water although, especially rivers, which has its advantages in trade and economic sciences. Some cities, like Venice even took these water systems into a entire new level. Let us take a look at the major contenders of the Longest-Rivers-in-Europe list.

1. Volga

The Volga River in Russia is one river with bloody history. You just have to watch war movies (or play war video games) to know that during the Two World Wars (I and II), a lot of battles have been fought nearby since some points in this river are deemed strategic. Blood and conflict aside, this river, spanning 3,692 km (2,294 mi) will be the longest in Europe. This river is widely considered Russia’s National River and you would frequently encounter Russian literature and paintings referring to it. The river has its source within the Valdai Hills northwest of Moscow, heading east into Lake Sterzh, draining out and in the end turning south until Volgograd and discharging into the Caspian Sea. The delta is the largest estuary in all of Europe.

2. Danube

Even though Danube only ranks as the second longest river within the continent, with its length of 2,860 km or 1,777 miles, it really is to Europe as the Nile is to Africa ( as well as that just like the Congo, it has been a source of inspiration for those in the literature, along with inside the arts, music and film and tv). The river originates inside the Breg River in Black Forest in Germany and it flows in a southeastward direction, passing through quite a few tourist spots and our natural resources along the river and 88 cities, four of that are Eastern European capitals (Bratislava, Vienna, Belgrade and Budapest). It discharges into the Black sea through the Danube Delta, that is second only to the Volga Delta in terms of size, but it is well- looked after. It’s in fact a UNESCO World Heritage Internet site.

3. Ural

The Ural River, which spans 2,4,28 km or 1,509 miles, is yet another river in Russia. The river starts at the Southern Ural Mountains, the mountain range that is supposedly the physical boundary of Asia Europe, and flowing south by means of the Orsk and Orenburg, continuing west and passing Kazakhstan then turning south again until it discharges into the Caspian Sea. The wetlands near the Ural River Delta are an important stopover of migrating birds. The river is usually supplied by melting snow and it can be employed by iron and Steel Companies, with the lower reaches becoming used for irrigation.

4. Dnieper

The Dnieper, a 2,285-kilometer (1,420-mile) river, is a symbol of Ukrainian Statehood. It is vital in the economy, as it truly is a leading waterway and is had been part of the ancient trading route – The Amber Road. The river starts at the swamps of the Valdai Hills in central Russia, with melting snow becoming the primary source, and in the end being given food by many tributaries, coursing by way of the Belarus-Ukraine borders, to Ukraine itself and emptying out into the Black Sea.

5. Don

The Don River, flowing for a distance of 1,950 km (1,220) has one issue in common with Volga – bloody history. Its being a strategic point was established way back within the conflicts of the Middle Ages and in World War II, key fighting been possible in some parts of the river as well. Oh, at 1 point, it really is 105 km (65 miles) from the Volga River and there is a waterway that connects the two. It begins at a town southeast of Moscow and discharges into the Sea of Azov, maintaining its role as an aid in economy and trading in the process.

Zigmunt Kelevitz ( Ziggy ) is a well known character around the spa town of Daylesford Victoria. Many people know him as the owner and proprietor of the Albert on Camp and The Mills Daylesford, but there is a lot more to the story.

Ziggy was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1954. His parents immigrated to Australia when he was just 2 years old, almost by chance. They originally meant to go to America, to escape the troubles of Eastern Europe, but the ship to Australia was going earlier and that was the decision made. The family first stayed in Townsville, Queensland then later made their way down to Victoria and settled in Geelong.

At 9 years old he discovered wrestling. It was in this sport he was destined to excel. He has been Australia’s most successful wrestler to date. Over the years training with the Australian National Team, he was to win the national title 17 times! His training took him all over the world, he competed and trained all over America, Europe and Asia. He wrestled in the Olympics, Montreal in 1976, Moscow in 1980 and Los Angeles in 1984, where he placed 5th.

It was in the Commonwealth Games that Ziggy had his greatest successes. With silver medals in both Brisbane and Edinburgh and winning the gold medal in the Edmonton Games in 1978. To this date no other Australian wrestler has won a medal in the Commonwealth Games.

His life outside sport has also been filled with success. He is a father of 3 children and has trained in carpet laying. As a businessman, Ziggy has spent a lot of time in Victoria’s Spa Region he operated a 2nd hand dealership in Trentham, an antique shop The Daylesford Bazaar, held the cleaning contract at the Hepburn Springs Spa Complex and currently runs two successful hospitality businesses. The Albert on Camp is a guesthouse which Ziggy has restored from the original Albert Hotel, which was gutted by fire. The property retains much of it’s original character, as Ziggy has faithfully decorated the guesthouse back to it’s former style. The Mills Daylesford is his other property which is adjacent to the Albert, these are a series of self contained studio apartments, with spas and modern fittings.

Although he is very well known around the town of Daylesford, it is mostly for his winning personality and his ever friendly and positive outlook, often when meeting him it is hard to believe that he has achieved so much and has retained his humility and good humour. Ziggy is a true champion in all walks of life.

Vincent Van Gogh painted “The Red Vineyard” in November of 1888. It was supposedly his only painting that he sold during his lifetime. It was sold to Anna Boch, who was an impressionist painter and art collector, at the annual exhibition of the artist group called “Les XX”. The group was composed of 20 Belgian artists who are now considered some of the world’s greatest artists in history. Included in the group, in addition to Vincent Van Gogh, was the likes of Claude Monet, Georges Seurat, Paul Gauguin and Paul Cezanne.

The painting was sold for about 400 francs in 1890, which is equivalent to about $1,000 today. The painting is now stored at the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow. Although the painting has never been put up for sale and it would be difficult to estimate its value, Van Gogh’s paintings have sold from $60 to $140 million.

Interpretation of The Red Vineyard

Van Gogh was living in Arles, France in 1888 with Paul Gauguin. He had written a letter to his brother Theo, who was an art dealer in Paris, stating that he was working on a vineyard painting that he had painted from memory after an evening stroll,

a red vineyard, all red like red wine. In the distance it turned to yellow and then a green sky with the sun, the earth after the rain violet, sparkling here and there where it caught the reflection of the setting sun.

The low evening sun to the west and the shadow of the man standing on the road suggests that the vineyard is north facing. The shimmering road and the bright yellow reflection of the sun on the road suggests that the road is very wet and that there might have been a heavy rain recently. The muddy areas in the foreground also hint at the wet conditions.

All the women that are in the foreground picking the grapes are bent over from the hip, suggesting an air of hard work and that perhaps it was demanded of them from the figure on the road standing watch over them. Bending over from the hip would have been extremely difficult on the lower back and the women would have been exhausted after a day picking.

While the yellow, orange and reds of the painting captured a beautiful and vibrant natural setting, it also contrasts with the toiling of the women. This is consistent with most of Van Gogh’s paintings in that there was always a sense of melancholy, whether subtle or obvious.

1895 William G. Morgan (1870-1942) invented volleyball, an Olympic sport since 1964, in Holyoke (Massachusetts).  

1917 American soldiers introduced volleyball to Europe. Volleyball is one of the most popular sports in Russia, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia.  

1954 Flora “Flo” Hyman, an ex world-class player (1973-1984), was born on July 29, 1954 in Inglewood, California. This sportswoman was well-known for her fair play. She won two Norceca championships, one Olympic silver medal, one world bronze medal and other international titles.  

1960 Charles Frederick “Karch ” Kiraly was born on November 3, 1960 in Jackson (Michigan). He has won three Olympic gold medals (indoor and beach volleyball).  

1964 Under the leadership of Ron Lang, the United States competed in the Olympic Games in Japan-the first Olympic Volleyball Tournament.  

1973 The U.S. men’s squad earned the Norceca title in Tijuana (Mexico). In the final, they beat Cuba, Pan American champions and Olympic players, 3-0 (15-12, 15-11, 15-10).  

1974 Under the direction of Carl Mc Gown, head coach of the U.S men’s volleyball squad from 1973 to 1976, the American team visited Moscow (Soviet Union) and played friendly matches against the USSR, Cuba and Japan.  

1977 At the Women’s World Championships in Japan, the United States beat the USSR, world champion in 1973, 3-1.  

1978 The Cuban men’s team toured in Ohio (Dayton), Indiana (Cincinnati & Muncia) , Michigan (Indianapolis Bay) and Illinois (Madison & Wheaton).The USA and Cuba played seven matches…  

1979 The United States women’s team earned a silver medal in the Norceca championships and placed fourth in the Pan American Games in San Juan de Puerto Rico.  

1980 For political reasons, the American women squad could not trip to the Summer Olympics in the Soviet Union.  

1981 Doug Beal was named head coach of the U.S. men’s volleyball squad.  

1982 The U.S. women’s volleyball squad, under the direction of Arie Selinger, became the first North American team to win a world medal.  

1983 The female team gained the Norceca Tournament in Indianapolis. In August, it was runner-up at the Pan American Games in South America.  

1984 In Los Angeles, California (USA), the American men team, under the watchful eyes of Doug Beal, earned the Olympic title. America did not expect to win the global title. The best players were Karch Kiraly, Dusty Dvorak, Craig Buck, Paul Suderland, Aldis Berzins and Marc Waldie.  

1985 Rose Magers was one of the members of the World All-Star team. This Afro-American volleyball player was born on June 25, 1960 in Big Spring, Texas…The male team earned the Korea Cup. They defeated Japan, Mexico and South Korea.  

1987 The United States and Cuba played five friendly matches in Havana. The U.S. men’s squad won three matches. Subsequently, they were Pan American champions.  

1995 The female squad became the third national team to win the World Grand Prix.  

1996 The First Olympic Beach Volleyball Tournament was held in Atlanta, Georgia (USA).Two local pairs earned the gold and silver medals in the men’s tournament. America’s Karch Kiraly, a former star volleyball player, and Kent Steffes became the first American pair to take an Olympic gold medal.  

2000 The American national beach volleyball team, Dan Blanton & Eric Fonoimoana, earned the global title at the Sydney Olympic Games. In the final, they defeated Jose Marco Melo and Ricardo Santos (Brazil).  

2005 Lang Ping became the first woman to be named head coach of the U.S. women’s national team. Lang, best known as “Jenny”, was born and grew up in the People’s Republic of China. In 1982, she was considered the most valuable player in the world.  

2007 At the Norceca Tournament in Puerto Rico, the U.S. men’s squad took the regional title and won the right to compete at the FIVB World Cup in Tokyo (Japan).This team finished fourth place in Japan.  

2008 The American volleyball team won two medals, gold and silver, at the Summer Olympics in Beijing (China). This Olympic sport became one of the most popular sports in the United States…

Snipers, road side bombers and grenade launchers are not things you usually associate with your average minicab ride but for contractors in Iraq these are real threats, which is why it is on our list of the most expensive minicab rides in the world.

Construction work in Iraq has become big business with Westerners being paid large sums to travel over to Iraq to help re-build its cities and towns. However with all the turmoil in this worn torn country it is not simply a case of jumping on a plane and starting work, you need serious close protection to make it safely to your destination. For almost £ 3,000 you receive an armored convoy with former military personnel armed with MP5 submachine guns, M16 rifles and AK47 assault rifles. The convoy normally contains a transportation vehicle accompanied by 1 or ideally 2 chase cars which are present to attack any assailants.

There are specialized kidnapping gangs which sell victims to terrorists for £ 150,000; Obviously this is a very attractive proposition to many, which is why the cab fare is so expensive. For a 10 mile trip from the airport the fare equals £ 300 per mile, easily making it one of the most expensive cab rides in the world.

Celebrity Cab Fares

What would you pay to get home if you were stranded? Its hard to put a figure on something like this without you are physically put in that situation; however it seems we know how much Monty Python actor John Cleese would pay. He recently spent $ 5,000 for a single minicab ride from Oslo, Norway to Brussels, Belgium. Mr Cleese who was being interviewed by Norway TV2 became stranded by the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud, with no other alternative but to take a minicab he paid the fare and took the 930 mile trip to Brussels. The minicab came with two extra drivers for the long journey.

The Latest London Minicabs

Cab fares could become rather expensive with the unveiling of new hydrogen powered black cabs. They deliver zero emissions making them very eco-friendly and have a range of 250 miles with a top speed of around 70 MPH. They also only take 5 minutes to refuel. It is not known how expensive they will be but other prototypes in Japan have been priced at around $ 300,000. There are 20,000 London minicabs so decreasing the carbon footprint of cabs is a very important issue. It is rented by 2012 there will be a fleet of 20 hydrogen powered taxis with more to follow.

Other Expensive Minicabs

Other expensive minicabs include Rolls Royce Phantoms in London which can be rented for a day for a cool £ 1,200 pounds, if you want to catch some of the sites in style. Interestingly enough London does not have the most expensive cabs in the world, Moscow does. In terms of extravagance Moscow has to take the top spot. It is not uncommon to spot £ 300,000 Maybach minicabs riding around as well as Porsches and Rolls Royce Phantoms. So next time you are in Moscow make sure you take a look what make of car it is before you jump in as it could seriously dent your wallet.

Have you ever thought what it would be like to just relax quietly under the sun and at sea-no hustling or bustling, far away from the madding crowds in a casual attire and in clean air and just a small group of likeminded people as company? You are on a World Cruise- around the world, Australia and New Zealand, the Orient, South America, South Pacific, Asia, Europe and the Mediterranean. The ships are equipped with spacious, well-furnished cabins with private facilities having a well-upholstered lounge, a library, good deck space and a small pool. The fares typically range from $70 to $130 a day and the world cruise is for duration from about four to ten weeks, but some are two to three weeks and some are longer.

With World Cruise, you cover 27 nations on five continents. You navigate through the French Polynesia, Great Barrier Reef of Australia, glacier carved fjords of New Zealand, enchanted China’s landscapes and the forbidden palaces. You pay a visit to bazaars in Hong Kong and the buddhas in Bangkok, the colonial and modern blend in Singapore. Enjoy exploring Delhi, Jaipur or the Taj Mahal at Agra and the tombs and temples under the ruling King times. The World Cruise even takes you to Antartica -the ultimate destination. It sure is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the grandeur of Rome, the glory of Rome through the warm waters of the equatorial Atlantic.

Taking the world cruise will be the most memorable vacation you have ever undertaken. You would cherish this experience for the rest of your life where you learn about history or diverse cultures the world over or simply unwind yourself. World cruises provide American customers a service of a lifetime-delicious meals, sightseeing, and entertainment combined with a relaxed friendly atmosphere-value for money as you may understand. Now you can sail in style and comfort- Volga river, Moscow canal, Volga/Baltic canal, the Svir River, the Rybinski Reservoir, Lake Ladoga, Lake Onega, and the Neva River. You will certainly be the envy of the Byzantine Emperors as you travel the legendary route between Scandinavia to Kiev and the Black Sea until you reach Dnieper River. Great works of art-‘the Panorama of the Sevastopal Battle’ and you can also visit the room where Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin signed the Yalta Treaty in 1945.

Age is no constraint to take the World Cruise-whether you are 79 or reaching 80, you are welcome aboard. Of course, if you are under 13 the insurance companies might restrict your entry into the cruise. A month prior to departure, you will receive the boarding information along with the ticket package. You may receive a mailing list with port agent addresses with your ticket package-so you can be in touch with your family and friends while sailing. The only change you can expect is the change in the boarding date. However, you may not know the actual time of boarding until the day before or day of boarding.

Do not forget to carry cash, US currency only. Personal checks, traveler checks and credit cards are unacceptable. For you to undertake the world cruise emergency medical/evacuation is necessary. This covers you medically in foreign ports and allows you to avail medical treatment in case of illness. Mostly if you are over 65 years, it is obligatory to have a medical certificate within ninety days of sailing. You need not worry about canceling your trip due to covered reasons as you are covered for it too under trip cancellation/interruption insurance.

St. Petersburg with its numerous museums, palaces, parks, cathedrals and historical buildings is a great place for a cultural vacation. With the new means of transportation, including sea ferries and high-speed trains, travelling to the city has become much easier and faster.

In April, 2010 a ferry connection between Helsinki in Finland and St. Petersburg was opened. The comfortable car ferry is making overnight cruises between the cities 2 – 3 times a week. Being the Ice Class boat it is operated all the year-round.

The ferry offers accommodation in cabins of different classes for 2 – 4 persons. All cabins have private WC and shower. A Class and Deluxe cabins are outside ones with the windows, economy E and B class cabins are inside ones. The ferry has several restaurants and bars, a duty-free shop, a casino, a sauna and a kids club.

Travel costs are about the same as the land transport but a huge advantage of travelling by ferry is that it allows a visa free stay in Russia for up to 72 hours. It means that one can hop-on the ferry in Helsinki on Thursday, participate in a weekend visa free Saint Petersburg tour from Friday till Sunday and get back to Helsinki on Monday morning. Accommodation is arranged at one of the hotels in the city centre.

In December, 2010 new-high speed “Allegro” trains were launched between Helsinki and St. Petersburg. With the speed up to 220 km per hour and the travel time of about 3.5 hours the train journey by “Allegro” is much faster than it was before. Custom and border checks are conducted on-board the train. The trains offer seating accommodation in two classes, first and second, a restaurant car, space for handicapped passengers and a playroom for kids. Currently there are 4 trains a day in each direction between Helsinki and St. Petersburg including early morning and late evening ones. It gives more day time for Saint Petersburg excursions.

For those who want to travel to Saint Petersburg from Moscow there are up to 7 high-speed “Sapsan” trains a day. Train journey between the Russian capital and Saint Petersburg by “Sapsan” takes about 3.5 – 4 hours. The trains have seating cars of the first and second classes, a café car and space for handicapped passengers.

A number of airlines serve Saint Petersburg international airport and connect the city with Germany, Finland, Italy, the United Kingdom, France, the United States of America and other countries.

Book Title: The Dream Deferred

Author: Mark Gevisser

Publisher: Jonathan Ball Publishers

The Dream Deferred is a valuable biography of Thabo Mbeki, the longest serving president of the post apartheid South Africa (1999 to 2008).

The book is both a finery scholarly work and a riveting story of a man who succeeded the international icon Nelson Mandela to lead South Africa. By tracing the path of Mbeki’s life, it sheds new light into the making both of the man and the new South Africa founded in 1994. It seeks to and succeeds in bringing forth the early successes of transition to the new South Africa and its teething problems of rebirth. It is part biography (of Mbeki) and part history of the ruling African National Congress’s (ANC) protracted international struggle to end apartheid.

Author, Mark Gevisser spent seven years reconnecting the dots of Mbeki’s life. He travelled to places where Mbeki spent both his formative as well as exile years – Transkei, Angola, Swaziland, Tanzania, London, and Moscow among others. He interviewed anti-apartheid movement figures across the globe, ANC exile activists, academics, historians, family and friends. He also navigated a mountain of documentary evidence, archival material and of course interviewed his main protagonist, Thabo Mbeki. The result of Gevisser’s labour is a rich contemporary look into the present state of South Africa using historical lenses as both a guide and sounding board. The story is told in a fascinating manner making it accessible to wider audiences.

The Dream Deferred retraces the steps of Mbeki from his early birth in the hinterland of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa up until he was president of the country. It touches on how he grappled with the challenges of service delivery and the country’s re-entry into the international arena. Gevisser brings to life the voices and places that made Thabo Mbeki in a manner devoid of puffery. Gevisser is critical, yet empathetic to his main character (Mbeki) whom he believes to be a tragic figure. He examines in great detail the meaning of home and exile for Mbeki. He asks rhetorical questions as to whether Mbeki’s dream of leading South Africa into a modern state was deferred, if at all. If it was, Gevisser seems to wonder whether this was purely out of Mbeki’s shortcoming as a person or part of an intricate web of attempting to extricate a country from the abyss of a violent conflict in less than two decades after its birth with meagre resources.

The central argument of the book: South Africa’s rebirth is fraught with complex challenges that will take enormous time, resources and energy to traverse and overcome. It lays bare Mbeki’s preoccupation with levels of anger among the black sections of the population as the government’s service delivery machinery kept chugging along at a snail pace. Gevisser tells of this anxiety without passing judgment on the man. He seems to suggest through a narrative of Mbeki’s refusal to reconnect with his Eastern Cape birthplace that the Chief (Mbeki’s political nickname) has yet to grasp the meaning of home.

In his analyses of Mbeki’s speeches, favourite quotations and poems, Gevisser could discern a man not at ease with himself. Gevisser argues that Mbeki might be a prisoner to his favourite Shakespearean character Coriolanus. Caius Maroius Coriolanus is displayed in the play as an aggressive, tactless, and anti-social man. He is very unsympathetic, hateful, and very open about how he feels toward others. He is, on the other hand, admired for his strength and openness, but his former qualities make it impossible to love him. Indeed, in 2008, Mbeki’s party lost faith in him and decided to recall him as president. He resigned six months before the end of his term of office. He remains the member of the ANC and is active in his pet project of African Renaissance and peace building in Africa.

To this end, the Dream Deferred is a sociological study of a society in transition and how key political figures through act or omission may derail or fast-track the political and economic development of a newly independent state. The book is a collector’s item and a must read for policy makers, students of sociology, politics and philosophy. It makes an important contribution to the body of thought on key figures in Africa who brought to the table many attributes other than war and famine.

Chechen mafia is one of the largest mafia groups. It is said to be highly organized crime group operating in Russia. It is also known as the Obshina. There have been many controversies about its existence and its influence.

Chechen crime group is believed to have come into existence in 1974 when Chechen student Khozh-Ahmed Noukhaev of Moscow State University laid the foundation of an underground movement. This movement later on became the Obshina – the Chechen Mafia.

Under the leadership of Noukhaev and Nikolay Suleimanov, Chechen Mafia became a well-organized criminal community in 1987. It forced the other criminal groups, the Balashikha, the Solntsevo, and the Lyubertsy, out of Russia and dominated the Russian mafia world. It has its activities extended out from Vienna to Vladivostok.

This mafia group is involved in many criminal activities like money laundering, drugs smuggling, automobile theft, illegal sale of plutonium and illegal human trafficking of Chinese immigrants to Japan.

The Chechen mafia used to support the fighters in the Chechen Wars by providing them arms and finances. This activity has caused confusion about the objectives of the Chechen Mafia that whether they want to gain profit from their illegal activities or want to fight for an independent state.

During the Chechen wars, lots of people of Chechen ethnicity migrated from Russia to Europe for refuge; many were separatists or former criminals. They started their illegal activities in Europe and gained power almost everywhere except in Italy as the Sicilian mafia was already very strong there.

Russia stretches over a vast territory of Europe and Asia and is the largest country in the world. Travelers exploring Russia will not be disappointed: its impressive museums, history, culture and unspoiled wilderness will leave one with a desire to see more. They can travel Russia one city at time or maximize their Russian adventure by taking a classic river cruise from Saint-Petersburg to Astrakhan, or traveling legendary Trans-Siberian Express across Russia from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok that links Moscow, most of Ural, southern-Siberia, and the Far East’s major cities: Chelyabinsk, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Novokuznetsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk, and Vladivostok.

1. Yaroslavl. In the year 2010 Yaroslavl will celebrate its millennium. Yaroslavl, which is older than some modern countries in the world, remains a unique city with its own peculiar traditions and character. It is ancient and modern at the same time. Its look reflects the history of the whole country as well as the history of many Russian towns. Yaroslavl is a hometown of the national symbol -Russian Bear. According to legend, when tsar Yaroslav the Wise first came to the place where he later founded the town, the local inhabitants let a bear out of his cage to chase him away, and Yaroslav killed it with his halberd. Visit Russian Bear’s house and have dinner at traditional restaurant, which is not really popular among bears but among people like Tsar Yaroslav who like to hunt Russian bears.

2. Saint-Petersburg is one of the world’s most beautiful cities and has all the ingredients for an unforgettable travel experience: high art, lavish architecture, wild nightlife, an extraordinary history and rich cultural traditions that have inspired and nurtured some of the modern world’s greatest literature, music, and visual art. From the mysterious twilight of the White Nights to world-beating opera and ballet productions on magical winter evenings, Saint-Petersburg charms and entices in every season.

3. Kazan is an Islamic capital of Russia and Tatar people. The Kazan Kremlin was built by Russian architects after Ivan the Terrible seized Kazan in 1552. Kazan’s famous attraction is also located inside the Kremlin walls: The legendary Soyembika Tower, named after a princess who lived in the 16th century. According to one of the many legends, Ivan the Terrible wanted to marry Soyembika after having conquered the city. Soyembika agreed, but only under the condition that the tsar would build a tower higher than any other building in the Kremlin within seven days. Ivan the Terrible fulfilled her request, erecting a tower of 59 meters. To avoid marrying Ivan, Soyembika climbed the tower and jumped down from the very top, killing herself. Over the years, the tower slowly bended, and only special constructions, could fortify the building. It is now stable, though with a tilt of about two meters. Also magnificent mosque Kul Sharif in city of Kazan is one of the most beautiful and most northern mosques of the world. It is constructed by thousand-year anniversary of city of Kazan.

4. Kamchatka was discovered by Russian Cossacks over 3 hundred years ago. However, even today Russians know very little about it, to say nothing about the rest of the world where most people have hardly heard of Kamchatka. This century the airplanes have made Kamchatka closer to Europe and America though not more available. The Valley of Geysers is the only geyser field in Eurasia (apart from the Mutnovsky geyser field) and the second largest concentration of geysers in the world. This 6 km long basin with approximately ninety geysers and many hot springs is situated on the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East, predominantly on the left bank of the ever-deepening Geysernaya River, into which geothermal waters flow from a relatively young strato-volcano, Kikhpinych. It is part of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve, which, in turn, is incorporated into the World Heritage Site “Volcanoes of Kamchatka”. Kamchatka is probably the only place where the saying “Bears walk on the streets of Russia” is true…

5. Karelia is a strikingly beautiful land of “midnight sun”, the land of white nights. Here forests spread for many miles; there are thousands of big and small forest lakes surrounded by deep swamps or picturesque wild rocks. This is the land where you meet industrious and hospitable people. The two largest lakes in Europe – Onega Lake and Ladoga Lake – are situated on Karelian territory. One of the mysteries of the Onega Lake is located on the Besov Nos (Demon’s Nose) cape. Here some pictures painted by the people of the late Stone Age have survived. There are a lot of outstanding landscapes on the territories of almost a million hectares of specially protected natural territories: national parks “Paanajarvi”, “Vodlozerky” and “Kalevalsky”, nature park “Valaamsky Archipelago”, preserves “Kivach” and “Kostomukshskiy”, other reserves and nature monuments.

6. Sochi is one of Russia’s most popular travel destinations. If you one imagines a place where the sea is bathed with golden light every sunset – a place where the sands and pebbles of the beach can be enjoyed with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and where you can enjoy almost every luxury that matters – you will most likely be picturing Sochi. This is one of Russia’s finest and grandest cities, a place where time stops ticking as you while away your days at one of the many fine spas, mineral baths or sanatoriums. With the unique sub-tropical climate, top-class sports facilities and well-developed infrastructure that Krasnaya Polyana and Sochi have to offer, the 2014 Winter Olympics to be held in Russia are sure to be a huge success – to the benefit of all involved.

7. Pereslavl-Zalessky is one of the ancient cities of central Russia. The town was founded in 1152 by prince Yury Dolgoruky. It is located halfway between Moscow and Yaroslavl, about 130 km North-East of Moscow on the bank of Pleshcheevo Lake. Here, in 1693, young Peter the Great constructed a “funny fleet” which became a prototype of the first Russian fleet on the Baltic sea. Pereslavl-Zalessky is the southernmost town of Yaroslavl region and belongs to the Golden Ring of the historical cities of Russia. The pearl of its architecture is the Cathedral of Transfiguration of the Saviour is the oldest surviving monument in Central Russia.Pereslavl-Zalessky is rich in architectural monuments of XII-XIX centuries. At present, there are four monasteries and about twenty churches in the town.

8. Moscow, founded in 1147, is the political and financial capital of modern Russia famous for Red Square with the unique onion domes of St.Basil’s Cathedral, the magnificent walls of the Kremlin and the fabulous Armory Museum.

9. Velikiy Novgorod is one of the most ancient cities in Russia and located in the North-West, near the site where the Volkhov river takes its waters from Lake Ilmen, and emerged as a political center of Slavic and Fino-Ugric tribes in the mid-9th century, while as a town it was formed in the middle of the 10th century. The history of Novgorod is closely linked with all major stages in the life of Russian state. The adoption of Christianity at the close of the tenth century turned Novgorod into a powerful ecclesiastical center. The efforts of Novgorod Bishops in spreading and promoting the Orthodoxy were given high credit in the mid-12th century when they were elevated to the ranks of Archbishops which made the Bishops Chair of Novgorod most powerful in the Russian Orthodoxy.

10. Volga is one of the greatest rivers of the World and a symbol of Russia. “Mother Volga” or “Mother river” symbolized huge open spaces of the country, its image inseparably merged with concepts of freedom and will. Referred to as the Silk Road City in Russia, Astrakhan on the delta of the Volga river, is a destination for tourists interested in wooden architecture, authentic provincial Russia, and history of Russia. Astrakhan is Russia’s gateway to the Northern Caucasus and also connects Russia to Iran, via the Caspian Sea. Every Russian travel destination is unique and will provide an unforgettable experience that will stay in traveler’s heart forever.