What comes to mind when you hear 'Russia'? Out-of-this-world architecture? Vodka-fuelled revelry? Literary geniuses? Lofty mountains and vast landscapes? Tick, tick and tick. Russia is home to all of these features and a whole host more. Granted, Russia can also fuel fury thanks to bureaucracy, misunderstood people (who may appear cold) and inconvenience. But, if you are resilient, persevere and try to understand the Russian proverb that translates, “laughing for no reason is a sign of stupidity,” you'll likely be rewarded while travelling through the motherland. Even though some of my time was tainted by an unsavoury experience, there were still gems that emerged to titillate, entertain and enthral. Here's hoping researching the world's largest country inspires a healthy dose of wanderlust.
