For the first time in its history, Russia is now wide open for foreign visitors to experience, and exploration beyond Moscow and St Petersburg is well advised. The Golden Ring, a collection of ancient gems, transports the traveller back to a bygone age.

East of Siberia stretches the Russian Far East, a region almost as big as Siberia itself, running to the Pacific coast and including the vast Chukotka and Kamchatka peninsulas.

Given the vast size of the country, Russia’s terrain is hugely variable. From the Siberian tundra to the mountains of the Urals, the beaches on the Black Sea coast, and the plains of western Russia, such variable geography means one can experience many different Russias.

Currency

Rouble (RUB; symbol руб) = 100 kopeks. Notes are in denominations of 5,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of 10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 10, 5 and 1 kopeks.

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Russia uses a standard two-pin European plug.

General business opening hours

Mon-Fri 1000-1800, with a lengthy lunch break, usually from 1200-1400, during which no work is done – even telephones are left unanswered.

2018

Nowogodnije kanikuly (New Year): 1 – 6 January 2018
Roschdestwo Christowo (Orthodox Christmas Day): 7 and 8 January 2018
Den saschtschitnika Otetschestwa (Defender of the Fatherland Day): 23 February 2018
Meschdunarodny schenski den (International Women’s Day): 8 March 2018
Prasdnik Wesny i Truda (Spring and Labour Day): 28 April – 1 May 2018
Den Pobedy (Victory Day): 9 May 2018
Den Rossii (Russia Day, Republic Day): 11 and 12 June 2018
Den narodnowo jedinstwa (Unity Day): 4 and 5 November 2018

All information subject to change.

Galleries, museums and heritage buildings throughout the city open their doors for an evening crammed with special events. Visitors can join late-night behind-the-scenes tours, meet local artists, watch craft demonstrations and historical reenactments, and enjoy live concerts, plays and poetry recitals.

World-class international and Russian musicians wow audiences during this two-week festival of symphonic orchestral concerts, chamber music and operatic performances under the batons of renowned conductors such as Yuri Bashmet and Vladimir Spivakov. Poetry, literary and art events often run alongside the music programme.

A day packed with festivities draws large numbers of Nizhhniy Novgorod’s residents into the centre. Stalls spring up selling handicrafts and sweet pastries, while activities range from breakdancing, board game and karaoke contests to a soapbox race, concerts and a sparkling fireworks display.

Not only does this festival boast an enviable line-up of international DJs (think Paul Oakenfold or Markus Schulz), but it also gives festivalgoers a chance to test future technologies and gadgets galore such as virtual reality headsets, YikeBikes and 3D printing.

Shoppers flock to historic Rozhdestvenskaya Street for this special afternoon. Market stalls set up shop on the street selling regionally made crafts and produce, while local bands, singers, clowns and actors entertain crowds with colourful performances from the open-air stage.

The Russians are quite possibly the undisputed kings and queens of bling, and this fair is <em>the</em> place to mingle with the nation’s top jewellery experts. On display is a glittering array of rings, watches, necklaces, bracelets and just about anything else that sparkles.

Dedicated to Russian author, poet and playwright Alexander Pushkin, this festival has been going strong for three decades. World-renowned conductors lead mesmerising performances of Pushkin’s works set to music, be they dance interpretations of his poetry or spectacular productions of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin.

Celebrated throughout Russia, this national holiday commemorates an uprising which liberated Moscow from Polish-Lithuanian forces in 1612. Processions, patriotic speeches, theatrical shows and wreath laying, often accompanied by brass bands or bell ringing, are all part of the solemn occasion.

Shoppers have a phenomenal selection of goods to browse at this huge Christmas fair. It’s a great place to pick up Russian speciality products such as leather goods, knitwear or jewellery. There’s also a tasty choice of regional food and drink to tuck into stockings.