Russia

1. Moscow

Details: The capital city, known for the Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, and the Bolshoi Theatre.
Tips: Use the metro for easy and cheap transportation. Try local cuisine like pelmeni and borscht.
Best Time to Visit: May to September for warm weather; December for winter festivities.

2. Saint Petersburg

Details: Known for the Hermitage Museum, Winter Palace, Peterhof Palace, and the canals.
Tips: Purchase tickets to major attractions online to avoid long lines. Walk or take boat tours to enjoy the city's beauty.
Best Time to Visit: June to August for the White Nights.

3. Lake Baikal

Details: The world’s deepest and oldest freshwater lake, located in Siberia.
Tips: Go hiking, take a boat tour, or try ice diving in winter.
Best Time to Visit: July to September; February to March for ice activities.

4. Golden Ring

Details: A ring of ancient cities northeast of Moscow, known for historical architecture and Russian culture.
Tips: Visit cities like Suzdal, Vladimir, and Sergiev Posad. Rent a car for a comfortable trip.
Best Time to Visit: May to September.

5. Kazan

Details: The capital of Tatarstan, known for the Kremlin, Kul Sharif Mosque, and diverse culture.
Tips: Try Tatar cuisine like chak-chak and echpochmak. Explore both Russian Orthodox and Muslim heritage.
Best Time to Visit: May to September.

6. Sochi

Details: A resort city on the Black Sea, famous for beaches, ski resorts, and the Winter Olympics.
Tips: Visit Rosa Khutor for skiing and hiking. Relax on the beaches and visit the Sochi Arboretum.
Best Time to Visit: June to August for beach activities; December to February for skiing.

7. Vladivostok

Details: A port city near the borders with China and North Korea, known for the Golden Horn Bay and the Trans-Siberian Railway terminus.
Tips: Visit the Vladivostok Fortress and Russian Island. Try seafood, especially crab.
Best Time to Visit: May to September.

8. Murmansk

Details: Located above the Arctic Circle, known for the Northern Lights and the Arctic Museum.
Tips: Go Northern Lights hunting and visit the Lenin Icebreaker. Dress warmly and be prepared for cold weather.
Best Time to Visit: December to March for Northern Lights; June to August for milder weather.

9. Novosibirsk

Details: The largest city in Siberia, known for the Opera and Ballet Theatre, and the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Tips: Visit the Novosibirsk Zoo and the Akademgorodok science hub. Explore the nearby Ob River.
Best Time to Visit: May to September.

10. Yekaterinburg

Details: Located in the Ural Mountains, known for the Church on the Blood and the Romanov family history.
Tips: Visit the Yekaterinburg War Memorial and Vysotsky Skyscraper for panoramic views.
Best Time to Visit: May to September.

11. Irkutsk

Details: A city near Lake Baikal, known for its wooden houses and proximity to the lake.
Tips: Explore the historical center and take trips to Lake Baikal and Listvyanka Village.
Best Time to Visit: May to September.

12. Krasnoyarsk

Details: Known for the Stolby Nature Reserve and the Yenisei River.
Tips: Go hiking in Stolby and visit the Krasnoyarsk Hydroelectric Power Station.
Best Time to Visit: May to September.

13. Kaliningrad

Details: A Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania, known for the Curonian Spit and Königsberg Cathedral.
Tips: Visit the Kaliningrad Amber Museum and the World Ocean Museum.
Best Time to Visit: May to September.

14. Nizhny Novgorod

Details: Known for the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin and the confluence of the Volga and Oka Rivers.
Tips: Explore the Chkalov Staircase and the historic Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street.
Best Time to Visit: May to September.

15. Rostov-on-Don

Details: Known for its Cossack culture and proximity to the Don River.
Tips: Visit the Rostov Regional Museum of Fine Arts and walk along the Don River embankment.
Best Time to Visit: May to September.

16. Volgograd

Details: Formerly known as Stalingrad, famous for the Battle of Stalingrad and the Motherland Calls statue.
Tips: Visit the Stalingrad Battle Museum and Mamayev Kurgan.
Best Time to Visit: May to September.

17. Perm

Details: Located near the Ural Mountains, known for the Perm Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Kama River.
Tips: Explore the Perm State Art Gallery and the Perm-36 Museum.
Best Time to Visit: May to September.

18. Khabarovsk

Details: Located near the Chinese border, known for its riverside promenade and city parks.
Tips: Visit the Khabarovsk Regional Museum and the Amur River.
Best Time to Visit: May to September.

19. Yalta

Details: A resort town on the Crimean Peninsula, known for the Livadia Palace and Swallow’s Nest.
Tips: Visit the Yalta Embankment and take a cable car ride to Ai-Petri Mountain.
Best Time to Visit: June to September.

20. Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

Details: Located in the Kamchatka Peninsula, known for its volcanic landscapes and wildlife.
Tips: Go hiking, visit geysers, and take a helicopter tour over volcanoes.
Best Time to Visit: June to September.

21. Arkhangelsk

Details: Known for its wooden architecture and proximity to the White Sea.
Tips: Visit the Arkhangelsk Regional Museum and the Malye Karely Open-Air Museum.
Best Time to Visit: June to September.

22. Vologda

Details: Known for its wooden buildings and the Vologda Kremlin.
Tips: Explore the Spaso-Prilutsky Monastery and the Lace Museum.
Best Time to Visit: May to September.

23. Veliky Novgorod

Details: One of the oldest cities in Russia, known for the Novgorod Kremlin and St. Sophia Cathedral.
Tips: Visit the Yaroslav's Court and the Millennium of Russia monument.
Best Time to Visit: May to September.

24. Samara

Details: Known for its Volga River beaches and the Samara Space Museum.
Tips: Visit the Stalin's Bunker and the Samara Embankment.
Best Time to Visit: May to September.

25. Kizhi Island

Details: Located in Lake Onega, known for its wooden churches and open-air museum.
Tips: Explore the Kizhi Pogost and take a guided tour of the island.
Best Time to Visit: June to September.

These destinations offer a mix of historical, cultural, and natural attractions, showcasing the diversity of Russia.