Tourists reviews of vacations in Russia - Page 10

A wonderful trip, we completely fell in love with this beautiful region. We’ll definitely be coming back.

5 wonderful days in Kamchatka! This was our first experience visiting such a remote region, and everything was perfectly organized right from the booking stage. Thanks to Big Country, we’re already planning our next tour for September. Kamchatka is stunning, awe-inspiring, full of mosquitoes, but incredibly delicious and unforgettable.

I missed the first day of the tour due to work, but I still really enjoyed the remaining excursions. I would have liked to learn more about Kozelsk and spend at least another half hour exploring it.

There were so many impressions, but one thing became clear — three days just isn’t enough! A big thank you to our guide Ilya for making our leisure time so engaging, and to our driver Dmitry on Olkhon for his unforgettable stories about the area and the island’s history through the eyes of the locals. It was fantastic!

It turned out to be a fantastic summer trip :) The tour was excellent: well-organized, packed with interesting excursions, and thoughtfully planned. I absolutely fell in love with Suzdal and Yaroslavl and will definitely return to explore them more thoroughly. Special thanks to our tour guide Denis, who made the journey even more enjoyable with fascinating stories and little-known historical facts. It was both educational and engaging. He also handled all the logistics along the way flawlessly. I'd also like to acknowledge the professionalism of our driver from Vladimir. The only downside was a brief water outage at the hotel in Sergiev Posad, but aside from that, the accommodations were top-notch. Thank you to everyone involved.

Overall, I really enjoyed the trip. There was one excursion planned for each day, and everything promised was delivered. The only change was the boat trip, which had to be postponed due to the weather but it still happened in the end. The guides and drivers were friendly and patient, and the overall atmosphere was warm and welcoming. I initially thought five days would be too short, but it turned out to be more than enough for me. Highly recommended.

I really appreciated how the program was structured: the tour team allowed free time during each excursion for lunch, shopping for souvenirs, and taking photos. I also enjoyed staying at the Sokroma Library. It was fascinating to see the front door and 19th-century houses up close. Everything was conveniently located and easily accessible.

A sea of impressions and yes, the White Sea :] Right from the start, it's worth mentioning that this trip is perfect for those seeking vivid, contemplative experiences and a true break from city life without needing trekking boots or a heavy hiking backpack. If you're into sun loungers and cocktails, this probably isn't for you. But for me, it was an amazing way to unwind and reset. We were lucky with the weather, in poor conditions, trips to the islands on Lake Onega, Lake Ladoga, and Solovki can be canceled or limited, so it’s good to be prepared for that. As the saying goes, “to each their own”: Ruskeala Park was highly recommended to me as a place of breathtaking beauty, but unlike Kizhi and Valaam, the former quarry didn’t quite deliver the same “wow” factor, though it was still a feast for the eyes :) Some people in our group ended their tour 2–3 days early due to shortened time on Solovki. Personally, I'd recommend staying longer and joining the additional excursions, they truly amplify the experience.

Thank you. Everything was perfect. "Karelia is like a wonderland- you turn a corner, and it’s gone."

We took this tour from June 17-21 with our guides Kurban and Atlukhan. I won’t go on for too long about the breathtaking beauty of Dagestan, those who’ve been already know, and those who haven’t: don’t hesitate, just go. I’ve been to Sochi, Abkhazia, and Georgia before, but the sheer power, diversity, and majesty of Dagestan’s mountains, rivers, waterfalls, canyons, and landscapes are simply unmatched. Everything captivates you, draws you in, and completely immerses you in peaceful sensations, disconnecting you from your everyday reality. It’s the perfect place to reset! This sense of peace and immersion was made possible thanks to the impeccable organization by the hosting team. We visited each location ahead of the main wave of tourists, and the guides showed us the most photogenic spots, they even took our pictures for us. One day we were hit by heavy rain and hail, which disrupted our schedule, but our amazing guides quickly adapted. They took us to two alternative sites that weren’t originally part of the itinerary (since the weather improved along the way), and then brought us to the missed location the following day. We even stopped on the roadside to take photos with donkeys. Every day of the tour we were treated to different dishes from the local cuisine. I don’t normally eat three full meals a day at home, but here it was like a feast: soup, main courses, sides, desserts, and compote, I’m not exaggerating 😉 Everything was delicious, fresh, and varied. In the evenings, we gathered around the campfire, talked, danced, sang songs, and played Mafia. It was such a warm and lively atmosphere. During our time in the mountains, we stayed three nights in beautiful barn-style cabins fully equipped with modern comforts, cozy mattresses, and soft pillows. Waking up, opening the curtains, and seeing those mountain views with the sound of the river below, it felt like a fairytale. We spent one night in a hotel in Derbent. Derbent is a vibrant, charming city, I’d love to go back and explore more. Honestly, I want to see everything again! The “Dagestan at Full Speed” tour really delivered on its name, it gave us an incredible amount of joy and unforgettable memories. The team thought of every little detail, even hanging a garbage bag in the van to keep things tidy and make life on the road easier. They also provided bottled water and wet wipes for everyone; small touches, but they really made a difference and let us fully enjoy our vacation without hassle. Huge thanks to our fantastic guides, Kurban and Atlukhan. And to our amazing, fun-loving group, people of all ages from different cities, yet we were completely in sync and shared the same vibe. That made it even more special!

It couldn't be better.

Charming small towns and villages that you would normally just pass by on the way to the sea or a larger city. But each of them has its own history and unique sights!

I really enjoyed the tour and learned a lot about our history. The organization was excellent, and our guide made everything very engaging. Thank you.

The most comprehensive winter Baikal tour I found online, from Buryatia to Irkutsk, covering both the eastern and western shores, as well as Olkhon. I’d definitely recommend adding an extra day or two on Olkhon to fully enjoy the experience.

Hello! My mom and I were on the tour from March 9 to 13, and overall we really enjoyed everything. We visited the Taltsy Museum, where the guide gave a wonderful and engaging introduction to the area and the history of local life. We even got to swing on a traditional wooden swing, just like in childhood. At the husky park, we petted the dogs and had a very emotional dog sled ride. The staff there spoke so warmly and sincerely about caring for the dogs. We saw the incredibly beautiful ice formations and caves, admired methane bubbles, went ice skating, and took lots of photos. We also rode on a Khivus hovercraft and watched a stunning sunset right on Lake Baikal. We even tasted the lake water. The tour was very interesting and full of unforgettable experiences. In the first few days, Baikal was sunny and relatively warm, while at Cape Khoboy it was windy and freezing, we truly experienced the full power of the lake. We also enjoyed incredibly delicious fish soup and freshly prepared fish surrounded by breathtaking nature. Overall, the program was excellent and very well organized. Many thanks to the driver-chefs, Pyotr and Yuri, for the safe journeys and great food. I’d also like to thank all the drivers along the route for their professionalism and safe driving. I’d especially like to mention our guide, Savely, a very friendly and easygoing young man. He struck a great balance during the tour, sharing interesting information while also giving us plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and take photos. He even helped take photos of everyone and checked in daily to make sure we were all happy. He also adjusted the schedule based on the weather so that we were as comfortable as possible. Savely did his best to accommodate everyone’s wishes, for example, he made sure we had time to visit a souvenir shop. He coordinated all the stops with the drivers so we could fully enjoy the views. I highly recommend visiting Lake Baikal with Savely as your guide! Wishing you continued success and prosperity!

I’d like to express my sincere gratitude for this Lake Baikal tour. I really enjoyed everything. We were especially lucky with the weather. All five days were sunny. Thank you very much.

I have a feeling it’s going to be hard to enjoy other tours after this one - it was truly outstanding and not easy to top. The team behind it did an incredible job with the planning, organization, and routes, and the sheer number of impressions is beyond words. The places we visited were unbelievably beautiful - I’ve never seen anything like it. At the same time, the itinerary was perfectly balanced, so you not only wanted to see everything, but actually had the energy to do it and make the most of every opportunity. I’d also like to highlight the food - it was amazing. Every meal felt warm and welcoming, almost like being part of a family. Everything was delicious, no matter where it was prepared. Even if you’re not used to Dagestani cuisine, you’ll love it - it’s hard to stop eating :) As the saying goes, it’s better to see something once than hear about it a hundred times - so this is definitely a tour you should experience for yourself (and ideally more than once). And despite what you might expect - there are no aggressive dogs in Dagestan :)

I’d like to express my sincere gratitude for organizing the "Listvyanka, Arshan, Olkhon" tour! I truly enjoyed everything - from the program and the guides to the overall organization. I booked the tour through Big Country. I’d especially like to thank the manager, Yulia, who was incredibly patient and attentive to our changing plans and requests. She offered several tour options and answered all our questions in detail. The local team handled everything flawlessly: small groups, well-organized transfers, and excellent timing. A special highlight was the trip to Olkhon, which involved three different modes of transport - all perfectly coordinated. We never had to wait, the drivers stayed in touch, and everything ran smoothly, while still giving us enough time at each stop without feeling rushed. Many thanks as well to Elvira, who was always available and quickly arranged a private transfer on the first day when our flight was delayed by 5 hours. That really helped us avoid any stress about missing the start of the tour. The program was well balanced, we were specifically looking for more than just ice, and this tour delivered: Baikal, Buryatia, museums - it was a lot to fit into three days. + we also added a city tour of Irkutsk on an extra day, which was definitely worth it. The Baikal Forest Hotel was excellent, and having a shopping center nearby was a nice bonus. Special thanks to all the guides. Kristina has a great sense of humor, which made her already engaging stories even more enjoyable. We were especially touched when she brought us lunch that we had missed - after a flight without breakfast, it meant a lot. Tatiana is an outstanding organizer - we managed to do even more than planned, and the hot air balloons were the perfect highlight. Everything was timed perfectly; even the fish was pre-ordered so we could quickly pick it up along the way without losing time. It may seem like a small detail, but it makes a big difference. Natalia was wonderful - her genuine love for her homeland really came through in everything she shared. She was very attentive and always happy to show and tell us more than what was planned, just by request. That kind of passion is truly inspiring. Lyudmila is a fantastic storyteller who clearly loves her city. In just 3 hours, we saw so many places and learned a lot of fascinating and unexpected facts about each one. Overall, it was a fantastic trip with nothing but positive emotions. This was my second time at Lake Baikal, and I wanted to bring my mom along this time, she was absolutely thrilled. I enjoyed it just as much (most of the places were new to me), and I’m really glad I made time for this trip despite a busy work schedule. Thanks again to everyone involved!

I took the "Legends of Karelia. Winter Trip tour from March 7 to 10, 2026, which included visits to Petrozavodsk, Mount Sampo, Kivach Waterfall, the Girvas Volcano, Ruskeala Mountain Park, the Filina Hills, and more. The program was very diverse: hikes across plains and mountains, walks along beautiful rivers and lakes, stops at scenic viewpoints, and an introduction to the centuries-old traditions of Karelia. The tour fully lived up to the description provided by the "Big Country travel company." I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, thanks in large part to the excellent organization, Svetlana in Moscow, the guides in Karelia (Vera and Tatiana), the tour coordinator Varvara, and the drivers all did a fantastic job. Everything worked together seamlessly. Thank you!

The experience of walking on the ice of a giant frozen lake is truly unlike anything else. Over the course of the week, we saw an incredible variety of ice formations— massive ice splashes on the cliffs, hummocks, and ice in all kinds of colors and shapes. This is the perfect tour for discovering winter Lake Baikal 👍👍👍. A special thank you goes to our guide, Ilya, who is not only highly professional and responsible, but also a genuinely kind and caring person who truly looks after the well-being and spirits of the group. 👍 I would also like to mention the "Naratei" tourist base where we stayed. Of course, not everything was perfect, especially the condition of pretty much all the door handles in the rooms 😄 but the rooms were clean and cozy, and the dining hall served excellent food 🤗. Many thanks as well to the providers for the stylish badges and the warm buffs/scarves, which were absolutely essential in such strong winds.