Tourists reviews of vacations in Russia - Page 3

Every trip to Altai is unique, and our theme, "Getting to Know Altai," made it even more special! We saw and experienced so much that the memories will surely last until our next Altai adventure :D

I am very grateful for such a wonderfully organized tour! It was our first time in Moscow, and in just five days we visited Mosfilm, VDNKh, Moscow City, Kolomenskoye Estate, and the Tretyakov Gallery. Special thanks to our amazing guides: Evgeny, a true wealth of information who shared fascinating insights about every corner of Moscow, and Marina, who captivated us with stories about the city’s history and the famous figures who lived in Moscow across different eras.

A wonderful trip! Saying we liked it would be an understatement! In just 5 days, we managed to visit all the most remarkable places. The itinerary was packed, yet by the evening of the second day, it felt like we had been in Karelia for at least a week :) at the same time, everything was well-paced, with no sense of rush or chaos. The only place where time really felt too short was Ruskeala Park: we were torn between taking photos and listening to our guide’s fascinating stories, and before we knew it, the time was up. But that just gives us a great reason to come back :) I was pleasantly surprised by the well-organized logistics and attention to detail throughout the trip. Now, I recommend this tour with "Big Country" to all my friends!

Overall, I had a great experience. Vladivostok is a beautiful city, its bridges, islands, ships, lighthouses, and the ocean are simply breathtaking. I highly recommend this tour. Primorsky Krai is a must-visit destination; it feels like Russia, yet at the same time, like a completely different world. It’s a bit disappointing that the safari park wasn’t included in the program, so we didn’t get to see any leopards, but that just gives me a great reason to come back.

It was wonderful, thank you! :)

This summer, my friend and I decided to take a guided tour for the first time and finally go on our long-awaited vacation to Vladivostok. We didn’t want to plan anything ourselves or worry about where to go and what to see, so we chose Big Country. The program had a moderate pace and, as we thought, great options for a first-time visit to the city. I enjoyed everything: the organization, the Discover Vladivostok tour program, everything was well-structured and easy to follow. The price for the tour (2024) was more than reasonable, especially for two people. We’re already planning to book another trip with Big Country and continue exploring our vast homeland.

The trip left only positive impressions. The tour took us from Buguldeika to Bolshoy Goloustnoye, covering about 70 km by kayak. Lake Baikal delighted us with its changing weather—clear skies and rain added to the adventure, making the journey even more unforgettable. Each day brought new natural wonders: mountains, forests, caves, arches, and sandy beaches. I highly recommend experiencing the energy of Lake Baikal through kayaking.

It was difficult, terribly wet, hot or cold, but very interesting

Good afternoon, I enjoyed everything, the organization and tour program were excellent. I’d especially like to highlight our guide, Vadim 👍

We traveled at the end of May and loved EVERY moment! Excellent organization, an interesting program, guides, each with their own unique style, comfortable transport, and delicious food! My son even said, "Why didn’t we go on trips like this before?" :)

Thanks to the tour managers, everything was fantastic, and the trip left us with so many great memories. The hotel was excellent, the breakfast delicious, and the guides outstanding. We took the "Discover Vladivostok" tour, and the city welcomed us like family. I highly recommend the tour operator "Big Country", no worries, no deception, everything is exactly as stated in the program, and you get the full experience.

The Top 3 Tour is wonderfully compact and incredibly informative. In a short time, I was able to see, experience, and learn so much. I immersed myself in Russian history, explored architectural monuments, and glimpsed the medieval era. Visiting Vyborg and Karelia left an unforgettable impression, and St. Petersburg will forever hold a special place in my heart. I'm so glad I stumbled upon the Big Country website and that this specific tour caught my attention. Thank you so much, truly thank you 💕!!!!!

July 17, 2024 "HIKING CAMP" Tour of the Kaliningrad Region (July 11–16, 2024) Dear Big Country team, especially Customer Service Manager Anastasia Lutsenko, Thank you for organizing this hiking tour and bringing together such a wonderful group of participants. A special thanks to the local managers and guides, including Natalia and Daria, who did everything possible to make our journey engaging, physically active, and informative, exactly as promised in the program. I may be 82 years old, but if a new active travel program becomes available or an updated version is introduced on your website, I definitely plan to return to this region. I've already started looking into new options. Eduard Smirnov

I really enjoyed the tour—it provides a great introduction to Kamchatka. It's suitable for people of all ages. The accommodation at the Laguna Hotel was excellent, with plentiful food and rejuvenating thermal baths.

Hello! We took part in the trekking tour in the Elbrus region, and it was an amazing experience. First and foremost, a huge thank you to our guide, Svetlana!!! She is a fascinating woman, she could easily outshine many men! :) she shared so much interesting information, showed us incredible places, and even treated us to delicious herbal tea made from wild mountain herbs! I absolutely loved everything!!! The landscapes were straight out of a fairy tale!!! The food, the hotel, and the overall program were all top-notch, just as described in the tour details. We will definitely do it again next year!!! The mountains completely won our hearts! A big thank you for the excellent organization!

We came back from the tour full of wonderful impressions. I really appreciated how varied and well-balanced the itinerary was. We explored the majestic Caucasus Mountains, took in breathtaking views of mountain rivers, and soaked in the natural beauty all around us. We also enjoyed guided tours through all the Caucasian Mineral Waters resort towns — Yessentuki, Pyatigorsk, Zheleznovodsk, and Kislovodsk. We stayed at the new Olympos Hotel in Pyatigorsk, which left a great impression. Everything was spotless, with modern furniture and new fixtures in the bathrooms. Breakfasts were mind-blowing. I highly recommend both the tour and the hotel to future travelers.

To start with, everyone should visit this magical place called the Republic of Adygea. I was only there for a few days on a short tour, but it felt like I was completely immersed in paradise. The journey from Mineralnye Vody to the village of Kamennomostsky takes about five hours, giving you plenty of time to admire the sunflower fields along the way (I counted ten). We arrived at our accommodation, either tents or cozy cabins, in the evening. The food was amazing (special thanks to our cook, Tatiana, whose meals were so good it was impossible not to overeat:)). We were also given a briefing about what to expect during the trip. After a delicious dinner, I fell into a deep sleep to the sound of birds singing. Since it was summertime, the electricity in the camp was turned off between midnight and 8 a.m., but every morning we woke up to hot water and a tasty breakfast. Each day began with our guides introducing the day’s plans, though everything depended on the weather, which in the mountains can change in an instant. Often, we didn’t know what to expect until the very last moment. Day 1: Canyoning in the Meshoko Gorge I slightly adjusted my itinerary and opted for a hiking route instead of climbing, just wasn’t in the mood for it :) Still, it turned out to be a beautiful, challenging, and unforgettable experience with stunning views all around. We also went horseback riding, listened to legends of the local Adyghe people, and swam at a beach with emerald-colored water and black sand. (The program can be personalized, which is a great bonus:)) In the evening, there was an entertainment program after dinner. This time, our guide Roma hosted a spontaneous concert-style jam session with his guitar, it was incredible. We laughed, sang, and even shed a few tears. It was pure magic. :) Day 2: Rafting and the Granite Canyon We even had time for a walk through the fir forest :) where I learned about a fascinating plant called hogweed. The Granite Canyon was something else, every athlete’s dream, with thrilling rapids to cross, and for those into mindfulness, the perfect place to meditate to the sound of rushing water. It was incredibly atmospheric. The rafting on the Belaya River lasted about an hour, not long enough to take in all the majestic mountain views, but still such a joy. I came out of the water with that lovely, tired feeling that only comes from doing something truly exciting. Next time, I’d love to visit Mount Trident—apparently, that’s where eagles nest. Walking through the forest afterward was also a delight. Add to that a wonderful group of fellow travelers, and it made for an unforgettable day. That evening, we visited thermal springs:) afterwards, I slept like a baby :D Day 3: Wild Caves Words can’t really describe the emotions I felt experiencing these incredible natural formations. The stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and moonmilk were simply stunning. To reach them, though, I had to crawl through narrow passages, I sacrificed my knees and elbows :). Ended up with quite a few bruises, but it was absolutely worth it :D (Oh :) and the off-road SUV ride to the cave was an adventure in itself, everyone had different reactions, but no one will forget it :D) In Conclusion I only scratched the surface of what Adygea has to offer, there’s so much more to see and experience. If you’re planning a trip, I recommend taking a longer tour. The natural beauty here is absolutely captivating. Just be sure to bring both warm and light clothing, and definitely don’t forget a raincoat, the weather can change in a heartbeat :) Huge thanks to all our guides, Edik, Roma, and Sasha, for the journey and the unforgettable emotions. Thanks also to Oksana and Sasha for their great advice. And of course, thank you to "Big Country" for introducing me to active tourism in Adygea. I’ll definitely be back :)

Not even the rainy weather could dampen the wonderful impression Arkhangelsk and its surroundings left on us. The guides were excellent, the hotel was great, and the tour was very well organized. The nature was stunning, and we learned a lot about our vast country.

Northern Baroque is a true gem of Russian culture and architecture. Although it's geographically close to major cities, reaching this region on your own can be quite a challenge. Veliky Ustyug in the summer, free from the winter crowds eager to meet the Russian Father Frost, is incredibly beautiful.

Thank you so much for a wonderful trip. The excursions were both interesting and informative, led by guides from the host team who are true professionals. At the Nautilus Hotel, they kindly saved dinner for us whenever we returned late from tours. Unforgettable impressions from the tour – a solid 5 out of 5.