Tourists reviews of vacations in Russia - Page 9

An excellent tour – well-balanced, packed with memorable experiences, and with plenty of free time to explore the fish market and browse the souvenir shops.

I absolutely loved the tour!!! The itinerary was packed, and we got to visit all the most famous places in Dagestan, places we never would have reached on our own. We went high up into the mountains, and the views were simply breathtaking😍 It’s hard to put into words, you really have to see it for yourself! A huge thank-you to our guide Veronika for sharing such fascinating stories about Dagestan. We learned so much about the region and its history.🫶 She was incredibly attentive, friendly, and always ready to help or answer any questions❤️ I’d also like to thank our amazing driver, Nazim, a true professional who drove us safely and confidently along the mountain roads and winding passes! If you're planning a trip to Dagestan, go with Big Country, it’ll be an unforgettable and beautiful experience!

The first two days were absolutely wonderful. The third day, however, felt half-empty. I don’t understand why the tour was scheduled with an evening departure when, even with the program stretched out, it still ended around 6.00 p.m. (including the stop at the shop). Good thing it didn’t rain, otherwise, where would we have spent the time until 10 p.m. (when the train 17 departed)?

I’d like to share my impressions of the Adygea Light tour, which we took in June 2024. It was our first tour within Russia, and it exceeded all expectations. The organization was top-notch, everything was handled smoothly, from the initial pickup to the final transfer at the end of the trip. We stayed in the town of Dego. The area was small but cozy, the staff were friendly and helpful, and the food was delicious, in fact, we were practically overfed. Our guide Natalia was fantastic, she made the trip so interesting. She was attentive to everyone, shared lots of fascinating information about the sights, and even accompanied us on some excursions where she wasn’t officially guiding. I really enjoyed everything about the tour program. The locations were absolutely stunning and full of natural beauty, and our photos turned out amazing. The only downside was the horseback ride: we were promised a scenic ride through a gorge, but in reality, it was just a walk through the forest, which didn’t offer much to see.

We took a tour of Russia’s Golden Ring with friends and had a fantastic experience. We were picked up on Monday morning in a large, comfortable bus. Denis, our guide, was with us throughout the entire trip, he coordinated hotel check-ins and organized our lunches along the way. Breakfast and lunch were included, and we arranged dinner on our own. A big thank-you to Denis for the engaging excursions, he kept things lively with fascinating stories and facts, and we were never bored! We especially appreciated the quality hotels , the hearty breakfasts and lunches . Thanks for a great trip!

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!