"Russia is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key."--Winston S. Churchill

As far as traveling to Russia there are several keys:
Prepare!
Plan!
Research!
Expect the Unexpected!

For the better part of the 20th Century Russia and the Soviet Union was the greatest rival to the United States (and for the last three hundred years the greatest rival to the West). Now there is a new hope for the future of the world, largely based on a peaceful Russia. One key to maintaining this peace is a mutual understanding of each others' cultures--a great reason to travel to Russia.

Over the past four years we have been volunteering to answer people’s questions on travel to Russia, and we believe people should read some of the many intelligent, thoughtful guidebooks written about this wonderful land. Wehave met people in Moscow who didn’t know what a hammer and sickle meant! The most common questions we receive are along the lines of “What is there to do in St. Petersburg if I am taking a cruise ship tour?” and “Is there anything in Moscow besides the Kremlin?” We always answer yes, there is much to see and do in all of Russia, but they would be well served to do some research and ask usquestions relating to their interests—whether it is opera, religion, art, or science. The listing of books below are a great place to start if someone is planning a trip to Russia and isn’t sure of what they will find. They also give a nice introduction to the art, culture, science, history, triumphs and tragedies and trials of past, present and future life in Russia.

Language--PECTOPAH means RESTAURANT
You will not learn the language in a short time--concentrate on:
Learning the Cyrillic alphabet (Did you know that "PECTOPAH" means "Restaurant"?)
Learning some "courtesy" phrases? (Priviet, spaciba, pazhulsta)

There are many language guides, dictionaries, phrase books and the like, but the 'Eyewitness Travel Phrase Book: Russian' book is a convenient format (fits easily into the back pants pocket) and has a good layout of necessary survival phrases so you can quickly ask "Gdye too-alyet?" (Where is the bathroom?) or "Vi gavareet-ye pa-angleeksee?" (Do you speak English?).

St. Petersburg--The Tourist Capital of Russia for a Reason
Most tourists to Russia think of visiting St. Petersburg if they are seeing only one city. Why? It is a beautiful, historic place filled with magical palaces and romantic associations with former glories. The State Hermitage Museum is one of the greatest museums in the world, and today is defining its mission as a living institution in a new millennium. Peterhof has fountains more spectacular than Versailles. And you can even see one of the dogs that Dr. Pavlov used for research when discovering the "Pavlovian Response"!

If we were taking just one guide, 'Eyewitness Travel Guide to St. Petersburg' would be my first choice. Although it is starting to age (published in 1998) it is a good visual and historic guide to St Petersburg, with enough color photographs to both inspire and guide you.

Even more out of date, but with a great narrative approach, is 'Moscow & St Petersburg (Cadogan City Guides)'. More up to date, although with an emphasis on the younger market, is 'Lonely Planet st Petersburg (St Petersburgh, 3rd Ed)', just updated early this year.

Moscow--The Most Unique City in the World
Although we spend more time in St. Petersburg, we think Moscow is actually the highlight of a trip to Russia, and is one of the most unique cities on the planet. It truly is a bridge between East and West; the architecture of all periods (from St. Basil's on Red Square to the constructivist buildings of the 1920's to the Stalinist buildings of the 1950's) will immediately strike the astute viewer.

Our book recommendations are much as for St. Petersburg: 'Eyewitness Travel Guide to Moscow', 'Lonely Planet Moscow (Travel Survival Kit)', and 'The Rough Guide to Moscow' (at least the earlier edition of this had a great map of Novodevichy Cemetery, which holds the remains of hundreds of notables from the Soviet era--Khrushchev, Molotov, Tupelov, Stalin's wife--and the tombstones are wonderful works).

A River Cruise Between Moscow and St. Petersburg
Many travelers to Russia want to experience something of the village life, but still have a “confirmed” bed to sleep in at night, so they take river cruises between Moscow and St. Petersburg. The ship acts as their hotel, so even in Moscow and St. Petersburg they don’t have to unpack and relocate each night. As mentioned below, 'Lonely Planet Russia, Ukraine & Belarus (Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, 2Nded)' has the largest area coverage of any guide currently published in English, and can be used in conjunction with a Moscow and St. Petersburg guide.

Traveling beyond Moscow/St Petersburg—The Other 17,000,000 Square Kilometeres
So you have already seen the present and former capital, and now you would like to see the "real Russia", or you have adopted a child from Murmansk, or you are meeting a prospective bride from Magadan (don't laugh--whenever we answer questions from people who are traveling to regions outside of Moscow/St. Petersburg, 80% are going for adoption or marriage!). There are almost no current guidebooks to regions such as Perm, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Volgograd and the Far East. The 'Lonely Planet Russia, Ukraine & Belarus (Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, 2Nded)' has the largest area coverage of any guide currently published in English.

The Trans-Siberian
Two good guides have been published in the last year; they also have comprehensive area guides to regions along their respective routes. 'Trans-Siberian Handbook' and 'Siberian Bam Guide: Rail, Rivers & Road' are both handy to have if you are traveling, or thinking of traveling, on these historically and strategically significant train routes.