A country bigger than a raft. Its area is 17 098 246^] km² and of this 77% is Siberia. If you want to experience a typical Russian winter, and in Siberia to boot, make sure you head to Novosibirsk. Russia's third largest city can surprise you with temperatures as low as -40°C in winter.

Moscow is the capital of the Russian Federation and its history goes back several centuries. Rulers have lived here, it has been turned into a trading centre, and later it was eager to be conquered by many from the Mongols to Napoleon to Hitler.

Other places of interest:

Sochi is a port and spa town and, together with its suburban areas, stretches for 147 kilometres and can therefore be described as the longest town in Europe. It is also considered the capital of luxury Russian recreation. Three hundred days of sunshine a year, warm seas and beautiful beaches, which contrast beautifully with the snow-capped mountain peaks.

And speaking of active volcanoes, one of the greatest experiences is to see the lava flowing out of one of the most active volcanoes in the world - Ploskij Tolbačik. If you're looking for an active and a bit adrenaline-filled holiday destination, you've hit the bull's-eye.

Lake Baikal is the oldest and deepest  the world's largest lake, containing 1/6 of all the fresh water in the world. After the Caspian Sea, it is also the second largest lake in Russia, where it is also referred to as "the sea".There are up to 27 islands on the lake.

There are no restrictions from the Russian Federation and therefore you will only need a Visa.

There are several ways to obtain a visa for Russia. But you always have to get a so-called invitation. You can get this if you:

1. (a) invited by a citizen of the Russian Federation
2. (b) arrange accommodation in any establishment that sends you an invitation
3. c) you book the trip through a travel agency

Visas can be divided into:

Single entry visa:   gives a foreign citizen the right to cross the state border of the Russian Federation 1 time when entering and 1 time when leaving the Russian Federation. (Visa validity: 30 days)

Double entry visa: gives a foreign citizen the right to cross the state border of the Russian Federation 2 times when entering and 2 times when leaving the Russian Federation. (Visa validity: 90 days)

Multi-entry visa: gives the right to multiple (more than 2 times) entry into the territory of the Russian Federation. These are annual and biannual visas.

Required documents:

- visa questionnaire

- current colour photo

- a valid passport (undamaged

- visa application,

- commercial travel insurance for the entire period of stay in Russia (copy)

- travel health insurance

- a letter of authorisation from the applicant to take possession of the visa passport.

A foreigner subject to the visa requirement may leave the territory of Russia only with a valid visa. When leaving the country, the foreigner must pass through passport control no later than midnight on the last day of the visa validity or the last day of the authorised stay.

Overstaying by even 1 day will not be accepted by the Border Guard and the citizen will not be allowed to board the flight. The Embassy is not in a position to arrange for a citizen without a valid visa to be allowed to board the plane, nor is it within its competence to issue the necessary visa.

Visa procedure:

• familiarise yourself with the General Information;
• choose the type of visa according to the purpose of your trip;
• get a term in electronic waiting list;
• submit the complete package of documents in person at the Consular Section of the Embassy during office hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 09.00 - 12.00.