The largest country in the world is a complex and fascinating travel destination. Bordering Asia and Europe as well as the Arctic and Pacific oceans, the landscape varies from frozen tundra to subtropical beaches on the Black Sea, where Russians come for summer holidays. There’s even skiing in Krasnaya Polyana, which hosted the alpine events for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. Most visitors stick to the powerhouse cities of St Petersburg and Moscow, and both are without question not to be missed cultural hubs, but exploring the countryside is equally rewarding. Take the Trans-Siberian Railway across Siberia, sweat out your toxins in a traditional banya by a stream in the countryside, or really get off the beaten path trekking in the Altari, where snow capped peaks and thousands of lakes create a majestic tableau.