16 days in Russia Itinerary

Founded eight centuries ago at the confluence of the Volga and the Oka rivers, Nizhny Novgorod boasts over 600 historical, cultural, and architectural monuments.

On the 31st (Tue), take in the architecture and atmosphere at Church in Honor of the Entry of the Theotokos, make a trip to Bolshaia Pokrovskaia Street, get curious at Museum of Old Equipment and Tools, then make a trip to State Bank, and finally get curious at Nizhniy Novgorod Radio Laboratory Museum of Science. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 1st (Wed): take in the architecture and atmosphere at Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevskiy, then step into the grandiose world of The Kremlin, and then pause for some serene contemplation at Church of Nativity of Most Holy Mother of God.

For other places to visit, where to stay, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Nizhny Novgorod road trip planner.

Lahore, Pakistan to Nizhny Novgorod is an approximately 16.5-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 2 hours traveling from Lahore to Nizhny Novgorod. Plan for cooler temperatures traveling from Lahore in January, with highs in Nizhny Novgorod at -8°C and lows at -15°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Wed) so you can catch the train to Vladimir.

The most visited destination in the Golden Ring circuit, the city of Vladimir is known for its remarkably preserved white-stone monuments, which have World Heritage status.

Start off your visit on the 2nd (Thu): get to know the fascinating history of Bolshaya Moskovskaya Street, see the interesting displays at Holy Assumption Cathedral, examine the collection at Borodins' Blacksmith Shop, then examine the collection at Spoon Museum, and finally take in the architecture and atmosphere at Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin.

For where to stay, more things to do, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Vladimir online driving holiday planner.

You can take a train from Nizhny Novgorod to Vladimir in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Kostroma.

As part of Russia's Golden Ring of historical towns, the city of Kostroma is something of an open-air museum with ties to the Romanov dynasty.

On the 3rd (Fri), relax in the rural setting at Sumarokovskaya Elk Farm, then take an in-depth tour of Fire Tower, then examine the collection at Dom Gorodskogo Golovy Botnikova Museum, and finally see the interesting displays at Bread Museum. Keep things going the next day: admire the landmark architecture of The Resurrection Church on the Debra, then see the interesting displays at Peter Toy Museum, then examine the collection at M. Malyshev's House Museum, and finally examine the collection at Museum Istoricheskaya Syrovarnya.

For other places to visit, maps, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Kostroma trip planner.

Getting from Vladimir to Kostroma by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a train. Expect a daytime high around -1°C in February, and nighttime lows around -7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sat) to allow enough time to fly to St. Petersburg.

Built on a desolate swamp as a showcase capital of Imperial Russia, this grand city has certainly lived up to the expectations of its founder, Tsar Peter the Great.

St. Petersburg is known for museums, historic sites, and sightseeing. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: explore the world behind art at The State Hermitage Museum, pause for some serene contemplation at Kazan Cathedral, examine the collection at The Kunstkamera, and browse the exhibits of Saint Isaac's Cathedral.

To see more things to do, reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our St. Petersburg trip planner.

You can fly from Kostroma to St. Petersburg in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Expect a daytime high around -1°C in February, and nighttime lows around -6°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 8th (Wed) so you can catch the flight to Kaliningrad.

A city of science and philosophy, cosmopolitan Kaliningrad once served as a cultural hub of Germany, Poland, and Lithuania.

Kick off your visit on the 9th (Thu): make a trip to Kurshskaya Kosa.

To find photos, ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Kaliningrad day trip planner.

Fly from St. Petersburg to Kaliningrad in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference moving from Moscow Standard Time to Eastern European Standard Time is minus 1 hour. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from St. Petersburg in February: highs in Kaliningrad hover around 2°C, while lows dip to -3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Thu) early enough to fly to Moscow.

Russia's political, economic, and cultural center, Moscow remains the most populous inland city in the world, famed for its colorful history and rich architectural heritage.

On the 10th (Fri), explore the world behind art at State Tretyakov Gallery, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Saint Basil's Cathedral, then steep yourself in history at Red Square, and finally see the interesting displays at Bulgakov's House Museum-Theater. Keep things going the next day: admire the landmark architecture of Lenin's Mausoleum and then examine the collection at Moscow Kremlin.

For traveler tips, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Moscow trip planner.

Getting from Kaliningrad to Moscow by flight takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train. The time zone difference when traveling from Kaliningrad to Moscow is 1 hour. Prepare for slightly colder weather when traveling from Kaliningrad in February: high temperatures in Moscow hover around -2°C and lows are around -7°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 11th (Sat) so you can catch the flight to Kazan.

The heart of Tatar culture, Kazan carries the epithet of the "Third Capital of Russia" because of its rich history and thriving economy.

Kick off your visit on the 12th (Sun): contemplate the long history of Kazan Kremlin, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kul Sharif Mosque, then see the interesting displays at Konstantin Vasiliev Museum, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Cathedral of the Apostles Peter and Paul.

For where to stay, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our Kazan trip builder tool.

Fly from Moscow to Kazan in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Traveling from Moscow in February, plan for little chillier nights in Kazan, with lows around -14°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 12th (Sun) early enough to catch the flight to Sochi.

Called the "Summer Capital of Russia," the busy resort town of Sochi is best known as the host of the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Start off your visit on the 13th (Mon): head outdoors with Rosa Khutor Ski Resort.

To find where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Sochi online trip maker.

You can fly from Kazan to Sochi in 4 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. Prepare for warmer weather when traveling from Kazan in February: high temperatures in Sochi hover around 13°C and lows are around 4°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Tue) early enough to travel back home.