The Russian Federation is the largest state among the 21 republics which comprise the Commonwealth of Independent States. This stretches from Eastern Europe to North Asia - from the Baltics to the Pacific. There are great cultural treasures to be found in Russia, right across the territory. Moscow's Tretyakov Gallery contains stunning examples of iconography, and the Museum of Russia and Museum of Heritage in St Petersburg illustrate the diversity of this huge country. Historic monasteries and castles illustrate the past from an often unrecognised perspective of a rural, agrarian history. The folk arts are remarkable for their skill and vitality, representing the peoples of Russia in their diverse traditions and humour. Fly to Moscow, St Petersberg and Yekaterinburg in Russia - and reserve your ticket online.

The frontier of Europe and Asia

Yekaterinburg is the capital of the Sverdlovsk Oblast region and is an industrial and cultural centre for a large region. The Steppes form a backdrop to an area which is ideal for winter sports and water sports in the summer. There's also mountain climbing, hiking and bicycling. Yekaterinburg's Opera House, built in 1912, is the only one of its type in the Asian areas of Russia. The city itself dates from 1723, whilst the 1920s saw the beginnings of industry within the town, which now boasts a number of leading libraries and a restored Museum of Fine Arts. Click here to find out more about prices of flights to Yekaterinburg.

The giant village and elegant city

Moscow is achieving a mix of old and new which tends to be dynamic and lively, and absolutely unique. The Church of the Ascension, Red Square and a host of locations steeped in conflicting traditions jostle with emerging developments. The Kremlin and Lenin's Mausoleum are written into the tapestry of world history, and Moscow allows visitors to explore these sights by foot or on the ornate and unique metro system.

Russia's second capital city, St Petersburg, was described as the Venice of the North when it was founded by Peter the Great in 1703. The culture, buildings and natural beauty compliment the world famous buildings, statues and canals which lace the city. The residences of the Czars and the huge array of theatres, orchestras and ballets can perhaps best be seen in the long, white nights of the summer. To celebrate St Petersburg's 300th anniversary in 2003, a huge amount of renovation was undertaken, and now the city has a proud, elegant air. Russia's beautiful countryside and cities are now in reach with a Malev flight.