Russia has a deep history and has seen the building of a strong national character; it has seen the darkness of Communism and the beauty of rediscovering its freedom. The landscape of the country's mountains, lakes, and valleys draws holds onto its natural splendor, having been virtually untouched over time. Reading up on the culture and history of Russia can definitely enhance your understanding of the lifestyle and thus greatly enrich your stay while here. Picking up a guide to with some Russian language phrases will really come in handy as well!

You may want to start from the beginning and get more historical information and focus on the culture of Russia, if so the following will greatly fill you in:

If you are on the look out for a guide to the country and city of Sochi, consider these: