The best time to visit Russia is during the summer from June to September, with July being the hottest month in most parts of Russia. The days are warm and long and the country is alive with activity after the cold winter months.

We review the top expedition cruise lines visiting the Arctic. Which one is a good match for you?

Which Polar region is home to penguins? Or how about those elusive narwhals? Before your travels, it will be helpful to learn more about the different species that inhabit the Polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctica. You may be surprised to learn the differences!

Moscow, St. Petersburg, the Arctic Circle, and Kizhi Island are some of the historic and natural ports of call that await those who take cruises in Russia.

An expedition cruise through the Arctic is unlike any other vacation experience. As you follow in the wake of great explorers, you will discover firsthand the breathtaking beauty and surprising biodiversity that exists in the northernmost region of the globe. A cruise of the Arctic may circumnavigate one single country or cross the Arctic Circle on a comprehensive expedition.

May through September is usually the top season to plan your Arctic cruise as there are fewer insects, the temperatures are tolerable, and usually above freezing levels.

Though the austere Arctic landscape is often imagined to be a cold white wasteland, the brief months of summer see the flora blossoming and the fauna emerging from their long winter dormancy. Find out the best time to visit the Arctic based on your interests and expectations.

Russia is a relatively new tourist destination, since the country was closed to conventional travelers by communist leadership until only recently. Flourishing arts and literature, centuries old traditions, untouched terrain, and resilient people who are attempting to re-establish their heritage all result in a unique experience for visitors.