The Russian Alphabet

We recommend anyone travelling to Russia to make a start at learning the Cyrillic alphabet. Being able to read signs and the names of places will not only make you feel more confident in Russia, but will also add an extra element of interest and fun to your visit, like working out a secret code! Although in the main cities the Russians have started to transliterate a few road signs, most things are written in Cyrillic only. Travelling by metro can be made so much easier by knowing a few Russian letters and there's much less chance of getting lost!

The Moscow Circus

What could be more traditionally Russian than the circus! Steeped in history and going back to the time of Catherine the Great, the circus is one of the most Russian forms of evening entertainment you can experience. Interestingly though it is believed that the circus in Russia  actually exists thanks to an englishman Charles Hughes, who took his troupe of circus performers to Russia to perform for Catherine the Great in St Petersburg. She was so impressed with their performance she immediately commissioned a circus for Russia and its people.