Discover Russia! Join the thunderous applause for the sublime ballet dancers in the Bolshoi Theatre...Perfect your banya etiquette before joining in this steamy Russian ritual...Surround yourself with majestic rugged scenery as you drive across the world's deepest lake...Feel St Petersburg's contemporary pulse by clubbing in converted stables and Soviet factories. In this guide: nine authors, more than seven months of research, countless shots of vodka. Includes an all new Activities chapter and tips on how to cut through red tape to secure your visa. Content updated daily - visit lonelyplanet.com for up-to-the-minute reviews, updates and traveler insights.