Irkutsk, Russia

The city center is full of wooden houses with typical decorative carvings on the walls and window frames. As such, the most famous one of them is the "Lace House." Most of the buildings of this kind were destroyed in Moscow and other big cities during the 20th century's industrialization, so it's a rare opportunity to see what a Russian city would look like if it stayed the way it was back in the days. The symbol of Irkutsk, the statue of the "babr," a mythological animal reminiscent of a tiger, is another place to put on your Irkutsk itinerary.

The cathedrals of Irkutsk are also among the city's must-sees. As such, the Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God as well as ornate Epiphany Cathedral is surely not to miss during your Irkutsk travel.

Irkutsk sits in a region so cold that some parts of the ground never thaw even on the hottest summer days. It's no surprise that the icebreaker Angara, one of the oldest globally, and a geology museum serve as important sights for tourists. Of course, the real reason to visit Irkutsk is Lake Baikal, located nearby.

The deepest lake in the world, this Russian treasure is often called the "Blue Eye of Siberia." It is said that putting one's feet in the water from its shores will add five years to your life (a particularly memorable experience in the colder months). Traditionally, Irkutsk was the city from which the great Russian explorers set out. Even today, an Irkutsk tour is a great place to start one's own personal exploration of Siberia and the Russian Far East. putting this destination on your Russia travel map.