Why You Must Visit Russia During World Cup 2018
The World Cup 2018 means an influx of more people than usual. While there will be tourists who want to see the top attractions of Russia, you will find yourself also jostling for space with football fans.
Eleven cities will be participating in the tournament, including the two most popular cities Moscow and St Petersburg, so you can expect the bulk of people to be gathered in those places. (Download Match Schedule)
This brings up the question: is it still okay to pay a visit despite the increased number of people in Russia for the World Cup 2018? The answer is a clear YES, and here's why: (See: Worldcup 2018 Tour Packages)
Why You Must Visit Russia During World Cup 2018
German Fans, Picture Flickr | Stewart
You can get an idea of what the fuss is all about
If you've never understood sports fanaticism, witnessing the World Cup 2018 might be an enlightening. This is an event where many citizens across the world brave the trip to Russia to cheer on their home squad in the hopes of witnessing a victory.
In the absence of a team to root for, some come over to see the greatest footballers on the planet.
There will be coverage of this event across all media, and this might be your chance to see what's so great about Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo – the people you've heard on the news but never really gave too long a thought about.
And if you're a traveler who likes to document, this event is a golden opportunity to tell stories. Whether you share it on Instagram or your own blog, you can provide the world with insights into what Russia feels like during a major global event like the World Cup 2018.
Brazil fans watch World Cup quarterfinal. Flickr | Ben Tavener
You can visit non-host cities
Moscow and St Petersburg are taking part in the festivities, but so are nine others: Ekaterinburg, Kaliningrad, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, Saransk, Sochi, and Volgograd.
You can expect to be lots of people in those areas, but Russia is such a large country with plenty of other destinations to choose from. Plus, the World Cup conveniently chose the western portion to save on travel time so you can use this opportunity to visit the east.
There are many gorgeous sites in the east, including Vladivostok, Kuril Islands, the National Parks of Kamchatka, and Yakutia – just to name a few.
Saint Petersburg, Russia Picture : Flickr | Ninara
You can explore unusual sites
Russia, particularly Moscow and St Petersburg, will clearly be filled with way too many people. You either have the option of getting up early to beat the crowd or you just have to join them.
Russia Holiday Packages
Your other option is to visit sites that aren't usually a part of a tourist's route. For example, you might want to take a trip to the ancient Dargavs Village, so-called City of the Dead or see wooden architecture at Kizhi Island.
Red Square is a city square in Moscow, Russia
You can use it as an opportunity to meet new people
Travel is all about experiencing new things. If you feel like you'd want to come out of your shell just a little bit, the World Cup is the perfect opportunity to get to know people from all over the world.
You can meet them just about anywhere during events like these: at the pub, at a cafe, or on the street. Those conversations will stay with you for a long time.
A Time to make friends. Flickr | Peter F.
Just because Russia will be in World Cup 2018 mode for an entire month doesn't mean you should avoid the country at all costs. There are plenty of other ways to have fun.
Saint Basil's Cathedral is a church in the Red Square, Moscow
WORLD CUP’2018, RUSSIA