From wooden Siberian houses and exiled 19th century aristocrats, to the protagonists of War and Peace and the indescribable beauty of Lake Baikal – a visit to Irkutsk makes for an extraordinary Siberian weekend.

Linked to the Romanov dynasty, it suffered during the Soviet period.

When people think about the music of the Motherland, the likes of Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, and Borodin probably come to mind - but this is the 21st century, and Russia’s underground DJs are making waves at home and abroad.

The traditional lace handicraft of the Russian North has survived many upheavals. From ornamentation on 19th century festive clothing to portraits of Soviet leaders, the famous Vologda lace is widely used by Russian designers. Even young ladies today want to learn how to make it!