You can also register your attendance for this event in Brisbane or in Melbourne.

As the world’s largest country, Russia is home to more than 150 ethnic groups and indigenous people. Stretching across nine different time zones, the diverse landscape also incorporates the Far East coastline and Russian Arctic islands of Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land. This vibrant archipelago plays host to an amazing collection of wildlife including polar bears, beluga and grey whales, walrus, Stellar sea lions, fur seals, Kamchatka brown bears and sea birds.

At AG’s emerging destination forums in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, you’ll learn more about Russia, and discover what it’s like to experience the Tsars’ palaces, wildlife on Lake Ladoga and the flowering steppe region in spring. 

WIN A FREE TRIP TO RUSSIA WORTH $20,000!

Register and attend this event to go in the draw to win a luxury cruise for two aboard the Akademik Shokalskiy, visiting Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land. Departs 8 September, 2012, includes all meals, shore excursions and lots more! All you have to do for a chance to win is come along to one of the events. Register below.*

Click here for full terms and conditions.

Be Inspired

Capture the essence of Russian life in St Petersburg, a bustling city situated at the mouth of the Neva River. Dubbed “the Venice of the North”, the city is built on hundreds of islands, some of which have unique character and a rich history. Cruise along the Chukotka and Kamchatka coastline and be captivated by geological wonders such as jagged peaks, deep fjords and active snow-capped mountains, or jump aboard a Zodiac and visit the Commander islands where cliffs pulsate with puffins, murres, auklets and kittiwakes. This region abounds with sublime beauty.

Discover the History

Visit historic huts and abandoned research stations along Siberia’s north coast, which is home to Eskimo, Inuit and Chukchi locals. Moscow is perhaps one of the most visited cities in Russia. Here you will find unique historical sites including Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral and Lenin’s Mausoleum located in the heart of the city. Moscow features architecture unlike any other city and boasts the famous Tretyakov Gallery which presents a vast collection of Russian arts. Be informed, inspired and educated about river cruising or expedition cruising in Russia at Australian Geographic’s emerging destinations forums.

Speakers

Enjoy a night with the experts. A specially selected panel of guest speakers will help you plan your journey to one of the world’s most engaging destinations.

APT

Joint owners of AmaWaterways and GW Travel, APT are the Russian holiday experts. Its tailored itineraries provide a variety of travel options from private rail journeys to river cruises. An APT representative will be speaking at each forum and will answer all questions.

Marina Linke

Operations Director for GW Travel

Having joined the company in 1994, Marina, who hails from Rostov-on-Don in the North Caucasus region of Southern Russia, has a wealth of knowledge and experience on the most iconic railway journey in the world. Let Marina tell you about the amazing experiences that a ride on the Golden Eagle train will bring.

Howard Whelan

Expedition leader for Aurora Expeditions, founding editor of Australian Geographic.

Join Howard and be informed, inspired and educated about the military history, Aleut, Koryak and Chukchi culture, the fascinating geology of Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands, and abundant bird and wildlife that makes the unexplored coastline of the Russian Arctic and Far East a must see!