Travelling by motorbike is a great way to see new countries and meet the local people. And with so many great countries to visit, it can be difficult to know where to start. So can we make a suggestion? Why not try a tour around Russia!

Here’s a suggestion for starters…

Moscow & the Golden Ring – recommended time: 7 days

This motorcycle tour around the Golden Ring takes you through the most ancient Russian cities that best preserve the unique history and traditions of the country. Along the way, you’ll see plenty of interesting sights that will help you understand the Russian soul better.

We recommend you spend your first day in Moscow, exploring some of its most famous sights (Kremlin, Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral) and enjoying some traditional Russian cuisine in one of the city’s countless eateries. Give the bike a rest – take the Metro and explore the city at your leisure.

It’s day 2, and time to ride out of Moscow, heading for Tula. Here, take a tour of the State Arms Museum and the museum-estate of Yasnaya Polyana, where Leo Tolstoy was born, grew up and was buried (and wrote “War and Peace” and “Anna Karenina”).

Next, head for Ryazan and an overnight stop. While you’re here, take a walk through the city, visit the Ryazan Kremlin and the Airborne Forces Museum.

In the evening, why not try an authentic Russian banya (sauna) experience? And round off the evening with a glass or two of Ryazan’s traditional medovukha, a Slavic honey-based alcoholic beverage which has been produced in Russia since the 18th century.

Day 3 takes you from Ryazan to Suzdal via Vladimir – a ride of 270 km. It’s worth stopping in Vladimir to see the Assumption Cathedral, an architectural wonder of the 12th century and one of the few churches where you can still see unique frescoes by Andrei Rublev, the greatest medieval Russian painter of Orthodox icons and frescos.

Then it’s time to head for Suzdal – a virtual time capsule that will take you back to medieval Russia. It’s no wonder the city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 4 takes you from Suzdal to Plyos and on to Yaroslavl (290 km).

Plyos is a historical-architectural and ethnographic city-reserve on the banks of the Volga River. Covering an area of just three square kilometres, it’s one of the smallest cities in Russia. Then head off for Yaroslavl, again on the banks of the Volga.

Yaroslavl was founded in the 11th century, making it one of the oldest cities in Russia. It contains nearly 800 architectural monuments protected by the state. The historic city centre is included in the list of UNESCO world heritage sites. Spend the evening relaxing at a Russian sauna and tasting some local cuisine.

Day 5 sees you ride out of Yaroslavl and on to Pereslavl-Zalessky, before continuing on to Sergiev Posad, and then back to Moscow (300 km in total).

Well worth seeing in Pereslavl-Zalessky are Plesheevo Lake, Yoga Dacha and the Nikitsky Monastery. Then, head for Sergiev Posad, where the main attraction is the Trinity Lavra of St Sergius, Russia’s most important monastery and spiritual centre of the Russian Orthodox Church. And while you’re there, check out the chapel dedicated to St Sergius of Radonezh. Then it’s time to head back to Moscow.

It’s good to end any bike tour with a day out of the saddle, and fortunately, there’s plenty more to see and do in Moscow – things like GUM (the main shopping mall), Arbat (the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow – great for buying authentic Russian souvenirs), the Tretyakov Gallery, Bolshoi Theatre … the list goes on.

There’s one more opportunity to enjoy Moscow’s bustling night life, and then it’s time for bed. There’s a plane to catch tomorrow!

Of course, all this might seem a bit daunting if you’ve never ridden in Russia before. But don’t worry – help is at hand. You can join one of our amazing guided motorcycle tours – see the website [http://www.visitrussia.org.uk/tours/motorcycletours] for details.