Culture & Customs

In this, the fourth in our series of articles on Gary and Monika Westcott's drive across Russia, the couple visits the Republic of Tuva, best known for its postage stamps and throat-singing. But the "usual" tourist attractions are not what the Westcotts were after...

For almost all of its 600 years, the Cyril-Belozersk Monastery guarded Russia's northern frontiers, while serving as an influential religious outpost. William Brumfield recounts the monastery's long history.

Svekolnik is "the other beet soup." This aristocratic soup with a delicate flavor is served cold.

When you can't afford beluga, try eggplant caviar. It's a treat that will spice up any party.

There is no place on earth to compare with Lake Baikal. Explore its shores in this, the third installment in the Westcott's saga about their drive across Russia.

This is the second installment in a five part series on driving across Siberia. In this article, the Westcotts drive south on the Lena river, with spring warming their heels (and creating a mess of the Winter Roads).

For the past 28 years, Gary and Monica Westcott have been circling the globe as the Turtle Expedition. In the winter of 1996, they began a 16,000 mile drive across Russia, from Magadan in the East to Karelia in the West. Gary Westcott narrates this first installment in their amazing adventure.

Rassolnik is the most Russian of all national soups. The secret is its stock--rassol-- or pickle juice...

Departing Managing Editor Bob Greenall looks at the Russian hotel scene, what to expect, what to avoid and how to choose one.

Recipe for making lightly-salted pickles.