Hi. I actually studied abroad in Moscow for a year and over winter break, instead of going home, I grabbed a friend and we travelled East on the Trans siberian railway for 88 hrs.. ..to IRKUTSK. That was our destination in January with only a one way ticket. and It was AMAZING. I really fell in love with Siberia and baikal. We had no plans going and it turned out being the best vacation ever (beats out South africa!) we stayed in a clown dormatory.. ..where the local circus clowsn were living. Its definitely a trip to remember. I try and tell people at these message boards that instead of doing the London/Paris/Italy thing (yawn). .. .. .. . they should consider something amazing like Baikal!!