The Magic & The Myths

Speaker: Odette Fussey

Company: The Russia Experience

Date: Sunday 3rd February

Time: 11.00am

Location: Theatre 1

Steeped in cultural contrasts, diverse in its history and legendary in both scale and content, the Trans-Siberian Railway is one of the iconic journeys. It is also a journey shrouded in misconceptions, guided by elements of bureaucracy and, ultimately an experience best suited to those who relish engaging with all facets of travel.

This is a working train made up of a series of journeys – the original spanning Moscow to Vladivostok, but with most of today’s passengers opting for the more well-travelled route from the Russian capital to Beijing.

Today, the Trans-Siberian attracts travellers of every age and from every walk of life. So backpackers share cabins with those on a middle-aged gap year, homeward bound Aussies sip Russian vodka with pensioners, and cultural and national boundaries are united in a shared passion for the unusual and for a true spirit of discovery.

But crucially it is also about those experiences off the train, whether it’s discovering Lake Baikal (the world’s largest), witnessing a shamen ceremony, savouring magical Mongolian hospitality, visiting the last remaining Russian gulag or catching that first glimpse of the Great Wall of China.

Odette Fussey from The Russia Experience has made this amazing journey on numerous occasions and has also accompanied journalists and film crews. She will present a witty, engaging, warts-and-all guide to the Trans-Siberian and open up a trip that has to feature on the wish list of any serious traveller.