The Trans-Siberian Railway is not only the longest train journey in the world but also one of the most iconic.
Stretching across 9,288 kilometers (5,772 miles), this epic route connects Moscow in the west to Vladivostok in the east, crossing eight time zones and passing through some of the most remote areas of Russia. The journey takes about seven days to complete without any stops, but most travelers take the opportunity to explore cities like Irkutsk, near Lake Baikal, and the Ural Mountains. The sheer length of the Trans-Siberian Railway makes it a bucket-list journey for train enthusiasts.
If spirituality entices you along with meditative chants and riveting discussions with monks and nuns fascinate you, monasteries are your peaceful retreats. Housing monks and nuns, monasteries are a place to live in seclusion where the inhabitants explore faith. An array of religions has monasteries, including Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism, where the people who chose this path believe in living humbly. The Greek root meaning of the term “monastery” itself signifies living alone. Not everyone can adopt such a lifestyle, albeit experiencing it for a while can bestow peace to the soul. This is a guide to remote monasteries on earth.