The Krasnodar Territory, St. Petersburg and Moscow are the leaders of Russia’s national tourism rating, according to research by the Rating center and Otdykh v Rossii (“Vacation in Russia”) magazine. Experts have assessed the tourism industry in Russia's regions, their travel potential, their popularity among Russian and foreign travelers, ecology, crime rates and other factors, according to www.Russia-Rating.ru.

First place went to the Krasnodar Territory (on Russia's Black Sea coast, including Sochi). This is the “resort center of the European part of Russia and the absolute leader in most criteria," reads the announcement.

Second place went to St. Petersburg (435 miles north of Moscow), with Moscow in third.

Among other popular places for traveling are Crimea, Kaliningrad, Karelia and the Altai Territory.