Siberia is hardly the first place that comes to mind for an invigorating trip in the dead of winter, but our CBC Moscow crew discovered the people and places of this vast territory have plenty of warmth to share. For me, the city of Irkutsk was once just space on the “Risk” board in the middle of Asia. But it’s one of the more interesting cities I’ve visited in Russia. Its first settlers were outcasts from European Russia sent to the frigid east as punishment. Instead, they built cool wooden buildings, many of which survive to this day. Lots more to come about our trip …
