Russia Travel Blog | All about Russia in English

Archive for August 2018

Aug/18

29

Vologda – the Pearl of the Russian North

Vologda, one of the largest cities of the Russian North and the capital of the Vologda region, is located 474 km north of Moscow and 663 km east of St. Petersburg.

First mentioned in 1147, it is included in the list of Russian cities with a particularly valuable historical heritage. On the territory of Vologda there are more than 200 monuments of history, architecture and culture. Let’s take a look at some of them. Photos by: Andrei Kireev.

The Vologda River and the Vologda Kremlin.

Vologda city in the Russian North, photo 1

beautiful old city

Tags: 

Elton is a picturesque salt lake located in the Pallasovskiy district of the Volgograd region, not far from the border with Kazakhstan, 206 km east of Volgograd.

It is not only the largest lake in the Volgograd region, but also the largest mineral lake in Europe and one of the most mineralized lakes in the world. Lake Elton on Google Maps. Photos by: Andrei Kireev.

Lake Elton, Volgograd region, Russia, photo 1

the realm of salt

Tags: 

For many travelers hoping to see large portions of Russia and head into the continent of Asia, the Trans-Siberian trek is an absolute must. There are many different routes that you can take, departing from a choice of Russian cities and lasting for a varying number of days.

Of course, the main draw of such journeys is to get out there and see more of our wonderful world, especially through Russia and the road often less traveled. You can start in the West at St Petersburg, head over to Moscow, take part in expeditions such as Siberian dog sledding, and even see “true” Russia in places like Irkutsk and Ulaanbaatar.

But what about the reality of the fact that you’re spending up to four weeks of your life on a train? Yes, you get off and stay overnight in hotels sometimes, but that still leaves a rather long time to your journey on board. Here’s how to make the most of it!

traveling around Russia by train

Tags: No tags

Aug/18

20

Things You Must Know When Dating a Russian Girl

Love is a universal concept that cuts across race, nation, religion and ethnicity, hence dating is a universal concept as well. Every individual, regardless of where they come from, can relate to dating and being in a romantic relationship.

However, culture differs and since culture is the way of life of a certain people, it affects every facet of life of the people.

Just so you know, in the online world, there is no gainsaying that dating has come to stay and no matter what angle you’re viewing it from, online dating is on steroids – it’s paid its dues and got all there is to stay relevant.

Like every other nation, this speaks true for Russian girls. Dating a Russian girl will demand a different sort of understanding from dating a girl from other nations. If you are in a relationship or about to get into one with a Russian girl, here are things you must know when dating one.

Russian girl folk costume

Photo by: Victoria Borodinova

(more…)

Tags: No tags

Kostroma, founded in 1152, is the administrative center of the Kostroma region located about 346 km north-east of Moscow on the Volga River.

The historical center of the city is known for its mostly preserved architectural ensemble of the era of classicism of the late 18th-19th centuries. This city is included in the list of settlements that have the official status of “historical”, and is traditionally included in the “Golden Ring of Russia”. Photos by: Eduard Skvortsov.

Ivan Susanin Square – the central square of Kostroma and one of the most picturesque places in the city. The main architectural dominant of the square is the fire tower of the 19th century.

Historical center of Kostroma, Russia, photo 1

walk around Kostroma

Tags: 

Rostov Boris and Gleb Monastery, founded in 1363, is an Orthodox monastery located in the village of Borisoglebsky in the Yaroslavl region, on the road from Rostov to Uglich, 76 km south-west of Yaroslavl, part of the famous tourist route “The Golden Ring of Russia”.

The architectural complex of the monastery was fully formed in the 16th and 17th centuries, when it was one of the richest in the Rostov metropolia, while the Moscow princes and the first Russian tsars considered it as their “home” monastery. After the 17th century, the architectural ensemble remained almost unchanged. Rostov Boris and Gleb Monastery on Google Maps. Photos by: Mikhail Aritkin.

Rostov Boris and Gleb Monastery, Russia, photo 1

picturesque old monastery

Tags: 

Russia’s World Cup 2018 has been and gone. On the whole, it was deemed a huge success, with football fans from all four corners of the world visiting Russia for a genuine celebration of football. All 12 of the stadiums used at the World Cup 2018 were built or renovated in some way, at a cost of $2.8 billion.

Unfortunately, there is a fear that some of the stadia will become ‘white elephants’ in the months and years ahead, given over to football clubs that don’t have anywhere near enough supporters to fill them. However, there are some new stadia that will be well-used, providing the perfect legacy for generations of Russian football fans.

Let’s take a look at the biggest and best stadia that will be put to good use in Russia’s domestic season.

World Cup 2018 Legacy, Russia -  the Rostov Arena

Police at the Rostov Arena” (CC BY 2.0) by Maxence Peniguet

the future of the World Cup 2018 stadiums

Tags: No tags

Aug/18

6

New Jerusalem Monastery in Istra

The Resurrection Monastery or New Jerusalem Monastery of the Russian Orthodox Church is located in the town of Istra in the Moscow region, 73 km north-west of Moscow.

The monastery was founded by Patriarch Nikon in 1656. According to his plan, a complex of holy places of Palestine was to be recreated near Moscow. The New Jerusalem Monastery on Google Maps. Photos by: Mikhail Aritkin.

New Jerusalem Monastery in Istra, Russia, photo 1

amazing monastery

Tags:  ·

Aug/18

1

Berezniki – the City of Sinkholes

Berezniki is the second largest city in the Perm region with a population of about 145,000 people, a large industrial center located 191 km north of Perm.

The city stands on a large deposit of potassium and magnesium salts that have been mine-produced for decades. Berezniki on Google Maps. Photos by: Lana Sator.

Administrative and household building in the zone of one of the sinkholes.

Sinkholes in Berezniki city, Perm region, Russia, photo 1

sinkholes of Berezniki from above

Tags:  ·