Nativity of the Virgin St. Paphnutius of Borovsk Monastery is located on the outskirts of the town of Borovsk in the Kaluga region, about 90 km north of Kaluga and 100 km south-west of Moscow.

The monastery was founded by the monk Paphnutius of Borovsk in 1444. In the 16th century, the monastery was surrounded by stone walls and fortifications, it turned into a strong border fortress. St. Paphnutius of Borovsk Monastery on Google Maps. Photos by: Vladimir Dar.

very picturesque monastery

Tags: Kaluga oblast

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.

the realm of salt

Tags: Volgograd oblast

Sheremetev Castle is a picturesque palace and park ensemble and an architectural monument of federal significance located in the village of Yurino in the Republic of Mari El, on the bank of the Volga River.

In 1812, Yurino was bought by the landowner Vasili Sheremetev. The construction of the castle, which lasted from 1874 to 1915, involved three generations of Sheremetevs and seven architects. Sheremetev Castle on Google Maps. Photos by: Dmitry Gazin.

magnificent brick palace

Tags: Cheboksary city · Mari El Republic · Yoshkar-Ola city

The cliff of Bolshiye Pritesy, located in the west of the Chelyabinsk region, is one of the most famous and popular sights of the Ay River. The height of this steep rocky wall is up to 100 meters.

The Ay River is one of the most beautiful rivers in the Urals. In the Bashkir language its name means “Moon” or “Moon River”. It flows through the territory of the Chelyabinsk region and the Republic of Bashkiria. The length of the river is 549 kilometers. It has a lot of picturesque cliffs, rocks, caves.

very picturesque cliff

Tags: Chelyabinsk oblast

You probably know that a lot of countries successfully adopted the electronic visa system over the last decade, and travelers all around the world could not be happier. An electronic visa spares you the time and effort of going to an embassy to apply for the document.

Instead, you get to do it from the comfort of your own home with a laptop and an internet connection. All you need to do is find an online visa service. But what about Russia? Can you go to Russian on an electronic visa?

The answer is yes and no. How is that possible? While Russia’s visa policy does not include an electronic visa, you have the option of getting one but only if you are interested in traveling to the Russian Far East. Even so, not all nationalities have access to such a document. Only the citizens of 18 countries have this option. You can check online whether or not your nationality is on that list.

Vladivostok – the capital of the Russian Far East.

Source: Pixabay

terms and conditions

Tags: Far East District

With the World Cup finals on the way, few fans are looking past those fateful final matches in the great Russian capitals, and for many, their travel plans past that point may not go beyond catching that flight back home on the 15th of July.

However, if you’re a true globetrotter who wants to make the most of their Russia trip by experiencing all of what this vast and beautiful country has to offer, then now’s the best time ever to do some exploring and set out on a true Russian odyssey. Whether a road trip or by train, once the final match in Moscow wraps up and all the dust has settled and vodka drank, make sure to continue the celebration (or flee your sorrows) by packing your bags and embarking on the trip of a lifetime.

Few people beyond the most seasoned travellers tend to see much of the country beyond the big cities of Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad, so if you want to enter the ranks of the most niche and experienced nomads, then now is the time to do it.

To experience the full spectrum of this diverse, wild and at times bewildering country, which spans nine time zones and contains at least as many languages and dialects, you need to go west to east, starting in the more European areas near Moscow and ending in the more Asian locales in the far east of the country. Here’s your guide to doing the ultimate Russian road trip.

Say Goodbye to Moscow

Source: Pixabay

explore Russia

Tags: No tags

In the Caucasus there are a lot of interesting and beautiful places and one of them is Digoria located in the western part of the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania, on the northern slope of the Main Caucasian ridge.

Digoria, named after the local ethnic group of Ossetians-Digorians, is located on the territory of the Digorsky and Irafsky districts of North Ossetia. The mountainous part of Digoria is the most popular among travelers. Photos by: Andrei Kireev.

beautiful mountain scenery

Tags: North Ossetia Republic

Taganay is a national park located in the Southern Urals, in the western part of the Chelyabinsk region, 130 km from Chelyabinsk. The territorial center of the park is the city of Zlatoust.

The total area of the park is 568 sq. km. The following photos were taken in the area of the Meteorological Station “Taganay-Gora” – the most remote shelter of the national park located on a picturesque mountain plateau. Air temperature – minus 30 degrees Celsius. Taganay National Park on Google Maps. Photos by: Andrei Kireev.

beautiful dawn in the harsh winter conditions

Tags: Chelyabinsk oblast · Zlatoust city

The Sinyaya River is a 597 km long river running through the territory of the Republic of Yakutia, the left tributary of the Lena River.

In the lower reaches of the river, not far from the confluence with the Lena and relatively close to Yakutsk, there is an amazing natural monument called Sinskiye Stolby (Pillars). Sinskiye Stolby on Google Maps. Photos by: Petr Ushanov.

amazing monument of nature

Tags: Sakha Republic · Yakutsk city

Yamal is a peninsula located in the north of Western Siberia, on the territory of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District. The landscapes of the peninsula are represented mainly by tundra with numerous lakes.

The peninsula is poorly developed by people. Nenets, the indigenous inhabitants of Yamal, are engaged in such traditional activities as large-scale reindeer herding, fishing, hunting. Yamal on Google Maps. Photos by: Andrei Kireev.

Polar lights and a typical Nenets raw-hide tent. Air temperature – minus 30 degrees Celsius.

harsh life of reindeer herders

Tags: Tyumen oblast · Yamalo-Nenets okrug