Veliky Ustyug is a town with a population of about 31 thousand people located in the north-east of Vologda Oblast in the north of the European part of Russia, about 446 km from Vologda.

First mentioned in 1212, it is one of the oldest Russian towns with a rich cultural heritage. There are 28 preserved churches of the 17th-18th centuries in Veliky Ustyug. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

picturesque old Russian town

Tags: Vologda oblast

Even though Russia is no longer led by kings and queens, its royal sites can give other European monarchies a run for their money. The country has its fair share of royal cultural sites.

Are you wondering where to start? Here are several royal places that you can tour.

magnificent royal palaces

Tags: Saint Petersburg city

The Galsky Estate is a picturesque noble estate built in the provincial classicism style on the bank of the Sheksna River in the early 19th century. This monument of history and culture of federal significance is located in the city of Cherepovets, Vologda Oblast.

In addition to the main sky-blue house, all the household buildings have also been preserved here. The museum offers interactive excursions, classes on painting, clay modeling, and making folk dolls. The equestrian section is open to children and adults. The Galsky Estate on Google Maps. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

magnificent noble estate

Tags: Cherepovets city · museum · Vologda oblast

The Holy Protection (Pokrovsky) Convent of the Russian Orthodox Church is located on the right bank of the Kamenka River in the northern part of Suzdal, a town-reserve in the north of Vladimir Oblast included in the famous tourist route Golden Ring of Russia.

Founded in 1364, it was formed in its present appearance in the 16th century, when the convent was turned into a place of imprisonment of representatives of aristocratic families who were tonsured as nuns. In the 16th-17th centuries, it was one of the largest convents in the country. Pokrovsky Convent on Google Maps. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

beautiful convent

Tags: Suzdal city · Vladimir oblast

Russia can be one of your dream destinations if you know how to make your way safely around places in the country. It can be the opposite if you are uninformed or unprepared for the risks of navigating through unfamiliar territories. Petty crimes, con jobs, and scams targeting tourists are common not just in Russia, but also in many tourist destinations around the world. The best way to avoid them is to be informed, vigilant, and smart about how you interact with the locals and use foreign services and amenities.

Whether it’s your first time or nth time visiting Russia, we’ll share here some useful tips that will make your tour around Russia safer and more exciting.

safe travel in Russia

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If you are looking for something different but unique and are not satisfied by the traditional offer of tourist destinations, try looking eastward for a moment. We are not talking about the Far East but just east of Europe and a little further than better-known destinations like Venice or Berlin. We invite you to visit Russia and discover interesting facts about Russia that make this country so special.

Today, Russian tourism is on a rise for a variety of reasons, including great food, cultural heritage, and beautiful cities like Moscow or St. Petersburg. Traveling is supposed to be about exploring new things or meeting new people and this country is a tourist gem waiting to be discovered.

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Cape Dezhnev is the extreme eastern point of the Chukotka Peninsula, mainland Russia and all of Eurasia.

It is an isolated flat-topped mountain range up to 740 m high, which drops abruptly to the sea and is located in the Bering Strait, which connects the Arctic Ocean (Chukchi Sea) with the Pacific Ocean (Bering Sea). Cape Dezhnev on Google Maps. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

the very edge of Russia

Tags: Anadyr city · Chukotka okrug

On June 30, 2020, about 7 km south-west of the city of Rzhev and 200 km north-west of Moscow, the Rzhev Memorial to the Soviet Soldier was opened. It was installed in the place where the Battle of Rzhev took place from January 5, 1942 to March 21, 1943 – one of the bloodiest battles of the Second World War.

The losses of the Soviet side amounted to more than 1 million people killed, wounded and missing, the German side – more than 390 thousand people. The Rzhev Memorial to the Soviet Soldier on Google Maps. Photos by: zavodfoto.

very soulful memorial

Tags: Tver oblast

Even now, in the era of internet, interconnectedness, and inclusivity, the word “Russia” is surrounded by so much mystique, so many myths. Well, since Russia has been easing its visa rules, it is quite possible to travel there and see the country for yourself.

These days Russia makes an interesting mix of preservation of its historical legacy vs becoming a modern metropolis. It is a country rich with culture, history, traditions, and art. It is as diverse as it is enormous. You have to be very specific by saying “going to Russia” as it occupies half of the continent and can look completely different on various borders. If you are considering traveling to Russia next summer, here are 7 reasons why you should do it.

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Dargavs is a small village located in the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania, about 36 km southwest of Vladikavkaz. The area where the village is located has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. A large number of archaeological sites have been discovered here.

The village is very rich in various architectural monuments. The main one is the so-called “City of the Dead” – an old necropolis consisting of 97 stone memorials, which from afar resemble a small mountain village. It is the largest surviving burial of this type in Russia. Dargavs on Google Maps. Photos by: Alexey Zhirukhin.

unique necropolis

Tags: North Ossetia Republic · Vladikavkaz city