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Being Russian I always felt an urge to write about travelling in my home country but I have not done it yet because it is a daunting task, even for a native. It will require a totally new blog and a lifetime to describe everything you need to visit, see and experience in Russia
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Being Russian I always felt an urge to write about travelling in my home country but I have not done it yet because it is a daunting task, even for a native. It will require a totally new blog and a lifetime to describe everything you need to visit, see and experience in Russia… So I wondered for a long time what information I could share with you, my readers, that would be most useful without spending years on comprehensive guides for each individual city/area? And then my recent trip to Russia gave me an idea: I can provide you with universal travel tips that will be applicable to any major city or regional center in Russia that you may visit during your trip. So here they are:
1.Find a Kremlin. Most foreigners think of “Kremlin” as that place in Moscow where the Russian President resides, while in fact the country has a lot of Kremlins around. A Kremlin is essentially an old fortress with high walls and watch towers that was used to protect the heart of a town. There are 12 fortresses in 12 cities in Russia that are officially called “Kremlin” and many more that look and function just like one but called “fortress”. The photos below are from Smolensk fortress. Usually, the fortress will have a historic museum within its walls. The one in Smolensk has an exhibition dedicated to the siege of the city in the 17th century. You can see old weapons and costumes on display. The oldest and the most beautiful part of town is usually within the walls of the Kremlin.
2.Find a Central Park. Major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg will have many beautiful parks and gardens. Smaller cities will have 1 main park, often called “Central” park. The parks will have nice alleys for walking, playgrounds for kids and often amusement rides in summer and skating rinks in winter.
3.Find a river. Most of major Russian cities are built on a river. There will be nice walking/hiking trails along the waterway that usually runs through the heart of the city. You may take a boat tour in warmer months on bigger rivers and some of them will have swimable beaches too. 4. Locate the main cathedral in town or go on a “church tour”. Russia is famous for its phenomenal churches and cathedrals, some of which are close to 1000 years old! Usually, there is one most important cathedral in town (not always the oldest but definitely the most elaborate in terms of beauty and architecture) Most of them are free and open for public to visit. Please, be respectful: talking in churches is only allowed in a whisper and photography is typically forbidden.
5. Visit local museums. Typically, as anywhere in the world, there will be art, history and science museums in most Russian cities, which is a no-brainer. But there will also be ethnic, cultural museums that are very specific to the area you are visiting. They may not be as big as mainstream museums but I find them most interesting because they tell you about the people, traditions, culture. For instance, in Smolensk you can visit Flax Museum. The area is famous for growing flax and making linen cloth and items produced from linen (clothes, towels and other household items)
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