Visiting Russia, it is not enough to go to the capitals. Although it is assumed that the larger the city, the greater its influence on the life of the country, in Russia it is not so. Russia is a country of small towns, which are about two-thirds of the total number of cities in the country. The predominant part of them is the historical foundation of Russian statehood, national culture and folk traditions. Combining the beauty of Russian nature with marvelous buildings of ancient architecture truly leave a lasting impression. The real life of Russia, its original beauty you can see visiting the cities of Golden ring of Russia - Vladimir, Suzdal, Bogolyubovo, Gus-Khrustalny, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Sergiev Posad, Plyos, Russia, Rostov the Great, Uglich, Yaroslavl, Murom town, Kostroma, Ivanovo.
Another great opportunity to get acquainted with ancient Russian cities, many of which are in the "Golden ring of Russia", to travel on a comfortable boat by the great Russian river Volga and the Oka to Nizhny Novgorod or to Astrakhan. This voyage will take 5-10 days. You will see ancient castles, churches, monasteries, provincial Russian museums, that store a remarkable collection of paintings.
The symbol of the Russian North - the island of Kizhi on lake Onega in Karelia. Church of the Transfiguration (1714) - the most famous of extant Russian wooden Churches, nine-domed Church of the intercession (1764) and belfry (1874) form amazing ensemble. To see this beauty one needs to go on the cruise for the route Saint Petersburg - Valaam - Kizhi - Petrozavodsk.
If you want Russian exotics, then you can travel to Siberia and the Far East. You will see lake Baikal, can go fishing and hunting or experience thrill rafting on the mighty Siberian rivers: the Ob, the Lena, Yenisei and Irtysh.
If your wish is to improve the failing health, then at your service are spas and healing springs in a constellation of resort towns in Stavropol Krai: Kislovodsk, Pyatigorsk, Essentuki, Zheleznovodsk.
Main seaside resorts in the country welcome you to bask in the sun- Crimea and Sochi beaches stretch along the black sea coast for hundreds of kilometers. In Sochi best resort hotels in the country, with international awards, are waiting for you "Radisson SAS Lazurnaya" and "Radisson SAS Lazurnaya Peak Hotel .
Each traveler will certainly want to bring back from a trip something special. Will tell you a little about the Russian folk crafts.
"Gzhel" is the name of porcelain with elegant blue painting on a white background. This name comes from the name of an area near Moscow. Pottery has existed here since the beginning of the XIV century.
"Khokhloma" is a hand-painted woodwork. This craft is more than 300 years old. Cups, salt cellars, chairs, shelves - are painted with strange fiery-scarlet flowers. The secret of these products is that they are two-three times varnished, and then tempered in the oven. The varnish is yellowing, and painted wooden cups look like precious gold-plated ware.
Worldwide famous Vologda lace - linen, silk and cotton. They began to weave in the late 17th - early 18th century, In 1893, in the Vologda province there were 4 thousand weavers, and in 1913, more than 39 thousand.
The art of Palekh lacquer miniatures dates back to the XV century. Initially, the artists painted icons. Now Palekh is primarily lacquer boxes with miniature paintings of folk fairy tales. The ancient technology of painting handled from generation to generation. Epic and fairy tale characters are written with gold on a black background/
In every corner of Russia and far beyond its borders one can meet Tula samovar. The appearance of the first of Tula samovar was made before 1778. There are about 200 "styles"of samovar. In Tula there is even a Museum of samovars.
These souvenirs in addition to the traditional dolls and painted scarves, you can take back home in memory of Russia