Until the situation with foreign countries has not settled down, you should not ignore travelling in our country, which is exceptionally rich in landscapes. Especially for the Vremena Goda Magazine’s New Year issue, the four heroines shared their impressions after journeys on Russia.
Mari Koberidze discovers Altai
Russian nature is something worth discovering. You shouldn't expect excellent service, boutique hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants. The style of tourism reminds the Icelandic one: when you’re driving down the road for a long time to stop every hour to admire this or that gorgeous places.
The top class is that during our next trip we are going to combine completely different means of transport. We’re moving out by car, then change to rafting, then heading down the river by kayaks, then ride the horses to the mountains and after travel on foot. My main advice for such a trip is to find the proper guide.
Yana Kushner visits Crimea for the third time
I remembered nature - incredibly beautiful and diverse: in some places, it looks like Tuscany, in some places reminds mountains of Georgia. It is impossible to cover everything within one trip. We were pleasantly astonished by observing in Crimea many new interesting hotels – both boutique and family, with an unusual concept, very stylish ones.
If I had gone once again, I would have stopped in the Yalta region: for a couple of centuries, it was considered a privileged recreational private sector. Chekhov, Kuprin, Schepkin, Tolstoy, Rachmaninov and Aivazovsky used to escape to that place. Therefore, considering the landmarks, everything is much more interesting there – famous palaces, parks and a lot of beauty.
If you’re short of time, I suggest a minimum program: Vorontsov Palace (make sure you get to know the story of Count Vorontsov, who did a lot for the Crimea in general and who happened to be the target of the teasing Pushkin’s unfair epigrams) - Zolotaya Balka winery - Bakhchisarai - Ai-Petri. I am sure to come back there: I want to come to know Feodosia and Balaklava, it makes a completely different direction!
Inga Meladze visits Teriberka on the Kola Peninsula
It was the nature of the North that amazed me the most – it lacks trees, there are a lot of wild plants, unusual berries and lichen everywhere, so you seem to find yourself on another planet. Traveling in Russia is just as interesting as it is in foreign countries. We have a great history and cultural heritage, impressive natural resources as well as quality hotels. And the more we travel and develop domestic tourism in our country, the faster the infrastructure and the quality of such rest will improve.
Try not to compare your regular overseas vacation with tours across Russia, consider it as a particular adventure; don't expect your travel to be more budget compared to the one abroad; follow the advice of friends and visit tried and tested places; plan the program and transport ahead; be open to an unexpected change in plans."
Olga Filicheva mentions Teriberka as well
To visit these fantastic landscapes is a real winter fairy tale. In life, severe and beautiful nature of the North is even more impressive than in Zvyagintsev's film. During this trip, I also managed to visit a husky kennel, a real Sami village, and go hiking in the tundra. You’ll get impressions for the years ahead!
