Russia

Russia might be (well, it actually is) the biggest country in both Europe and Asia, but mysterious Russian soul is still mostly a black box for majority of Europeans and Asians. Travelling in Russia, especially outside of its two capitals, Moscow and (until 1918) Saint Petersburg, can be a stressful experience because of language barrier and vast distances, but once you solve the first obstacle and get used to the second one, this would become the best experience in your life. Small towns can either justify all your scariest stereotypes about Russia or totally refute them - your own mileage may vary, so just open your mind and give it a try.

Map is being loaded...


 

Suzdal

Suzdal

The history of the town dates back to at least the year 1024. For centuries it functioned as the capital of several Russian principalities. After a decline in political importance, the town rose in prominence as a religious center with numerous monasteries and a remarkable ratio of churches to citizens: at one point, forty churches for four hundred families. Today, the town operates as an important tourist center, featuring many fine examples of old Russian architecture—most of them churches and monasteries. Walking through the town, one might get the feeling that every third building is a church. Although having over ten thousand residents, Suzdal still retains a rural look with streams and meadows everywhere and chicken and livestock a common sight on the streets, some of which remain unpaved. This juxtaposition of stunning medieval architecture with its pastoral setting lends Suzdal a picturesque charm and in the summer artists and easels are a common sight. ~Wikipedia