To celebrate their accomplishments, this article will give you a glimpse into the fascinating (and often tragic) lives and contributions of the top 10 famous Russian writers! 

Over many historical periods, certain text forms became popular in Russia literature, such as poetry, novels and short stories. Additionally, genres such as literary realism, romance, historical dramas and political satire became increasingly prominent due to key events in Russia, namely the downfall of the Tsar’s Imperial Dynasty and the Bolshevik Revolution. Many famous Russian writers have written successful autobiographies, while others focused on works revolving around the gruelling hardships of the Soviet Union regime. Many of these Russian literature masterpieces have attracted much international acclaim and continue to be taught in modern school curriculums, transcending cultural barriers worldwide.

Leo Tolstoy (1828 – 1910)

Considered one of the world’s greatest novelists, Leo Tolstoy was best known for his realistic fiction that grappled with significant themes of religion and morality. He espoused the famous Christian doctrine of “non-resistance to evil” which essentially championed love, peace, reconciliation and forgiveness. Literary critics all over the world agree that this Russian writer was the genius behind masterpieces that evoked an introspective transparency, breaking down the human condition into minuscule fragments while relentlessly searching for life’s meaning throughout his novels. In fact, his extraordinary writing has earned him multiple nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature. 

Interestingly, Tolstoy was often described as godlike in his powers of understanding unspoken thoughts and his embodiment as the world’s conscience. This is unparalleled when readers delve into his most famous acclaimed novels, namely War and Peace, a Russian classic which was first published in 1869. Based on the realism genre, this text explores Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in 1812, providing a deeply intimate glimpse into the tumultuous relationships of three main characters from different families during the war. 

Another literary treasure is none other than Anna Karenina, which was deemed by Tolstoy himself as his first true novel. Published in 1878, this canonical novel is set against the backdrop of 19th century Russian high society in Moscow and St Petersburg. With beautiful prose, along with complex themes of love and adultery, the text navigates a tragic love affair between Anna, a beautiful married woman and Count Vronsky, a wealthy army officer. Other wonderful classics by this Russian writer include his novellas The Death of Ivan Illyich and Resurrection, coupled with his semi-autobiographical trilogy Childhood, Boyhood and Youth.

Tolstoy was born into the wealthy Hamovniki estate of an aristocratic family, located around 210 kilometres south of Moscow. It was here in Yasnaya Polyana (Tula Province) that he spent the rest of his life writing his most important literary works. In fact, travellers can embark on a customised Moscow Tour to see the breathtaking Monument to Lev Tolstoy in the Tula Oblast. Additionally, a granite sculpture dedicated to the esteemed Russian writer was constructed in the Courtyard of the State Museum of Leo Tolstoy in Prechistenka Street, Moscow. For Russian literature enthusiasts, the Leo Tolstoy State Museum is a unique, world-class depository of the writer’s handwritten heritage, brimming with books, historical documents, memorials, graphics and more. There are also various exhibitions of century-old paintings, sculptures, photos and lifetime publications dedicated towards Tolstoy. 

Anton Chekhov (1860 – 1904)

Born in Taganrog Russia, Anton Chekhov was an eminent Russian playwright and master of the modern short story. Using skilled precision of language, Chekhov delved into the complex intricacies of realistic and mundane livelihoods, while unravelling the mysterious motives of his characters. This Russian writer often specialised in creating an unsettling and haunting atmosphere within the trivialities of everyday Russian life, reflective of 19th century Russian realism. Many critics and readers believe that Chekhov’s best plays and short stories have elegant simplicity and clean resolutions, devoid of obtrusive literary devices. 

Considered a seminal figure who gave birth to early modernism in theatre, Chekhov’s literary genius can be seen with his most famous plays, such as The Seagull (1895) which is established in the tranquil Russian countryside at the end of the 19th century. This tragic slice-of-life drama tells the story of a struggling writer who has unrequited feelings for a young, aspiring actress. Notably, the play revolves around themes of lost opportunities and unfulfilled desires, existentialism and the search for life’s meaning. Anton Chekhov also wrote another theatrical masterpiece set in rural 19th century Russia, called Uncle Vanya (1897) which explores notions of aimlessness, regretful decisions and the loss of hope. His other notable works include The Cherry Orchard and Three Sisters.

Chekhov grew up in a working-class serf family with his father, who was a struggling merchant and a devoutly religious disciplinarian. Only a year after Chekhov’s birth, Russian peasants were emancipated and the feudal system was abolished. After his father went bankrupt, Chekhov was financially responsible for his family and frequently wrote vignettes about Russian street life to support himself while pursuing a medical degree. Since Russia had a rigid social hierarchy system, Chekhov emerged as the only great Russian writer of the 19th century who came from the peasant class. Travellers can visit Chekhov monuments in several Russian cities: Moscow, Taganrog, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Krasnoyarsk, Tomsk and other smaller settlements. Additionally, the Anton Chekhov House Museum on Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya Street is another great attraction for any person interested in learning more about famous Russian writers!

Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881)

Widely regarded as an influential force of 20th-century fiction, Fyodor Dostoevsky was a Russian novelist, short story writer, essayist and journalist. He was well-known for his deep, and often complex psychological explorations into the dark side of human nature. Notably, Dostoevsky’s works were often considered prophetic as they accurately predicted the behaviour of Russian revolutionaries once they acquired power. Like many Russian writers, his ideologies profoundly shaped various schools of psychology, theology and existentialism, while having remarkable contributions towards literary modernism. 

Dostoevsky had a comfortable, middle-class upbringing on the outskirts of Moscow during the period of Tsarist Russia. His father was a successful doctor who worked in a hospital complex that provided services for the very poor. This caused young Dostoevsky to have great exposure to many harrowing experiences that his aristocratic peers would be carefully sheltered from. As he grew up, his devout Orthodox Christian faith became stronger, forged through numerous life changing experiences – affiliation with radical groups, near execution, imprisonment and forced labour in Siberia, along with epileptic seizures. 

While Dostoevsky grew up in Moscow, he spent a large part of his life in St Petersburg, where many of his novels were inspired from. In fact, visitors can embark on a personalised St Petersburg Tour or overseas Student Trip to see Dostoevksy’s last apartment, which has now been transformed into a museum – Dostoevsky Museum. Here, you can learn about the author’s most famous works, coupled with his daily life and routines. 

Unsurprisingly, Dostoevsky often distinguished himself from other Russian writers who came from nobility. While many of them wrote about stable traditions and “beautiful forms”, he instead explored the complicated hardships of accidental families and humiliated individuals. He often capitalised past torment and dramatized his own legendary experiences to create some of his greatest characters. These resulted in very dark, grotesque and violent works, such as Notes from Underground (1864) and Crime and Punishment (1866). Other prominent novels include The Idiot, Demons and The Brothers Karamazov. Many of these texts centred around the value of suffering, identity and self-destruction, gratitude of life’s beauty and the dangers of idealism. 

Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852)

Nikolai Gogol is undoubtedly one of Russia’s greatest writers of all time. He was a Ukrainian-born novelist, short story writer and dramatist whose works are considered the foundation of 19th century Russian realism. Gogol grew up in Sorochintsy in Ukraine’s Poltava District, where the peaceful countryside served as immense inspiration for his writing, including its colourful peasantry, Kazak traditions and rich folklore. After a few literary failures and irresponsible trips, Gogol returned to St Petersburg and wrote periodicals that reflected his childhood memories of picturesque landscapes, while interweaving these romantic tales with supernatural phenomena. 

Written in a lively, and occasionally, colloquial prose, Gogol’s works were refreshing contributions to Russian literature that combined his whimsical imagination with an authentic folk flavour, including the sprinkle of Ukrainian language and cultural references. Among many, some of Gogol’s most famous and captivating stories included Dead Souls, which was first published in 1842. This exemplary novel chronicles the splendid travels and epic adventures of Pavel Ivanovich. It is celebrated by critics for its satirical approach in representing an exceptionally realistic portrait of Russian provincial life. Another well-known tale is The Overcoat which is a short fiction that narrates the life and death of an impoverished government clerk living in St Petersburg, who seeks to buy a new overcoat after being relentlessly teased by his colleagues. Other works by Nikolai Gogol include: The Nose and Diary of a Madman. 

Gogol’s legacy has been immortalised through the Gogol House Memorial Museum and Scientific Library in Nikitsky Boulevard, Moscow. This is the only place in the Russian capital which has kept the last memory of the writer’s final years. The Gogol House is an ancient city mansion with 17th century roots, combining a research library of over 250,000 volumes, a research centre, an exhibition hall and a memorial museum. Here, the writer worked on the second volume of Dead Souls and burned the manuscripts of the poem. Travellers can also visit Arbatskaya Ploschad, where two statue versions of Nikolai Gogol (Happy and Sad) can be admired. Book a customised Moscow Tour or take an Educational Tour to Russia to see these awe-inspiring landmarks!

Mikhail Bulgakov (1891-1940)

Born in Kiev, Ukraine, Mikhail Bulgakov was a Soviet playwright, novelist and short story writer who was best known for his witty humour and piercing satire of the Soviet communist regime. As the oldest son of six children, he was born into a family of intellectual elites where his father was a theology professor. Bulgakov actually began his adult life as a doctor, yet eventually gave medicine up for writing. In fact, he wrote about his experiences as a doctor in his early works Notes of a Young Doctor. In this book, he described his suffering from an infection in 1917-1919 which caused an unbearably painful itch, leading to his addiction to morphine which he gradually conquered over time.

Bulgakov’s experiences with war and tragedy manifested when he joined the anti-communist White Army as a field doctor during the Russian Civil War. Following this event, his first major work was the novel titled The White Guard, which was serialised in 1925 but never published in book form. It provided a realistic and sympathetic portrayal of the anti-Bolshevik White officers and faced significant backlash due to its lack of a communist hero. Bulgakov’s scathing political rhetoric was then adapted into a successful play called The Days of the Turbins in 1926, which detailed the demise of the White Army. It was performed more than 200 times at the Moscow Art Theatre and despite its popularity, the play was later banned.

Due to their brutal realism and grotesque humour that criticised the Soviet regime, Bulgakov’s works became increasingly censored by the authorities during the Great Purge. In 1925, he published a bitter satirical novella and absurdist parable Heart of a Dog that evoked the loss of civilised values in Russia under Bolshevism. This caused him to be interrogated by the Soviet Secret Service OGPU, who confiscated his personal diary and several unfinished works. By 1930, he was effectively prohibited from writing. His plays were banned in all theatres which left him in terrible poverty. Despite this period of literary ostracism until his death, Bulgakov continued producing groundbreaking masterpieces. One such famous work was The Master and Margarita (1966), a profound Gogolesque fantasy and witty philosophical novel which juxtaposed eternal notions of good and evil. To this day, it is still considered one of Russia’s finest 20th century novels, exposing the corruption and hypocrisy of the Soviet cultural elite.

Fans of Russian writers can visit the Bulgakov Museum in Moscow, inside the very apartment where Bulgakov had resided while writing The Master and Margarita. They can also travel to the legendary Mikhail Bulgakov Museum in his birthplace of Kiev (Ukraine), a resurrected antique house which contains 4000 exhibits of the Russian writer’s personal belongings, works and relics.

Ivan Turgenev (1818-1883)

Famously known for popularising Russian literature to the West, Ivan Turgenev was a highly esteemed novelist, poet and playwright born in Oryol, Russia. He was particularly adept at conveying detailed imagery of everyday 19th century Russia, including authentic portrayals of the Russian peasantry and fascinating depictions of Russian academics who desired to advance the country into a new age. Not only did Turgenev express a deep concern for the future of Russia in his writings, he also maintained the integrity of craft which has embedded him into Russian literary canon. Travellers can visit the first monument of the great Russian writer, inaugurated in the historical centre of Moscow at Ulitsa Ostozhenka, next to the Ivan Turgenev Museum. 

Turgenev spent many of his years in Western Europe due to his liberal political stance and artistic personality, caught between Tsarist rule and revolutionary radicalism amongst Russian intellectuals. This mindset was largely influenced by his childhood at the wealthy country estate of Spasskoye-Lutovinovo, which he perceived as a symbol of socioeconomic injustice inherent between the Russian peasantry and gentry. As a result, Turgenev’s works became dedicated to criticising the grievances of Russian society, while envisioning the rise of intelligentsia for the nation’s sociopolitical betterment. While he was educated in schools and universities of Moscow and St Petersburg, Turgenev’s learning experiences at the University of Berlin affirmed his belief of the West’s superiority and Russia’s need to become westernised. 

Many of Turgenev’s fictional works centred around early love and unfulfilled aspirations, despite being a writer of remarkable detachment and ironic objectivity. His intimate platonic relationship with renowned singer Pauline Viardot was a source of inspiration for these works, including several novellas such as Rudin, A Nest of Nobles and On the Eve. Notably, his most famous work Fathers and Sons paints an intriguing portrait of mid 19th-century nihilism, which captures the conflict between older generations and idealistic youth. The Russian writer’s other finest literary works combined a wistful nostalgia for the past such as A Lear of the Steppes and Torrents of Spring, along with Poems in Prose. 

Anna Akhmatova (1889-1966) 

Born in the city of Odessa in Ukraine, Anna Akhmatova is considered one of Russia’s greatest poets of the 20th century. She also wrote prose including memoirs, autobiographical pieces and literary scholarship on Russian writers such as Alexander Pushkin. Throughout her life, Akhmatova experienced both pre-revolutionary and Soviet Russia, yet her poetic verse in many ways extended and preserved classical Russian culture during periods of avant-garde radicalism and socialist realism. Although she was frequently confronted with government opposition to her work, she was deeply loved and revered by the Russian public, partly because she chose not to abandon her country during political turmoil. 

Akhmatova was born into an upper-class family in Bolshoi Fontan, where her mother belonged to a powerful clan of landowners and her father had become a hereditary noble for service in the royal navy. She grew up in Tsarskoe Selo (Tsar’s Village), an opulent suburb in St Petersburg which was surrounded by luxurious mansions belonging to Russian aristocrats. As a teenager, she developed an interest in poetry but was actively discouraged by her father. She eventually studied law in Kiev, and married the poet/critic Nikolai Gumilev. While her husband was away travelling, Akhmatova wrote many of the beautiful poems that would be published in her first book Evening (1912). This book launched her career and she became a cult figure in the Russian literary circle. This was followed by her critically acclaimed collection of poems Rosary (1914).

With her husband, Akhmatova became a leader of Acmetism, a literary movement which valued lucid, carefully crafted verses and challenged the vague Symbolist Style that dominated the Russian writing scene. Although Akhmatova grew up with great privilege, she experienced numerous hardships – Gumilev was executed by the Bolsheviks in 1921, her son Lev was imprisoned from 1949 to 1954, and many of her works were banned or censored. Her most accomplished works Requiem and Poem Without A Hero are visceral reactions to the Stalinist Terror, where she endured artistic repression and many personal losses. 

Indeed, Akhmatova’s legacy still burns fiercely today – travellers and Russian literature enthusiasts can visit the Anna Akhmatova Monument in St Petersburg, which is a moving statue that rests across the river of the Kresty holding prison, where Akhmatova herself had queued for many days after her son was arrested during Stalin’s terror. They can also check out the Anna Akhmatova Literary and Memorial Museum at the Fountain House in St Petersburg, which opened in 1989 on the centennial of her birth. 

Alexander Pushkin (1799-1837)

Almost everybody under the sun has heard of Russia’s most celebrated writer – Alexander Pushkin. Known as the father of modern Russian literature, he was a prolific Russian poet, novelist, dramatist and short story writer who emerged from the Golden Age of Russian Poetry. Pushkin’s most famous poems are considered Romantic due to their celebration of freedom and personal liberty, yet this remains ambiguous from his concise and more minimalist writing style. Pushkin’s narrative poems, epics and lyrics are transcendent classics of Russian literary tradition, inspiring countless songs, ballets and many other artistic interpretations. 

The Russian writer was born into one of Russia’s most famous noble families in Moscow, where many of his ancestors played major roles throughout Russian history. Pushkin himself began writing poetry as a student at Lyceum at Tsarskoe Selo, a school for aristocratic youth. He was particularly immersed into French poetry and Russian neoclassicism, which provided a source of inspiration for diverse elegis, songs and epistles.                                                                     

After graduating in 1817, Pushkin eventually became involved in St Petersburg society, where he wrote poems that criticised autocracy and high-ranking officials. His first major verse narrative was Ruslan and Ludmila (1820), an epic faux-fairytale based on medieval Russian history and written in iambic tetrameter, successfully breaking literary conventions. Soon after its publication, Pushkin was exiled to southern Russia for his dissenting political views from 1820 to 1823. At the end of this period, he began writing his masterpiece Eugene Onegin (1833) for seven years. This heart-wrenching lyric opera involves a selfish hero who eventually regrets the rejection of a young woman’s love and his fatal duel with his best friend. Other notable works include the historical drama Boris Godunov and The Captain’s Daughter. 

In 1831, Pushkin married Natalia Goncharova, yet her beauty and favour in court led to many difficulties in his personal life. He even challenged one of her long-term admirers, George D’Anthès-Heeckeren – a French cavalry officer and royalist – to a duel, in which he tragically died. Despite his short life, Pushkin’s death undoubtedly made him an immortal legend that extends far beyond Russian literature. His unquestionable poetic genius left an immense imprint on St Petersburg, with his name engraved on various Russian streets, metro stations, theatres and even the charming town of Pushkin. Travellers can also visit the obelisk marking the spot where he was shot in Komendantskiy Prospekt. They can also journey to the city centre on Ploshchad Iskusstv in front of the State Russian Museum, where a huge statue of Pushkin was erected to mark the 250th anniversary of the city’s founding. 

Mikhail Lermontov (1814-1841)

Considered a promising successor of Pushkin, Mikhail Lermontov was a distinguished Romantic Russian poet, writer and painter. His father was an impoverished army officer, whereas his mother was a wealthy young heiress from a respected aristocratic family. After the couple drifted apart and his mother died, Lermontov was brought up by his grandmother on her Tarkhany estate in Penzenskaya province (Central Russia). Here, Lermontov was greatly influenced by the exotic landscapes of the Caucasus, Russia’s natural beauty, its rich folklore, ceremonies and traditions, alongside the resilient livelihoods of Russian peasantry and serfs. 

Many of Lermontov’s lyric poetry is touched by a passionate yearning for freedom and contains rebellious undertones, agonising reflections on how to apply his strengths to life’s work, and dreams of heroic deeds. This was significantly influenced by political events such as the Decembrist revolt during Imperial Russia and peasant mutinies during the 1830s. This widespread revolutionary sentiment in Western Europe was shared with him, fuelling an enthusiasm for the future of Russia and its spiritual needs. His poetry is interwoven with civic and philosophical themes, coupled with deeply personal motifs.

Notably, Lermontov also introduced the intonations of “iron verse” into Russian poetry, which is characterised by its heroic sound and intellectual expression. One of his most famous works is A Hero of Our Time, known for its compelling Byronic hero Pechorin, a military officer who undergoes dramatic adventures through the Caucasus. It is considered the pinnacle of Russian psychological realism, earning Lermontov immense critical acclaim. Readers can also check out The Death of a Poet, a controversial poem which accused the Russian aristocracy of complicity in the famous Russian writer Alexander Pushkin’s murder. While the poem catapulted Lermontov to unprecedented levels of fame, it also evoked the Czar’s wrath, who exiled him to the Caucasus. 

Travellers who are keen about this phenomenal writer’s contribution to Russian literature can visit the Mikhail Lermontov Monument, located in the small park of Lermontovskaya Ploschad (Lermontov Square). This inspiring statue in Moscow, Russia is where Lermontov was born, yet the actual house of his birthplace has unfortunately been replaced by the Stalin Skyscraper. Luckily, they can also travel to the Mikhail Lermontov House-Museum, which is run as a branch of the State Literary Museum. It is the only remaining house where the poet lived with his grandmother until 1932, with a preserved interior and quaint wooden structure. 

Have an unquenchable thirst for Russian writers…?

Want to learn more about Russian Literature and gain invaluable insight into the most incredible Russian writers of all time? Why not embark on a life-changing Overseas Student Tour or customised trip to Russia’s cultural capitals Moscow and St Petersburg, where the most grandiose literary museums and breathtaking state monuments can appease your intellectual curiosity? 

Don’t hesitate to open a new chapter of your life with 56th Parallel’s amazing Literary Tour! 

The post Russian Literature: 9 Famous Russian Writers You Should Know appeared first on Russia Tours.

In saying this, let’s first dive into the benefits of embarking an educational tour to Russia. Then, we’ll move into a step-by-step guide on how to plan one for your school!

So, Why Visit Russia?

Travelling to Russia in particular has its many benefits – it is an incredibly unique destination for students studying all different kinds of subjects from history, languages, music and literature to performing arts. Few countries can rival Russia for its world-defining roles within history (from the age of empires, through to WWI and WWII, the Soviet Era and the Cold War). 

Similarly, Russia’s contribution to classical music and opera, ballet, visual art, architecture, science and literature makes it a fascinating country to study these subjects, in the very place where some of the country’s greatest cultural and historical milestones unfolded. 

56th Parallel’s educational tours focus on Moscow and St Petersburg, with the option to add a tour of the historic Golden Ring cities departing from and returning to Moscow. 

These ‘city overview’ style tours will ensure your students get to experience all of the must-see landmarks and attractions of the cities, paired with education focused commentary from our expert Tour Guides, as well as hands-on experiences and entertaining activities to ensure your trip as enjoyable and memorable as possible. 

If you’re looking to focus in-depth on a particular subject, 56th Parallel is more than happy to help you design a custom itinerary relevant to your students’ needs. 

For subject-based educational tours to Russia, here’s what we can offer: 

History

• Russia’s role during World War I & II 
• Soviet-era monuments & Cold War achievements 
• Tsar dynasty and Romanov Family – Russian Revolution 
• Russia heritage tours & museum excursions  

Language

• Russian language classes & workshops 
• Cultural immersion programs 
• Learning activities & sight-seeing excursions 
• Conversational exchanges with Russian locals 

Performing Arts 

• Russian ballet and traditional folk dance 
• Opera performances and Russian composers 
• Historical theatres and concert halls 
• Musicals, cinemas and classical dramas/plays 
• Orchestral performances and classical music 

Literature 

• Russian literature tours & excursions 
• Modern and classic Russian literature 
• Museum exhibitions and private studios of Russian writers 
• Bookstores and state libraries 

Visual Arts 

• Russian art galleries, design studios and museums 
• Contemporary and traditional Russian art/movements 
• Educational art programs, projects, fairs and festivals 
• Russian fashion showrooms and public events 

Science 

• Russian science museums and planetariums
• Soviet military museums & inventions 
• Nature reserves, research institutes and programs 
• Russian space stations and adventures 

Sport 

• Russian sports stadiums, arenas and leisure centres 
• Winter – Ice hockey, ski resorts, snowboarding, ice-skating 
• Sporting events, activities and competitions 
• Adventure tours and national park expeditions

Architecture 

• Russian classical architecture – cathedrals & sites 
• Soviet-style infrastructure – Constructivist & Stalinist 
• Architecture spanning across different periods 
• Key contemporary buildings and monuments 

Benefits of Taking an Educational Tour to Russia

It’s no secret that overseas educational trips can be life-changing for those involved, from enhanced one’s interpersonal skills to gaining amazing cross-cultural insights. 

Educational tours to Russia will also make students have a greater appreciation for learning beyond the classroom and integrate a real-world experiential component to your school curriculum. 

Real world experience engages both the intellect and the senses, adding another layer of meaning on top of what has already been learned in the classroom. This in turn boosts motivation and helps students grasp difficult concepts and retain knowledge. 

Not only are overseas school trips fun, they expose students to different cultures and help grow confidence and resilience as they learn to adapt to social situations.

Improved Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is about active learning through reasoning. Studies show critical thinking is one of the most highly regarded traits among professional employers. Educational tours to Russia encourage critical thinking in a multitude of ways, including problem solving (e.g. navigating cultural differences, money, food and transportation), creativity, group and individual decision making and communication (both verbal and non-verbal). These are all relevant to the different subject areas of music, visual arts, literature, etc. 

Expanded Worldview

A person’s worldview defines how they interact and interpret virtually everything around them. That worldview hopefully expands over time through an accumulation of life experiences. Travelling on an overseas school trip to Russia exposes students to different cultural perspectives, allowing them to gain a wider understanding of the world’s diversity. This means a greater respect for Russia’s historical contributions/achievements and a realisation on how we as humans are different in some ways, we are alike in so many others. 

Stronger Relationships

An educational tour to Russia is a powerful bonding experience. As a group, you’ll go through the same good times and adventures together, as well as bond together to face the same challenges. It’s not just the students whose friendships will be strengthened through travelling together. School trips are also a great way for teachers to get to know their students better, build rapport and benefit from better teacher-student relationships once you return home. This bond can manifest in the classroom, where the teacher’s enthusiasm of Russian history/culture is also reflected in the students. 

Enhanced Confidence & Leadership Skills 

Travelling to another country can immensely build one’s confidence. When embarking on a life-changing journey across Russia’s capitals and venturing into new, exciting activities, students will be more inclined to take risks, step out of their comfort zones and acquire greater independence. This will undoubtedly translate into stronger leadership abilities as they learn how to engage in decision-making and problem-solving, especially in unfamiliar situations, such as Russian language workshops, historical tours and sporting activities. 

Unique Opportunities  

Educational tours to Russia not only provide an amazing alternative to learning outside the classroom, they also give unique opportunities for students in undertaking new experiences related to their subject/coursework. From building their language skills, learning about the Russian Tsar Dynasty and Soviet era, attending world-class opera theatres, to participating in fun Russian cultural festivities or sporting events, your students will be surrounded with enriching, unforgettable moments that can be cherished forever with peers/friends. 

Better Academic Performance 

There is nothing better than being genuinely engaged and motivated in the whole learning process. When a student takes an overseas school trip to Russia to learn about their relevant subject area, they will absorb information much more easily and be more receptive to their educational needs beyond the classroom. This is because educational tours add a fun and practical component to the students’ curriculums, giving them real-world experiential learning. This will make them have a greater appreciation for Russia’s history, culture and traditions. 

Career Benefits & Professional Development 

Leading an educational tour to Russia is not only super beneficial for the students, it is also a fantastic way to demonstrate leadership qualities and responsibility as a teacher/advisor. There is no doubt that your colleagues and future employers will be heavily impressed with your initiative to take the students’ learning beyond a typical classroom setting. By skilfully applying the curriculum outside the school and integrating this into a new culture, there are great opportunities to create a memorable learning experience.

School Trip Planning Timeline

Educational Tour to Russia: The Plan

So you’ve done your research and decided to partner with a tour operator who’ll ensure your trip runs as smoothly as possible once your students land at the airport. 

a) The Basics

Let’s say you’re planning a overseas school trip to Russia and you’ve chosen to tour with 56^th Parallel. 

Our involvement in making sure your trip is a success begins the moment you decide to partner with us. 

Your Tour Coordinator is your point of contact who will work with you throughout the entire process from the initial planning stage through to designing and refining the perfect Russian itinerary and providing support during and after your stay in Russia.  

Once you’ve confirmed your booking for the educational tour, we’ll send you a confirmation pack including an initial booking form requesting some basic information about your trip – nothing needs to be exact at this point, just your best estimate. 

Your Student Group

• How many students do you estimate will join the tour? 
• How many supervising teachers will be attending? 
• What is the age range within your student group? 
• Do any of them have any special dietary requirements? 
• Are there any other special requirements that need addressing, e.g. mobility issues, learning styles?

Budget

• Do you have a fixed limit on budget per student?
• Will you require any substitute teachers? 
• Will you set up a payment plan for parents, e.g. three instalments over six months?

The Experience

Would you like to choose from one of our pre-existing educational tours to Russia (amendments to accommodation, activities etc. can be made as needed) or work with us to create a completely customised tour to best suit your students’ needs?

Do you have any specific requirements in regards to accommodation, e.g. cost, standard, location, room sharing arrangements?

Do you have any ‘must sees’ or ‘dos’ we should prioritise if possible (in case of any changes to the itinerary out of our control)

b) Dates & Duration

School Calendar

The date and duration of your trip needs to work around your school’s calendar to avoid conflicting with exams, assessment periods or any other important events in the school year. For teachers who will attend the trip, you also need to determine how many days they can afford to take off.

As a guide, you can consider organising the travel departure during the Australian school holidays in between the four terms. If you can depart a few days before the beginning of the school holidays and return after the commencement of a new term, you can save more time and are likely to find cheaper, great-value flights. 

Cost and finances 

Setting an appropriate budget should take into account what your students’ parents can realistically afford. 

Trip duration generally has the most significant effect on budget. Obviously, shorter educational trips are more affordable, but remember to take travel time into account as well. 

Since there are no direct flights from Australia to Russia, the typical travel time between Sydney or Melbourne and Moscow is around 24 hours. Meaning a 7 day itinerary actually requires being away for 9 days. 

We recommend a 7 day itinerary at minimum – anything shorter doesn’t offer great value once you factor in airfares and additional days in transit.

Weather and Seasons in Russia 

The majority of our educational tours to Russia take place in the Moscow region and St. Petersburg. The peak travel season of June through to August is the warmest part of the year for both cities, so you can expect flight and accommodation costs to be high during this time. 

You may want to consider the cheaper, shoulder seasons of April and September. During these months, crowds are fewer and there are still plenty of mild, sunny days, and even at night. temperatures very rarely dip below zero. Conveniently, these months also fall within Australian school holiday periods. 

While Moscow and St Petersburg are spectacular in winter, it does get extremely cold. Students with little experience of sub-zero temperatures might take some time to adjust, so generally, winter isn’t very well suited to education-focused trips. 

Click here for more info: Average Climates of Moscow and St Petersburg

c) Designing Your Itinerary

Choosing and modifying an existing student tour 

56th Parallel offers a versatile range of amazing student tours in the Russian capitals of Moscow and St Petersburg. Our pre-existing educational tours are packed with incredible learning opportunities that cover history, visual arts, politics, architecture, literature, dance and music. 

Choosing your ideal tour to Russia involves some considerations such as school budget, staff support, students’ learning objectives and parents’ socioeconomic circumstances – this can lead to some compromises. For example, you might want to join with other faculty/subject teachers to create a cross-curricular tour, or choose a cheaper destination. 

Depending on subject-specific curriculums or independent school learning outcomes, our tour programs can be modified to suit your needs. This flexibility will give your students a magnificent travel experience which improves their engagement to the syllabus. These changes can include extra classes, workshops, activities, destinations, etc. 

Creating a customised itinerary 

We specialise in creating 100% customised tours for our clients, and the same goes for designing tailored trips that cater to specific subjects and areas of interest you and your students would like to focus on. 

We can organise tours to all destinations in Russia covered by 56^th Parallel, not just Moscow and St Petersburg. If you’d like to design your own bespoke educational tour, we’ll send you a custom trip planning form so you can indicate the “must see” sites you’re already set on, as well as general areas of interest which will allow us to make further suggestions based on what’s most important to you. 

Using this framework, we’ll work with you to design a custom itinerary day-by-day, taking into account timeframes, costs and logistics. This way, we can ensure your itinerary that’s befitting of your needs, as well as being practical, hassle-free and offering plenty of bang for your buck.  

Budgeting 

We understand how important cost is in terms of getting approval from your school and giving as many students as possible the chance to join the school trip of a lifetime. 

When submitting your proposal to the school, the budget can often be a sticking point. While we prepare an initial quote, if budget is a big concern, let us know and we can make recommendations on ways to keep costs to a minimum without detracting from the quality of your trip. For example, booking shared accommodation, economical transport options and finding the cheapest available flights for you. 

1. Submitting Your Proposal

Once you’ve hashed out a fantastic itinerary, we’ll provide you with a quote per student (based on the itinerary as it currently stands, and the approximate number of students expected to attend).

We’ll provide you with all the relevant resources to allow you to demonstrate the educational value and learning outcomes of your proposed trip to Russia.

In addition to an inspired presentation on the destination itself, you must ensure that your overseas school trip to Russia complies with all legal requirements (including health, safety and welfare) and additional school 56^th Parallel will equip you with the essential documentation you’ll need to ensure your trip gets the school’s stamp of approval. These include:

• 56^th Parallel safety policies and procedures 
• Provisional risk assessment (carried out by you, with our assistance)
• Liability statement
• Safety and security certificate
• Safety and emergency management plan 

Be thorough, be realistic and ensure you have all your bases covered. Essentially, your proposal should cover two are as in detail:

1. How your educational tour to Russia will benefit students and enhance curriculum-based learning outcomes
2. How your risk management plan and 56^th Parallel’s safety policies and 24-hour traveller support will ensure the safety of all students, both during day-to-day travel

Be enthusiastic but realistic, cover all your bases thoroughly, and you have a good chance of getting the go ahead. 

2. Promoting Your Educational Tour to Russia

We’ll provide you with information packs and promotional materials, so everything’s on hand to start getting students excited about your Russian adventure.  

The main reason overseas school trips fail to get off the ground is lack of numbers. You’re asking parents to commit a significant sum towards this trip, so it’s important that both students and parents understand the educational value of such a commitment. 

Here are the key reasons to promote your educational tour:

• Give students a life-changing opportunity 
• Boost participation in a particular curriculum/subject faculty area
• Encourage stronger friendships and group bonding 
• Minimise the tour costs for everyone involved 
• Enhance inclusivity among students 

Promoting to Students

How to approach recruiting students for an overseas school trip to Russia depends a lot on their age and maturity. 

University students and those studying a specialised field within academia or the arts will, with the right information in their hands, instinctively understand the value of a relevant, well thought-out itinerary.  

Promoting to high school students, especially when they’re wholly dependent on their parent’s financial backing, will take a little more effort on your part. 

It is highly recommended that you create expressions of interest and invite students to attend. Then, you can promote the tour around school such as during assembly, newsletters, whiteboards and bulletins/pin-up wall areas. Get other teachers to share this information with their own students too. 

Announcing your trip and creating a buzz

We’ll supply you with plenty of marketing material on Russia and Russian culture and the sights and activities within your itinerary. As well as info packs they can take home to their parents, we’ll supply you with all media for preparing a slideshow or video to show students when you make your big announcement. 

The language used to advertise your trip to students is quite different to the way you communicate with parents. 

While students will certainly want to know how jetting off to Russia will benefit their studies, what most of them will most look forward to is getting out of the classroom and having a great time with friends. 

So, get your students excited, start creating a buzz in the classroom, on social media and other communication channels. If you can recruit a few “early adopters” they become advocates who encourage others to get on board. 

Promoting to Teachers

Announcing your trip 

As soon as you announce your educational tour to Russia, give students letters to take home outlining the most important details of the trip. Set a date for an information evening, strongly encouraging all parents to attend. 

Promote the event through your school’s communication channels, particularly social media.

Presenting an information evening 

Hosting an information evening for parents and students is essential. As well as giving you the chance to show off a live presentation, these evenings provide an ideal forum for parents to ask questions and ensure they have all the details and assurance they need to make a decision.

As the lead supervising teacher, this is your chance to prove how responsible, well-informed and passionate you are about your students’ education.

Parents will be quite focused on safety and supervision, as well as payment options offered by the school, so make sure you have suitable responses and take-home materials on hand. 

After your presentation 

Enthusiastic parents can become great advocates, so it’s important to make them feel informed, empowered and positive. 

Make use of social media to keep the buzz going. This is also a great way for parents to ask questions and communicate any concerns with the team at 56^th Parallel directly. 

Social media is also a great way for kids and parents to keep in touch during the trip, as students will no doubt be posting videos and selfies to show off to family and friends back home. 

Some schools may have their own websites, newsletters, educational portals (for emails) and apps (notifications), so make sure to use these marketing channels to your advantage to reach both students and parents. 

3. Educational Tour to Russia: Preparations and Pre-Departure Checklist

It is really important that you are adequately prepared prior to your departure to Russia. This means that all travel information should be confirmed with your tour coordinator so that they can properly organise the educational tour. Here’s a pre-departure checklist of essential items and considerations. 

Travel Information 

• Waivers & Visa application 
• Travel Insurance 
• Passport validity – check expiry dates 
• Booking forms and documents 
• Final itinerary 
• Students’ dietary requirements 
• Room allocations and listing 
• Teacher & guardians supervision availability 
• Entrance tickets and passes 
• Contingency funds 

Risk Assessment

• Provision of risk assessment documents (by 56th Parallel)
• Emergency contact numbers (including local) 
• Safety and evacuation procedures 
• Personal health and safety reports – special needs, disabilities, medical ailments, behavioural issues, allergies, students’ ages 
• Safety checklists for accommodation, transport and excursion suppliers 

Preparations

Other essential preparations include briefing both teachers and students on their responsibilities when travelling abroad. 

To ensure that everything runs smoothly, teachers should have a solid understanding of the school travel itinerary and destinations, the dietary and medical requirements of the students, safety/evacuation procedures and keeping the group on schedule. Knowing group management strategies and identifying potential risks/hazards during the journey is critical. 

For students (and parents), it is important that you schedule a pre-departure meeting to run through their own responsibilities during the educational tour. This can include: departure times and meeting points, luggage requirements, student code of conduct and curfew times, destination information and general travel tips. 

Finally, preparing the mindset of the students is highly recommended. Many of them are leaving home for the first time and travelling to a completely foreign environment. That’s why familiarising your students with the Russian local customs, cultural differences and laws is a great way to prepare them in settling within the new country.

You can do this by highlighting amazing facts about the destination and providing relevant educational resources. Additionally, offering advice on how to deal with homesickness and discomfort can make them feel more reassured, along with introducing them to other group members to build camaraderie. 

4. During the Educational Tour to Russia

• Guidelines – As the teacher/supervisor, it is crucial to establish rules and guidelines for your students during the educational tour. This can include group management strategies, toilet breaks, evacuation procedures and emergency contact preparations. By creating guidelines, you can avoid confusion when travelling as a group. 

• Cultural Etiquette – In Russia, there are various aspects of cultural and social etiquette, such as specific ways of greeting others, dining/table manners and gift-giving. Before and during the school trip to Russia, is important to research these local customs and educate your students to build their cultural awareness and sensitivity. 

• Social Media Promotion – Using your school’s social media channels is a fantastic way to stay connected with families and friends back home. It also allows you to promote the overseas educational trip to other students, teachers and parents, which will inspire further learning opportunities.

• 24/7 Support by Tour Operator – From the moment you land within Russia to the final goodbye, 56th Parallel will be with you every step of the way. We will answer your questions throughout your entire trip, providing reliable support and frequent check-ups on your travel experience. We’ll also be available 24 hours for emergency contact. 

• Allocating free time for students/teachers – During short breaks or spare moments throughout the educational tour, you can allocate free time for students to try optional/extra activities such as exploring the surrounding site or visiting recommended restaurants and cafes in the area. This gives you time to relax and provides students with greater freedom during the trip.

• Budget & Pocket Money – It is recommended that group members bring their own pocket money (in local currency) with them to purchase items such as beverages, snacks and souvenirs. Throughout the educational tour, they can use a banking system or budgeting app to prevent them from splurging all their money in the first few days. 

• Contingency Funds – We advise that teachers/supervisors carry contingency money with them, such as float and credit cards, to cover any unforeseen events. This may involve staff cover and damage deposits. The amount of contingency funds for the educational tour could depend on your quote details such as accommodation, meals, etc. 

5. After the Educational Tour to Russia

• Debriefing – Once everyone has arrived back home, we recommend holding a group meeting so that the students can reflect on their personal experiences in Russia, discuss their travel insights and share any concerns. After the meeting, you can even hold more future monthly gatherings so that the students can continue bonding, learning together and catching up on their experiences. 

• Integrating Into The Classroom – After the school trip to Russia is over, you can integrate the tour’s experiential learning into the classroom to evaluate their cultural/historical understanding. You can do this by organising student reflection activities, pop quizzes, research projects, multimodal presentations, Kahoot games, group discussions, etc. More importantly, you can even use the educational tour as a way to introduce new programs at your school such as language immersion programs, overseas service and community engagement projects, sporting/visual arts programs and cultural study programs. 

• Learning materials – Providing your students with detailed educational resources is crucial to develop their learning process. After the overseas school tour, students will have a highly enriched understanding of their subject/curriculum. You can build upon this momentum by providing helpful learning materials that are explicitly connected to the educational tour in Russia – this includes: worksheets and booklets for every destination, video tours, relevant websites and applications, online tutorials, etc.  

• Providing Feedback – After the school trip to Russia, it would be great if you (and the other teachers/students) could give us feedback on your travel experiences and your overall impression of the educational tour. This will help us recognise any potential room for improvement so that your experiences will be even more seamless and enjoyable. Having more customer testimonials and reviews will also encourage more students and parents to consider undertaking the educational tour to Russia. This gives your school more beneficial opportunities to extend learning beyond the classroom. 

• Share the Experience – Don’t hesitate to share your travel experiences with your friends, family and colleagues. Your journey in Russia has the power to inspire other teachers to initiate their own overseas educational trips or further encourage more students in your school to embark on the tour. There is nothing more special and memorable than students learning new things by travelling abroad and gaining profound cross-cultural experiences.
  • You can also encourage the students to share their own experience for the school newsletter or website blog. You can also assign them to present their travel journey and highlights during assembly.  

Who We Are: 56th Parallel

56^th Parallel is an independent travel company with offices based in Sydney and Moscow. We specialise in just one country (although it could be argued that Russia is many countries in one!) and we’ve been running small group and private tours there since 2002. 

Our Background 

After years of exploring and falling in love with the country, we realised there were very few reliable, English language options available for travellers seeking high quality tours in Russia. 

As well as offering a unique selection of tour itineraries and custom trips, we set out to become destination experts and a world-class resource for detailed information regarding travel in Russia. Our founders have deep and longstanding relationships with Russia. We use our cultural understanding and our network of professional connections throughout the country to provide a seamless end-to-end travel service and a truly immersive, truly Russian experience.

How We Work

Organising an overseas school trip is a complex task. That’s why 100% of the organisation and logistics are done by us. We work with you to find or design an itinerary to fit your curricular needs, time and budget, help arrange visas (for Australian passport holders only) and insurance and book all accommodation, transport and activities. We understand the importance of risk management and we’re committed to the safety and wellbeing of your students, providing around-the-clock support through our Sydney office and on-the-ground staff. 

Who We Work With

We work with trusted, professional and enthusiastic Tour Leaders in Russia with in-depth insights into Russian history, art and culture. For education students wanting to focus on a particular subject, such as war history, literature, classical music or dance, our Tour Leaders work together with expert local guides with specialised knowledge in their field.

With our extensive knowledge and outstanding services, we are a fully licensed, bonded, insured and accredited travel provider. Our business is a member of AFTA, CATO, ATAS and ATTA. 

Educational Tours to Russia: What We Do

• All-inclusive trips – We consider all dietary requirements, accommodation, provide a variety of reliable transport options and include all activities within our educational tours. However, domestic and international flights to Russia are not included in the tour price – instead, our team provides the best travel advice on travelling to and from Russia. The only exception for booking flights would be potentially large groups of students. 

• Customised Itineraries – Our Russia educational tour itineraries are tailored according to your school’s unique preferences, including the trip destination, travel style and seasonal factors. As a Russia travel specialist agency, our goal is to provide the most seamless and memorable travel experiences for you and your students. To make your trips perfect, we’ll revise your itinerary as many times as necessary cost-free. 

• Low Entry Fee – For our payment policy, the cost of the educational tour to Russia is split into two payments over an agreed schedule. We offer a low commitment fee of only 25% to make a confirmed booking and begin travel preparations. Teachers/guardians and students will be able to pay off the remaining 75% fee by 60 days prior to departure.

• Teachers Travel Tree – Our payment policy allows flexibility as we allow one teacher to travel free per specific number of students. The teacher’s travel costs are factored into the students’ overall fees. *There needs to be a minimum number of students for this condition to apply. 

• Travel Insurance – We are partnered with the affiliate travel insurance agency WorldNomads, which provides professional advice and flexible travel insurance designed to support your school in cases of emergency. It covers a range of expenses ranging from overseas medical issues, evacuation, baggage and adventure activities. 

• Russian Visa Services – To prepare you for Russian visa application processes, we provide comprehensive guidance on the official invitation documents for your students and teachers. We also provide concierge visa services for school travellers who prefer to leave the entire application process to the experts from start to finish. 

• Pre-departure Meetings – Prior to departure, we will provide information to students and parents on all the suitable learning objectives, itinerary destinations/activities, packing list, flights and contacts. We will also send relevant promotional materials for teachers who need to market the overseas educational trip to the student body.

• Professional and Experienced Team –  Having over 18 years of experience in travelling and planning tours within Russia, our team are incredibly knowledgeable and reliable specialists who can make your travel experience even more worth it. Our educational travel guides/consultants will be with your students and teachers every step of the way, giving you amazing local expertise.

• No Waiting In-line Policy – All of your students and teachers will enjoy free admission to all venues and excursions included in the program. You’ll never have to wait in line for hours and hours to gain access. Every educational tour to Russia is accompanied by a professional guide who will not rush your experience, allowing you time to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

• No Hidden Fees – The final price that we charge for your educational tour will be the exact price you will pay, which includes everything listed in the program. The only exceptions are optional activities you might choose to add while on tour. Of course, the final price for educational trips will vary depending on the school, departure date, number of students, travel style, activities, etc. 

Organising an educational tour to Russia isn’t easy. But with 56th Parallel, we can help you in the entire planning process from start to finish!

More importantly, we can provide your students with the most immersive travel experiences to stimulate their academic engagement, build their confidence and develop appreciation for Russian culture. Don’t hesitate – book with us now!

The post A Teacher’s Guide to Planning an Educational Tour to Russia appeared first on Russia Tours.

From a matchless depth of intense, page-turning history and politics, to world-renowned ballet, classical music, literature, science and architecture, the largest country in the world packs more than enough to fill the curious mind. Russia, albeit extremely underrated as a travel destination, has opened up tremendously since the late Soviet times. Those who have taken the plunge to uncover the true personality of this fascinating land at first hand were spoilt abundantly by her historical, cultural and visual riches, and returned with a newfound understanding of Russia and its people, along with a wonderful treasure trove of memories that last a lifetime. Whether your student curriculum lies in modern history, science or the performing arts, a student trip to Russia offers a chance to live, breathe and experience knowledge in a way no textbooks can deliver. Here are 7 reasons why you should consider a school trip to Russia.

1. Delve into Matchless Depth of Russia’s Historical and Cultural Riches

You don’t need to be a history student to have heard a word or two about Russia’s staggering upheaval throughout history, KGB spies, political rises of world power. From the Mongol invasions to tsarist regimes to ages of industrial revolution and wars, visiting Russia brings her history off the page and into life, whichever period you may be interested in. Both Moscow and St. Petersburg are teeming with key historical landmarks whose fame stems from their association with pivotal events and people in history. The nation has undergone extreme political and social change over the past few centuries, and the highlight of any trip is the chance to witness this complex history at first hand.

Take an eye-opening trip to the infamous Moscow Kremlin, the seat of Russian political power for over 500 years, from the Grand Dukes to the Tsars to the current presidency. An insightful journey through Moscow will reveal many secrets of the Soviets and the Cold War, and its lasting impact on the Russian society and it’s people, as students come face to face with dozens of extraordinary sites and monuments marking defining Soviet-era events and achievements; from the massive VFNKh Soviet park, Victory Park, the Museum of the Great Patriotic War, the Triumphal Arch, Lenin’s Tomb and Stalin’s bunker. In St. Petersburg, students will travel even deeper into history to get a feel of the incredible extremes of Russian life pre-revolution in the Museum of Political History of Russia, and the glorious excess of what is called Russia’s Versailles, Peterhof Palace. Every corner of Russia is steeped in fascinating history, offering immense educational opportunities and value via school trip to Russia to those interested in her history.

2. Experience the Timeless Beauty of the Russian Ballet

It’s equal parts history, national pride, and hero worship, the classical ballet is a world-famous, notable art form coming out of Russia that is deeply loved and cherished by its people of all social stratifications. Ballet may have been invented in Italy and France, but it was refined and invigorated in Russia by blending classicism and Russian folk dance. As the primary form of entertainment among the nobles, Russian’s mighty leaders decided to make ballet a Russian art form, and through centralized planning and the shrewd use of resources, became an integral part of the nation’s cultural heritage. Russia’s unique style of ballet has graciously stood against the test of time and made a tremendous contribution and influence on world ballet culture.  

Today, ballet schools around the world proudly boast that they teach in the Russian tradition, and Western trainees marvel at how their Russian peers manage to bend themselves into improbable positions. The Bolshoi Theatre and the Mariinsky Theatre (Kirov), known for their extremely strict, rigorous selection process of trainees, are undeniably the two most prestigious ballet companies worldwide having sourced many ballet’s greatest dancers such as Nijinsky, Pavlov, Nureyev and Baryshnikov. Class productions are performed nightly across three Mariinsky venues in St.  Petersburg, and two Bolshoi stages in Moscow. Students will have the eye-opening opportunity to see and hear the timeless beauty of the Swan Lake or the Nutcracker on the stages they were choreographed for. For those with deep interest, a private backstage tour can also be arranged in both theatres where students can interact and share their passion with local dancers. Keep in mind that both companies go on tour in the summer (August to late December) so avoid planning a visit during this period if seeing a ballet, opera or symphony is a priority for you.

3. Immerse in Chamber Concerts of Russian Classical Music

Alongside ballet, classical music is another highly-revered artform in Russia and is part of every Russian’s Upbringing from a very young age. Ballet music composers, opera composers, and even jazz musicians have all made their mark in Russia’s history, whose timeless masterpieces had become an integral part of the cultural heritage of the whole world. Russian classical music has a distinctive history, separate from Western Europe and at the same time highly influenced by Western countries. Some of the most internationally-renowned composers such as Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Sergei Prokofiev, Igor Stravinsky and Dmitri Shostakovich originated from St. Petersburg and Moscow, as well as from smaller towns. Classical music lovers will have the opportunity to enjoy an incredible collection of Russian musical masterpieces in the Mariinsky Theatre, Philharmonic Hall or the magnificent Hall of The Grand Duke Vladimir Palace in St Petersburg; fully immersing in the unique sound of the chamber orchestra and the spectacular atmosphere of Russian aristocracy. Whether your taste lies in the classical orchestra or opera, attending a live concert can be a life-changing experience that will surely change one’s perspective on musical performances.

4. Discover the Russian Soul through Literature

Sensitive, imaginative, compassionate, patient, strong, having ability to feel a wide array of extreme human emotions, are some characteristics used to describe the Russian Soul; a concept that has dominated the literary and philosophical discourse on Russian identity since the mid-nineteenth century. It can be defined as the cultural tendency of Russians to describe life and events from a religious and philosophical symbolic perspective. Great Russian writers such as Nikolai Gogol, Lev Tolstoy, and Fyodor Dostoevsky have used The Russian soul in literature to describe Russian spirituality. It is, as Dostoyevsky wrote in A Writer’s Diary (1876), “unspoken, unconscious, and can only be strongly felt”. For literature lovers, although reading works by the country’s greatest authors may help you paint a mental image of the Russian soul, it can only be felt and brought into the consciousness by physically being there. 

Russia has always publicly celebrated and upheld its rich literary heritage. On the streets of St. Petersburg and Moscow, you’ll run into many public performances of Chekhov. Lovers of Russian literature have also the exciting opportunity to explore the homes, apartments and estates of Russia’s most famous literary figures to see where the authors worked and the views that inspired their writings; many are preserved as museums. Most notably are the homes of Fyodor Dostoevsky, Anna Akhmatova and Vladimir Nabokov in St. Petersburg, and those of Alexander Pushkin, Nikolai Gogol, Leo Tolstoy and Anton Chekhov in Moscow.

5. Explore Endless Collections of Russian Art

Russia is home to some of the largest, awe-inspiring, world-renowned collections of art. Known for a great diversity of styles, subjects and techniques, Russian art is every bit as diverse and interesting as its counterparts around the world. Religious art dominated in Russia for many centuries. Since the Byzantine era, Russian art has been as dramatic and distinguished as the country’s literature, playing a significant global role in the arts and reflecting important social and cultural changes throughout the centuries. In St. Petersburg, students can delve in endless collections of fine art stretching as far as the eye could see in The State Hermitage Museum, the world’s second-largest art museum. In Moscow, every variety of artform can be found at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, Multimedia Art Museum and Pushkin State Museum of Fine Art. Whether your subject matter of choice lies in history, literature or arts, a school trip to Russia’s most iconic art museums will be sure to provide a stimulating and immersive educational experience. 

6. Meet the Pioneers of Disruptive Technology

Soviet and Russian scientists have spearheaded and participated in crucial discoveries that continue to shape physics, mathematics, chemistry, and other scientific disciplines. On the top of the list are the invention of the radio by Alexander Popov, the creation of the periodic table by Dmitri Mendeleev, achievements of Russian space program lead by Sergey Korolev, deemed by many as the father of practical astronautics, and Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin, the first human being to travel into space. In the 19^th and 20^th centuries, Russia produced many notable scientists, making important contributions in physics, astronomy, mathematics, computing, chemistry and biology. Russia inventors and engineer are at the forefront in such areas as electrical engineering, aerospace, nanotechnology, weaponry, IT, nuclear technology and space technology

Today, fundamental research is concentrated in the Russian Academy of Sciences, a community of the top-ranking Russian scientists and principal coordinating body for basic research in natural and social sciences, technology and production in Russia. Science lovers will have the eye-opening opportunity to explore the enormous Library of the Russian Academy of Sciences and National Library of Russia in St. Petersburg or learn about cutting edge Russian tech solutions that will shape the world’s high-tech landscape in near future at the Skolkovo Innovation Centre in Moscow. While in Moscow, students can also learn about the space race from the Russian perspective at the museum of Cosmonautics. There is no doubt the best way for students to learn about science is through exploration, discovery, problem-solving and have fun trying things out for themselves. a School trip to Russia offers innumerable learning opportunities for pupils to witness science in the past, present and future across a broad spectrum of scientific topics. 

7. See Spectacular Sacred Sites 

Religion has always played a prominent role in the public and spiritual life of Russia, which is reflected in the unique, vibrant architectural structures found in every corner of the country. Most notably are the signature onion dome rooftops in the design of Russian Orthodox churches, which have complex symbolic associations as well as technical purposes. Strolling through the city, you will find dramatic contrasts of architectural styles where impressive skyscrapers and aging orthodox churches provide a complimentary modern and traditional contrast. 

With nearly 5,000 religious associations collectively in Russia, the Orthodox Christianity accounts for over half of the total number registered and is the main religion in Russia. Other religions such as Judaism, Islam, Catholicism Tengrism and Buddhism are also very common in insignificant ethnic groups. Russians celebrate religious holidays and follow Christian traditions, and is known for its numerous customs and colourful folklore. The national culture allows one to experience a genuine relationship between the ages and generations, and offers the opportunity to receive vital spiritual support. From the haunting Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg to the grandiose St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, to the multitude of churches in the UNESCO Heritage city of Suzdal, there is no shortage of breathtaking religious architectures in Russia. Wherever your faith lies, a school trip to Russia provide students valuable learning opportunities to explore the diversity of worship and investigate differing impacts of Religious beliefs. 

As our society becomes increasingly risk-averse and litigious, we are in danger of suffocating our children in rules, regulations and cotton wool. While it is possible to learn some basic concepts in class, there is no substitute for real experience in the wider world. Educational tours to Russia provide a great opportunity for pupils to gain such experience and face a range of challenges that can contribute positively and significantly to their learning and personal development. Not only is it a major contribution to the acquisition of knowledge, but it also raises the whole area of interpersonal skill, including leadership, teamwork and trust and respect. We understand that great school trips require extensive planning and effort, and the primary focus becomes more about policy, safety, paperwork and the potential cost rather than the educational benefits. Although there are still some doubting voices, the benefits to students are so great and the risks so containable that giving in to risk aversion would be to deny our children life-changing, positive experiences and wonderful opportunities to learn. 

The post 7 Reasons to Consider a School Trip to Russia appeared first on Russia Tours.

This article will take you through a riveting journey across the vast lands of Russian soil…from its sprawling rustic countrysides dotted with beautiful fairy-tale cottages and quaint terrace houses…to its magnificent architectural structures and breathtaking natural splendours. It’s no secret that Russia is the home of rich, diverse cultures and adventurous expeditions, yet there are so many hidden layers underneath its national fabric that still need to be unravelled.  

Contrary to popular belief, Russia’s rural regions have plenty to offer for your travelling desires, including exquisite mouth-watering cuisines and unique cultural activities such as railway voyages, opera concerts and theatres, dog-sledding and traditional folklore. You’ll also be given an insightful look into the resilient livelihoods of rural locals and indigenous tribes across different Russian regions. 

Before we dive in, we should have an understanding of how Russia’s past has shaped the various lives of its citizens today.

History of Russian Rural Life

Ever since the Soviet Era, an archipelago of tiny, isolated rural villages and state farms were the building blocks of Russian society. Today, many of them have become ghost towns and have risked losing their way of life across generations. 

In Russia, rural villages and countryside regions have many state industrial farms that specialised in the production of raw materials such as potatoes and beetroot seeds. Like many industries, agriculture was collectivised.  Many of these communities had at least 200 workers and their families, who operated within their own local administrations and Communist Party organisations. These traditional self-governing communes are known as obschina. Each worker typically had their own houses and garden plots to alleviate economic catastrophes such as famine. 

When the USSR was dissolved, workers were no longer restricted to their designated work conditions. This caused an exodus of youth and eventually middle-aged people, who fled to the cities in a rapid wave of urbanisation. Now, these Soviet farm communities are lost and slowly withering away, with various abandoned buildings, empty streets and destroyed grain silos. It is estimated that 35,000 rural communities have less than 10 inhabitants. However, many Russians still have close ties with nature and continue to grow food in a thriving dacha culture.

It is important that these communities and their rural heritage are preserved, especially since they form such an integral part of the country’s national identity and cultural relevance. While there are still lingering social and economic problems, Russia’s countryside possesses an intimate, tranquil beauty that is rarely seen in the major capitals, exploding with a vast array of intriguing historical significance.

Most Beautiful Russian Villages

Karelia – Kinerma

Found in the Karelian Republic, Kinerma is a beautiful ancient village which has preserved its traditional way of life. The village is full of welcoming farmers and artisans, who are keen to share their knowledge about Karelian dishes and local customs.

In Kinerma, visitors can find a wooden 18th-century chapel, complete with a surviving iconostasis, and an old cemetery. There are wooden residential buildings which are recognised as architectural monuments, alongside open-air museums that evoke the development of folk architecture in Southwest Karelia of XIX-XX centuries.

The Centre of Rural Tourism, also known as the ‘Guest House Kinerma’ helps to organise accommodation in the historic village. It receives thousands of tourists each year, providing rustic dining rooms and steam baths in black banyas. It even delivers masterclasses on traditional Karelian cuisine, along with workshops on ritual dolls and baking wickets.

Karelia – Mandrogi

Located in thick forest on the Svir River — halfway between bustling St Petersburg and the lonely island of Kizhi, famous for its towering, onion-top churches — Mandrogi was bombed out of existence by the Germans in World War II.

The war left it a burnt ruin, but after the Soviet Union fell, a group of Russian investors bought the land and invited the best of the region’s woodworkers to use their creativity and traditional skills to restore the town to its former glory. Between 1996 and 1999 the traditional buildings were restored, and today the settlement is called Upper Mandrogi (Verkhny Mandrogi).

Passengers traveling between St. Petersburg and Moscow on a Russia river cruise along the most popular waterway route usually explore the streets and the local museums, each featuring a different aspect of Russian culture and folk life.

Yaroslavl Region – Vyatskoye

Vyatskoye is an intriguing old merchant village located in the Yaroslavl Region (around 300 kilometres from Moscow). It has around 1500 inhabitants and perfectly preserved buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Over time, the village has transformed into a historical and cultural complex with several museums, hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues (cinema and concert hall).

Not so long ago in the 1990s, Vyatskoye was a local collective farm which provided local employment. Yet this collapsed and the village gradually fell into decay, with residents migrating to improved economic conditions in other regions. With restoration initiatives and property investments, the village was replenished, becoming the scenic historic site we know today.

Nowadays, the village is scattered with little churches and wondrous natural landscapes, coupled with the reconstruction of merchants’ households into local museums, attracting nearly 100,000 people every year. These unique museums often contain rare exhibits, such as egg boilers and toasters that were used during the Russian Empire.

Arkhangelsk Region – Kimzha

The Old Believer village of Kimzha in the Arkhangelsk Region remains one of the most fascinating places in the Russian Arctic. Every house is a captivating monument of northern wooden architecture, with many of them being over 100 years old.

The Arctic village was founded in the early XVI century from Pinega, and since then it has flourished with 100 inhabitants and 71 historical buildings, including the five-domed wooden hip-roof Odygitriya Church. It is rooted with deep Paganism, old belief and orthodoxy, with many people honouring sacred customs and traditions. There have been no cemeteries remaining since 1951, and votive crosses are displayed near houses.

Kimzha resembles an animated museum of wooden architecture, riddled with children playing in the courtyards and the local villagers engaging in various activities such as river fishing, gathering berries and hunting in the woods. Reminiscent of rural fairytale cottages, visitors can smell gingerbread cookies and smoke trails drifting from chimneys.

Arkhangelsk Region, Kenozero National Park – Vershinino village

Kenozero National Park is an outstanding North-European cultural landscape which has preserved the traditions and ancient forms of folk art, agriculture and use of natural resources. The cultural and natural heritage of Kenozero has, throughout many centuries, avoided periods of mass destruction and preserved its historical integrity and authenticity.

The park is situated among the northern forests and lakes of the Arkhangelsk Region and named after the largest lake in the region – Lake Kenozero. Upon arriving in the village of Vershinino, located in the centre of the park, you will be immediately greeted with its symbol: the wooden St Nicholas’ Chapel which stands on the highest point of the village.

The best way to see the villages and the nature of the Kenozero National Pak region is to book an excursion by boat.

Staraya Ladoga

This is not just one of the most beautiful villages in Russia, but also one of the oldest! It was founded back in the middle of the 8th century, and the 9th century stone fortress, as well as St. George’s Church and the Assumption Cathedral of the mid-12th century have all survived to this day. It is believed that, in the olden days, Staraya (Old) Ladoga was the capital of ancient Rus.

Buryatia – Bolshoi Kunalei

Buryatia, for the most part, is a region inhabited by Buddhists, but not far from Ulan-Ude, there is an old village of “Old Believers”. Its first 200 settlers founded it in 1765 and their descendants, now numbering over a thousand people, have preserved a rural way of life. The wooden houses of local residents are particularly impressive: Bright and decorated with contrasting carved windows and doors, surrounded by unusual decorative features.

Kamchatka – Esso

Located 6500 kilometres from Moscow, Esso is a charming village surrounded by the wilderness of Kamchatka’s ancient volcanoes and hot springs. Nestling snugly in a valley of green mountains, it is home to many indigenous Russian people, including the Itelmens, the Evenks and Koryaks.

Esso is a worthwhile place to visit, brimming with the vivid cultures of indigenous peoples and their quaint wooden cottages, lush gardens and fertile soil, winding gravelly roads and thriving wildlife.

Best Way to Experience Rural Russia

Trans-Siberian Railway 

The Trans-Siberian Railway is a great way to explore Russia’s splendid rural villages, architectural masterpieces and breath-taking natural landscapes.

Spanning an incredible length of 9288 kilometres, it is known for being the longest continuous rail journey on Earth, stretching across the entirety of Russia from Moscow to Vladivostok (largest Russian city in the Far East). In fact, a trip on the Trans-Siberian Express will cover 8 different time zones, 87 towns/cities and 16 major rivers in Russia over the span of a week! Travellers can embark on an epic journey that will take them across the glimmering cityscape of the major capitals Moscow and St Petersburg, rural fairytale villages and rustic countryside towns, along with the untamed wilderness of Krasnoyarsk forests and the Ural Mountains.

Other notable stops include the jaw-dropping Altai Golden Mountains, the ancient freshwater Lake Baikal, the colourful Buddhist temples and monasteries of Ulan-Ude and the hauntingly beautiful Tsarist monuments of Yekaterinburg.  

Volga River Cruise 

Russia’s most significant river voyages are the Volga River Cruise, which features the main panoramic attractions of Moscow and picturesque countryside towns of lower Volga. Travellers will be able to marvel at classic onion-domed churches and imposing medieval fortresses.

The Volga River is the epicentre of Russia’s major settlements, providing a vast, interconnected network of cultural, agricultural and industrial ties to the largest population centres. Sailing the Volga River will mean taking a spectacular glimpse at Russia’s beautiful yet hidden rural landscapes, archaic city infrastructure and scenic historic villages bristling with a lively celebration of Russian culture, folklore, art, history and cuisine.

Location hotspots include the magnificent town of Uglich with its brightly painted Kremlin perching along the shore. Yaroslavl is another ancient city found in Russia’s Golden Ring which holds neoclassical buildings, including its infamous Spassky Monastery which holds incredibly intricate artistry.  

Cuisine of Rural Russia

Siberia and Russian Arctic

• Uha (fish soup): Typical Yamal dish where fish is cut up into many pieces and immersed in cold water. Fish heads are boiled in a cauldron until they turn a blueish-grey colour. It is usually served immediately in a mug. 
• Malosol: This dish is derived from just-caught Muksun, which is a type of whitefish found in Siberian Arctic waters. The secret recipe of this dish is to quickly cut the fish into very delicate slices so that the fish remains slightly frozen. After the fish has been gutted and cleaned, it is sprinkled with salt and left for 3-4 hours, 
• Stroganina: Simple Yamal delicacy which is prepared from frozen white salmon. The back and abdomen of the fish is sliced into strips that run from the tail to head, then vertical incisions are made. It is usually served immediately in non-metallic frozen plates (or cold bowls) with salt and black pepper powder. 
• Reindeer meat: Nenets rely on reindeer as a vital food source for their everyday livelihoods. Reindeers are freshly butchered and are usually eaten raw. Nenets may also choose to drink the blood of the deer
• Kulebyaka: A rich flaky pastry filled with a delicious mixture of salmon, cabbage and mushrooms, which is then rolled up and baked. It is typically served hot or cold in thick slices, lathered with extra butter and sour cream.

Karelia and Russian North

• Kalitki: This appetizer dish is a small open pie made of rye flour dough and filled with various ingredients such millet kasha, potatoes, berries, rice, tvorog (similar to unsalted cottage cheese) or fish. Other northern pies include the Finnish bread ‘rieska’ and ‘svatelny pirog’ (a pie made from unique batter)
• Karjalanpaisti (Karelian hot pot/stew): Traditional braised meat stew which usually contains a combination of pork and beef, or elk and lamb. This dish is usually seasoned with black peppercorns, salt, allspice and bayleaf. Common vegetables such as carrots, onion and root vegetables are also added 
• Callalaatiko: Karelian fish roast stewed with potatoes in cream and sprinkled with grated cheese
• Karelian soups: One type of soup is Kalakhetto, which is typically prepared with milk and pike-perch (or whitefish and cod). Meanwhile, Lohikeitto is a calorie-heavy soup made with fatty salmon and cream. Maimarokka is a stew containing a mixture of dry fish, onions and potatoes. Meat and mushroom-based soups are quite popular in this region 
• Onega fish and meats: Karelia’s biggest lake – the Onega – contains a diverse array of fish, including lavaret, sterlet, lake salmon and trout. Dishes can range from traditional baked lavaret (or alternatively baked in rye dough) or marinated Northern salmon. Meat dishes usually contain game meat such as venison and elk. 

Altai, Russian South 

• Kocho: This is an Altai soup which includes boiled meat (lamb, horse or beef on bone) and barley groats. Like most Altai cuisine, there is little seasoning or spices – only salt and flakes of dried wild onion are sprinkled onto the creamy textured meat broth
• Kaimak (Altai sour cream): Rich and thick fermented dairy which is like a hybrid of sour cream, sweet cottage cheese and butter. It is prepared with boiled milk which settles for one day in a cool place, allowing cream and foam to collect. The cream is added to many Altai dishes including fresh salads. The remaining skimmed milk can be used to make soups and ‘chegen’, which is a light and fizzy yoghurt-based drink
• Kan (Altai blood sausage): A local delicacy prepared from the fresh blood of a ram. Before the ram’s blood is cooked, many ingredients are added to it: milk, lamb fat, chopped wild onions, garlic and salt. These are all thoroughly stirred, giving the mixture a pinkish hue which is then cooked inside pre-prepared guts that have been cleaned and turned inside-out
• Kurut: This is an Altai cheese, which is often made by local dwellers of the Altai mountains, along with various nomadic peoples of Central Asia. Made from the boiled fermented milk ‘chegen’, the cheese is very hard and tastes salty, providing a unique burst of flavour. 

Tatar Cuisine

• Echpochmak: These are triangle-shaped pastries stuffed with mince and potatoes. A small hole remains at the top of the stuffed and folded dough. Halfway through the oven baking process, the pastries are filled with a spoonful of broth, ensuring that the meat (stuffed raw) is moist and tender.
• Gubadiya: Layered pie which contains cottage cheese or quark, minced beef or lamb and boiled egg, which is combined with raisins or mixed dried fruits (such as figs, prunes and apricots). This filling is then covered with melted butter before being baked into a mouthwatering dessert.
• Kazylyk: Originating from Tatar nomadic culture, this dish is a horse meat sausage which has been traditionally cured by air-drying in the sun and wind. It is often spiced with coriander or cumin, served in thin slices with pickled sliced onions
• Talkysh kaleve: This intricate dessert involves honey and sugar spun into a stringy fairy-floss which is then moulded into miniature cones and coated with a powder of melted butter and flour
• Manti: Tatar dumplings made from either spiced lamb, beef or horse meat, which can be mixed with pumpkin or squash depending on the region. They can be boiled or steamed in their own juices, typically served with butter, sour cream, onion sauce or red pepper powder.

So what are you waiting for? Embark on an epic journey across Rural Russia, where the hidden gems and marvellous sights are awaiting your arrival!

The post Rural Russia: Discover Life in Russia Beyond the Capitals appeared first on Russia Tours.

What is the Aurora Borealis?

Standing beneath the ethereal glow of the Northern Lights as they perform their dazzling, shape-shifting solar dance is one of earth’s most spectacular atmospheric phenomena and a must experience on just about everyone’s bucket list.

The Northern Lights – origin myths and legends

Humans have been enthralled by the mysterious beauty of the Northern Lights for millennia. In northern Europe, the Aurora Borealis was believed to be light emanating from the celestial bodies of the gods as they guided the recently deceased into to the next world. Some Inuit tribes gazed up at the Northern Lights and imagined spirits playing an inter-stellar ball game with the skull of a walrus.

For many of us today, escaping the modern world to witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of the Northern Lights is a tremendously powerful and uplifting experience. While these days we have the science to explain exactly what causes Auroras to develop in the earth’s atmosphere, we’ll no doubt continue to look up at the Northern Lights with the same sense of inexplicable wonder held by our ancestors long ago.

How the Aurora Borealis is formed

Essentially, the Northern Lights are created when gaseous particles from the sun interact with the earth’s atmosphere and magnetic poles. This is why the Northern Lights are almost exclusively seen in the skies in areas close to earth’s north pole.

The colour of the Northern Lights depends on the particular atmospheric gas that combines with the rays emanating from the sun. If the reacting atmospheric gas is oxygen, the output colour is a pale yellowish-green. If the reacting gas is nitrogen, the Northern Lights appears blue or purplish-red. More rarely, the Northern Lights appear as a series of pulsating scarlet streaks. The red northern lights occur when the reacting gas is high altitude oxygen, usually around 200 miles above the earth’s surface.

At the opposite time of year, in the southern hemisphere’s winter, an almost mirror-like reflection of the Aurora Borealis, called Aurora Australis, regularly appears in the skies above the remote territories near the South Pole.

Experience Northern Lights in Russia or other countries?

Perhaps the biggest consideration when planning a trip to see the Northern Lights is which destination you’ll base yourself. So where should you think of heading?

Head for the Arctic Circle

Only eight countries in the world claim territory above the Arctic Circle, making them the only destinations to offer high chances of seeing the Northern Lights in season. Although the Aurora has been spotted at latitudes typical below the “Aurora Zone” (in Northern Scotland for example, such sightings are relatively rare.

The eight best countries for hunting the Northern Lights

The Northern Lights can be observed in the northernmost regions of Canada, large parts of Alaska and the northern regions of Iceland, Norway, Finland and Sweden, as well as southern Greenland. There are also several Aurora hotspots within the Arctic territories of Russia. Which destination you choose will, of course, depend on time and budget constraints and what sort of Northern Lights experience is best suited to your travel tastes.

Creature comfort touring vs true adventure travel

Northern Lights tourism is highly established in Scandinavia, and with the exception of some of the more isolated encampments in the region, is far more commercialised than other destinations in the Arctic, with better tourism infrastructure, more creature comforts, a wide variety of tour operators to choose from and plenty of accommodation all the way up to five-star luxury. Travellers may see the popularity of the Scandinavian destinations as something of a drawback. For one, you can expect bigger crowds and premium prices in a region with an already pricey reputation.

Go and see the Northern Lights just north of Reykjavik in Iceland for example, and you’ll usually find yourself sharing this long-awaited spiritual experience with dozens of other tourists, cars and coaches. 

If your dream Northern Lights expedition means getting away from it all, communing with nature and absorbing a true sense of of the wild, lonely majesty of the Arctic, you might want to skip the more predictable places and consider some of the Arctic’s lesser-known hotspots and give a Northern Lights in Russia trip a go!

Why consider experiencing the Northern Lights in Russia?

The Scandinavian nations remain the “default destination” for many visitors embarking on annual Northern Lights expeditions. But did you know your chances of witnessing the glowing, ghostly spectre of the Aurora Borealis are equally as good in Russia? In fact, when it comes to far north excursions to see the Aurora Borealis in full flight, Russia might be the world’s best-kept secret.

Perfect conditions without the crowds

As Northern Lights tours have grown in popularity in recent years, the Russian Arctic has remained relatively under the radar, and this in itself offers a wonderful advantage. Peak season tourist crowds are virtually absent from even the best-known Aurora hotspots in Russia.

Tour groups are invariably small, and travel times are less taxing than you might expect. One doesn’t have to travel far from a major city, such as Murmansk (capital of the Kola Peninsula) to find themselves surrounded by endless expanses of pristine polar landscapes.

Imagine glittering white snow mounds in the tundra, jagged mountain peaks and the skeletal trees of the taiga, illuminated bright as day by the psychedelic hues of the Aurora. That, and almost complete solitude, is what a Russian Northern Lights expedition has to offer.

Not just uncrowded – cheap too!

Russia, of course, isn’t the only country that can provide an authentic, off the beaten track Arctic adventure. Remote parts Alaska, Canada and Greenland certainly fit the bill, but reaching these sparsely populated, infrastructure poor wilderness areas comes at a significant cost. Similarly, even the most bare-bones Northern Lights tours in Finland, Norway and Iceland couldn’t exactly be considered cheap. It’s a common belief among travellers that all Northern Lights tours are expensive. Yet it is possible to embark on an Aurora hunting adventure on a budget. Simply set your stargazing sights on Russia.

The best places to see the Northern Lights in Russia

Northern Lights tourism in Russia is becoming more and more popular over the past 5-10 years. there are few places in the Russian Arctic to have established a dedicated industry around the bucket list topping phenomenon.

Murmansk, Kola Peninsula

For the moment, Murmansk, the largest settlement in the Kola Peninsula, is Russia’s unofficial Northern Lights capital, and quite likely the world’s most affordable place to observe the phantom glow of the Aurora in Russia.

Located in Russia’s Kola Peninsula, the city lies 2° north of the Arctic Circle. With a population of over 300,000, it’s the largest city in the world above the Arctic Circle. It’s also most probably to be the cheapest place in the world to come and experience the Northern Lights either independently or on tour.

While it’s a surprisingly lively city, what makes Murmansk really unique it that it’s perhaps the only city where the Northern Lights forms its mesmerizing light show directly above the cranes, smokes stacks, factories and low-rise residential blocks of the town. Just beyond Murmansk lies a vast expanse of empty, mountainous tundra. Several vantage points just outside of town provide a panoramic view of the city as it becomes immersed in the alien green glow of the Aurora.

Russia, overall is a reasonably affordable country, particularly when compared to its neighbours in the Arctic Circle region. Domestic flights and overland travel (trains, buses etc.) are generally inexpensive, even though you’ll find yourself regularly having to cover massive distances. In winter, the 2.5 hour flight from Moscow to Murmansk might set you back around 8,000 RUB or $130 USD*.

As tourism is still in its infancy in the Arctic port city, Northern Lights tours in the Murmansk region are extremely modestly priced (relatively speaking), even covering snowmobile trips into the tundra in search of the lights, and extra activities such as dog-sledding and rural village visits.  

While Murmansk makes a comfortable introduction to the Kola Peninsula, the best Northern Lights hunting happens within a good few hours drive from the artificial lights of the city. There are few settlements of any appreciable size in the Kola Peninsula. It’s a land dominated by a wild tangle of taiga forest and polar tundra with crystal clear lakes, grassland and rugged coastline in between.

It’s out here in the unspoiled polar landscapes of the peninsula that the auspicious appearance of the Aurora can light up the land and sky in a full blaze of glory.  The Kola Peninsula also has a rich and ancient cultural heritage to explore. The reindeer-herding Saami people, who are also indigenous to parts of Northern Scandinavia, still live in scattered settlements across the peninsula and have retained large parts of their traditional lifestyle.

Yamal

With a name that translates to “the edge of the world” in the native tongue, Yamal is the last refuge of the world’s nomadic reindeer herders, the Nenets.

Tours to the Yamal Peninsula generally have a strong focus on cultural immersion, involving homestays with Nenets families in their nomad camps and even participating in their grueling annual reindeer migrations. You can read more about the nomadic culture of Siberia’s Nenets here.

Over half of Yamal’s territory sits above the Arctic Circle. Outside of the twin towns of Salekhard (population 45,000) and Labytangi (population 25,000), the Yamal Peninsula consists of only a few isolated permanent settlements.

Around 50% of Yamal’s Nenets still engage in a nomadic way of life, following ancient north to south migratory routes twice a year, covering up to 1,000km each way.  Hundreds of miles from civilization, the winter nomad camps of Yamal are among the most isolated, unspoiled destinations anywhere on earth to see the Aurora Borealis in all its celestial glory, shimmering above the starkly beautiful, star-strewn Arctic taiga.

On the odd occasion, the Northern Lights have been sighted far south as St Petersburg! This, however, is an extremely rare occurrence and the light pollution emanating from the city causes Aurora’s lights to appear dull and obscured. The further you are from the artificial glare of the cities, the more spectacular your sightings of the Borealis will be.

When to see the Northern Lights in Russia?

Which months of the year are best?

The appearance of the Northern Lights isn’t actually restricted to a particular season. The chemical reactions that form the Northern Lights are a constant occurrence, meaning the Aurora Borealis is actually hanging about in the sky all year round. But because the Borealis is only observed at high latitudes (between 65° and 72° North), it’s all but invisible from April through to August, when the aurora zone experiences extremely long periods of daylight. During this time, the sky never darkens enough to make the lights visible to the naked eye.

It takes the long hours of darkness and its pitch-black night skies to really showcase the Borealis’ blaze of electric glory at its best.  The ideal time to see the Northern Lights varies somewhat depending on location, but as a general rule, the Aurora season starts at the end of August and finishes around mid-April.  Peak season is usually considered to be between late September and March when temperatures are at their coolest and the Arctic regions experience very few hours of daylight. However, at slightly lower latitudes, it’s sometimes possible to catch superb views of the Northern Lights in considerably more comfortable August temperatures.

Polar Night

Polar nights are a natural phenomenon that occurs at latitudes to the north of the polar circle. In northwestern Russia, the circle passes through the southern part of the Kola Peninsula and part of Karelia. At Murmansk’s latitude, polar nights last about 40 days, while the phenomenon lasts half a year at the North Pole. The opposite phenomenon, polar days, occur during the summer when the sun does not set for the same period of time.

Even though the sun remains below the horizon, the Russian Arctic is not blacked out completely. On clear days, we can see beautiful sunset colours in the south while the sky to the north is a deep midnight blue.

Remember – the Aurora Borealis is unpredictable

What’s most important to keep in mind is that the Northern Lights, like any natural phenomenon, are unpredictable.

To get a picture-perfect view of the Lights requires pitch dark, crystal clear skies, free of any cloud cover. There also need to be solar flares and solar wind activity taking place in order to trigger the Aurora’s appearance. When the lights do appear, your time in their presence may be relatively fleeting (they can sometimes appear suddenly, only to vanish a few minutes later). On other nights, you could be treated to a 20 to 30-minute performance.

Thanks to technology, we now have Aurora forecasts online to predict the Aurora activity level in different regions. If you have your heart set on seeing the Northern Lights, you’ll want to maximise your chances by devoting several days at least to making dedicated Northern Lights expeditions far from the interference of light pollution from the cities. 

Tips for a successful Northern Lights in Russia experience

Peak viewing season is best – just be prepared for the cold!

The truth is, you can get insanely lucky and see the Northern Lights outside the unofficial “Aurora Season”, but if you really have your heart set on seeing the lights at their best, we strongly advise visiting during Borealis prime time – winter!

If you do decide to visit in mid-winter, keep in mind that above the Arctic Circle, particularly in January and February, temperatures can drop to around -20°C. Because you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors, it’s essential you pack or purchase appropriate clothing and prepare yourself adequately to face sub-freezing temperatures).

We recommend:

• Several underlayers – long-sleeve shirts and leggings (preferably made from a quick-drying material like polyester, nylon or merino
•  A parka or insulated jacket to go over the top of your base layers. Jackets with a layer of duck down or synthetic insulation are especially good at holding in heat
• Snow and wind protection jacket – a quality ski jacket or windbreaker is a must when heading out into the tundra. A good jacket places a shield between you and the bone-chilling winds that often sweep across the Arctic 
• Warm boots – unless your feet are warm and snug, the rest of your body is going to be cold! Ideally, you’ll want at least one pair of sturdy winter hiking shoes or snow boots, ideally with a waterproof or fleece lining. It’s also a good idea to buy one size up when it comes to winter boots, so you’ve got plenty of room to squeeze a pair of thick woollen socks inside.
• Gloves, winter hat or balaclava/face mask, hat and sunglasses – Believe us, you don’t want exposed fingers in -15°C weather. Particularly for photographers, ski gloves with removable layers are great for when you need a bit of extra dexterity. You’ll want a warm beanie as a bare minimum for keeping your head warm. An insulated winter hat with ear flaps is even better, and many have detachable full-face masks to prevent windchill drying the skin around your lips and nose.

Glare from the sun reflecting off the snow is less of an issue in winter, but it can still catch you off guard – it’s annoying and best and damaging to your eyes at worst, so bring a pair of polarised sunglasses along.

Spend as many days hunt as you can hunting for Northern lights in Russia

Like any natural phenomenon, the Northern Lights are subject to the unpredictable whims of nature. Sometimes you can show up on clearest, coldest night imaginable, but without sufficient solar flare activity, the Aurora will refuse to perform. To boost your chances of catching the elusive Aurora, you’ll want to devote at least several days to tracking flares of flashing light across the tundra. We recommend staying on the tour for 4-5 days to maximise your chances.

The Northern Lights most commonly appear between 5pm and 2am. On a Northern Lights tour, it’s usually only in the evening that the group will head out to hunt for the Borealis. During the day, you’ll be kept entertained with other snow activities while you wait for the darkest part of the night to fall, such as:

• dog-sledding
• snowmobiling
• ice fishing
• road trips to the remote areas
• skiing and more

Check the Aurora Forecast online

Or don’t. For some, experiencing the Aurora without the foresight of forecasts and predictions adds to its mythical, untamed appeal. Using current solar wind conditions, the US-based Space Weather Prediction Centre has created and mapped out an Aurora forecasting model online that predicts the location and intensity of the Northern and Southern Auroras.

At the moment, the forecasts are only accurate to within about 30 minutes, however, they can hint at what the Aurora activity might be like a day or two either end. In fact, the SWPC has just developed a three-day Aurora forecasting system, which is available on their website as a trial. 

Tips for photographers

In order to get stunning pictures of northern lights, you will need a tripod, a wide-angle lens, high ISO, manual focus (extreme values), a long shutter speed, a charged camera battery, patience and warm clothes. You must have a camera that can shoot at long exposures and that has an automatic shutter release function with the ability to set the time of the self-timer. The camera must be kept in a heat-insulated camera bag or under clothing. You will also need a tripod – it will be difficult to achieve the desired result without it, because the movement of the camera during shooting will cause the photographs to be blurred. Finally, be sure to take the following with you: a thermos, boots and a great desire, because not everyone will agree to freeze in the cold night, and the night sky and frost do not care that you came to see a true masterpiece.

When you arrive at the photo shooting location, look around, adjust the tripod, and try to set the optical exposure in advance, especially if, by chance, the city lights are going to get in the way. The shutter should be rather long, because the Northern lights are not very bright, but do not forget that the night-time should be seen in the photo. If possible, increase the sensitivity, but be careful – you don’t want the noises to mess up your efforts. Do not forget to set the time of the shutter button, for example, every 2 seconds.

As soon as you notice the flaming aurora, take your camera out, set it on a tripod, point it at an infinite distance, remove the lens cap (if any), then direct it towards the aurora and shoot with the adjusted settings. By the way, you should change the latter during shooting, because the aurora will probably make you adjust the exposure setting (close the aperture by a half or whole level, lower the sensitivity matrix or reduce exposure). Make sure that your hands are nowhere near the object-lens, otherwise they will fog up and the photo session will end because the moisture condensation will freeze immediately and you won’t be able to get rid of it until the object lenses become room temperature.

Ditch the camera once in a while and remember to take it all in  

Everyone wants to come home with hundreds of mind-blowing photos and it’s hard to get any more show-off worthy than a perfectly timed image of the Northern Lights illuminating the glinting ice of the tundra. Whether you’re a total novice or a long-time pro, chances are when the lights do appear, they’ll be accompanied by the sound of camera shutters clicking every few seconds.

The first people in the Arctic looked up at the Northern Lights with extreme reverence, associating its mystical glow with gods, ghosts and spiritual realms beyond our own. Photographing the Lights is enjoyable, yet extremely demanding of one’s attention. It’s important to put the camera down once in a while and just enjoy the show. Your time is limited, so rather than endlessly fussing over camera settings, give yourself the chance to stop, take it all in experience the same sense of spiritual awe that has captivated humankind for countless generations.

The post Northern Lights in Russia – The Travel Guide appeared first on Russia Tours.

As the world gets smaller, there’s a desire to go further – and there are just a few places as enchantingly far away as Yamal. One of the last refuges of Russia’s nomadic reindeer herders, it is so far north that most of it is located beyond the Arctic Circle.

‘Yamal’ means ‘edge of the world’ in the language of the indigenous Nenets people. Here, the Nenets carve out a unique way of life, seemingly at the limits of human tolerance.

Why visit Yamal

The Nenets – the world’s last nomadic reindeer herders

Centuries ago, hundreds of nomadic tribes roamed vast areas of the planet, but today, nomadic culture is rapidly dying out. Because the local nomads – Nenets (also known as Samoyed) have remained isolated from the modern world in one of the most inhospitable environments on earth, they remain among the last ethnic groups to still practice a completely nomadic way of life.

With a population of over 41,000, the Nenets are one of the largest indigenous groups in Northern Siberia, with the majority living in Yamal. For most of their existence, all the Nenets practiced a nomadic way of life. By herding reindeer and migrating twice a year to warmer pastures within their territory, the Nenets adapted to survive the harsh conditions and freezing temperatures above the Arctic Circle. The reindeer-herding Nenets are famed for having the longest migration routes on earth, relying entirely on wooden sledges for transport over the heavy snow and frozen rivers of the Arctic.

Nenets religion and beliefs

The traditional religious conceptions and customs of the Nenets fall within the general definition of Siberian shamanism. The shamans, of whom there were several categories, were the principal mediators between humans and spirits. The latter used to be represented by anthropomorphic wooden idols, of which great numbers were assembled in the sacred places of the Nenets.

As the Russians moved into Siberia and other remote parts of Russia, indigenous people were forced off their land and they began encroaching on Nenet land. During the 1930s, Nenet spiritual leaders and shamans were exiled. After the Russian Revolution, the Nenets culture suffered due to the Soviet collectivization policy. The government of the Soviet Union tried to force the nomadic Samoyeds to settle down permanently. They were forced to settle in villages and their children were educated in state boarding schools, which resulted in the erosion of their cultural identity. Many, especially in Yamal lost their mother tongue and became assimilated.

During the last few centuries the traditional religious conceptions came to be mixed with elements of Christian origin, and figures from the Orthodox pantheon, notably Nikolai Chudotvorets, or Mikulay in Nenets, were adopted as patrons. Officially, Christianity reached only the western Tundra Nenets, whereas some of the eastern groups preserved shamanism until the Stalin period. Today the shamanist worldview seems to have largely vanished in favor of the official materialistic ideology.

The Nenets are reluctant to talk to outsiders about their spiritual beliefs. They are not afraid of mixing with the modern world. They use radios, TVs, and reject what they don’t feel the need. Nenet children are still required to attend Russian-language schools.

Nenets culture

For the Nenets, the reindeer, one of the few animal species with the ability to survive the sometimes brutal, blizzard-blown conditions of far northern Siberia, is everything. Reindeers are used for transport, clothing, building, milk, meat, blood and fat. As one of the few food sources available, the Nenets rely on reindeer meat for subsistence throughout the year. Freshly butchered deer are usually eaten raw, and the Nenets are also partial to drinking the blood – although for guests, partaking in this practice is optional!

The Nenets wear clothing made of reindeer fur, sewn together using reindeer sinew, and live in conical tents made of reindeer bone and hides, known as chums.  

The Nenets diet contains mainly of bread and reindeer meat. When freshly slaughtered, reindeer are typically served raw and still warm (including the fresh blood, a nutritious drink). Otherwise, the meat is frozen for year-round safekeeping. The Nenets supplement their diet with other protein sources when available such as white salmon and other fish. During summer months, they also gather cranberries or other forest fruit for making tea.

While the Nenets struggle to keep their culture alive against the mounting pressure of climate change and industrialisation, outside interest in culturally respectful, eco-tourism provides a glimmer of hope that the last of the world’s nomadic reindeer herders can hold on to their traditional way of life into the next few generations.  

“These are indeed people who live in a totally different dimension.” – Russian archeologist Andrei Golovnev told National Geographic. “They do not want to be the same as everyone else. They just want to be who they are.

Homestay with Nenets

There’s really only one reason foreign tourists brave the lengthy travel times and intimidating climactic conditions that await them in Yamal: they have come to observe and participate in a way of life that has, against the odds, remained relatively unchanged for around 2,000 years.

With no hotels, no stores, no modern communication and very few places to find shelter from the elements, the only way to visit Yamal’s Arctic region and Polar Ural Mountains is to stay with the Nenets in their nomad camps. The whole idea behind a homestay with the Nenets is to immerse yourself in their daily lives, culture and customs. Generally, you’ll be sharing a chum with a host family, giving you the chance to bond with your hosts and enjoy more opportunities to exchange experiences and ideas. During your stay, the locals will go about their daily lives, but will invite visitors to watch or lend a helping hand, as long as you’re physically able and comfortable with the task at hand. Who knows, you might find you have a special talent for lassoing reindeer, chum building or sledge assembly!

You’ll also have the chance to involve yourself in the preparations for making new campsites, sledding into the forest to cut trees for firewood, collecting ice or snow for water, sewing fur clothing and other activities essential for survival, relaxation and social bonding within the community. While the Nenets are extremely hard workers, many are often eager to socialise with their temporary guests, and it’s common for Nenets to sit together and converse around the open fire after dinner.

Experience the reindeer migration with the Nenets

The few visitors who do make it to the isolated Yamal, generally come to experience and participate in the Nenets annual reindeer migration events. The migration to and from Yamal’s summer pastures is carried out each year by the indigenous Nenets, traveling across ancient migration routes in the tundra as they have for thousands of years.

Accompanied by herds up to 10,000 strong, twice a year, the Nenets complete the world’s longest nomadic migration. Before winter temperatures in the Yamal Peninsula can plummet to an unfathomable -50°C, the Nenets must move their reindeer further south to the moss on lichen pastures in the southern taiga.

Every Spring, the Nenets then shift their enormous herds north to summer grazing grounds in the Arctic Circle. This massive journey (which even seasoned travel photographers and adventure travellers often describe as one of the most spectacular experiences of their lives), usually starts in mid-March through to mid-April. During this period, temperatures are still freezing, as part of the journey for some groups of Nenets involves crossing a wide expanse of the frozen Ob River, or moving to the Polar Mural Mountains.

The Spring reindeer migration sees thousands of reindeer and their herders travelling anywhere between 250km to 1,000km along the Yamal Peninsula to the Kara Sea, covering around 25km per day.

The Autumn migration starts near the end of September and runs through to mid-October. During this time, it’s possible to see vivid patches of greenery and wildflowers as the seasons change – these months are slightly warmer than the Spring migration. Depending on the weather, the nomad camps can be shifted almost every day, or a couple of days per week. In favourable conditions, the Nenets may spend several days or weeks in one place, repairing sledges and chum coverings before moving on.

Migration involves the chums being taken down and packed on to hand-made, wooden, reindeer-drawn sledges, along with all their possessions. The reindeer herd are then collected and harnessed to the sledges. The entire camp is then transferred by sledge, moving anywhere between 3 to 60km to a new spot for re-establishing the chums. A single move can take between 12 and 24 hours.

If you join a migration tour, keep in mind that during the migration, you’ll be outside the entire time, with no protection from the elements other than your clothing.

Joining a reindeer migration is about as far from a mainstream holiday as you can get, but for inquisitive, intrepid and physically fit adventure travellers, the chance to experience the nomadic lives of the Siberian people is an unforgettable, once in a lifetime event.

See below some common Reindeer migration routes:

The Reindeer Herders Festival

If you don’t wish to join the Nenets on their annual migration trips, we’d have to say the best time of the year to visit Yamal is during the end of March through to early April. This is the time when the nomadic Nenets from across the Yamal Peninsula travel in their family groups to celebrate the one-day Reindeer Herder’s Festival. Held annually in different cities and villages of Yamal, the festival usually takes place on the last Saturday of March (in Salekhard) and the 1^st Saturday of April (in Aksarka village).

For the Nenets people, a festival day is a major event. Herders from all over the tundra bring their families to town to sell their crafts and other wares, meet with friends and compete in rough-and-tumble contents of physical skill. Events held on the day include reindeer wrangling, sledge races, axe throwing and tug-of-war. Wandering the festival grounds, you’ll be able to pop inside the specially erected chums and taste unique Arctic delicacies such as stroganina (cloudberry jam). The Nenets women cut striking figures against the pure white snow, dressed in their brightly coloured traditional outfits.

The Reindeer Herder’s Festival has also become an event in which the Nenets are able to share with the world a fascinating slice of their unique culture. On a Yamal tour during the festival season, you’ll also have the chance to stay with a Nenets family far from the city, giving you an amazing opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the nomadic way of life. With a bit of luck, at this time of year, you might even get to witness the Northern Lights streaking across the pristine polar sky.

An opportunity to experience the Northern Lights in Yamal

With most of Yamal sitting above the Arctic Circle, the region is one of the best destinations in Russia to observe the fantastic spectacle of the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights.

The Aurora Borealis is usually observed during winter, most commonly between September and May, and best of all in January and February. The prime season for catching this spectacular celestial light show is the New Moon in February, when the Aurora is commonly sighted for around two weeks straight.

February, deep winter in Yamal, is one of the few months the Nenets don’t migrate. On the other hand, it can be a great time to experience a more relaxed homestay with the Nenets, as long as you can withstand the extreme cold!

When to visit Yamal

So basically, the best time to visit Yamal is spring, starting from the end of March till May. During this time, while you still see the Russian Arctic in her winter beauty and the Nenets will be wearing their traditional winter clothes, the weather is not that cold and the daylight is much longer than in winter. Also, the Reindeer Herders Festival takes place at the end of March and the migration starts in mid-April.

With almost the entirety of its territory above the Arctic Circle, Yamal is completely ice-bound for seven to nine months of the year. In deepest winter, darkness shrouds the peninsula, snow piles up metres high and on the very coldest days see the temperature plummet to below – 50°C. The coldest months are January and February when the average temperature lies between -24°C and -28°C. For much of the short summer season, the sun never dips below the horizon, lighting up the vast tundra and muskeg landscape 24 hours a day. The warmest months of the year are July and August, with average temperatures around 5°C on the Arctic Ocean coast of the Kara Sea, up to 10°C in the Yenisei Gulf.

Temps and daylight hours in Yamal

Getting there and around

Nearly all tour groups and independent travellers begin their journey deeper into the Yamal region from Salekhard, the capital of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region.

Salekhard is the only city in the world, located directly on the Arctic Circle. As you might imagine, residents aren’t exactly your everyday small townsfolk, and the city comes across as simultaneously tough and quirky. Russian settlers founded the town on the banks of the Ob River in 1595. It became a popular place for exiling dissidents during the Tsarists and Soviet periods. These days, Salekhard is a thriving, surprisingly prosperous town. In fact, it’s one of the most affluent in the entire Arctic region, thanks to the discovery of nearby oil and gas reserves. For visitors, Salekhard is an interesting place to spend a day or so.

Attractions include:

• Shemanovskiy Yamal-Nenets District Museum and Exhibition Complex. Compact well-organised and surprisingly engaging, this museum focuses on the anthropological and natural history of Yamal and makes a great primer before diving deeper into the Nenets culture. The most interesting exhibits relate to the relatively recent local discovery of woolly mammoth remains. The highlight is “Baby Lyuba” the mummified body of a mammoth calf which is almost completely intact, despite being approximately 42,000 years old.
• Odorsky Burg (Master’s Town).A short walk from the city centre is this small historical replica village. The collection of wooden farmhouses and religious buildings represent how the town might have looked after it was settled by the Cossacks in the 16^th century.
• Polar Circle Monument. Roughly half of Salekhard lies north of the Arctic Circle. A shiny modern monument marks the Polar Circle’s exact latitudinal line. Worth stopping by for a ‘geography selfie’.
• Mammoth Monument. A large sculpture of a woolly mammoth stands on the shores of the Ob, close to where several mammoth finds have been uncovered. There’s not much else to look at but getting there requires crossing an impressive frozen bridge over the icy Ob River.

By air from Moscow or St Petersburg

By far the easiest way to reach Yamal is by air. Yamal Airlines flies once per day between Moscow, St Petersburg and Salekhard, and the flight time is just under three hours and costs about US $150 one way.

By train from Moscow

If you are planning to arrive to Yamal y train, your final stop will be Labytnangi, which be reached via two to two and a half-day train trip from Moscow. From here, you will need to get to Salekhard by car, over the frozen ice of the Ob River. In the summer, the two towns are connected by a ferry route.

Note that some parts of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region may require a special Border Zone permit for outsiders to be granted access. Your tour agency will advise you in advance if you need to apply for this permit for your particular trip. If your tour requires this permit, it must be arranged 2 months in advance.

Eating and sleeping in Yamal

Food and accommodation in Salekhard

As the prosperous polar city of Salekhard slowly begins to receive more outside visitors, the options for accommodation in town are slowly on the increase. Don’t come to Salekhard expecting luxury – however, there is a reasonable choice of two and three-star tourist guesthouses and business hotels located in the centre of town. Salekhard has quite a decent selection of restaurants and cafes serving Russian, international and traditional Yamal cuisine. Breakfasts are typically included with your hotel stay, while meals run at approximately 1,300 RUB (US $20) for lunch and about 2,000 RUB (US $30) for dinner.

Beyond Salekhard

Once you move beyond Salekhard, deeper into the tundra and the territory of the nomadic Nenets, you’ll be sleeping in the reindeer camps inside the chums, generally sharing a chum with a host family. The chums are cosily warm even during the harshest winters, heated by an open stove and the heat kept in by a covering of thick reindeer hide.

On some group tours, a private chum for the group may be a possibility for those not wishing to stay with a Nenets family. The Nenets however, are sociable and curious and generally happy to talk to visitors and exchange experiences and ideas after a long day maintaining the camp.

Meals and eating customs in the Nenets camp

Once at camp, visitors usually subsist on the typical nomadic diet, mostly made up of preserved meat, fish, bread, jam, condensed milk, biscuits and tea. Soup, rice, pasta, noodles and other packaged foods are usually also provided or can be purchased beforehand in Salekhard.

While Nenets mostly eat reindeer meat raw, you certainly won’t be expected to do the same. As long as you show respect for their customs, you can choose whether to partake or not. It should be remembered that this is intended to be a culturally immersive experience, with everything that entails.

Tour packages in Yamal Peninsula

Due to the extreme remoteness of the Yamal Peninsula, and the logistical and communication challenges involved in organising a homestay with the Nenets, we strongly advise that visitors travel to Yamal on an organised tour. Your tour organisers will arrange your stay with one of the Nenets groups open to receiving visitors. They should also arm you with all the information you’ll need to prepare for a trip to one of the coldest and least-visited populated regions on the planet.

56^th Parallel offers a number of culturally immersive tours to the Yamal Peninsula during the key periods of the spring and autumn reindeer migrations, and the annual Reindeer Herder’s Festival. We also offer a winter photography tour (outside the migration season) offering a homestay with the Nenets and exceptional conditions for hunting the Northern Lights over the tundra over the star-strewn Arctic winter sky. 

All photos used in the article belongs to Russian photographers ©Kirill Uyutnov and Katerina Vasyagina.

The post Yamal Travel Guide – the Land of Nomadic Nenets appeared first on Russia Tours.

Strolling the historic streets, you’ll find yourself constantly in awe of the grand architecture awaiting you at every turn. All that sightseeing can really work you up an appetite, which is why we’ve compiled a list of the best restaurants, cafes and fast food joints near Moscow’s most famous landmarks. You might have heard about the rich Russian food culture, so some of these places are where you can experience it!

While we’ve focused mainly on restaurants serving Russian cuisine (from fine dining through to budget snacks), there’s a Moscow eatery out there to cater to almost every craving, so we’ve included a few international options for you as well.

Priyatnogo appetita. That’s Russian for bon appétit!

Restaurants near State Historical Museum

Café Yulina Kukhnya

Cafe / Russian and European

Right next to the State Historical Museum is Café Yulina Kukhnya, a homey and friendly café owned by Russian actress and cooking show presenter Julia Vyotskaya. Here you can taste Julia’s recipes which reflect her modern, home-style take on traditional Russian cuisine and global culinary trends, all made with local seasonal products.

Emulating a rustic home kitchen, you’ll see shelves and cabinets displaying plates, teapots, bottles of wines and Julia’s recipe books against the walls with copper pots and hanging from the ceiling.

The menu features Russian family favourites such as beef Stroganoff in brioche with mashed potatoes, beef borsch with rye bread toast and Russian salad with salmon, spinach sauce and red caviar. You can also find dishes inspired by other countries such as a salad with minty bulgur and salted salmon, smoked chicken salad with tzatziki sauce, lasagne with chicken and mushrooms and many more.

Price Range: Mains approx. 550 – 1,300 RUB
Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00am – 10:00pm 
Address: 69 Bolshaya Gruzinskaya St
Nearest Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad, Teatralnaya, Ploschad Revolutsii
Trip Advisor
Contact: +7 495 789 92 50

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Brusnika

Cafe / Russian and European

A few minutes’ walk from the State Historical Museum, you will find Brusnika, a fast service cafe where you can grab a quick bite to go, or sit down to a delicious, wallet-friendly meal. Named after the brusnika berry, which is found throughout Russian boreal forest, the interior design of the café is modern and stylish with a touch of forest inspired aesthetics. The sweet and sour brusnika berry is rich with nutrients and vitamins, reflecting the cafe’s values of fresh, delicious and healthy eating.

Brusnika is a Moscow take on the American fast food/diner format. It’s quick, it’s tasty and amazingly, it offers over 230 dishes, including authentic Russian cuisine as well as other traditional European food, which are freshly made every day. Their shelves are packed with take-home goods, from salads, hot dishes, side dishes, soups and sandwiches to cakes, biscuits, pies, pastries and bakeries.  

Price Range: 250 – 300 RUB
Hours: Sunday to Saturday 8:00am – 11:00 pm
Address: 1/12 Bolshoi Kislovskiy Ln
Nearest Metro Station: Arbatskaya or Aleksandrovsky Sad
Facebook
Contact: +7 495 626 22 31

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Restaurants Near Kremlin Walls and Tower

Grand Café Dr. Zhivago

Café and fine dining restaurant  / Russian

Dr. Zhivago is just a block away from the Kremlin Walls and a short walk from the Red Square. Carrying the name of the iconic romance novel, the restaurant strives to create its own intriguing storyline by pushing the boundaries between old-style Russian cooking and contemporary reinvention.

Inspired by the novel’s imagery, the restaurant is overflowing with extravagant decor with a distinctly Soviet touch. The exquisite architectural details are illuminated by the natural light pouring from the floor-to-ceiling windows, facing towards the Kremlin walls. The bold and creative use of red and white accentuates every detail of the restaurant including the glassware, red chairs and beautiful hanging red light fixtures. The menu serves traditional Russian dishes with a modern twist including solynanka (Russian soup) with fish or meat, Moscow style borsch and beef stroganoff. They have an impressive vodka collection on display, as well as an exceptionally well stocked bar. If you’re planning to order high end vodka and caviar, be prepared to spend a fair bit more than what our price guide below suggests!

Dr. Zhivago does have a dress code, singling out “sports clothes” and “beach clothes” as no-nos. The restaurant is an extremely busy during breakfast in the weekends so if you’re planning to come here on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday morning make you place a reservation at least two weeks in advance.

Price Range: 1500 – 2500 RUB
Hours: Open 24 hours
Address: 15/1 Mokhovaya St
Nearest Metro Station: Okhotny Raid
Website: drzhivago.ru
Contact: +7 499 922 01 00

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Korchma Taras Bulba

Restaurant / Russian and Ukrainian

Immerse yourself in an authentic Ukrainian dining experience at Kormcha Tara Bulba. Everything from the decor, the waiters wearing traditional Ukrainian outfits, the live folk music and the traditional Ukrainian food work together to create a warm and comforting atmosphere. The entrance is filled with beautiful flowers and walls draped with vines, making a perfect spot to snap a photo for Instagram. The floral theme follows into the dining room, with flowers painted along the walls alongside colourful artworks and paintings.

The menu offers a variety of traditional homestyle dishes. Try their okroshak with kvas, a cold summer soup made with fresh seasonal ingredients and Russian rye bread. If you’re looking for something to warm and hearty, try their excellent chicken Kiev, made with chicken fillet coated in eggs and breadcrumbs with a garlic and parsley butter filling.

Price Range: 200 – 800 RUB per person
Hours: Monday to Sunday 9:00am – 12:00am
Address: 8 Mokhovaya St
Nearest Metro Station: Biblioteka Imeni Lenina
Website: tarasbulba.ru Facebook
Contact: +7 985 644 85 44

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Restaurants Near Tretyakov Gallery

Restaurant Bratya Tretyakovy

Fine dining restaurant / Russian and European

After touring the Tretyakov Gallery, take yourself to Brataya Tretyakovy, a traditional Russian restaurant known for its modern interpretation of classic recipes. Located in the Tretyakov mansion, you can dine in three different halls.

Each dining hall has its own aesthetic and unique atmosphere. In the brightly lit Grand Hall, you will find plush sofa seatings with the walls decorated with detailed Russian patterns and high vaulted ceilings. This theme flows through into the adjacent Small Hall where you first enter the restaurant. On the floor below is the Blue Banquet hall, styled as a noble estate, with a predominance of white, gold and blue making adding to its opulence and making it perfect as a luxurious, romantic dinner venue.   

The kitchen excels at superbly cooked dishes gleaned from traditional Russian recipes such as borsht with pampushkas, Russian pancakes with caviar and pelmeni and vareniki dumplings. The restaurant takes special pride in their patisserie, who perfect classic desserts such as tiramisu, crème brulee, blueberry cheesecake and many more.

Price Range: 1000 – 1500 RUB
Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00am – 11:00pm
Address: 10 Lavrushinsky Ln
Nearest Metro Station: Tretyakovskaya
Website: tretyakovs.ru Facebook
Contact: +7 495 951 33 45

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Vai Me!

Fast Food / Georgian

If you’re looking for a place that offers quick, cost-effective and flavoursome meals and snacks near Tretyakov Gallery, check out Vai Me!, a Georgian cafe chain with a fast-casual dining style. It has a self-service format with buzzers to let you know when your food is ready, so you don’t need to wait for your food at the checkout.

Despite the low prices, there are a variety of amazingly authentic Georgian dishes on offer. Muscovites love Georgian cuisine, and here they serve Moscow favourites like khinkali (Georgian dumplings), khachapuri (cheese-filled bread) and satsivi (chicken in walnut sauce).

Price Range: 150 – 300 RUB
Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00am – 11:00pm
Address: 8 Pyatniskiy St, Section 1
Nearest Metro Station: Novokuznetskaya
Website: vaimecafe.com
Contact: +7 499 646 02 20

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Restaurants Near St Basil’s Cathedral

Stolovaya 57

Cafe / Russian and European

Just a two-minute walk from Russia’s most iconic tourist site is this Soviet-style cafeteria. Here you can feel and taste the authentic Soviet nostalgia where, just like the old times, you take your tray and line up to choose whichever traditional Russian dish to try. While it’s located in the midst of the luxury designer stores and boutiques of GUM, the prices here are more than compatible with the budget conscious.

Try selyodka pod shuboy, which literally translates to “herring under a fur coat”. It’s a classic Russian dish which consists of layered potato, herring, carrots, beets and a generous amount of mayonnaise and grated egg. They also serve meat cutlets, beef stroganoff and Oliver salad, among other Russian favourites.

While queue may seem long and intimidating during peak hours, swift service ensures the line moves quickly.

Price Range: 200 – 500 RUB per person
Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00am – 10:00pm
Address: GUM store, Red Square
Nearest Metro Station: Ploschad Revolyutsii
Contact: +7 495 788 43 43

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Farsh

Fast Food / Burgers

If you’re seeking to satisfy your burger cravings after visiting St Basil’s Cathedral, head on over to Farsh, a burger chain that serves exceptionally tasty burgers at affordable prices. The secret to their burgers is the quality of their ingredients. They use black Angus marbled beef from the Bryansk region, and they make their own soft and tender buns.

The interior of the restaurant features dark, trendy tones matched with bright red seats. They also have an open kitchen where you can watch in anticipation as the burger patties sizzling away on the grill top.

Price Range: burgers 300 – 630 RUB
Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00 pm – 12:00am
Address: 12 Nikolskaya St
Nearest Metro Station: Lubyanka
Website: farshburger.ru
Contact: + 7 495 258 42 05

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Restaurants near Gorky Park

Garage Café

Cafe/Fine Dining / European and Asian Cuisine

Artful cuisine and striking visual art coexist in this laidback yet sophisticated space inside the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art. Facing the landscaped greenery of Gorky Park, Garage Cafe is cosy and atmospheric, with light pouring in from large glass windows. If you’re visiting during the warmer seasons, try to get a table on their outdoor terrace, with comfortable seating and premium views over the beautiful scenery of Moscow’s largest expanse of green space.

The kitchen crew are creative with their dishes, working from a menu that showcases their own unique interpretations of classic European and Asian dishes. Quality ingredients are a given, with a menu that changes to reflect the best local produce of the season. Expect warming, hearty dishes and a range of hot beverages in winter, and light, fresh meals and cooling fresh juices over summer.

Price Range: 400 – 1000 RUB per person
Hours: Monday to Sunday 11:00am – 10:00pm
Address: 9/32 Krymskiy Val
Nearest Metro Station: Oktabrskaya
Website: garagemca.org
Contact: +7 495 645 05 22

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Ostrovok

Cafe / Fine dining restaurant / European

Sitting right next to the Golitsyn Pond within the grounds of Gorky Park, this cafe is a great place to sit and relax, away from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. The interior design is simple and clean, with dark wooden desks, chairs and floor contrasting against the white wooden walls and ceiling.

Their summer menu features a juicy fried pork neck, marbled beef steak, salmon steak and sea bass cooked on an open fire. They also have a variety of refreshments to keep you cool after a long, pleasant walk through the park.

Price Range: 600 – 850 RUB per person
Hours: Monday to Sunday 12:00pm – 11:00pm
Address: 9, Krymskiy Val, Park Gorkogo
Nearest Metro Station: Oktakrskaya
Website: cafe-ostrovok.ru Facebook
Contact: +7 495 783 04 06

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Restaurants Near Cathedral of Christ The Saviour

Kukhmisterskaya Professora Pufa

Cafe / Russian

Just a few minutes’ walk from the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, you will find this cosy little gem. The interior design of the cafe is simple and trendy with an interesting collection of mechanical parts framed with glass in the wall.

Their menu features traditional Russian cuisine with a contemporary approach. Here you will find classic beef borsht made with fresh natural ingredients and lapsha (Russian noodle soup) to warm you up during cold weather as well as pelmeni, beef Stroganoff and much more. Many diners praise their breads including bukhanets and lamot.

Price Range: 300 – 700 RUB
Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00am – 10:00pm
Address: 9/1 Volkhonka St
Nearest Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya
Website: professorpuf.ru
Contact: +7 916 054 43 05

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Pelmeni

Mid-range restaurant / Russian

A firm favourite across Russia, pelmeni dumplings consist of a variety of delicious fillings wrapped in thin unleavened dough. Specialising in this Russian staple, Pelmeni serves handmade dumplings with a wide choice of fillings including Yakut style with pork, egg, cream and onion, Siberian style with pork and beef and Georgian style with pork and beef. They take pride in using natural products in throughout their extensive menu.

This restaurant also has a large selection of dessert for you to choose from including homemade currant cheesecake, Prague cake, apple strudel with ice cream and medovik (Russian honey cake.)

Price Range: 300- 700 RUB per person
Hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00am-11:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am – 10:00pm
Address: 6/7 Lenivka
Nearest Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya
Contact: +7 495 697 60 76

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Restaurants Near Arbat Street

Varenichnaya No.1

Budget restaurant / Russian

As you walk down the cobblestone roads and admire the elegant classical statues of Arbat Street, Mosco’s most popular tourist site, step into this restaurant where you meet traditional Russian gastronomy. Varenichnaya No.1 is a chain serving authentic Russian cuisine such as the typical chicken a la Kiev, vareniki (dumplings fried in butter) and lighter pelmeni meat and vegetable dumplings with variety of filling ingredients.

The restaurant emulates the Soviet times with antique furniture pieces, wooden bookshelves lined with vintage volumes, and retro TVs and radios. The waitresses are dressed in Soviet style, while music from the era plays in the background, perfectly completing the nostalgic, slightly quirky experience that’s made Varenichnaya one of Moscow’s best-known eateries among both locals and tourists.

Price Range: 200 – 500 RUB per person
Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00am -12:00am
Address: 29 Arbat St
Nearest Metro Station: Smolenskaya
Website: varenichnaya.ru
Contact: +7 299 241 12 11

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Pirosmani

Mid-range restaurant / Georgian

Promising authentically enjoyable Georgian food, Pirosmani is located in the bustling heart of Arbat Street. The restaurant buys ingredients and products every morning to ensure its meals are packed with flavour and freshness. The interiors are simple with subtle Georgian touches in the decor and artwork hanging from the walls.

The menu serves traditional pkhali (a dish of chopped and minced vegetables with ground walnuts and herbs), satsivi (turkey and chicken put into walnut sauce) and lobio (a dish made with various kinds of beans as well as coriander, walnuts, garlic and onion). Combine these authentic Georgian dishes with a cosy and relaxed atmosphere, and you have a great spot to enjoy lunch or dinner with family and friends.

Price Range: 400 – 700 RUB per person
Hours: Monday to Sunday 12:00pm – 12:00am
Address: 25 Arbat St
Nearest Metro Station:  Arbatskaya
Contact: + 7 495 697 12 70

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Restaurants Near Bolshoi Theatre

Ketch Up

Cafe/mid-range restaurant / International

Just a street behind Bolshoi Theatre is this cosmopolitan urban cafe featuring hints of industrial aesthetic thanks to exposed brickwork and worn-down pillars. Many young locals love the atmosphere, making it a trendy brunch or lunch spot during the day and place to enjoy the ambience of a trendy yet unpretentious bar at night.

Here you will find various burgers such as the Mexican burger with guacamole, tomato salsa and jalapenos and the Italian burger with mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes and olives, as well as their own signature Ketch Up burger. For a more substantial dinner meal, you can enjoy pork ribs, duck pastrami, Eastern squid with sautéed vegetables or their picanha steak mignon.

Price Range: 600 – 1000 RUB approx. per person for dinner
Hours: 24 Hours
Address: 6/3 Kuznetskiy Most
Nearest Metro Station: Kuznetsky Most
Website: msk.ketch-up.ru
Contact: +7 499 755 56 65

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Vokrug Sveta

Food Market / International

If you want the option of trying a variety of international cuisines in one spot Vokrug Sveta has your cravings covered. This food market that serves freshly cooked dishes derived from 24 world cuisines, taking you on a gastronomic adventure. Despite being a food court, Vokrug Sveta’s designers were able to create a stylishly contemporary space with a great ambience that draws you into the gourmet experience.

Here you can explore a mix of national cultures, traditional recipes and trendy culinary fusion dishes. Israeli for breakfast, Hawaiian poke for lunch, and at the end the day perhaps, a comforting Russian borsch or chicken Kiev. The combinations and choices are endless. The food is decently priced and served quickly. Simply place an order, take a buzzer and your food will be ready within minutes.

Price Range: 300 – 1000 RUB
Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11:00am – 11:30pm. Friday to Saturday 11:00am – 12:00am
Address: 10 Nikolskaya St
Nearest Metro Station: Teatralnaya, Ploschad Reolyutsii or Lubyanka
Contact: +7 495 967 77 77

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Lepim I Varim

Budget restaurant / Russian

Lepim I Varim is famous for their pelmeni and to prove it, they make over 21,000 pelmeni every day. What’s so special about their pelmeni compared to the hundreds of other dumpling joints in town? Their menu goes further than just the run-of-the-mill meat fillings.

Choices range from the traditional to the totally unexpected. You can get everything from mashed potato, crab, lamb, salmon, beef, mushroom, chicken, cottage cheese and even cherry fillings, each encased in their own differently shaped or coloured dough surround. All their pelmeni are made in house behind a glass window where diners can watch while waiting for theirs. Lepim I Varin’s interior carries a typical hipster aesthetic with a clean, minimalist style that’s become especially appealing to young Muscovites.   

Price Range: 270 – 350 RUB per person
Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00am – 11:00pm
Address: 9/1 Stoleshnikov Ln
Nearest Metro Station: Tverskaya
Contact: +7 985 688 96 06

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Bolshoi

Another of Arkady Novikov’s acclaimed Moscow eateries, Bolshoi Restaurant Moscow is named after the nearby Bolshoi Theatre, showing off suitably lavish décor and royal Russian cuisine. The plush dining room features dark wood tables and velvet and leather upholstered chairs. Live jazz accompanies diners in the evening, adding to this Moscow restaurant’s ambience of upmarket romance.

The kitchen presided over by awarded French chef Kamel Benamar, prepares luxurious Russian delicacies such as potato blinis with salmon and caviar, while more French-European influences come through in the gnocchi with lobster, grilled artichokes and truffle vinaigrette.

Price Range: Approx. 3,000 RUB per person (not including drinks). A prix-fix menu (perfect before a show at the Bolshoi Theatre) is approx. 1,500 RUB
Hours: Monday to Friday 8am – 12am, Saturday and Sunday 12pm – 12am
Address: Petrovka St., House 3/6, Structure 2 | Opposite the Bolshoi Theater
Nearest Metro Station: Teatralnaya or Okhotny Ryad
Website: novikovgroup.ru Facebook
Contact: +7 495 789-86-52

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Restaurants Near VDNH Park

Moskovskoye Nebo

Fine dining restaurant / Classic and contemporary Russian

Within the grounds of VDNKH Park, you will find this modern restaurant with a luxurious neoclassical aesthetic. The first thing that will capture your attention is their gorgeous rotunda with a sculpture of a girl with grapes facing the front of the restaurant.

The restaurant’s interior design draws inspiration from the Stalinist utopian spirit of VDNKH Park itself, without overdoing the Soviet nostalgia.

Their menu features Russian classics with contemporary twist such as borscht with smoked pork and chicken Kiev.

Price Range: 300 – 1000 RUB
Hours: Sunday to Thursday 12:00pm – 10:00 pm. Friday to Saturday 12:00pm -11:00pm
Address: 119 Mira Ave, bld. 422
Nearest Metro Station: VDNH (Ve-De-Yen-Kha)
Website: mosnebo-restoran.ru
Contact: + 7 499 650 00 31

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Ottepel

Mid-range restaurant / European

The monumental colonnades of Ottepel restaurant’s main hall pay tribute to the history of the 1956 VDNKH Park pavilion. With exposed brickwork, vast panoramic windows and reminders of that period preserved in every detail of the interior, Ottepel is a restaurant with a history.  

The menu features sophisticated variations on classic Soviet dishes, including the traditional cabbage soup made with calamari, and a refined take on the classic sosiska v teste (sausages in a pastry blanket) paired with bacon, fried onions and pickles.

Price Range: 500 – 700 RUB per person
Hours: Monday to Sunday 12:00pm to 10:00pm
Address: 119, Mira Ave, Bldg. 311
Nearest Metro Station: VDNH
Website: ottepel-restoran.ru
Contact: +7 499 650 00 28

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Restaurants Near Bersenvskaya Naberezhnaya (Red October District)

Syrovarnya

Mid-range restaurant / Italian

Located in the formerly abandoned Badaevskiy Brewery complex (now a hipster hangout full of restaurants, bars, art galleries and boutique stores), Syrovarnya (“creamery”) is dedicated almost exclusively to cheese lovers. Syrovarnya has its own cheese-making facility on-site, and customers can watch the cheese-making process through a special glass partition. Trained by Italian cheesemakers, Syrovarnya’s staff specialise in eight different varieties, including mozzarella, Stracciatella, ricotta and burrata.

The cuisine is a mixture of Italian and Russian country-style cooking, avoiding anything too flash and allowing the cheese to be the star of most dishes. The oven-baked camembert for example, is perfect in its simplicity. Pizzas are always popular, baked inside a wood-fired oven. Fish and meat dishes are also on the menu, as well as desserts like ricotta tiramisu.

The dining room shows off more than a hint of industrial chic, retaining many of original features from its former factory days. A great spot for socialising, it offers several dishes designed to be shared, including one of Moscow’s yummiest cheese platters.

Price Range: 600 – 1000 RUB per person
Hours: Sunday to Thursday 12:00pm -12:00am. Friday and Saturday 12:00pm to 1:00am
Address: 12 Kutuzovsky Prospekt, Bldg. 1
Nearest Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya
Contact: +7 495 803 24 01

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Baba Marta

Mid-range restaurant / Bulgarian

There aren’t too many restaurants in Moscow serving authentic Bulgarian food, but Baba Marta (“Grandma March”) is about as authentic as it gets. Named after a mythical Bulgarian character whose arrival is said to bring an end to the bitter cold of winter, Baba Marta is a delightfully cosy, rustic space, with an atmospheric basement dining room livened up by colourful, folksy décor and lively traditional Bulgarian music.

The food here remains rooted in tradition, consisting of beloved Bulgarian dishes made with various meats, root vegetables, cheeses and yoghurts. In addition to the meat-heavy dishes are classics like ljutenica, a vegetable relish made with grilled eggplants, sweet pepper, tomatoes, onion and garlic, and bannicai, a flaky, savoury pastry made with feta-like cheese.

Avoid the table wine and go for a bottle of sweet wine from Bulgaria, finishing the meal with a traditional Bulgarian herbal tea.

Price Range: 500 – 900 RUB per person
Hours: Sunday to Thursday 12:00pm – 11:00pm. Friday & Saturday 12:00pm to 2:00am  
Address: 8 Gogolevsky Blvd
Nearest Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya
Website: babamarta.ru
Contact: +7 495 232 92 09

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Restaurants Near Sergiev Posad (Golden Ring)

Russkiy Dvorik

Mid-range restaurant / Russian

Sergiev Posad is a picturesque 15^th century town on the fabled historic Golden Ring route. Just 74km northeast of Moscow, it makes a popular day trip from the city.

In a wooden cottage right across from the majestic Lavra monastery, Russkiy Dvorik attracts its fair share of tour groups, meaning service can be on the slow side during lunch hours. Still, even during peak times, the quirky décor and atmosphere make it worth the wait. The dining room has an endearing, slightly shabby elegance, recalling the faded grandeur of Tsarist Russia. The charmingly old-fashioned décor is complemented by waitstaff in traditional peasant costume.

Despite its popularity with the tourist set, Russkiy Dvorik is a very local experience, helped by a rather extensive menu of classic Russian fare such as vareniki (stuffed dumplings fried in butter) and golubtsi (meat cooked inside cabbage leaves).  There’s an excellent selection of vodka available too – even the house vodka is a decent drop.

Price Range: 500 RUB per person approx.
Hours: Sunday to Thursday 8:00am – 10:30pm. Friday & Saturday 8:00am – 1:00am   
Address:  Krasnoi Armii Ave, 134/2, Sergiev Posad 141300
Website: rus-dvorik.ru
Contact: +7 496 540 51 14

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Gostevaya Izba

Mid-range restaurant / Russian

Just a stone’s throw from the walls of the Lavra monastery, Gostevaya is a quieter alternative to Russkiy Dvorik for those seeking traditional regional Russian cuisine. The restaurant is set in a long, low-ceilinged building with exposed timber beams, carved wooden benches and colourful stained-glass windows. In keeping with the town’s beautifully preserved medieval atmosphere, the staff often dress in costume from the Middle Ages. In fact, the entire place is practically free of any 21^st-century flashiness, making a meal at Gostevaya Izba a delightfully transportive experience.

The menu comprises of a wide range of Russian dishes, many of which are prepared according to ancient monastic recipes. The apple-roasted duck breast with lingonberry is particularly luscious and highlights the time-tested skills of the kitchen staff. The restaurant serves wine and malt lemonade produced in the monastery’s own brewery, as well as unique herbal beverages like fireweed tea. 

Price Range: 300 – 900 RUB per person  
Hours: Sunday to Monday 10:00am – 11:00pm
Address:  1 Aptekarskiy Ln, Sergiev Posad
Contact: +7 496 541 43 43

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For tips on enjoying food in Russia, enjoy this video…

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