Traveling in winter: where to go by car from Moscow?

Winter is a strange time to travel, especially in Russia. The daylight hours are very short, there is dirt all around and an eternally gray sky. In my dreams in winter, I generally want to be somewhere far away, and preferably where it’s warm. Where you can go on weekends or upcoming holidays from Moscow.

Naturally, you can go somewhere on the weekend by train or bus, but traveling by car, according to the editors, is the best (and only) way to travel comfortably during the winter months. Here you have comfort, independence from the schedule, and the opportunity to see places remote from train stations. From the first minutes (okay, after it warms up and you overcome the Moscow traffic jams) the car will become a warm and cozy home, and with the right selection of travel companions, you will generally have fun all the way.

Direction No. 1. Yaroslavl

Yaroslavl is a great city. There is a huge cultural layer, a cozy center with low-rise buildings, as well as a good selection of hotels and bar culture (yes, the entire city center is dotted with small bars and cafes). This destination is perfect for both a family trip and a noisy weekend with friends.

In the morning and afternoon you can explore ancient churches and museums, and in the evening you can simply wander around the city and go to bars and cafes. Mandatory historical program: Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, Governor's House and Yaroslavl History Museum. If the weather is clear, take a walk to the Yaroslavl Strelka. It was from here that the history of the city began, when in 1010 Yaroslav the Wise decided to found Yaroslavl at the confluence of the Kotorosl and the Volga. From here you have a gorgeous view of the city and the water, the main thing is to dress warmly, because a strong wind often blows from the river.

There are many cool and cozy bars and cafes in Yaroslavl. Here's a list of our favorites:

“Baguette, pate and yellow blanket” is suitable for breakfast.

Gavroche is another good place for breakfast, pastries and coffee.

“Horns and Hooves” is one of the most popular restaurants in Yaroslavl. There are always a lot of people here, and the design is questionable, but you can have a good lunch or dinner.

Rocky Pizza - excellent wood-fired Neapolitan pizza.

“Tavern on the Embankment” - if you suddenly want borscht, pies or dumplings with champagne. We wanted it just once.

Yaroslav has a large selection of hotels. There are chain hotels, Soviet monsters, cozy family hotels and modern hostels.

Here is a list of four good local hotels:

“Merchant House” is our favorite. Cozy and beautiful hotel in the very center of the city.

Hotel on the water “Volga Pearl” - the name speaks for itself. Floating hotel overlooking the Volga.

Baccara is a large hotel in Yaroslav, which always has rooms available. Perhaps not the most comfortable, but with spacious rooms and a delicious breakfast.

A huge plus of a trip to Yaroslavl is that there are a lot of attractions along the way. If you leave early in the morning, you can see a lot of interesting things in a day.

What to see along the way

Abramtsevo

Abramtsevo is one of the most famous and beautiful estates in the Moscow region. This place has a fascinating history: Turgenev, Serov, Vasnetsov, Korovin and Vrubel visited and lived there at different times. In winter it is especially beautiful and picturesque here, so we recommend taking a walk along all the paths on the estate. This place is perfect for the first stop on a winter trip - there are not many tourists here in the morning and, most importantly, you can drink coffee to finally wake up.

Sergiev Posad

Sergiev Posad is not only an all-Russian landmark, but also the largest operating monastery with the residence of the patriarch. The flow of tourists and pilgrims here never ends, so be prepared for large numbers of people and crowds at the entrance (especially if you are traveling during religious holidays or fasting). The ensemble of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra is really very beautiful (it’s not for nothing that it is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites). But if you are not at all moved by Orthodox sights, then feel free to skip this stop.

Pereslavl-Zalessky

Another city of the Golden Ring of Russia. We like this place for two things: the huge Pleshcheyevo Lake and cute museums of everything in the world. There is a museum of ingenuity, a museum of iron and a teapot house - don’t let these names confuse you. Be sure to check out at least one. Tickets cost symbolic money, but each exhibition is chosen with such humor that you immediately fall in love with the city, its museums and the people who came up with it all.

If you have time, go to Lake Pleshcheevo. The beautiful and quiet Nikitsky Monastery is located here, and not far from it is a pagan landmark - the blue stone. The places are beautiful and majestic, so we recommend taking a short walk along the shore of the lake - it’s not difficult to do; there are many municipal beaches marked on the maps. By the way, when the lake completely freezes, they begin to ride a winter kite on its surface - an extremely impressive sight!

Direction No. 2. Nikola-Lenivets

Even if you are a regular visitor to Archstoyanie or its more fashionable successor, the Signal festival, do not miss the opportunity to visit Nikola-Lenivets in winter. Snow-covered art objects, slides, walks through the winter forest and evenings by the fireplace - what's not the ideal scenario for a winter holiday? Believe me, in winter there are almost no people here and all objects can be seen from a completely different angle. Don't forget that Nikola-Lenivets operates differently at this time of year, so be sure to check all the information on the park's website.

The main thing is to book your accommodation in advance: in winter there are far fewer options available; We like staying in the Clover cabins best - they are especially cozy in winter. If you are afraid of freezing or are coming with a large group, then feel free to stay at the Kazarma hostel. Moreover, it is at Kazarma that you can order food with delivery from Koltsov.

Houses "Clover" in N-L

On February 17, Maslenitsa was celebrated in Nikola-Lenivets. This year, a giant 30-meter sculpture of Nikolai Polissky was put on fire. In addition, a fair with pancakes and treats was held on the territory of Nikola-Lenivets.

Maslenitsa in N-L

What to see along the way:

Zvenigorod

Even if you are not a fan of visiting monasteries and churches, Zvenigorod is still worth seeing with your own eyes. Firstly, the city is located in a beautiful place - the banks of the Moscow River form steep hills and slopes, on which the city and its main attraction are located. Secondly, this monastery is a real impregnable fortress. You should definitely see the frescoes inside the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary - the monumental painting of the 15th century on the dark arches of the temple looks unusual. And don’t forget to look into the monastery shop - they sell delicious bread and special monastery kvass, which the local monks infuse with raisins.

There are many ancient estates around Zvenigorod: Vvedenskoye, Ershovo and Dunino (the estate of M. M. Prishvin) - they have beautiful territories and nice museums with good-natured workers who are happy to share with you stories about these places.

If you get hungry or just want to have lunch, stop by the Lukovka cafe, which is located in Zvenigorod. Pizza, pasta, desserts - all at reasonable prices and in a nice three-story mansion.

Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery

Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery

Direction No. 3. Suzdal

Another place where we especially like to come in winter is Suzdal. Many people consider this city to be too touristy and promoted for the interests of foreign tourists. To us, on the contrary, it seems to us that this is an excellent example of how small cities with a huge historical heritage can look like in modern Russia (essentially, Suzdal is a huge open-air museum). The tiny city center in winter creates a truly fabulous feeling: the white-stone Kremlin, which rises above the wooden houses of the center, steam from samovars and shops with mead and pies, ruddy people in sheepskin coats - it seems that you have found yourself in the pages of a children's fairy tale about the humpbacked horse. One of the huge advantages of the city is its size; you will only need a car to get to Suzdal itself, everything else can only be done on foot.

It’s best to start your tour by visiting the observation deck at the Spaso-Evfimievsky Monastery - from here you can enjoy a gorgeous view of the city.

On the territory of Suzdal there are as many as five monasteries: Pokrovsky, Rizopolozhensky, Spaso-Evfimiev, Vasilyevsky, Alexandrovsky. They are all beautiful in their own way, don’t waste time and take a walk through each of them while it’s still light. In addition, the city has several museums: the Suzdal Kremlin, the Bishops' Chambers, the Museum of Wooden Architecture and the Museum of Merchant Life. One of our favorite places in Suzdal is the Dymov Ceramics workshop. Here you can not only buy beautiful dishes, but also try yourself as a ceramist. The school's schedule includes many master classes for both children and adults. Well, we believe that there is no better souvenir from a trip than a homemade cup or plate.

Dogs from the Dymov Ceramics store

Of the Suzdal hotels, we especially like the White Beach. It recently opened in November 2017 and continues the cool trend of holiday hotels with cozy rooms, spacious common areas where you can play board games and drink tea. In addition, “White Coast” has an excellent territory, a children’s playroom and its own bathhouse.

"White Beach"

The owner of the hotel, Maria Lapshina, knows Suzdal very well and can always recommend unobvious and cool places. For example, here are some cool ideas from Masha:

In the city center there are ramparts and ditches from the 12th century, which are an architectural monument and are protected by the state. But in winter, this place turns into a huge snow slide - a great way to feel like a child again. You can bring ice cubes and sleds with you or rent them right on the spot.

Swim in the pool. Don't be surprised, but it's really worth doing. On the territory of Nikolsky Posad there is a 25-meter swimming pool. It was built to train Olympians, so everything there is of the highest standard. The water is not chlorinated, purified with silver and copper ions. Don't forget to take a swimsuit and hat from home. Otherwise you will have to buy it at the reception. Slippers and towels are provided when purchasing a visit.

There are a dozen good restaurants and cafes in the city. The cutest ones are "Salmon and Coffee", "Beehive" and "Baker's Nest".

What to see along the way:

Anyone who has read the poem “Moscow - Petushki” knows about this small city with a population of 15 thousand people. It’s worth coming here to walk along the small streets of the city and finally see with your own eyes where Venechka was so eager to go. You can immerse yourself even more in the atmosphere of “Moscow - Petushki” in the Venedikt Erofeev Museum. If you have time, you can take a walk to the Shukhov Tower (yes, that same Shukhov - there are only eight of 200 such towers left in Russia).

Not far from Petushki there is an interesting agricultural tourist complex “Bogdarnya”. In essence, it is a large farm, horse yard and hotel in one. The owners of Bogdarny are John and Nina Kopinski. John is an Englishman of Polish origin who has been actively farming his own farm in the village of Krutovo for 20 years. Be sure to try its cheeses (and take the most delicious ones with you). The assortment includes more than ten varieties of soft and semi-hard cheeses with various additives (Provencal herbs, tomatoes, nuts, peppers). There are also the classics: ricotta, gouda and cheddar. The farm is located in a very beautiful place - in the floodplain of the Klyazma River and the Krutovsky reserve. Therefore, it is best to come here for a few hours, ideally with an overnight stay.

Moscow, the capital of Russia, offers metropolitan entertainment for every taste and budget. In winter, Moscow is elegantly decorated, festive illumination creates a New Year's mood for adults and children, and gives them faith in a fairy tale. The capital has entertainment for any weather. If you are traveling with children, visit wonderful performances for young spectators at the Puppet Theater, Grandfather Durov's Corner (900 rubles ticket for adults and children), Obraztsov Theater (tickets from 800 to 2500 rubles). For adults - their own repertoire at the famous Bolshoi Theater (tickets from 100 rubles to 15 thousand rubles), Moscow Art Theater. A.P. Chekhov (tickets from 2500 TR) and many others. Museums and galleries in the capital are also in a hurry to surprise and delight their viewers with wonderful exhibitions and festivals in winter. You can go with the whole family to an open-air skating rink in Gorky Park (ice ticket from 150 rubles to 250 rubles) or Sokolniki (skates of all sizes are available for rental - 200 rubles, deposit 2000 rubles). In winter, restaurants (average bill from 1,500 rubles) and clubs in Moscow host numerous parties and concerts of various genres and styles. From Moscow you can bring a variety of souvenirs as a gift to your family and friends.

How to get there: Moscow can be reached from all major cities of Russia: by train (1-2 days) or by plane (travel time on average 3-4 hours).

Where to stay: The price range is wide: the cost of a room depends on the hotel category, time of year and area of ​​the city. For example, a night in a hostel or dormitory in the Moscow Ring Road area will cost 200 - 300 rubles per person. You will need to pay 700 rubles for a hostel near the Kursky station. A hotel on the outskirts of the capital will cost 2880 tr, in the very center the prices for a four-star and five-star hotel will be in the range from 6 tr to 18 tr.

You need to have about 10,000 rubles with you for the most budget holiday option. Visiting restaurants, shops, excursions will increase the cost of travel.

Duration: 2-3 days

What to take with you: When traveling in the capital, you need a set of clothes “for all occasions”: a warm hat, jacket and pants, comfortable shoes. For a festive New Year's dinner or going to the theater, if you wish, bring an elegant dress and shoes; for men, a suit. During the trip, you will need documents and certificates confirming your or your family member's right to benefits.

2 days with the capital of Tatarstan - weekend in Kazan

Kazan is beautiful at any time of the year, but in winter it is completely special. The city is elegantly decorated for the New Year and Christmas, there are Christmas trees, festive lights flicker, and outdoor skating rinks are open. Architectural ensembles in winter also look different, different than in summer: the Kazan Kremlin, Raifa Monastery, Kul-Sharif Mosque and other buildings are illuminated and look like in a fairy tale. And how nice it is to go to a cafe after a long walk in the cold and taste national dishes - tokmach noodle soup, pilaf, manti, the famous echpochmak pie, elesh, and it is recommended to wash down lunch with invigorating teas and balms infused with herbs. The average bill in a cafe for one is 500 rubles, in a restaurant from 1000 rubles. You will need cash to buy Tatar souvenirs as gifts for your family and colleagues: sweets, honey, balms, ceramics or Tatar shoes with curved toes.

How to get there: a round-trip ticket from Moscow to Kazan will cost 5-6 thousand rubles, you will spend 1 hour, 40 minutes in flight - you need to cover a distance of 815 kilometers. By train, the journey from the capital of Russia to the capital of Tatarstan will take almost 13 hours. A seat in a reserved seat costs from 1200 rubles, a compartment from 3800 rubles.

Where to stay: The range of prices for hotels in Kazan is very large. For example, a night in a hostel can cost from 300 rubles per person. A night in a 3-star hotel costs from 1000 - 2500 thousand rubles, 4 stars - from 2500 rubles to 4000 thousand, “five” from 3 thousand rubles and above.

Approximate tour cost per person: A 2-day tour per person costs 3,750 rubles. (flight + hotel), a trip for 3 days will cost 3950 rubles.

Duration: 2-3 days.

What to take with you: Winter in Tatarstan can be mild and rainy, but there are also frosts, so take a spare set of warm clothes with you: hat, gloves, scarf. Shoes must be waterproof, with stable soles, and a windproof jacket. During the trip, you will need documents and certificates confirming your or your family member's right to benefits. Take a good camera or video camera with you - the landscapes of Kazan are worth preserving for a long time.

Snow safari on Lakes Onega and Ladoga

The ancient and famous Lake Ladoga (during the Great Patriotic War the Road of Life passed through it) is located on the territory of Karelia and the Leningrad region; it is considered the largest freshwater lake in Europe. The greatest width is 138 km. The depth in different areas of Ladoga can reach from 70 to 230 meters. Lake Onega is the second largest lake in Europe after Ladoga. North-West Russia is filled with endless lakes and fast rivers. The main excursion destinations of the region: Kizhi - Valaam - Solovki - Kivach Waterfall - Marcial Waters - Ruskeala Marble Canyon. It is interesting that winter holidays here can be either active: skiing, hiking, snow safari on ATVs, or secluded in snow-covered forest houses. You will need cash to buy Karelian souvenirs made of shungite or birch as gifts for family and colleagues.

How to get there: if you are traveling to Lake Onega, it will be convenient to get to Petrozavodsk; a one-way air ticket from Moscow per person costs approximately 3,600 - 3,900 rubles. Flight time is 1 hour, 40 minutes, the distance between cities is 728 kilometers. By train, reserved seat - 1600 rubles, compartment - 2600 rubles, SV - 7400 rubles. Travel time - 14 hours. If you have planned a trip to Ladoga, it is more convenient to get to St. Petersburg, 712 kilometers from Moscow. By plane you will arrive in an hour and a half, a one-way ticket starts from 2 thousand rubles.

Where to stay: on Lake Ladoga, if you are traveling on your own, the easiest way is to focus on housing in the private sector closer to the lake, on houses in villages that are rented out by local residents. In Novaya Ladoga, a night in hotels for one costs from 500 to 3000 rubles.

Approximate tour cost per person: A two-day organized tour to Ladoga costs 5,700 rubles. A trip to the New Year (around Ladoga) for 3 days will cost 21,900 rubles. A tour to Karelia for 2 days/1 night costs 11,500 per person, 3 days/2 nights from 13,600 rubles.

Duration: 2-3 days.

What to take with you: A spare set of warm clothes is required: hat, gloves, scarf. Shoes must be waterproof and have stable soles, and the jacket must be windproof. During the trip, you will need documents and certificates confirming your or your family member's rights to benefits. Take a good camera or video camera with you - you will want to preserve the landscapes of Karelia for a long time.

Weekend in the mountains of Ingushetia

The Republic of Ingushetia is part of the North Caucasus Federal District, part of the North Caucasus Economic Region. The capital is the city of Magas. The all-season resort "Armkhi" (Dzheirakh) in winter offers guests ski holidays on slopes of varying difficulty and places for snowboarders. You can take a break from the activity in the pool or spa resort there, in “Armkhi”. The main transport in Ingushetia is a taxi; online orders are available through a mobile application. Souvenirs from Ingushetia: dolls and knives with national symbols, paintings and panels depicting landscapes of the republic.

How to get there: the distance from Moscow to Magas is 1460 kilometers. You can fly by plane in two and a half hours; a one-way ticket costs from 1,500 rubles per person. By train we go to Nazran, the largest city of the republic, in one day and 3100 rubles in a reserved seat carriage and 3200 rubles in a compartment. Moscow - Vladikavkaz by train will cost 2 thousand rubles for a seat in a reserved seat, 3 thousand rubles for a compartment. An air ticket Moscow - Vladikavkaz costs from 1,500 rubles.

Where to stay: prices in Armkhi hotels on request. In Vladikavkaz you can spend the night in budget hotels for 1,500 rubles, in more comfortable ones - from 2 to 4 thousand rubles.

Approximate tour cost per person: A 3 days/2 nights “Express Caucasus” tour costs 15,600 rubles, the same number of days traveling in a small group “Express Caucasus - Comfort” will cost 26,000 rubles per person.

Duration: 2-3 days.

What to take with you: comfortable clothes and shoes. In winter it can be warm in Igushetia, the average temperature is -1 degree, so take raincoats and umbrellas against the rain. It can be frosty and snowy in the mountains: take insulated and windproof jackets and trousers against the snow and wind. Ski equipment can be rented at the resort.

Weekend with yaks - Oryol province

Orel is an ancient Russian city that was founded in 1544. Famous writers I. Bunin, L. Andreev, I. Turgenev, N. Leskov were born or lived for a long time in Orel, so an organized visit to the city will definitely include a tour of literary museums. History buffs will be interested in the merchant and church architecture in the old city center. In Oryol and its surroundings, all conditions for active recreation have been created. For example, 15 minutes from the city there is one of the best ski resorts in the Black Earth Region - the year-round Gorki park, which has slopes for beginners and experienced skiers, a cafe and a hotel - you can come here for a couple of days. Nature and animal lovers may be interested in an excursion to Oryol Polesie, which includes a visit to the animal enclosure complex and a tour of ecological natural areas.

How to get there: distance Moscow - Orel 363 kilometers. You can get from Moscow to Orel by train in 4 hours, 40 minutes. Ticket prices: reserved seat - 700 rubles, compartment - 1200 rubles. The bus from Moscow to Orel takes at least 3 hours, the price for one ticket is from 600 rubles.

Where to stay: Hotel prices start from 500 rubles (night in a hostel). A budget “two” costs 1000 -1500 tr, “three” and “four” will cost 3000 - 4000 tr, prices for “five” hotels start from 4 thousand rubles.

Approximate tour cost per person: the cost of an independent two-day trip to Orel for one person is 7-8 thousand rubles. Be sure to include unplanned expenses in your budget - souvenirs, impromptu excursions, etc.

Duration: 2-3 days.

What to take with you: The climate in Orel is temperate continental, the average temperature in winter is 5-6 degrees below zero, so very warm clothes are unlikely to be useful, but comfortable clothes will come in handy - you will have to walk a lot. During the trip, you will need documents and certificates confirming your or your family member's right to benefits.

Winter weekend in Nizhny Novgorod

Nizhny Novgorod was founded in 1221 and throughout its existence remained an active participant in the historical events of Russia. The main attraction, the heroic shrine of the city, is the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin. It is unique both for its two-level location and for the fact that no one has ever taken the stone walls of the Kremlin! It was from here in 1612 that the “great patriot and citizen of Russia” Kozma Minin led the militia to liberate Moscow from the Polish-Lithuanian invaders.

The Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin saw and received the Rurikovichs and Romanovs, great ascetics and saints, famous writers and artists, inventors and world-famous scientific luminaries.

Come to Nizhny Novgorod for the weekend! Stunning views open from the embankments of the Oka and Volga, from the Dyatlov Mountains, from behind the walls of the ancient Kremlin! The artist Ilya Repin once exclaimed enthusiastically: “This is a royally established city in the entire east of Russia...”

Visit the Nizhny Novgorod Fair and Zapochainye, look at the Nizhny Novgorod Strelka, take a look at the streets of the “Nizhny Posad”. Take a walk along Bolshaya Pokrovskaya. Visit the beautiful Rukavishnikov estate, the Art Museum and the Museum of Modern Art! Listen to the legends and stories from Nizhny Novgorod tour guides! And there are so many interesting things outside of Nizhny Novgorod!..

You will fall in love with this city and come here more than once!

How to get there: There is an airport in the city, so you can fly from major Russian cities by plane. Buses from nearby cities also travel to Nizhny Novgorod, and trains also run constantly.

Where to stay: Nizhny Novgorod offers accommodation in hotels, prices for rooms start from 1000 rubles, as well as hotels where rooms cost from 1700 rubles per day per person.

Approximate tour cost per person: 2000 - 4000 rubles.

Duration: 1-3 days.

What to take with you: On any trip to Russia you cannot do without documents, so do not forget your passport as a citizen of the Russian Federation, as well as your medical insurance policy. Dress warmly for the trip, things should be comfortable, not wet or windy, there are strong winds on the embankments.

A Nizhny Novgorod guide will reveal to you all the secrets of a city with a rich history

A native Nizhny Novgorod resident is helped in his work by his passion for poetry, prose and participation in the musical group “Inelastic Impact,” as well as his love for his hometown. You can travel with Boris on foot, by car, by bus, as you prefer, because an excursion is an expansion of your horizons, a relaxation, an entertaining pastime, and, by the way, a great gift for yourself, your friends and loved ones! Good mood and wonderful emotions are included! Interesting things from the guide:

A weekend in winter Vienna

On winter weekends or New Year's holidays, you can visit the capital of Austria - Vienna. On this exciting trip you can see many European attractions without spending a relatively large amount.

What can you see in Vienna over the weekend? Tourists recommend starting your acquaintance with the European city with the beautiful Gothic St. Stephen's Cathedral. The temple amazes with the splendor of its architecture and interior decoration, although it was built back in the 14th century. The cathedral contains the tombs of the great kings of the past, and the observation deck offers breathtaking views of Vienna. Next, you can visit the Church of the Teutonic Order, which is located within walking distance. The church houses a collection of order regalia and weapons. For a gastronomic journey, you can visit the famous open-air beer park Schweizerhaus and try the best Viennese beer Budweiser with fried pork leg and sausages.

After refreshing yourself, go behind the Ferris wheel, which they say, if you haven’t been on it, you haven’t been to Vienna. Along the way you can shoot at a shooting range and take a ride on a carriage.

You can buy various products at low prices at the local flea market next to the huge Naschmarkt market, and then stroll directly through the Naschmarkt itself.

You should definitely take a tour of the beautiful Votivkirche church, which is a striking monument of Gothic architecture and, thanks to its light openwork ornament, seems to float in the air, towering above the city. Another attraction that you can visit over the weekend is the Mozart Museum. The composer lived in the apartment with his family and wrote “The Marriage of Figaro” in it.

Vienna is a city rich in historical buildings, temples and mysterious structures. You won’t be able to see everything in 2-3 days. But you can easily see the main attractions near the center. We recommend purchasing the so-called Vienna City Card at the hotel or train station, which gives discounts on entrance to museums and free travel on public transport. The cost of the card for 24, 48 and 72 hours, respectively, is € 13.90, € 21.90 and € 24.90.

How to get there: You can fly to Vienna and stay in a hotel as part of a tour, which can be purchased from a tour operator, and organize further travel and transfer yourself. If you choose a completely independent trip, then a plane ticket will cost at least 9,000 rubles from Moscow per person one way, and the travel time will be 2 hours 10 minutes.

Where to stay: Vienna offers hotel accommodation, the cost of three and four stars starts from 3-4 thousand rubles per day per room per person. Five-star hotels offer accommodation from 15 thousand rubles.

Approximate tour cost per person: a tour with flights and accommodation will cost from 16,000 rubles (two stars), with an excursion program - from 25,000 rubles.

Duration: 2-4 days.

What to take with you: Regardless of the duration of your trip, you will need a visa in Vienna. You will need to apply for a Schengen visa type “C”. You can obtain the document through a tour operator with a fee of 25-30 euros or by visiting the visa center in person. To apply for a visa, you will need a completed application form, copies of the Russian passport, copies of return tickets, 3x4 photos and a written description of the route in free form, as well as proof of solvency (there must be at least 30 euros in the current account for each day of travel per person). You will also need a passport. Dress warmly, clothes should be windproof and waterproof; the average temperature in Vienna in winter is 0 -5 degrees. Don’t forget to take cash with you that has been exchanged in advance in euros; you can also pay for purchases with a MasterCard (the currency is automatically converted when paying).

Prague allows you to take a short weekend tour and get to know Europe better. We recommend that you start your journey from the main attraction - Old Town Square, which is located in the very center of the city. It has been mentioned in chronicles since the 12th century. Previously, the square was the most important trading facility, as it was located at the intersection of several important trade routes. Over its long history, the place has seen many funny and tragic events - from folk festivals to executions. From the piazza you can see the grandiose Town Hall with its astronomical clock, which is of great architectural value. Each ticking hour is a small theatrical performance.

Next, it’s worth taking a tour of the Tyn Church (Temple of the Virgin Mary in front of Tyn), which was built over two hundred years. The building is stunning with the beauty of its lines, combining several styles from classical to gothic and baroque. Next you should go to Petřín Hill - a hill with picturesque parks and an observation tower, which offers stunning views of the city. Not far from the tower there is an interesting attraction - a mirror labyrinth, combining optical illusion and the mystery of ancient wooden elements.

You should definitely visit Prague Castle - the residence of King Charles IV, a stunning architectural complex with rich interior decoration and luxurious furnishings. You can dilute your impressions of the grandeur and grandeur of the royal buildings on Golden Street - a cramped street with houses closely adjacent to each other, but with a unique atmosphere of Czech comfort. If you have enough time, be sure to visit the large and well-equipped zoo - 7th in the ranking of the best zoos in the world.

How to get there: There are regular flights from Moscow to Prague with ticket prices starting from 4,000 rubles one way and a flight time of 1 hour 45 minutes.

Where to stay: rooms in two and three star hotels can be rented from 1200-2500 thousand rubles, four stars cost from 3200 rubles, five stars offer accommodation from 6500 rubles per room per day per person.

Approximate tour cost per person: from 13,000 rubles with accommodation, breakfasts and excursions.

Duration: 3-4 days.

What to take with you: just like for a trip to Vienna, you will need a Schengen visa and a passport. You can obtain the document through a tour operator with a fee of 25-30 euros or by visiting the visa center in person. Dress warmly; clothing should be windproof, waterproof and comfortable. The average temperature in Prague in winter is between 0 and 5 degrees. Don’t forget to take cash with you that has been exchanged in advance in euros; you can also pay for purchases with a MasterCard (the currency is automatically converted when paying).

Another beautiful attraction is the Széchenyi Chain Bridge over the Danube. From the 380 bridge you can admire the city views and take many stunning photos. Among the fortresses, you should definitely visit the Buda Castle (defensive structure) and the Fisherman's Bastion (former fishermen's market). Don't ignore the famous thermal baths - a cure for many diseases, and just a way to quickly relax after a busy autumn. The cost of going to the baths is no more than $16. You should definitely visit the Casablanca restaurant, where you can try the amazingly tasty Mangalitsa pork, served on a stone. The animal is rare due to the amazing taste of the meat, so the dishes will cost a considerable amount, but if you are a fan of gastronomic travel, you will remember this pleasure. Lovers of mysterious spaces can visit the famous Labyrinth in Budapest with 1200 meters of intricate corridors, dim lighting, damp aromas and eerie music. The reward for the patient is a never-ending fountain of dry red wine - “Manyasha” (entrance to the labyrinth is about 4 euros). How to get there: You can fly to Budapest from Moscow by Aeroflot for 11,000 rubles and 1 hour 35 minutes. Where to stay: Budapest offers a wide variety of hotels, with room prices per night per person starting from 1,800 rubles (two stars), 3,500 rubles (three stars), 4,400 rubles (four stars) and 12,000 (five stars). Approximate tour cost per person: 35,000 rubles costs a 3-day tour with excursions and three-star accommodation without the cost of plane tickets. Duration: 3-4 days. What to take with you: For documents you will need a Schengen visa and a passport. Dress warmly, clothes should not be wet or windy, but comfortable for walking. The temperature in Budapest in winter stays at an average of 0 -1 degrees. Don’t forget to take cash with you that has been exchanged in advance in euros; you can also pay for purchases with a MasterCard (the currency is automatically converted when paying). Great history, original architecture, literary allusions - this is what attracts tourists to the ancient Russian city of Pskov; experts highlight the city’s churches as having a special architectural style. At the confluence of the Velikaya and Pskovka rivers stands the Pskov Kremlin (Krom) - this is the heart of the ancient city fortress. Inside it is the Trinity Cathedral - an interesting architectural structure with a unique history: three times it burned and was destroyed, but the relics of the holy princes Vsevolod and Dovmont remained safe and sound. The city is home to one of the oldest monasteries in the world - the Holy Dormition Pskov-Pechersky Monastery (founded in 1473). The Mirozhsky Monastery is famous for its preserved pre-Mongol frescoes of the 12th century. An hour's drive from the regional center there are famous cultural heritage sites of the Russian Federation and ancient strategic structures: the Porkhov Fortress in the city of Porkhov and the Izborsk Fortress in the village of Izborsk (adult ticket to the fortress 150 rubles, students - 50 rubles). The Pskov region is a historical place associated with the name of the great A.S. Pushkin. The estate museums "Mikhailovskoye", "Trigorskoye" and "Petrovskoye" are welcome all year round for connoisseurs of the great poet's work and literature lovers (entrance ticket for adults - 250 rubles, children - 100 rubles). From Pskov they bring home handmade souvenirs made of birch bark, willow rod, clay, amazing ceramics and a variety of blacksmith's products. How to get there: the distance from Moscow to Pskov (730 kilometers) by train can be covered in 11 hours, 42 minutes. Ticket price: 1600 rubles for a reserved seat and from 2200 for a seat in a compartment. On the same route you will have to spend 11 hours on the bus, the ticket starts from 1100 rubles. A plane ticket will cost 2-4 thousand rubles, flight time: 1 hour, 25 minutes. Where to stay: Pskov has a large selection of accommodation: budget hostels (a day for two from 900 rubles), guest houses (from 1200 rubles), a double room in a hotel from 1300 rubles. Approximate tour cost per person: a two-day trip costs from 4,900 rubles, a three-day tour from 9,600 to 10,300 rubles, for four days you will have to pay 14,700 rubles. Duration: 1-3 days. What to take with you: during the trip you will need documents and certificates confirming your or your family member’s right to benefits. The average air temperature in Pskov in winter is -4, so you won’t need very insulated clothes, but comfortable shoes for comfortable walks and jackets with protection from wind and rain in case of bad weather will come in handy. Pskov guide will introduce you to even more amazing stories and secrets of the ancient city Pskov for Alexander became an amazing discovery in Russian culture. The guide graduated from university with a degree in History and is engaged in research on the topic “Formation of the space of ancient Russian cities in the X-XV centuries,” so I am happy to introduce the guests of Pskov to the fascinating history of the ancient Russian state. Interesting things from the guide:

Winter is a strange time to travel, especially in Russia. The daylight hours are very short, there is dirt all around and an eternally gray sky. In my dreams in winter, I generally want to be somewhere far away, and preferably where it’s warm. But at the editorial office, when spring comes, it often seems like we missed something: we didn’t play enough in the snow, didn’t walk through the winter forest, didn’t go for a ride on the skating rink and didn’t spend the evening with friends by the fireplace. To prevent this from happening, we, together with the tire manufacturer, have prepared a list of destinations where you can go on weekends or upcoming holidays from Moscow.

Naturally, you can go somewhere on the weekend by train or bus, but traveling by car, according to the editors, is the best (and only) way to travel comfortably during the winter months. Here you have comfort, independence from the schedule, and the opportunity to see places remote from train stations. From the first minutes (okay, after it warms up and you overcome the Moscow traffic jams) the car will become a warm and cozy home, and with the right selection of travel companions, you will generally have fun all the way.

It is generally accepted that a car requires special preparation and care for winter. But in fact (if you don’t have a VAZ-2101), the most important detail is the same - changing tires from summer to winter. Firstly, you need to choose the right tires, and secondly, change them on time. And if we definitely can’t help with the second question, then with the first question we will be happy to recommend the Nitto brand, the younger brother of the famous Japanese manufacturer Toyo.

Why ? Good grip, low tire noise and good price. We at the editorial team tested the tires all winter and were convinced that this was an excellent choice. Get ready and let's go!

On the road: what to take with you

Before you go on a trip, you need to prepare for it. We have compiled a small list of things that will definitely come in handy during a winter car trip:

Spray bottle with washer fluid. It will be very helpful to quickly defrost the windows in the morning and thoroughly wipe the headlights, which will accumulate a lot of dirt during the trip.

Thermos. A supply of hot tea for the driver and mulled wine for passengers. - Gas burner and coffee pot. Making fresh coffee in a picturesque location is priceless. Plus, in Russia, it’s very rare to find normal coffee on the road; it’s better to make it yourself.

Light clothes and sneakers. Winter boots are uncomfortable to sit in even for a two-hour car ride. It is better to immediately change them to comfortable sneakers before boarding, and instead of winter clothes, throw on a down jacket.

Music or podcasts. If among your fellow travelers there is no person who will discover Swedish indie pop, American noise punk or Danish new wave for you all the way, then be sure to download music to your player and applications with podcasts - for example, from Arzamas. Firstly, time flies so quickly (especially when you come back), and secondly, there will be something to discuss.

Direction No. 1. Yaroslavl

Yaroslavl is a great city. We at PRTBRT love him very much. There is a huge cultural layer, a cozy center with low-rise buildings, as well as a good selection of hotels and bar culture (yes, the entire city center is dotted with small bars and cafes). This destination is perfect for both a family trip and a noisy weekend with friends.

In the morning and afternoon you can explore ancient churches and museums, and in the evening you can simply wander around the city and go to bars and cafes. Mandatory historical program: Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, Governor's House and Yaroslavl History Museum. If the weather is clear, take a walk to the Yaroslavl Strelka. It was from here that the history of the city began, when in 1010 Yaroslav the Wise decided to found Yaroslavl at the confluence of the Kotorosl and the Volga. From here you have a gorgeous view of the city and the water, the main thing is to dress warmly, because a strong wind often blows from the river.

Yaroslavl

Yaroslavl

There are many cool and cozy bars and cafes in Yaroslavl. Here's a list of our favorites:

“Baguette, pate and yellow blanket” is suitable for breakfast.
Gavroche is another good place with breakfast, pastries and coffee.
“Horns and Hooves” is one of the most popular restaurants in Yaroslavl. There are always a lot of people here, and the design is questionable, but you can have a good lunch or dinner.
Rocky Pizza- excellent Neapolitan wood-fired pizza.
“Tavern on the Embankment” - if you suddenly want borscht, pies or dumplings with champagne. We wanted it just once.

"Baguette, pate and yellow plaid"

"Gavroche"

Bar "Nettle"

Yaroslavl has a large selection of hotels. There are chain hotels, Soviet monsters, cozy family hotels and modern hostels.

Here is a list of four good local hotels:
"Merchant's House"- our favorite. Cozy and beautiful hotel in the very center of the city.
Hotel on the water "Volzhskaya Pearl"- the name speaks for itself. Floating hotel overlooking the Volga.
Baccara- a large hotel in Yaroslav, which always has available rooms. Perhaps not the most comfortable, but with spacious rooms and a delicious breakfast.

"Merchant's House"

"Volga Pearl"

A huge plus of a trip to Yaroslavl is that there are a lot of attractions along the way. If you leave early in the morning, you can see a lot of interesting things in a day.

What to see along the way

Abramtsevo

Abramtsevo is one of the most famous and beautiful estates in the Moscow region. This place has a fascinating history: Turgenev, Serov, Vasnetsov, Korovin and Vrubel visited and lived there at different times. In winter it is especially beautiful and picturesque here, so we recommend taking a walk along all the paths on the estate. This place is perfect for the first stop on a winter trip - there are not many tourists here in the morning and, most importantly, you can drink coffee to finally wake up.

Abramtsevo

Sergiev Posad

Sergiev Posad is not only an all-Russian landmark, but also the largest operating monastery with the residence of the patriarch. The flow of tourists and pilgrims here never ends, so be prepared for large numbers of people and crowds at the entrance (especially if you are traveling during religious holidays or fasting). The ensemble of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra is really very beautiful (it’s not for nothing that it is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites). But if you are not at all moved by Orthodox sights, then feel free to skip this stop.

Sergiev Posad

Pereslavl-Zalessky

Another city of the Golden Ring of Russia. We like this place for two things: the huge Pleshcheyevo Lake and the stupid but cute museums of everything in the world. There is a museum of ingenuity, an iron museum and a teapot house - don’t let these names confuse you. Be sure to check out at least one. Tickets cost symbolic money, but each exhibition is chosen with such humor that you immediately fall in love with the city, its museums and the people who came up with it all.

If you have time, go to Lake Pleshcheevo. The beautiful and quiet Nikitsky Monastery is located here, and not far from it is a pagan landmark - the blue stone. The places are beautiful and majestic, so we recommend taking a short walk along the shore of the lake - it’s not difficult to do; there are many municipal beaches marked on the maps. By the way, when the lake completely freezes, they begin to ride a winter kite on its surface - an extremely impressive sight!

Advice from Nitto and PRTBRT: In winter, special attention is required on the road, because you will have to drive through water, snow, clean asphalt, and sometimes even ice. Our car was equipped with studless Winter SN2 tires, and on all sections of the difficult winter road we were confident in the high-quality grip of the tires on the surface: the manufacturer explains this with a wide central rib for driving stability, a large number of sipes for reliable grip, and a soft tread compound that does not stiff from the cold. At the same time, do not forget: this is winter, you must observe the speed limit especially carefully and avoid sudden maneuvers.

Direction No. 2. Nikola-Lenivets

Even if you are a regular visitor to Archstoyanie or its more fashionable successor, the Signal festival, do not miss the opportunity to visit Nikola-Lenivets in winter. Snow-covered art objects, slides, walks through the winter forest and evenings by the fireplace - what's not the ideal scenario for a winter holiday? Believe me, in winter there are almost no people here and all objects can be seen from a completely different angle. Don't forget that Nikola-Lenivets operates differently at this time of year, so be sure to check out all the information on the park's website.
The main thing is to book your accommodation in advance: in winter there are far fewer options available; We like staying in the Clover cabins best - they are especially cozy in winter. If you are afraid of freezing or are coming with a large group, then feel free to stay at the Kazarma hostel. Moreover, it is at Kazarma that you can order food with delivery from Koltsov.

Nikola-Lenivets

Nikola-Lenivets

Houses "Clover" in N-L

Advice: On February 17, Maslenitsa will be celebrated in Nikola-Lenivets. This year, a giant 30-meter sculpture of Nikolai Polissky will be put on fire. In addition, a fair with pancakes and treats will be held on the territory of Nikola-Lenivets.

Maslenitsa in N-L

What to see along the way:

Zvenigorod

Even if you are not a fan of visiting monasteries and churches, Zvenigorod is still worth seeing with your own eyes. Firstly, the city is located in a beautiful place - the banks of the Moscow River form steep hills and slopes, on which the city and its main attraction are located. Secondly, this monastery is a real impregnable fortress. You should definitely see the frescoes inside the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary - the monumental painting of the 15th century on the dark arches of the temple looks unusual. And don’t forget to look into the monastery shop - they sell delicious bread and special monastery kvass, which the local monks infuse with raisins.

Advice from Nitto and PRTBRT: The parking around the monastery is terribly dirty and disorganized, so be careful when entering and leaving.

There are many ancient estates around Zvenigorod: Vvedenskoye, Ershovo and Dunino (the estate of M. M. Prishvin) - they have beautiful territories and nice museums with good-natured workers who are happy to share with you stories about these places.

If you get hungry or just want to have lunch, stop by the Lukovka cafe, which is located in Zvenigorod. Pizza, pasta, desserts - all at reasonable prices and in a nice three-story mansion.

Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery

Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery

Direction No. 3. Suzdal

Another place where we especially like to come in winter is Suzdal. Many people consider this city to be too touristy and promoted for the interests of foreign tourists. To us, on the contrary, it seems to us that this is an excellent example of how small cities with a huge historical heritage can look like in modern Russia (essentially, Suzdal is a huge open-air museum). The tiny city center in winter creates a truly fabulous feeling: the white-stone Kremlin, which rises above the wooden houses of the center, steam from samovars and shops with mead and pies, ruddy people in sheepskin coats - it seems that you have found yourself in the pages of a children's fairy tale about the humpbacked horse. One of the huge advantages of the city is its size; you will only need a car to get to Suzdal itself, everything else can only be done on foot.

It’s best to start your tour by visiting the observation deck at the Spaso-Evfimievsky Monastery - from here you can enjoy a gorgeous view of the city.

On the territory of Suzdal there are as many as five monasteries: Pokrovsky, Rizopolozhensky, Spaso-Evfimiev, Vasilyevsky, Alexandrovsky. They are all beautiful in their own way, don’t waste time and take a walk through each of them while it’s still light. In addition, the city has several museums: the Suzdal Kremlin, the Bishops' Chambers, the Museum of Wooden Architecture and the Museum of Merchant Life. One of our favorite places in Suzdal is the workshop "Dymov Ceramics". Here you can not only buy beautiful dishes, but also try yourself as a ceramist. The school's schedule includes many master classes for both children and adults. Well, we believe that there is no better souvenir from a trip than a homemade cup or plate.

Dogs from the Dymov Ceramics store

Of the Suzdal hotels, we especially like the White Beach. It recently opened in November 2017 and continues the cool trend of holiday hotels with cozy rooms, spacious common areas where you can play board games and drink tea. In addition, “White Coast” has an excellent territory, a children’s playroom and its own bathhouse.

Winter autotourism, of course, has significant differences from summer.
This includes limited daylight hours, frosty weather, and the road surface makes itself felt.

At the same time, winter in the Urals is not a reason to sit at home waiting for summer to come.

Of course, we’ll wait until summer, but I don’t really want to sit at home on weekends.

In winter you can travel, for example, around Europe, where the climate is milder than ours. But, firstly, it is not always possible to travel outside the country in winter, and secondly, we also have many interesting places that you can see in winter.

So where can you go on a weekend in winter, and even for a couple of days?

Choosing a route for winter tourism

Let’s immediately make a reservation that we will not spend the night in the forest (in a tent or car), and we are not discussing winter extreme tourism (something like traveling to the far north in pursuit of the northern lights). We plan our trips so that we can either return home the same day or spend the night in a hotel.

First, let's define our interests. Winter is an opportunity to see natural sites that are inaccessible in summer.

For example, caves that can only be approached in winter on ice or in summer by boat, caves filled with water that freezes in the cold, and turn into fabulous labyrinths of amazing beauty. Or objects that form only in the winter season, for example, a freezing waterfall of a bizarre shape. And just a walk through the winter forest outside the city will bring a lot of pleasure - it’s both pleasing to the eyes and good for your health.

In winter, you can see cities, visit museums, historical places, and get acquainted with the history of your native land, which you don’t have time for in the summer, when you just want to relax by the lake or go to the country.

The Tobolsk Kremlin looks very beautiful against a white snowy background, and the views of golden-domed temples illuminated by the bright frosty sun are no less bewitching. And winter Baikal is an unforgettable experience for the rest of your life. Of course, if possible, you should travel in winter as much as possible!

Planning a winter road trip is practically no different from planning trips in the warm season, but has its own characteristics that must be taken into account when planning the route.

Our website has a selection of routes suitable for winter travel: Winter tourism.

Features of winter auto tourism

• As mentioned above, this is a limitation of the daylight hours: it gets light later, gets dark earlier.
• External weather conditions: snowfalls and blizzards, which not only impair visibility on the road, but also “sweep” roads, especially in open, windy areas.
• Road surface: from completely unclean roads, on which only caterpillar tractors can drive, to open ice. Roads sprinkled with reagents cause no less problems, when the asphalt turns either into a wet slippery puddle or into thin ice that sparkles like glass...

Based on the above: travel time increases - the speed limit in winter is significantly reduced compared to summer, early twilight and often poor visibility do not provide the opportunity for long-term movement, ice and black ice aggravate the situation... Don't forget about this when planning a winter road trip!

Winter route planning

When calculating daily mileage and travel time, it is not advisable to plan multi-kilometer daily travel. That is, if in summer you drive 900–1000 kilometers a day, in winter you should limit yourself to 500–700 kilometers. If you have poor vision or high eye fatigue, the distance needs to be further reduced.

Adequate rest and nutrition are a must: the driver’s physical activity, even in ideal road conditions and absolute visibility, is quite high. The driver's physical load increases on busy roads (for example, when you overtake a convoy of trucks in heavy oncoming traffic), and increases significantly under unfavorable road conditions (snowfall, ice or strong crosswinds in open areas).

You should not risk your life and the lives of your loved ones, especially on the way to or from vacation.

Consider alternative options for an overnight stay on the road, if for some reason you cannot arrive on time at the booked hotel. Situations can be different: a breakdown on the road, a delay due to repairs (cleaning) of the road, which resulted in a large traffic jam on the highway, and a temporary closure of a water crossing (ferry).

It is better to foresee in advance (at home) possible options for overnight accommodation along the route (select the nearest settlements that have hotels, write them down and do not forget to take with you the telephone numbers and addresses of the hotels).

What should be in a car for winter motor tourism?

There are no special features for equipping a car for winter motor tourism. We are not talking now about active extreme winter trips, for which the car should have everything from Webasto to a hijack and full equipment for long-distance expeditions.

First. The machine must be, at a minimum, technically sound. Uncertainty in the car will not give you the opportunity to fully relax, especially in winter. It’s not pleasant to do repairs (even minor ones) in the cold.

Second. Always keep in the trunk of your car:

1. standard set: spare wheel, or at least a repair kit for repairing tires in road conditions, warning triangle, jack, keys for changing the wheel, cable for “lighting”;
2. oils and technical fluids: antifreeze, motor oil (especially if the engine begins to “eat” oil at high loads), antifreeze, etc.;
3. Anti-freeze liquid for glass is specially allocated in a separate item. This is especially true when driving around the city or on a highway treated with reagents, when dirt flies from the wheels of the car in front onto the windows of your car;
4. a towing rope, and not a tattered rope, but a normal rope, with the help of which the car can be towed home or to a repair site, or pulled out of a rut (snowdrift, roadside...);
5. snow shovel. An ordinary shovel for clearing snow has helped out many times. You can also take a small tourist hatchet - and you can make nicks on the ice, and chop twigs - for a fire or toss under the wheels.

Third. We take care of the health and safety of the driver and passengers in case of a long unforeseen stop:

1. Ideally, carry a set of spare warm clothes for each traveler. In practice this does not always work out. Form a hiking backpack, in which you put a pair of warm mittens, thick warm socks, hats, and also a small blanket, and let it always lie in the car;
2. a set of small things - a cell phone charger, matches (preferably hunting ones that are not afraid of moisture) or a lighter, a flashlight (can also be useful for repairs in the dark and running into the bushes) and a set of batteries for it, a pair of work gloves;
3. the minimum food set is tea, sugar, a couple of chocolates, a couple of bags of instant soup, a couple of mugs, a five-liter canister of water, a thermos with boiling water. The best thing is to buy a portable gas stove, several cylinders for it and a small saucepan (or teapot) - at any time you can boil water, drink hot tea...

Well, by the way, for winter autotourism, only your desire to travel is enough!

Advice from the host of the “Moscow and Surroundings” program, Ekaterina Fedotova, on where to go in Russia in winter.

There are so many interesting things near Moscow! And these are not empty words, this has been verified. And, of course, everyone will have their own impressions, everyone’s photographs will be different, but the feeling of a traveler is unchangeable and worth a lot. Traveling around Russia means understanding everyone who you meet, being able to read in their eyes how this person treats you, what they expect from you, it means not being afraid that they will cheat you on a dubious excursion or feed you nonsense, they will simply treat you like a piece of tourist meat (roughly? but figuratively). We have such an interesting country, and sometimes we push it away so subtly that you can’t complain. And the country is beautiful, wise, generous and kind. What do they say about New Year? “As you meet, so will you spend”? What if we spend it in wisdom and beauty?

Ride from the mountains near Moscow

You can go to ski resorts even without knowing how to ski. Although there are those that are suitable exclusively for the “gurney”. “Stepanovo” - I don’t argue, for heroic deeds. But it’s also convenient to learn the very basics here. There are slides for beginners. True, sometimes getting to the base is not easy. There are often traffic jams at the entrance due to the narrow road. But there are “Volen” and “Yakhroma”, generally similar in infrastructure, where priority is given not even to skiing, but simply to a good winter holiday: so that you can go out on the slope in the morning, take, for example, a “tube” and go screaming down, and in the evening, drinking hot cocoa in one of the local cafe-restaurants, admire how, in the light of the lights, selfless heroes on skis and boards make their turns (the pros, by the way, say that the slides here are ridiculous, and the lifts are not very comfortable, rope tows — you probably know what it is). Also in Balashikha - “Fox Mountain”, you can visit there too, the regulars praise it.

Learn to kite on Lake Pleshcheyevo

Continuing the theme of active recreation: you can try something new, for example a kite. This type of holiday is suitable for any time of the year, but in winter it acquires an extraordinary charm thanks to the white frosty fields and the clean breath of the wind, which literally take you into a fairy tale. There is no fear of taking too much water, as in summer (after all, in warm weather, kiters mainly operate on lakes or seas). True, you can unknowingly give yourself bruises, but this is already a cost of almost any sport. And in order to get away with minimal losses, find where people do this professionally. On Lake Pleshcheyevo, for example, there is a group of guys who are happy to teach anyone and have themselves shown their class more than once in international competitions.

Buy a ticket to Kostroma

In general, winter holidays do not have to be sporty. Buy a ticket to Kostroma! Especially if you are going to travel with children. And you will please them, and you yourself will be touched: after all, Kostroma is. There is her mansion there. However, during the New Year period it is crowded with visitors, so you need to sign up for excursions. Seriously, when I walked in there, I realized what I was missing so much as a child! All these fairy-tale heroes are real, kind, humane, and not stupidly doing their job. The Snow Maiden herself is now advanced, she is on social networks and responds to fan letters. And Kostroma is the linen capital of Russia! There are so many things made from this flax! The lowest prices that I personally came across were, oddly enough, in the Flax Museum and the Museum of Wooden Architecture. In the second (note to doll lovers), at least last year you could buy a “Tilda” doll not for 1000 or more, as in Moscow, but for 500 rubles. Moreover, the performance is brilliant. The same goes for all kinds of backpacks and trousers in the Linen Museum - inexpensive and decent.

Go to the bathhouse

For many, relaxation is complete solitude, without the sounds of civilization, with a bathhouse and heart-to-heart conversations. I know that in Kimry there is a recreation center “Kolkunovo”, where roosters crow in the morning and wolves howl at night. At first it even becomes creepy (ask if you are there if there really are wolves - the answer will scare you and interest you at the same time). Very close to Moscow - towards Mozhaisk, a little further - there is the Vankovo ​​eco-farm. It will be a real pleasure to celebrate the New Year there! Since the hosts are like family, the welcome will be very warm. They will play with the children, give you fresh milk to drink, and even teach you how to milk a cow or goat, treat you to sour cream and handmade ice cream, and let you go fishing. All this is included in the price of your stay (and meals several times a day). And everyday life is in chic wooden interiors, which are more reminiscent not of huts, but of mansions. True, people sign up there a long time ago, so the availability of free places for these holidays needs to be clarified. Another secluded place is the “Creative Dacha” in Myshkin; academicians built it for their recreation and periodically allow tourists to stay there. The dacha, however, is within the city limits, but very nice. Two houses with a sauna and barbecue. And shops (if you need anything) are within walking distance.

Adopt a bison

Do you like communicating with nature? Go to the Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve to see the bison! You can also walk through the winter forest, take a lot of beautiful pictures and eat rich soup (yes, I’m always talking about food: well, I love trying local treats, I can’t help it). And finally, for the most caring people there is the opportunity to adopt a bison! Yes, you can have your own animal: of course, you don’t need to take it home; the adoptive parent’s responsibilities include financial support for its upkeep and visiting more often: it’s your own cub, after all.

Make a pilgrimage

Good places for pilgrimage are Zvenigorod with its Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, again Kostroma and the Ipatiev Monastery, and in Dubrovitsy there is the stunning Znamenskaya Church (built in the Italian Baroque style, with a crown on top). There is an amazing place in Sergiev Posad - Gremyachiy Klyuch. It is almost impossible to get there through the mud and snow, except perhaps on an all-terrain vehicle! But it’s worth visiting there at least once for something to click in your head, turn over, and surprise you with new truths. If somewhere there is a complete reassessment of the world and oneself in this world, then it is here - at the waterfall of St. Sergius of Radonezh. You can have doubts, you can remain a skeptic until the last moment, but once you try this water (and don’t even believe that it can cure something), you will return to yourself. The main thing here is not to get confused and remember this moment, this feeling, so that you can return to it from time to time as needed. It will come in handy in the capital.

For lovers of delicious food, a good destination is Pokrov. And not even because Pokrovsky chocolate has never left my lips since childhood. By the way, chocolate is not easy in this city these days (although there is a special museum glorifying this sweetness). But Pokrovsk gingerbreads are something incredible! They are not at all like the Tula ones: more tender, with condensed milk. In an inconspicuous shop behind a gas station, almost on the exit from the city (to the right of the road), you can buy fresh ones and immediately drink tea with them (tea from bags, however, water from a cooler, but that’s not the main thing). We also discovered the cafe “Oleg’s” quite by accident. In it, the pasta costs about a hundred rubles, and the mushroom puree soup costs about 70 rubles.