Discover Eastern Europe: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus

Holidays to Moscow and St-Petersburg are conventionally considered to be the most interesting and informative ways of spending time. These are the very starting points to get acquainted with the great Russian history, architectural heritage and traditions as well as modern life.

St-Petersburg will for centuries remain one of the most attractive tourists’ destinations. The city was build in the 18th century by Peter the Great – the out standing Russian Tsar.

Probably the first place to visit is Alexander’s Palace and adjoining park. The palace was built in 1792 by Ekaterina the Great order as a present for her favourit grandson’s wedding day.

St-Petersburg will apparently impress you by its exquisite and luxurious architecture, its churches and cathedrals, palaces and parks, theatres and cinemas. Do not miss an opportunity to have a voyage on the city’s canals to see it from the over very original and extraordinary angel.

If you are interested in topical and conceptual rest this place is for you. An informative entertainment center  - Trans-Force – is a unique St-Petersburg’s sightseeing, which display the high level of Russian technology development which has no world’s analogues.

The center imitates a mess-room of a huge spacecraft. There are bull’s eyes behind which project system and panoramic screen are placed. Something that takes place outboard is shown on the screen. The system allows making real-time models of the cities of the world, moon landscapes, planets, fantastic views, alien civilizations. Highly-realistic space imitation, sound effects, design, internal furnishing makes you feel as though you are on board of a real spacecraft.

Modern restaurant, VIP- hall, interactive theater and amusement rides of the latest generation are also at visitor’s disposal. The following kinds of programs are acceptable in the center on regular bases: entertainments for adults and children, educational, family, corporative and tourists’ programs.

Another place to visit is botanic garden founded in 1714 by Peter the Great to supply city’s drug stores with herbals. But soon plants collections, brought from abroad, were gathered there. The first greenhouse was built in 1720. The garden had been creating for more than 200 years and its major part is made in English landscape style. The collection of plants and trees was gathered on the territory of late Soviet Union, Europe, North America, Japan and China. The park is perfect in any season of the year. Special excursions are held in greenhouses swarming with original and exotic flowers brought from all over the world.

Military historical museum is a proper place for those interested in arms and artillery history. It was founded as early as 1703 as a place to keep arms.

It’s almost impossible to tell everything about this wonderful city even briefly it’s worth seeing by your own. Holidays to Moscow and St-Petersburg will enrich both your cultural knowledge and moral.

Rural Tourism in Ukraine

Several years ago a new notion “rural tourism” appeared in Ukraine tourists’ sphere. The development of this interesting direction is in progress.

A Bit of History

The tradition of the rural tourism can be trace the Europe of about 50 years ago. For Ukraine this is a new trend still it’s worth noticing that the very kind of such tourism is much older in the country that it may appear at first sight. At the beginning of the 20th century the hospitable country received high guests such as Franco, Ukrainka, Grushevskij. A special organization is involved in promoting and popularization of rural tourism in Ukraine today, it holds conferences, issue-related exhibitions. Its main occupations are - trainings and seminars for those who involved in rural tourism in Ukraine that means for hosts for it is they who determines the quality of service.

What is Attractive about Rural Tourism?

In general this means the rest at private farms and in countryside which is interesting for its tourist objects.

The main things which make rural tourism an outstanding trend is the combination of the factors which pleasantly affects man – in particular – health-improving, aesthetic and cognitive.

Rural tourism does not stand for a resort swarming with people. Here relax and calm atmosphere especially necessary for city dwellers dominates. Some people prefer to spend Christmas and New Year Holidays, to have a rest with friends exactly in such conditions. Moreover it’s very convenient for families and small groups.

In the majority of cases the calm atmosphere is underlined by positive effect cause by surroundings either forests or mountains, lakes or meadows. By the way the landscape and ecological situation of the region are the decisive factors to choose the location.

Hosts frequently except the aspects of lodgings of various types and natural home-made meals provide visitors with optional services such as mushrooms picking up and berries gathering, excursions and mountaineering. They practice individualized approach to every particular client especially children.

And what about prices? This kind of tourism is very attractive for it is acceptable to any purse and provides flexible payment system.

The western region occupies the leading position for requests and offers.

Carpathian Mountains are the most popular region. The most attractive in winter here are skis, the opportunity to have an original New Year party, in summer – supernatural landscape, fresh air and mountain river water. Local music bands and wooden churches will fascinate and colour any package tour.

Guided Tours of Eastern Europe

Russia is a large country with lots of various faces, inexhaustible source of amazing experiences for traveling admires. Ancient cities situated in different parts of the country preserve memories of the times past long ago. Various auto tours will allow you to visit the most marvelous places of Russia. You’ll be able to see places which played a great role in Russian history, to meet their original culture. Auto tours seem to be the optimal decision for curious travelers who appreciate their time and experiences changing.

Kaluga - Tula - Yasnaya Polyana

These towns are really worth seeing for there are as important for the history of Russia as St-Petersburg and Moscow are. More over these are included in so called “Golden Ring” surrounding the capital of the country. So it’s possible to visit them any time you stay in Moscow.

Tula by right is considered to be a unique town with its specific historical and cultural directions as a place of armourers, smiths, samovar and harmonica manufacturing, traditional and innovative industrial and cultural tendencies. Tula is called the town-fixer, the town-fighter and the town-worker. A matchless arms museum together with the kremlin where it’s situated is the symbols of the history of Tula. Not far from this place are the museums of samovars and gingerbread where you can get acquainted with its “sweet” history and taste a delicious gingerbread baked specially for you.

Very closely to Tula there is the mansion of one of the greatest Russian writer Lev Tolstoj. This a unique nobles’ country estate of the 19th century has preserved its appearance till our times. It includes the dwelling with all the origin furniture and home library, the outbuilding where changeable expositions and exhibitions take place, servants’ house, splendid parks with numerous pools, huge fruit yards. Here the great writer was buried in November 1910.

Not to create the feeling of city hustle and bustle the number of excursions to Yasnay Polyana at a time is limited. There is a big parking, café and toilets near the mansion so that to provide tourist with all the necessary facilities and conditions. Here you may as well to buy several souvenirs for your friends and relatives.

Kaluga is an ancient Russian town the birthplace of Tsialkovski, the center of Russian Empire and baroque, the place associated with many famous names of Pushkin’s epoch. The superb monument of Russian Classicism is the mansion of a merchant whose name was Zolotaryov where the regional natural history museum is situated. Be sure you’ll enjoy guided tours of Eastern Europe.