14/09/2022
Koshtan-Tau is the second of the Brothers of Bezengi, and although slightly shorter, has an impressive pyramid shape that attracts mountain lovers. It was first climbed during the golden age of mountaineering at the end of the 19th century - the Austrian Alpine Club reached the summit in 1888.
Like all the mountains on this list, climbing Koshtan-Tau requires skill and dedication; experienced Alpinists can take the 4A route along the northern side of the mountain.
14/09/2022
Shkhara is the highest point in Georgia, just across from the border from Russia. It’s part of the majestic Bezengi Wall, a 7.5 mile long mountain range. According to historian and mountaineer Audrey Salkeld, traversing the entire Bezengi Wall is "Europe's longest, most arduous, and most committing expedition." So guess what? Climbing Shkhara is going to be a tricky one.
The easiest route to the summit is the Cockin Route, named after the first mountaineer to reach the peak, in 1888. It’s graded 4B-5A under the Russia system, and involves climbing up an ice slope and crossing the northeast ridge.
14/09/2022
Dykh-Tau is the second highest peak in the Caucasus Mountains, around three miles north of the Georgian border. It’s also known as one of the 'Brothers of Bezengi' (the other is Koshtan-Tau) - part of the huge wall of mountains constituting the Northern Massif, in the Bezengi National Park.
Despite being a little shorter than Mount Elbrus, Dykh-Tau is a much more technical climb. There’s no easy route to the summit - it’s renowned for its technical difficulty, and avalanches are common. A great deal of advanced planning is required to get a permit for the Bezengi area.
14/09/2022
Mount Elbrus is the highest peak in the Caucasus Mountains. It’s a dormant stratovolcano with two summits - the western one towers a lofty 5,642m, while the eastern summit is a metre shorter. It’s one of the Seven Summits, which consists of the highest mountain on each continent - a legendary challenge for the truly intrepid.
The higher summit was first ascended in 1874 by an English expedition party led by F. Crauford Grove. Thousands of people attempt the climb each year; the most popular route is from the south. It’s suitable only for experienced climbers.
14/09/2022
Depending on how much you know about Europe's mountains, you may be surprised the likes of the Matterhorn, in the Swiss Alps, haven’t made it onto the list. In fact, most entries can be found in the Caucasus Mountains, a vast system of mountain ranges spanning Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. The mountains are viewed as the geographical dividing line between Europe and Asia - so can be considered part of either continent. Mount Elbrus, in the Russian Caucasus, is commonly agreed to be the highest mountain on the European continent.
10/08/2022
Back in 1945, the famous Finnish writer Tove Jansson drew a funny hippo for her younger brother, who later became one of the most beloved heroes of Scandinavian fairy tale literature.
10/08/2022
If you are interested in the original culture of the Finns, their traditions, mentality, way of life, then you will certainly have something to see in Finland. On the emerald island, immersed in greenery, a few kilometers from the Finnish capital, the open-air museum Seurasaari is located. The island is a real oasis in the midst of city life, and the measured way of life characteristic of Finns is reflected in the old manors, cottages and estates that have been built over the past few centuries.
10/08/2022
One of the main national shrines of Finland is the Turku Cathedral, which became the parent of the Finnish Lutheran Church. This is a landmark of Finland with a huge history and one of the most important monuments of history and architecture, made in the North Gothic style and for many years has become the standard of architectural thought.
10/08/2022
Connoisseurs of world art have something to see in Finland, especially if the travel route runs through the capital. The Ateneum Art Museum, located in Helsinki near the railway station, today houses the largest art collection in Finland. The very name of the museum is derived from the name of the ancient Greek goddess Athena, the patroness of all arts and crafts.
10/08/2022
Temppeliaukio rock church is perhaps one of the most unusual sights in Finland and one of the most original temples in Europe. The church embodies the main feature of Finland - a combination of wild nature and modern technology: it is as if inscribed in the natural landscape and blends perfectly with rocky surfaces.
10/08/2022
The cathedral was built according to the project of Alexei Gornostaev, which was based on another temple - the Church of the Ascension of the Lord in the village of Kolomenskoye. The building was built of red brick, left over from the Bomarsund fortress destroyed in the Crimean War. The very shape of the temple symbolizes the Holy Spirit, and its 13 domes represent Jesus Christ and the 12 apostles.
10/08/2022
Not every traveler, wondering what to see in Finland, includes a visit to the Suomenlinna fortress in his plan: someone, passing by on a boat, contemplates its facade from afar, someone is limited to observation from the embankment. Meanwhile, Suomenlinna is one of the main attractions of Finland, namely its capital, Helsinki. This place is fraught with centuries of history, and there really is something to see.