GeogRussia

Summer night on the Moscow river. One of the best ways to experience the city is to take one of many boat rides. Dinner and dancing are frequently included.

Moscow at night along the Moskva river near Moskva City

Happy Soviet farm life

Is very cold in Russia!

Rostov the Great is a gem in the Golden Ring of Russian historical cities. It has five functioning monasteries, a huge kremlin (which was never actually a real kremlin, rather a bishop's residence) that was featured in many Russian historical movies, lots of small cafes and hotels, and Lake Nero shoreline. Pop. 20,000 and est. before Moscow. Easy 2 and a half hours from Moscow by train. Highly recommended for a 3-day vacation.

Касимов - Городец Мещерский. Kasimov in Ryazan Oblast, est. 1152 AD, probably even earlier. Pop. slightly over 30,000.

Tarusa is one of the most artistic and scenic towns in Russia.

Uglich has about 35,000 people. It is located in a bend ("угол") in the Volga.

Beautiful field trip in one of the largest monasteries near Moscow. The bell tower is 95 m tall, which is higher than Ivan the Great in Moscow Kremlin. Established in 15th century, it is located SE of Moscow near the Moskva river. The biggest cathderal is 2nd largest in Moscow and is dedicated to Transfiguration of Christ.
The oldest church of Dormition is red color on the left. There are lots of holy relics!

And here is Maloyaroslavets convent of St. Nicholas. Popular with some American pilgrims!