Beyond Moscow

Samara is just out of this world! Photo: Slava Stepanov 🏙️Beyond Moscow🏔️

— To enjoy views like this, you don’t need to go to the Maldives — head to Northern Baikal instead! Photo: @Photo_geographic 📍Coordinates: Yandex Maps #Republic_of_Buryatia 🏙️Beyond Moscow🏔️

— Let’s transport ourselves to Sevastopol for one evening to enjoy a beautiful summer sunset! Video: Alexey Latysh 📍Coordinates: Yandex Maps #Sevastopol#Republic_of_Crimea 🏙️Beyond Moscow🏔️

Having recently indulged in my inner Petrograd local in #SaintPetersburg, I stumbled upon an incredible museum I had never heard of or read about before — 📌The Museum of Political History of Russia. You might roll your eyes at the name, but in reality, this place is a must-visit for anyone interested in history. Housed in a beautiful Art Nouveau mansion originally built for ballerina Mathilde Kschessinska — and later used by Lenin himself — it’s the only museum in Russia that holds original artifacts from pivotal moments like the abolition of serfdom and the 1917 Revolution. You don’t just learn history here — you fall into it. You’ll see the actual Manifesto abolishing serfdom signed by Alexander II, a brutally scathing newspaper article about Nicholas II (check photo 2), handwritten letters from Civil War participants, and even the actual noose used to hang Sophia Perovskaya (photo in comments), along with bombs used by underground revolutionaries. You can listen to courtroom speeches by revolutionaries and walk across the creaky floor of Lenin’s office — the same floor the leader himself once walked. One visit isn’t nearly enough to take in all the knowledge this place has to offer. If I really lived in Petrogradsky District, I’d probably spend my weekends here instead of watching historical documentaries. 🏙️Beyond Moscow🏔️

— Just a few snapshots from iconic places in Saint Petersburg — this city pulls you in at any time of year! Photos: @juliarussianspirit 📍Coordinates: Yandex Maps #Saint_Petersburg 🏙️Beyond Moscow🏔️

🚢The Last Cabin Left on a Dream Trip — A Fantastical Cruise to Chukotka (August 20–28)! This is truly once in a lifetime: epic adventures at the edge of the world, accessible only to a rare few. Think dozens of whales (they spotted 50 at once last year!), massive walrus haul-outs, gourmet dinners, and unlimited wine aboard the expedition cruise ship Professor Khromov. You’ll be envying yourself, I promise. This cruise is organized by one of the most experienced travel teams in Russia — and my closest colleagues in domestic travel. That’s why you’re getting an exclusive 20% discount (just say you’re from @russiamatters). ➡₽795,000 – 20% = ₽636,000 for a Standard Cabin You’ll visit the easternmost point of Eurasia, Cape Dezhnev, the Beringia National Park, and other breathtaking, remote destinations. Onboard perks include comfortable cabins, lectures from a biologist, and Far Eastern delicacies prepared by star chef Dmitry Parikov, paired with top-tier wines. 🧭 If you want to grab the last cabin, contact the organizer @alexanderktp and mention @russiamatters to get your discount! 🏙️Beyond Moscow🏔️

🏰Delicate hydrangeas are now in bloom at Garibaldi Castle! This structure, built in 2014 on the banks of the Volga near Tolyatti, remains a hot topic of debate. Some accuse its creator, a “meat industry” oligarch, of bad taste and of indulging his ego at great expense. Others admire the originality of the idea and the scale with which the project continues to evolve. One thing is certain: Garibaldi Castle has become a powerful magnet attracting visitors to the Samara region. 📍Khryashchevka village, Stavropolsky District, Samara Region Coordinates: 53.821852, 49.085142 🎥Baturindenis 🏙️Beyond Moscow🏔️

🏖Shalovo-Perechitsky Quarry This place used to be quite a tall sandy hill covered with forest. Sand extraction began here back in the mid-20th century. Over time, the excavation intensified, and eventually the sandy hill was replaced by a massive pit. The snow-white sand with a subtle pink hue, grottoes, and shimmering blue water have made this location a popular spot for photo shoots. 📍Meryovo village, Luga district, Leningrad region – 58.784582, 30.025319 📷 Fornimania, Darya.dobrynina, Zamkowa, Shnrv.astnn, Ir.atlantida, Katrin_1633777, Lusia_lazukova 🏙️Beyond Moscow🏔️

— Hard to believe, but autumn is less than a month away. That means it’s time to start thinking about an autumn trip! For example, you can head to Bashkortostan to see the golden fields and mountains of the Southern Urals. Photo: @mr_alex_turner 📍Coordinates: Yandex Maps #Republic_of_Bashkortostan 🏙️Beyond Moscow🏔️

The white-stone town of Suzdal 🏙️Beyond Moscow🏔️

— Though a person is small, they can step over the Volga. The key is to do it in the right place! In the village with the telling name Volgoverkhovye lies the source of the Volga River. From here, the river stretches 3,530 kilometers, flowing through 15 regions of Russia. Photo: @ted_ns 📍Coordinates: Yandex Maps #Tver_Region 🏙️Beyond Moscow🏔️

🏰Krutitsy Metochion — A Moscow That No Longer Exists In the very heart of the metropolis, in the Tagansky District, lies a hidden gem — the Krutitsy Patriarchal Metochion. It feels frozen in time, preserving the appearance of Moscow from the 13th–18th centuries. Cobblestone paths, red-brick churches, silence, and a special, almost monastic atmosphere. This is one of the finest monuments of ecclesiastical architecture in Russia. The harmony and beauty of the old forms are so unique that the site is often used as a set for historical films. If you want not just to stroll around but to truly understand the history of this place — take a walking tour. You’ll learn how Krutitsy survived the Tatar-Mongol yoke, the Time of Troubles, and the War of 1812, who saved the compound from destruction in the 20th century, and why there are casemates here. Be sure to visit the Teremok with its vibrant tiles, the museum exhibition, and the Prikaz Chambers. And don’t miss the Romanov burial vault. This is a side of Moscow rarely shown — and it’s absolutely worth it. 📷By Evgenia Sapegina 📍Location on the map #Moscow 🏙️Beyond Moscow🏔️