Holidays in Sochi

Kashirsky district

Tuapse district

Holidays in Sochi

Russia is a country in two parts of the world, a state whose territory covers the sandy Baltic spit and the rocky islands of Chukotka, stretches from the northern Arctic latitudes to the subtropics. Russia has unimaginable wealth - cultural and historical heritage, protected forests and untouched spaces. The elegant streets of St. Petersburg and the architectural monuments of Kaliningrad compete with the architecture of ancient cities - multi-domed churches and merchant houses, and the beaches of the Black Sea coast compete with the northern forests of Karelia and the ridges of the Ural Mountains.

Geography

Russia is the largest country on our planet by area, occupying 17.1 million square kilometers. The state is located in Eurasia and covers both parts of the continent. About a third of Russia's territory is located in Eastern Europe, and the rest belongs to northern Asia. The Russian shores are washed by the waters of 12 seas belonging to the basins of the Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and by the waters of the closed Caspian Sea.

Russia lies on large platforms, so its topography is predominantly flat. In the west of the country stretches the undulating Central Russian Plain, separated by the ridge of the Ural Mountains from the Siberian Plateau. In the south of Russia there are the Caucasus mountain systems with the highest point of the country - Mount Elbrus, Sayan and Altai. In the Far East, the peaks of extinct and active volcanoes soar upward.

There are about 2.5 million rivers and 3 million lakes in Russia. Most rivers are flat in nature, but there are also turbulent mountain rivers in Russia with rocky, rapids beds. The country's largest rivers are the Ob, Lena, Irtysh, Yenisei and Volga. The lake region of Russia is Karelia, where the largest lakes in Europe are located - Ladoga and Onega; in Eastern Siberia there is the deepest lake on the planet - Baikal.

The flora of Russia is a velvet of mosses and lichens in the taiga tundra, coniferous forests encircling the glacial lakes of Karelia, oak forests and birch groves, feather grass and fescue steppes, broad-leaved Far Eastern forests, subtropical flora on the Black Sea coast. Nature protection zones have been created in Russia, there are 42 national parks and 71 nature reserves.

Climate

The territory of Russia covers several climatic zones: Arctic and subarctic on the shores of the Arctic Ocean and in the northern regions, temperate, subtropical on the Black Sea coast. However, most of the country is characterized by a climate of temperate latitudes: continental, temperate continental, sharply continental and monsoon in the Far East.

In general, Russia has a long, snowy and cold winter. Depending on the region, average January temperatures range from 6 to −50 °C. Summer in most of Russia is moderately warm with an average temperature from 1 °C in the northern regions to 25 °C on the Black Sea coast.

Time

The territory of Russia covers 11 time zones:

Kaliningrad time - MSK−1 (UTC+2)
Moscow time - MSK (UTC+3)
Samara time - MSK+1 (UTC+4)
Ekaterinburg time - MSK+2 (UTC+5)
Omsk time - MSK+3 (UTC+6)
Krasnoyarsk time - MSK+4 (UTC+7)
Irkutsk time - MSK+5 (UTC+8)
Yakut time - MSK+6 (UTC+9)
Vladivostok time - MSK+7 (UTC+10)
Central Kolyma time - MSK+8 (UTC+11)
Kamchatka time - MSK+9 (UTC+12)

Language

Official language of Russia: Russian. Subjects of the Russian Federation have the right to establish state and official languages ​​used on an equal basis with Russian. The most common foreign languages ​​in Russia are Ukrainian, Belarusian and German. English is widely used in business and tourism, as a means of international communication, mainly in large cities.

Population

The population of Russia is 142 million people. About 80% of the population are Russians. In total, representatives of more than 200 nationalities and nationalities live in the country.

Currency

Official currency: ruble (RUB).

Customs regulations

Undeclared import and export of currency is limited to an amount equivalent to 10,000USD. Duty-free import of goods for personal consumption is limited - alcohol and cigarettes: a liter of alcohol, up to 50 cigars or cigarillos, or 200 cigarettes, or 250 grams of tobacco, as well as goods and things for personal use: clothing, toiletries, jewelry, photographic and film equipment .

Jewelry, artistic and cultural values, works of art, psychotropic and potent medicinal substances, ammunition and weapons are subject to mandatory declaration.

Connection

In Russia, cellular communication services are provided by more than a hundred operators, the largest of which are the so-called “Big Three” - mobile operators MTS, Megafon and Beeline. The remaining companies have a significantly smaller number of clients and provide services in certain regions. SIM cards from the Big Three operators can be purchased everywhere - in stores, mobile phone stores, and post offices.

Russia's telephone code is +7.

To call Russia on a mobile phone, dial +7-subscriber number***

Mains voltage

Mains voltage 220 volts.

Tourism

Russia has opportunities for any type of tourism. The rich historical heritage has served to create excursion routes and educational tours, the long Black Sea coast is a traditional region of beach and active recreation, and ski resorts in Russia are rapidly developing. One of the main types of tourism in the country is health tourism. Over the centuries, a system of resort treatment has been developing in Russia - sanatoriums and spa hotels operate on sources of mineral waters, healing mud, and in places with a favorable climate.

Traditions/peculiarities. Russia has preserved many customs and traditions that go back centuries. Every spring, in large cities and very small towns they say goodbye to winter on a grand scale - they bake pancakes and burn a straw effigy of Maslenitsa, in the summer in villages they celebrate Ivan Kupala Day, and the main winter holiday is New Year.

One of the main features of the Russian people was and remains hospitality, which is most manifested in the feast. A traditional Russian meal includes first, second and third courses - soups and stews, baked poultry or meat, all kinds of baked goods - pies and pies. Dishes of national cuisine are presented in all their richness in restaurants. Daily cabbage soup, roast, sbitni and tinctures are served in the best establishments.

Safety

The safety of tourists in Russia is ensured by the forces of law and order. Since June 2014, tourist police units began operating in a number of regions, patrolling busy pedestrian streets, squares and parks.

In general, Russia is a safe country for tourists. However, to prevent unpleasant incidents, you should adhere to standard safety rules - do not leave personal belongings unattended, do not carry a wallet in the back pocket of your trousers or in an easily accessible place, beware of deserted and unlit places in the dark, do not use the services of unofficial taxi drivers, do not change currency at individuals.

Documentation

The list of documents required during vacation includes:

• Russian passport
• travel package or voucher
• health insurance policy
• if you plan to rent a car you must have a driver's license

If a tourist will relax in a sanatorium-resort institution and receive medical procedures, then a sanatorium-resort book is required, which can be obtained from a general practitioner.

Children accompanied by adults must have a birth certificate or passport, medical insurance.

Important phone numbers

Emergency numbers in Russia:

• Fire Service - 01
• Police - 02
• Ambulance - 03
• Unified 24/7 helpline when calling from a mobile phone – 112

Tourism

The choice of tourist destinations in Russia is wider than anywhere else. The peculiarities of the geographical location and historical development have allowed the formation of resort regions in the country, which are characterized by one or another type of recreation.

Beach holiday. There are many resorts in Russia offering a comfortable holiday on the sea coast. The traditional region of beach tourism in our country is the Krasnodar Territory. It is here that the summer capital of Russia is located - Sochi, the famous resorts of Anapa, Gelendzhik, Tuapse, Adler, and the resort of Yeisk, located on the coast of the Azov Sea.

Beach holidays are offered by Crimean resorts. Sanatoriums, resort hotels, private and city beaches stretch along the entire coast of the peninsula. The main destinations are Alushta, Evpatoria, Kerch, Koktebel, Saki, Sevastopol, Sudak, Feodosia, Yalta, the villages of Kurortnoye, Nikolaevka, Peschanoe and Shchelkino.

Sanatorium treatment carried out in almost all regions of Russia. Sanatoriums, resorts and medical centers operate at sources of mineral waters, healing mud, and in places with favorable climatic conditions. The most famous balneological resorts in the country are Essentuki, Zheleznovodsk, Kislovodsk and Pyatigorsk.

Rich traditions of using natural factors have been formed in the Crimea, especially in Saki and Yevpatoria, where the first mud resorts opened. Sanatorium-resort treatment is carried out on the coast of the Krasnodar region, in the Moscow, Ryazan, Kostroma, Ivanovo, Tver and Tula regions, in the Urals. In the northern and northwestern regions of the country there are medical resorts Marcial Waters, Sestroretsk, Svetlogorsk and Zelenogradsk; the largest resort in Siberia is Belokurikha.

Excursion tours in Moscow, the Golden Ring of Russia, Pskov, Uglich, Veliky Novgorod, Vologda and Nizhny Novgorod allow travelers to get acquainted with the historical heritage of ancient Russian cities - ancient temples with gilded domes, ancient fortresses and castles, city mansions and merchant houses. Dozens of excursion routes run through the territory of Kazan, St. Petersburg and its environs - Peterhof, Lomonosov and Kronstadt. Educational tourism in Crimea involves visiting royal palaces, nature reserves and cave cities.

Ski tourism in Russia is experiencing rapid growth. The country has large mountain systems and modern ski resorts. In the Krasnodar Territory, on the slopes of the Main Caucasus Range, the Krasnaya Polyana resort is located. The level of service and modern infrastructure of Krasnaya Polyana during the Winter Olympic Games were appreciated by tourists and athletes from all over the world. The resort has the most modern equipment, pistes of various levels with a total length of 72 km, ski villages with comfortable hotels.

Among the high-mountainous resorts of Russia, ski holidays are offered by the Dombay and Elbrus region complexes, Abzakovo-Bannoye in the Urals. Each of the resorts has the necessary infrastructure and comfortable accommodation conditions.

Weekend tours. The most popular destinations for a weekend getaway are the cities of the Moscow region and the outskirts of large cities in different regions of the country. Short stay programs are offered by tourist centers, sanatoriums, spa hotels and hotels.

Children's holiday. Traditionally, summer health camps for children are located on the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Territory - in Anapa, Gelendzhik, Tuapse and Sochi, in Crimea - in the resorts of Evpatoria and Yalta, in the village of Peschanoye. Children's sanatoriums and camps are available in different regions of the country - Moscow, Kaluga, Leningrad and Rostov regions.

Leisure. There are many places in Russia where you can indulge in sports, active pastime, and extreme tourism. Baikal attracts not only with its natural beauty, but also with the possibility of hiking, scuba diving, hunting and fishing, ATV riding, cycling and horseback riding.

In the warm season, trekking, horseback riding, and rafting on mountain rivers are organized for tourists at the resorts of the Altai Mountains, Dombay and Krasnaya Polyana. In Crimea there are opportunities for mountaineering and hang gliding, mountain climbing, trekking, horseback riding, diving, and sea fishing. Active recreational activities in the north include sleigh rides, dog sledding and reindeer sledding. Conditions for active activities - hunting, fishing, hiking, cycling and horse riding - are available in Central Russia.

Visa

To visit the Russian Federation, citizens of most countries require a national visa. Visa-free entry for a period not exceeding 90 days is allowed to citizens of the CIS countries (except Turkmenistan), Abkhazia and South Ossetia, a number of South American countries, and a number of Balkan countries.

The basis for obtaining a Russian visa for foreign tourists is an Invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation or from a travel company that is included in the Federal Register of Tour Operators, which gives it the right to provide visa support to foreigners.

The most famous attractions

• The Moscow Kremlin is the oldest territory of the capital, with an area of ​​27.5 hectares. In 1367 The Kremlin was surrounded by a brick wall. On the territory there are the Arkhangelsk, Annunciation, Assumption Cathedrals, the Chamber of Facets, the Senate, the Terem Palace, the Tsar Bell, the Tsar Cannon.
• The Tretyakov Gallery was founded in 1856. This is the largest museum in the world, where unique paintings by masters of the 10th-20th centuries are collected.

• The Hermitage is the largest museum in the world, founded by Catherine the Great in the 18th century. The museum exhibits paintings by world-famous artists. In total, more than 3 million valuables are exhibited on the territory of the museum.
• St. Isaac's Cathedral was built in the 19th century by O. Montferrand - an outstanding monument of St. Petersburg. Both its external architecture and interior decoration are impressive, in which all types of art are presented - mosaics, painting, sculpture. The main iconostasis is decorated with lapis lazuli and malachite columns.
• Tsarskoe Selo is a nature reserve in Pushkino, includes a large park and architectural ensemble of the 18th-19th centuries, the country residence of the emperors. The museum is located on 107 hectares and consists of the Catherine Park, the Old Garden, the English Park, the Catherine Palace, the Memorial Museum, the Hermitage Pavilion, etc.
• Peter and Paul Fortress - located on Hare Island, the oldest monument in St. Petersburg. Within the boundaries of the museum there is the Commandant's House, the city museum, the Grand Ducal Burial Vault, Botny, the Engineering House, prison buildings, bastions, and the Peter and Paul Cathedral.
• The Russian Museum was opened in 1895 by Nicholas II. Within the walls of the building there is a rich exhibition of artistic treasures and a restoration center.
• Yusupov Palace is a beautiful architectural monument of the 18th-19th centuries. Guests of the palace were Queen Elizabeth II of England, the King of Greece, the Queen of Norway and other dignitaries. The building was built by I. Monighetti, J.B. Valen-Delamont, the Shuvalovs, Branitskys, Yusupovs lived in it.
• The palace and park ensemble of Peterhof is a beautiful monument located not far from St. Petersburg, founded in the 18th century. The territory includes the Lower and Upper parks, the Grand Palace, the largest system of fountains, water cascades, elegant sculptural compositions, and bas-reliefs.

• Pshadsky waterfall is a unique natural structure. Located on the river. Pshada consists of a whole cascade of small waterfalls.
• The ruins of the old city of Gorgypia show ancient ruins from the 4th century BC. The ancient foundations and cobbled streets have been preserved here. On the territory there is a large archaeological museum, where you can see the crypt of Hercules, monuments to Mother Mary, and the “Russian Gate” - the remains of a Turkish fortress.
• The city's local history museum is located in the Shchetnev gymnasium. Visitors are offered an interesting exhibition about the fauna, flora of Anapa, and the history of the Bosporan kingdom.

• The Arboretum is the largest botanical park, a kind of open-air museum. The park presents unique examples of the flora of the Western Caucasus, as well as many southern states located closer to the equator.
• Vorontsov caves are the largest underground agglomeration with a height difference of 240m. Some cavities are filled with water, and narrow passages sometimes make it difficult to navigate. In some sections of the caves there are ancient sites of primitive people.
• Sochi Art Museum is a major art center. The building displays paintings by Polenov, Aivazovsky, Shishkin, and exhibitions of contemporary masters are regularly held.

• Swallow's Nest is a famous historical and architectural monument located on the Aurora rock, rising 40 meters above the sea. The building is made in the style of a medieval knight's palace. The palace acquired its current appearance thanks to Baron Steingel.
• The Vorontsov Palace is located in Alupka, built from diabase, and there is a beautiful park in the surrounding area. The style of the palace combines English and neo-Mauritanian styles.
• Livadia Palace is the imperial residence. The castle was built in the Italian light style in the 19th century. It is considered the most luxurious palace in Crimea and is the venue for the Yalta Conference.
• Mount Ai-Petri is located on a plateau and has a flat top. The height is 1234 m. The mountain is considered a symbol of the southern coast of Crimea.
• Nikitsky Botanical Garden is a research institution working in the field of botany and fruit growing. There are several parks here - Montedor, Primorsky, Verkhniy, which contain a rich collection of plants brought from all over the world. This is the oldest botanical park in the world, which has interesting architectural structures.
• Masandra Palace is a beautiful architectural structure that served as the residence of Alexander the Third. The building was rebuilt in the 19th century in the style of French medieval castles. In the surrounding area there is a magnificent park, which features more than 250 species of shrubs and trees.
• House A.P. Chekhov is a memorial museum opened in honor of the writer in Yalta. The house has preserved all the furnishings of those times; Chekhov readings with the participation of foreign guests are often held there, and excursions are held.

Gurzuf

• House of Richelieu - erected in 1811 by the Duke of Richelieu in the form of a two-story stone building in European style. The Duke rarely came here on vacation, and more often provided the estate to his acquaintances. Pushkin, the Raevskys and other well-known personalities were here.
• Korovin's dacha is the home of an outstanding painter who worked in Gurzuf for a long time. A beautiful building with clear geometric proportions in the constructivist style.
• The watchtower is located on Cape Suuk-Su; it existed in the 6th century, when Byzantine legionnaires came to the land. The monument is often called the Tower of Geria or the Eagle's Nest.

• Admiralty Cathedral in honor of St. Vladimir is located on the Central Hill, considered the greatest Orthodox monument of the 19th century. The building has one massive dome, emphasizing the Byzantine architecture of the 9th-11th centuries. Instead of icons, there are marble slabs in the interior halls.
• Malakhov Kurgan is a grandiose monument, where there is a 19th century Defense Tower, a museum of the Heroic Defense and Liberation of the City, memorial plaques made of cast iron, cannons, and a beautiful park.
• Chersonesos is the oldest monument of Sevastopol, the ruins of an ancient Greek town of the ancient era, in which Vladimir of Kiev adopted Christianity.
• The Military History Museum in honor of the Black Sea Fleet is considered the oldest of its kind in the world. It opened in 1869, is located in a beautiful building, and presents a valuable exhibition dedicated to the morals and life of the Russian fleet from the tsarist era to the present day.
• The Genoese fortress with the interesting name Chembalo is located at a height above Balaklava Bay. Founded in 1357, it has defensive walls.

• Mangup is a cave city of medieval Crimea. There are numerous caves preserved here, carved into the rock along the entire perimeter of the plateau.
• The temple to the three horsemen is carved into a huge boulder. In the inner hall there is a fresco painting preserved from antiquity.
• Bakhchisarai Palace is a beautiful architectural structure that was previously the residence of the Crimean khans. The building is considered the only surviving monument of Crimean Tatar architecture. The Palace houses a museum of culture and history and an exhibition of weapons.

• The arboretum is a unique natural reserve located on rocky clay soil. Here is a rich collection of plants and shrubs, many of which are rare on the planet.
• Saki Resort Park was founded in 1890 by Melnichenko P.S. On the territory there are beautiful fountains, three lakes, and diverse vegetation.
• The Belyaus settlement was discovered in the 20th century and existed in the 4th-2nd centuries. BC. The monument is located on the Tarkhankun Peninsula.
• The excavations of Kerkinida, opened in 1964, prove the existence of Greek colonists on the site of the modern city. 30 burials were discovered on the territory.
• Kizyary are the oldest underground passages located under the old city. Tunnels carved into yellow shell rock are considered an important value of Evpatoria.

• The Genoese fortress is the oldest monument of the city with beautiful, strict medieval architecture. Today here you can see the Watchtower, a mosque, the residence of the Genoese consul, and the gates of the fortress.
• Church of the Intercession Ave. The Virgin Mary is the first architectural monument of the Russian era, which began after the annexation of Crimea. The building was built in the style of Russian classicism; the foundation stone took place in 1819 on September 20, as stated on the memorial plaque.

New World

• The Golitsyn trail begins at the green bay on the northern side of Khoba Kaya and leads to a natural grotto formed by sea waves in massive rocks.
• Chaliapin's Grotto is a small concert hall with excellent acoustics. The grotto reaches a height of 30 meters; in its depths there is a stage for musicians, and behind it a small compartment for Golitsin’s wines with preserved stone arches.

Suzdal

• The Kremlin is the oldest part of the city. On the territory there are the Nativity Cathedral, the Bell Tower, St. Nicholas, Assumption Churches, and the Bishop's Chambers. In the 11th century, the Kremlin was surrounded by an earthen rampart lined with clay.
• The Museum of Architecture is located on the site of the 11th century Dmitrievsky Monastery. The museum's collection includes outbuildings and household items of Russian peasants.

• The horse yard is located in an 18th century building in the city center. The exhibition consists of folk crafts - embroidery, carvings, wood painting, clothing.
• The Chernigov monastery is a cave monastery that was founded in 1844. Today it is a functioning complex where you can visit the caves on excursions.
• Sergievo Posad Lavra is the largest monastery, founded by S. Radonezh in 1337. A place revered by Orthodox Christians, a spiritual center with a rich library of ancient books.

• Detinets or the Kremlin was founded by Yaroslavl. First mentioned in 1044 in chronicles. The tallest tower of Detinets Kokuy, built in the 18th century.
• Hagia Sophia is a grandiose building of the century. The cathedral was built by Yaroslav the Wise as a temple for the entire city. Great bishops, princes, and mayors of the city found peace in its galleries.

• The Assumption Cathedral is the most important church in the city, included in all excursions around Vladimir. The cathedral was founded in the 12th century by Andrey Bogolyubsky to later become the main temple of the state.
• The Golden Gate was built in the 12th century. The building has rich decoration and was previously used for ceremonial entrances into the city.
• Vladimir Central is a famous prison built by order of Catherine II. At one time, Frunze, Powers, and Zoya Fedorova were kept there. Since 1996 it has been a museum open to visitors.

• Museum of the Transfiguration Monastery Complex. The architectural ensemble was built in the 12th century and is considered the largest of its kind. In the 16th century, the state treasury was located here; in 1612, the Headquarters of Pozharsky and Minin were located in the monastery.
• The Church of Proka Ilya was founded in the 17th century on the site of wooden churches at the expense of the Skripin merchants. The building is decorated with five green onion domes, covered galleries, a bell tower, and the Robe Limit.

Uglich

• The Kremlin was founded in the 15th century by Andrei the Bolshoi. The structure was surrounded by a high wall with two passages and nine blind defensive towers. Today here you can see the chambers that belonged to Tsarevich Dmitry.
• The Church of Demetrius on the Spilled Blood was erected in 1692 on the site where the prince died. The building is painted red, the domes are blue with white ornaments, and the interior has rich paintings from the 18th century.

Pereslavl-Zalessky

• Goritsky Monastery is a large architectural and historical museum. The exhibition consists of furniture, church utensils, a collection of ancient icons, paintings by Shishkin, Benois, a valuable library of ancient books and a collection of wooden sculptures.
• The Museum "Boat of Peter the Great" is the oldest building. The museum is notable for the fact that Peter the Great built an amusing flotilla here on Lake Pleshcheyevo. Today you can see the monument to the Tsar, the Botny House, the gatehouse, the Triumphal Gate, and the White Palace.

Rostov

• The Borisoglebsky monastery complex was built on a hill surrounded by the bed of the Ustye river in 1363 during the reign of Dmitry Donskoy with the blessing of S. Radonezh. It was he who indicated the place where the temple should stand.
• The Kremlin is the main attraction of the city with the Assumption Cathedral, five temples, and powerful walls. Previously, the Kremlin was the bishop's residence.

Kostroma

• The Ipatiev Monastery is the greatest monument of Orthodox culture, built in the 13th century. At the site of construction, Mikhail Romanov was elected to reign, so it is often called the cradle of the Romanov family.
• The fire tower is a beautiful monument of Russian classicism, located on Susaninskaya Square. The building has the appearance of a temple from ancient times, complemented by a portico of columns and a pediment.

• The Vvedensky monastery complex was founded in the 19th century at the expense of Derbenev according to the original design of Begen P. Patriarch Tikhon served in the temple. In its halls are the relics of Blessed Alexy of Elnatsky, St. Basil of Kineshma and 168 other saints.
• Bubnov Museum. The house was built in 1860 for a merchant family and is located on the site of a city estate. The building has survived to this day and is open for tours.

• Lermontov places are Pyatigorsk Boulevard, Lermontov Baths, Lermontov's House, Elizavetinsky Spring in Pyatigorsk, Mount Ring and other places associated with the life of the poet in the Caucasus.
• The Castle of Cunning and Love is located in Kislovodsk - a natural monument made of rocks, in the outlines of which mournful faces can be discerned. The castle is located near the river gorge. Alikonovka.

• The Wrangel Tower is a grandiose historical structure, the thickness of the walls and ceilings is three meters. In the 20th century, the building ceased to be used as a fortification; today there are warehouses and wholesale stores here.
• The Brandenburg Gate is a beautiful historical monument and the only gate of the city that is still used for its intended purpose today. The building was erected in 1657.
• The Cathedral is a beautiful architectural monument, a symbol of the city. Built in the Baltic Gothic style and is one of the rare examples of the Gothic style in Russia.

• The Buryat village is located in Olkhon. This is a colorful open-air museum, by visiting which you can get acquainted with the life and culture of the Buryats.
• The pillars of Huukhein-Khad are a particularly sacred place located in the Shumak Valley. According to legend, you can see your future here.
• Ivolginsky datsan is an important Buddhist monument. The incorrupt body of Khambo Lama Itigelov, who passed into nirvana in 1927, rests in a beautiful, colorful temple.

• The Valley of Geysers is the largest natural monument discovered in the 20th century. There are 22 geysers and numerous pulsating springs, mud pots, and colored lakes with bubbling water.
• The Klyuchevsky volcano group unites 12 volcanoes located on an area of ​​7 thousand m². The largest and highest volcano on the continent, Klyuchevskaya Sopka, is located here.

Transport component

The transport system of Russia includes aviation, rail, sea and road communications.

Air transport. There are 236 airports in Russia, more than 70 of them have international status. The country's largest airports are Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo in Moscow, Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg, Koltsovo in Yekaterinburg and Adler in Sochi. Moscow airports are connected to the capital by high-speed Aeroexpress trains. Russian air carriers operate domestic and international flights.

Russian railways serve more than 124,000 km of tracks. Large cities have passenger stations, and small towns have railway stations. Long-distance trains run between cities, and commuter electric trains also operate. The Trans-Siberian railway line runs through the entire country, connecting Moscow and Vladivostok. You can view the schedule of long-distance trains and commuter trains and purchase a ticket on the Russian Railways website http://pass.rzd.ru

The total length of Russian highways is 1,000,000 km.

By sea transport Intercity and international passenger transportation is carried out. Marine terminals operate in Sochi, St. Petersburg, Murmansk and Nakhodka.

Navigation is carried out along rivers and canals. The length of river routes is 200,000 km.

Metro available in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Samara, Yekaterinburg and Novosibirsk. In each of the above cities, the metro has its own characteristics - for example, the capital has the most developed metro network, and the Novosibirsk metro has only 12 stations.

Ground transport in Russian cities These are buses, trolleybuses, tram lines and minibuses. The most convenient and accessible way to travel around cities is by buses and minibuses. Every relatively large city has bus terminals or bus stations connected by direct flights to regional centers.

Taxi and car rental. There are official and unofficial taxi drivers in Russian cities; it is not recommended to use the services of the latter due to the high risk of being deceived or paying an inflated tariff. Dispatch desks of official taxi companies are usually located in the arrival halls of airports, train stations and bus stations.

If you have a driver's license and at least one year of driving experience, you can rent a car. This service is offered by both large international companies Sixt, AVIS and Europcar, as well as small private companies. In most companies, the rental service with return in another city is limited to a small number of settlements or is not provided at all.

* payment in rubles at the Central Bank rate (+ 2%) on the day of booking

Information on the conclusion and termination of an insurance contract, the scope of insurance obligations, the actions of the parties upon the occurrence of an insured event, the procedure for paying insurance compensation and other necessary information for the insured tourist are specified in the insurance rules.

More than half of our tourists prefer to relax in an all-inclusive hotel. This is both comfortable and satisfying, and also allows us to understand what the final amount of the vacation will cost us. This year our main question is where to go now if you want to not think about anything and
just enjoy your vacation?

1. Tunisia

At the moment, Tunisia is the most popular destination with All Inclusive meals. Many hotels have large areas with water parks for children, as well as their own spa centers with inexpensive services. Overall, this is a good alternative to Egypt. In Tunisia, as in any other country, you may be disappointed by the “all inclusive” in 3 star hotels - there will be less choice and service
worse. But you can safely take 4 and 5 stars!

2. Greece

In Greece, “All inclusive” is not always a buffet, and the variety of food is very different from the usual Turkish one. In 3-star hotels, this can even be a menu with 3-4 options for hot dishes. However, many traditional dishes and products are served, so it is not necessary to walk to the cafe, but you can get acquainted with the local cuisine in the hotel restaurant.

There is a minus for “all inclusive” in Greece - most likely you will want to rent a car and travel around the island or sail to neighboring islands - then you will miss lunch. Hotels in Greece often offer free rental of bicycles, tennis courts and other sports equipment.

Read also: The best excursion destinations in Europe

3. Bulgaria

What is the advantage of eating in Bulgaria - the products and dishes are very familiar to us, which is convenient for families with children. As in Greece, it is likely that eating out may be cheaper here than on an all-inclusive basis. And the hotel area is not large, which means you will often want to go for a walk. However, in general, if you prefer a vacation only according to this system, you will not spend a lot of money - All Inclusive in Bulgaria is quite an affordable pleasure.

4. Cyprus

There are not many All Inclusive hotels in Cyprus, and drinks are often not included in the price. But it’s quite convenient to stay in a hotel that is located right on the shore, rather than running around and looking for good cafes in the area. Moreover, for example, in Ayia Napa and Paphos, to get to the city center, you need to climb a small hill. Take care of your knees and don’t leave your luxury hotel on the first line 😉

Read also: What to choose - Greece or Cyprus?

It is worth warning that in Cyprus there is very little fresh fish, usually dishes are prepared from frozen, but there is a lot of meat - souvlaki kebabs in all types, meatballs, cutlets and steaks with different sauces - the cuisine here is gorgeous!

5. Spain

All-inclusive hotels in Spain at an affordable price are also quite rare. But you can find excellent specimens on the Canary and Balearic Islands - for example, in Mallorca and Tenerife. Considering the high cost of these resorts, eating on an all-inclusive basis will be cheaper than in local restaurants. In addition, on the islands, unlike the mainland, the hotels are very comfortable and spacious, with a large territory that you don’t want to leave.

6. Russia

Hotels in Russia are slowly but surely reaching out to foreign club complexes. Entire hotel communities are being built on the territory of the Krasnodar Territory - clean, new, spacious, with European-class service! The newer the hotel, the higher the quality of services and food.

If you are going on vacation with children, choose a hotel with water slides and a play area - this way you will save on visiting public water parks. If you don’t like crowds on the beach, then look for a hotel with its own beach area.

7-8 Cuba and Dominican Republic

Paradise resorts of the Caribbean are the best representatives of the all-inclusive system! Excellent beaches, quality drinks, freshly squeezed juices, a huge territory, animation and entertainment areas for adults and children - you couldn’t ask for more!

Restaurants serve buffet meals and there are several à la carte restaurants. You will see a lot of seafood: crabs, shrimp and even ready-made rolls! There are also a lot of meat dishes and fresh tropical fruits. Moreover, most often all hotel services are available around the clock.

9-10 Jordan and Morocco

In Jordan and Morocco you can also find all-inclusive hotels, and the price of such a service will please you very much. To ensure your holiday doesn’t disappoint, choose new hotels built no more than 15 years ago.

Beach tours

Choosing a hotel

Choosing a hotel with all-inclusive meals

And what Russian doesn’t like freebies? Yes, actually, not Russian either. Maybe that's why we like to relax so much on the all inclusive system? After all, having paid the cost of the trip, you can spend a week or two in a hotel with all the amenities, without spending a single dollar in excess of what you “paid” at home, which gives rise to the feeling of being completely free. But is everything always so rosy and simple? It turns out that no. All inclusive, it turns out, can be different, and before dreaming of a carefree vacation, it would be nice to find out in more detail what kind of “everything” that is “inclusive” is.

Classics of the genre

Perhaps, in the minds of any Russian tourist, the concept of “all inclusive” is tightly linked to the country called by professionals “Russian dacha” - Turkey. According to experts, more than half of its hotels and up to 90% of Antalya hotels prefer the all-inclusive system. Therefore, using Turkey as an example, it is easiest to study all inclusive varieties.

First of all, let’s dispel a common misconception: not only expensive 4-5* hotels and first class clubs operate according to the all inclusive formula. Absolutely any hotel from 2* to 5* can feed and entertain tourists without charging a penny more than what they paid in Moscow. The difference lies only in the quality and quantity of services included in the “gentleman's set”.

2-3* hotels usually include three meals a day in the price. The difference from full board (FB) is the ability to consume local soft drinks and alcoholic drinks throughout the day (usually from 10 am to 10 pm) without any restrictions. The edibility of the dishes depends on the skill of the cooks, but in any case one cannot count on special culinary delights. Tourists are guaranteed a buffet with about five types of different salads and the same number of hot dishes. Plus some vegetables, fruits and baked goods. In principle, everything can be very tasty, but by the second week of vacation, the menu memorized by heart no longer arouses enthusiasm, and one is tempted to eat somewhere else.

As for services not related to the process of eating food, their variety is also small. The minimum necessary beach amenities - sun loungers and umbrellas - are provided free of charge. Children are provided with a playground and a shallow pool, while adults are offered only innocent entertainment in the form of table tennis. But the famous Turkish animation may not exist.

In 4* hotels, the all-inclusive system means 4 meals a day with the addition of a late breakfast or late dinner to the three traditional meals. The choice of dishes here is wider. In addition to vegetables for a snack, tourists are offered about 10 types of salads and the same number of hot dishes. Plus pastries, tea, coffee all day long. Locally produced soft and alcoholic drinks are served from 10 am until midnight, or even until two or three in the morning. Beach and poolside eateries and bars will sometimes offer free light snacks throughout the day.

The number of included services and entertainment is also increasing. On the beach, vacationers are given free of charge not only sun loungers, but also mattresses, sometimes along with beach towels. Along with the outdoor pool, there is an indoor one, and if you're lucky, also water slides. The little ones can be sent to the children's club, and adults are guaranteed rich animation and a disco. In addition to table tennis, there is also a large gym, as well as a gym, volleyball and other sports, naturally with free equipment. Finally, any Turkish 4-star hotel with an all inclusive system provides guests with the opportunity to steam in a Turkish bath or sauna.

"All inclusive" in 5* hotels is not too different from the 4-star option, although there are some nice extras. Thus, some hotels serve their clients not only local, but also imported drinks, others treat vacationers with ice cream throughout the day. A jacuzzi is usually added to a bathhouse and sauna, and beach towels become not a pleasant exception, but the rule. Water activities are complemented by free canoeing and catamarans.

Little tricks

As you know, a rule is only meant to have exceptions. This statement fully applies to the all inclusive formula. In addition, there are no standards here as such, since each hotel develops its own all-inclusive system, focusing on the experience of competitors and its own imagination.

First of all, the quantity and quality of services provided by a hotel or club depend not so much on their “star rating” as on the cost of living. According to travel agency managers, a decent 2* hotel in terms of price can provide excellent four meals a day, while hotels with three “stars” on the façade sometimes offer only three meager meals a day. The quality of all inclusive, as it turns out, is also determined by the level of hotel staff. Thus, experts in Turkey claim that the food at the hotel is much tastier than at the hotel, although both hotels deservedly received their 5 stars. The secret to this difference is simple: Papillion Belvi has a great chef.

Are you by any chance interested in the question: how do hotels that include food and drinks in the price not go bankrupt from the excessive appetites of tourists? It turns out that human gluttony has its limits, so the average vacationer easily fits into the cost of the trip. And yet, many hotels come up with their own ways to save money that are unprofitable for tourists. For example, in inexpensive 2-3-star hotels you shouldn’t even count on diluted juices; most likely they will simply dilute you with powder like Zuko. Another common technique is when food left uneaten during breakfast is passed on to lunch, and from lunch to dinner. Savings are also achieved by reducing the number of service personnel, which tourists feel due to rare and poor-quality cleaning. Therefore, we never tire of warning you: when you choose all inclusive, take an interest in the details of the service characteristic of the hotel you like.

Who is bigger?

There is no limit to the imagination of Turkish hoteliers! In an effort to emphasize the elitism and exclusivity of expensive 5-star hotels, they have developed completely unusual types of improved all-inclusive formula: ultra all inclusive, maximum all inclusive, superior all inclusive, imperial. Moreover, the difference between all these bells and whistles is so illusory that even professionals have difficulty distinguishing one advanced system from another. What a tourist!

We advise you not to get hung up on subtle details, but to look at the root: any type of “super all inclusive” implies that, having paid a decent amount, you don’t have to pay for anything else - of course, if the client does not need any special delights.

With the improved all inclusive, food is provided virtually around the clock. Breakfast smoothly flows into late breakfast, followed by lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, late dinner, and in between - snacks, pastries, ice cream, soft and alcoholic drinks, both local and imported. Moreover, in addition to the usual Swedish food, many hotels offer the services of an a la carte restaurant with Italian, French, and Chinese cuisine. True, you will probably have to book a table in advance, and the number of free visits to such restaurants will most likely be limited.

In addition to the traditional free baths, various sports, including water sports, and super-saturated animation, a lot of local “tricks” are added. Which ones depend entirely on the hotel. Possible options: free tennis and dance lessons, bowling, internet cafe, water slides.

Well, isn't it a fairy tale? There is only one downside: the tours are a bit expensive.

Modest, but Europe!

Russian tourists, spoiled by Turkish excesses, strive to stay in an all-inclusive hotel in Europe. And here disappointments await us. For Europe, the all-inclusive system is like a pineapple for Russia: if you really want to, you can grow it, but it will turn out sour.

The reason lies in the very nature of all inclusive, which arises and blooms in lush colors where the vacationer has nowhere to leave the hotel premises. In Europe, all tourist centers abound with all sorts of cafes, restaurants, and discos. As the manager of one of the travel agencies rightly noted, vacationing in or Italy and constantly hanging around in a hotel is simply a crime. Therefore, Europeans consider all inclusive an unnecessary excess and use it only in exceptional club cases (for example, the well-known Club Med chain).

European hoteliers, especially Spanish ones, have a unique idea of ​​an all-inclusive system, often offering a choice of breakfast, half board and all inclusive. Those who pay "all inclusive" are given bracelets or other insignia by the hotel. At the same time, all inclusive is very similar to full board, since “tagged” tourists are fed three times a day, although during the day they are given local soft drinks and alcoholic drinks. The meals are complemented by simple entertainment in the form of water aerobics, tennis and a sauna. Animation is usually common to everyone. However, in Europe, hotels Z* do not provide any special entertainment at all.

In, where, unlike hotels, they have their own beaches, the set described above is complemented by free sun loungers, umbrellas, canoes, sometimes surfing, as well as a variety of beach sports games. According to the all-inclusive system, club hotels from 3 * to 5 * operate in this country, and on the toe of the “boot” - in Calabria.

In the last year or two, the all inclusive formula has begun to develop in Cyprus and Bulgaria. Moreover, in both countries, hotels from 2 * to 4 * “include everything” in the price of the tour, but 5-star hotels still prefer half board.

Cypriot all inclusive is closest to Turkish, the difference is that meals are limited to three meals a day. Just like the Turks, Cypriots serve drinks, snacks, and ice cream throughout the day. 4* hotels offer free sauna, gym, jacuzzi and even tennis lessons. However, Cypriot hotels operating on an all-inclusive system can be counted on one hand - approximately one or two for each resort.

In distant countries

In recent years, the all inclusive system has been actively spreading in Egypt. However, as they say in travel agencies, this African country is still very far from Turkey. Firstly, there are still few all-inclusive hotels here. Secondly, hotels often offer both half board and all inclusive. In this case, the all-inclusive principle actually comes down to full board. Therefore, adherents of all inclusive should choose a hotel that operates exclusively according to this system.

Since Egypt has only recently embarked on the all-inclusive path, uniform rules have not yet been developed here. Thus, an expensive 4-5* hotel may not include the use of beach towels or a gym in the price of the tour, but will provide free slippers for walking on coral and offer a lot of sports entertainment. The weakest point of the Egyptian all inclusive is the food. Even 5* does not guarantee a truly delicious buffet, and bars and restaurants on the seashore cannot always boast a rich selection. Finally, Egypt is a Muslim country, so you shouldn’t count on good drinks.

But in Tunisia, all inclusive and ultra all inclusive fully correspond to their Turkish counterpart, especially since in Hammamet there are several hotels of the famous Turkish Magic Life chain. Unfortunately, a small number of hotels operate under the all-inclusive system, but the entire range is represented - from 2 * to 5 *.

You can really go wild in all-inclusive hotels in Central America. It is distributed primarily in sparsely populated regions: in the Riviera Maya in Mexico, almost everywhere in the Dominican Republic, in Cuba away from Havana and Santiago de Cuba. The main distinguishing feature of the Latin American all inclusive is a huge selection of all kinds of entertainment, including horse riding and water sports, as well as excellent cuisine and a full range of local and imported alcoholic drinks, including cocktails. In some hotels you can smoke local cigarettes and cigars for free, although in limited quantities. The maximum selection of the benefits of civilization is offered by hotels of the Iberostar and Sol Melia chains.

Olga Ivashchenko
CHUK and GEK / August / 2002

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