Glorified by poets and artists, golden autumn can turn even a short trip into one of the best memories of the year. We are sharing a selection of places that especially suit the charm of a wonderful time.
Bolshoye Boldino, Pushkin estate
Alexander Sergeevich loved “forests dressed in scarlet and gold.” To admire the “lush decay of nature” that so inspired the poet, go to the Pushkin family estate in the village of Bolshoye Boldino, Nizhny Novgorod region. Boldino autumn is one of the most fruitful periods in Pushkin’s life. In 1830, due to a cholera epidemic, he had to spend three months at the estate, during which he finished “Eugene Onegin”, wrote “Belkin’s Tales”, “Little Tragedies” and three dozen poems.
The museum-reserve preserves the spirit of Pushkin’s times – the furnishings and interiors of the manor house were restored according to the poet’s drawings, manuscripts and original furniture are presented. To fully experience the creative atmosphere, take a look at Pushkin’s office in the outbuilding. Then take a leisurely stroll through the manor park and linden alley, rustling fallen leaves and admiring the Humpbacked Bridge – the symbol of the Boldino Museum.
At the horse yard you can ride on horseback or in a chaise, at the museum of fairy tales you can see author’s dolls based on the works of the poet, and at the parish school you can get acquainted with the atmosphere of the peasant class of the 19th century.
The majestic Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God is also worth visiting: the poet’s grandfather began to build it, and it was consecrated in the year of Pushkin’s birth. For the 200th anniversary of the birth of Alexander Sergeevich, the snow-white temple-monument was restored. The Chapel of Michael the Archangel in the style of Russian wooden architecture was built in our time on the site of a church that once stood here and organically complements the ensemble of the museum. Another favorite place for walks and creative solitude of the poet is the Luchinnik grove, three kilometers from the estate. The local ash, oak and maple trees are especially beautiful in autumn.
How to get there:by train from Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod, then by taxi or bus.
Where to stay: Mercure Nizhny Novgorod Center hotel – from 6,100 rubles per night*, Seven Hotel – from 3,300 rubles per night* .
Autumn by the sea: Zelenogradsk
Seals, sea air, a promenade and well-groomed European streets are not a pipe dream, but quite a real mini-vacation in Zelenogradsk. The former Prussian seaside resort of Kranz has retained the pre-war charm and cozy atmosphere of a small German town. In autumn, there are fewer tourists on the Baltic coast, so you can admire the waves on the sea almost alone.
Walking through the town, colored with the bright colors of autumn, will also be remembered for a long time – walls covered with wild grapes, restored German mansions with the same red tiles, majestic Gothic cathedrals and stunning sunsets delivered to the boardwalk. Here it is pleasant to swing on a swing, play chess, drink coffee, pet the ubiquitous local cats and look at the eternal sea and sun. If you like the view from above, go up to the observation deck on the water tower. At the same time, check out the cat museum located in it – for the love of its residents for furry creatures, Zelenogradsk is even called the Russian Istanbul.
After exploring Resort Avenue, go to the Curonian Spit – wander along eco-trails, admire the dancing forest and dunes and breathe the pine-sea air. It’s a pity, you can’t preserve it and take it with you.
How to get there: by plane to Kaliningrad, then by bus, train or taxi.
Where to stay: “Eliza BonApart” – from 4,000 rubles per day*, Hotel “Crystal” – from 3,900 rubles per day* .
Park Mon Repos, Vyborg
In the former Swedish city of Vyborg, interesting is not only the urban development, unique for our country, with a medieval castle, towers, bastions, houses of merchant guilds and a burgher’s estate. Landscape lovers will certainly enjoy the Mon Repos rock park on the shore of the Vyborg Bay with its unusual glacial topography. It’s worth setting aside a whole day for a walk in the park to explore all the interesting places, have a picnic and leisurely admire the beautiful views from the numerous observation platforms.
The park is divided into two parts, the first is a landscaped and architectural part. Different traditions and styles are intricately intertwined here: Chinese arched bridges, sculptures of heroes of the Karelian-Finnish epic, tea gazebos and antique columns, and linearly planted trees and well-groomed flower beds give way to grottoes, huge stones and colorful islands. On one of them, inaccessible to tourists, a chapel rises above the family crypt of the former owners of the estate, and nearby on the shore stands the Temple of Neptune, reminiscent of ancient monuments.
The second part, less crowded, is an eco-trail in the forest part of Tverdysh Island, about 5 kilometers long. It covers the coastal zone, so you can admire the rocks on the shore and views of Zashchitnaya Bay almost alone. Among the paths, gorges and boulders left here by a glacier centuries ago, there are cute sculptures carved from wood: an owl, raccoons, a fox and even a dragon. Lichens in the rays of light, moss that you just want to stroke, and stunning views of northern nature – you won’t be able to run quickly, but there are plenty of places for good photos.
The trail leads to the Far Rocks – a sheer granite massif about 30 meters high. At its foot there is a small but cozy sandy beach. It’s a comfortable place to relax and drink tea and rolls—don’t forget to take a snack with you. You can explore former quarries and the gloomy remains of fortifications from the early 20th century, overgrown with moss and trees – the Linnasaari battery and the gunpowder magazine. The way back lies through a granite plateau and a pine grove.
How to get there: by plane or train from Moscow to St. Petersburg, then by Lastochka to Vyborg.
Where to stay: Druzhba Hotel – from 3,000 rubles per night*, Victoria Vyborg Hotel – from 6,300 rubles per day *.
Lake Region: Sebezh
Ancient Sebezh is located in the Pskov region between lakes Sebezhskoye and Orono. You can get around the tiny historical center, as if protruding from the surface of the water, in a couple of hours, but you don’t want to rush in a picturesque town with more than 600 years of history. The former Peter the Great Street, now Proletarskaya, has retained its pre-revolutionary appearance thanks to merchant shops and mansions with characteristic Pskov stonework.
The atmospheric street will lead to the white bell tower of the Cathedral of the Nativity, reminiscent of a European castle tower; you can climb it during the day. Then go to Castle Hill – once upon a time there stood the fortified Sebezh Fortress, built under Ivan the Terrible and withstood numerous sieges and assaults. A memorial sign on the cape reminds of the hard years and the Polish-Lithuanian period in the history of the city. Wander through the streets, looking at the city’s buildings, and then go to the elegant embankment with swans and a lake splashing at your feet. It’s nice to sit here, watch the sunset or play giant chess.
Nearby is the Sebezh National Park, where you can retrace part of the waterway from the Varangians to the Greeks, walk along ecological trails, explore archaeological sites and interactive exhibitions, and also relax in nature among the landscapes of the Pskov lake region. Watercraft are available for rent, you can spend the night in guest houses or put up your tent in equipped parking lots.
How to get there:by plane or train from Moscow to Pskov, then by bus or taxi.
Where to stay: Hotel “Zagosye” – from 3,600 rubles per night*, hotel “House over the Lake” – from 8,000 rubles per night night*.
Kirovsk: gate to the Khibiny Mountains
Usually people go to Kirovsk in the Murmansk region at the height of the ski season. But if you like brighter colors, go to the Khibiny Mountains in the fall to experience all the splendor of the harsh northern nature. At this time of year, the mountains surrounding the city are colored in shades of crimson and gold, and with some luck, the northern lights can be seen right from the hotel window.
Take a tour of the northernmost botanical garden in Russia and stroll along the slopes of Mount Vudyavrchorr, one of the highest in the Khibiny Mountains. You will be shown the terraces of an ancient glacial lake, the secrets of taiga and tundra plants will be revealed, and the reward for the climb will be an observation deck with a panoramic view of the surrounding ridges.
Autumn is a great time for hiking and trekking in the Khibiny Mountains: the annoying midges have disappeared, it’s still quite warm, and the tunda pleases with incredible shades: blueberry and blueberry bushes from bright red to lilac alternate with soft islands of milky moss and moss , and on the horizon the mountains froze in yellow, burgundy and green waves.
The city itself on the shore of Lake Bolshoy Vudyavr is also interesting: in the Apatit Museum and Exhibition Center you can see a collection of minerals, get acquainted with mining, nature and life of the Kola Peninsula. & ;nbsp;
How to get there: by train from Moscow to Apatity station, then by taxi. A more expensive, but faster option is to fly directly to Kirovsk.
Where to stay: Powder apart-hotel – from 3,700 rubles per day*, Severnaya hotel – from 6,300 rubles per day* .
*Prices valid at time of publication.
