Pleasant weather, good mood, long weekend – it’s hard to refuse a trip in early May. And it’s not necessary. Speed through eras in Tula or Veliky Novgorod, enjoy the landscapes of Voronezh or Sochi, and take a gastro tour of Nizhny Novgorod or Kazan. We have collected interesting destinations for you for a trip for 3-4 days – you can get there quickly from Moscow.
Tula
Tula is museums, museums and more museums. But they are so different that you definitely won’t get tired of walking around them over the weekend. You can start with the Kremlin. Still, this is the most iconic landmark of the city and a striking example of Russian defensive architecture of the early 16th century.
Afterwards, take a walk along the pedestrian Metallistov Street to Kazanskaya Embankment. This is a beautiful promenade with tents selling souvenirs and treats. It’s even better to go get them at the Tula Gingerbread Museum. There you will try the main edible symbol of the city and buy fresh sweets.
In the Museum of Samovars you can see a rich collection – from miniature to huge. In the “Old Tula Pharmacy” you will try yourself in the role of a pharmacist and take away locally produced perfumes or soap. The Tula Art Museum exhibits works by Aivazovsky, Shishkin, Repin and Levitan. And be sure to leave time to visit Yasnaya Polyana. It is located a 20-minute drive from Tula; Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy once lived here.
How to get there
By train: Moscow – Tula – from 1,300 rubles* round trip.
Where to stay
“Podvorye” (9.9 out of 10) – from 2,590 rubles* per night for two.
“AZIMUT Hotel Tula” (10 out of 10) – from 5,700 rubles* per night.
“Turgenev” (9.4 out of 10) – from 16,800 rubles* for a junior suite.
Sochi
Swimming in the sea at the beginning of May will still be cool, but sitting on the shore, not in a hurry, or walking along the embankment is already quite comfortable. You can swim in the heated pool at the hotel or in the water park. In addition, the weather allows you to go hiking in the mountains: for example, to Krasnaya Polyana. Organize a horse ride there, and let the children ride donkeys or ponies.
One of the days can be devoted to visiting Solohaul Park. This is seven hectares of continuous entertainment. Here they fly on the only giant helium balloon and airship in Russia, ride the longest zipline in the country, drive along mountain ranges in a real armored personnel carrier, shoot with a crossbow, take part in rafting, but most importantly, enjoy nature. You will see the beautiful gorge of the Shahe River and the panorama of Mount Fisht.
Staying in the city would also be a great decision. At this time it blossoms. Gardens, parks and just streets become bright and fragrant. If you want more, go to the Arboretum to see many flowering trees. From the usual lilacs and hyacinths to exotic sakura and camellia.
How to get there
By plane: Moscow – Sochi – from 9,300 rubles* round trip.
Where to stay
“Malecon” (9.5 out of 10) – from 4,200 rubles* for an economy class room.
“Chebotaryov” (9.3 out of 10) – from 10,800 rubles* per night for two.
“Khludov Estate” (9.9 out of 10) – from 28,000 rubles* per day of stay.
Nizhny Novgorod
There are also many museums here, but it is better to visit them in the off-season. In May, when the sun is shining and the days are getting longer, it is more interesting and pleasant to walk along the streets of this 800-year-old city. For example, along Bolshaya Pokrovskaya, a famous pedestrian cobbled street with many ancient buildings. When it starts to get dark, they all light up and look like the scenery from a fairy tale. And among this beauty, street performers perform: they sing songs with a guitar, play the harp, dance, and put on magnificent fire shows.
You can also walk along the Verkhnevolzhskaya embankment, the Kremlin territory and Fedorovsky embankment to see the panorama of the part beyond the river, the Nizhny Novgorod fair and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. In the evening, it is in this part of the city that it is most convenient to watch sunsets.
And, of course, don’t forget that navigation begins in May. Nizhny Novgorod is located at the confluence of the Oka and Volga, so a walk on a river bus is an obligatory part of the program. The routes are different. You can take an hour-long walk along the river or buy a day cruise, for example, to Gorodets or the Makaryev Monastery.
Another option to look at Nizhny Novgorod from an unusual side is to take a ride on the cable car that connects it with the city of Bor.
Gastro travelers will love Rozhdestvenskaya Street – all the first floors are occupied by cafes, restaurants and pubs. Nizhny Novgorod is famous for pancakes, stew and chatterbox, but most importantly – fish dishes, as befits a city on high water.
How to get there
By train: Moscow – Nizhny Novgorod – from 2,200 rubles* round trip.
By plane: Moscow – Nizhny Novgorod – from 6,400 rubles* round trip.
Where to stay
“Granat” (9.3 out of 10) – from 5,300 rubles* per night for two.
“Nikitin” (9.7 out of 10) – from 10,200 rubles* per day.
Boutique Hotel Rozhdestvensky Dvorik (9.1 out of 10) – from 17,400 rubles* for a luxury room.
Tyumen
Several years ago, the first Russian city in Siberia was recognized as the best in the country in terms of quality of life. When you arrive in Tyumen, it immediately becomes clear how this happened.
Here is the only four-level embankment in Russia. The lower tiers are entirely made of marble, there is a fountain in the warm season, and on the historical site you will find many bronze bas-reliefs telling about the history of Russia and the region. The embankment and Staraya Zareka (the area on the opposite bank of the Tura) are connected by the Lovers’ Bridge, another local landmark. The views from it are wonderful. Immediately behind the bridge is the Ascension-George Church and the Center of Tatar Culture, located in an old mansion of the 19th century.
While walking around Tyumen, stop by the local history museum “City Duma” to look at the skeletons of a mammoth, bison, woolly rhinoceros and cave bear. When you finish exploring the exhibition, head along the streets of the Republic and Lenin. They just start from the museum. In the 19th century, local merchants and intellectuals lived here, and now there are many cafes, restaurants, university buildings, monuments and public gardens. If you turn onto the quieter streets of Dzerzhinsky, Semakov, Volodarsky or Kirov, you will see ancient wooden houses with carvings and massive platbands.
Also in May, be sure to go to the Gilevskaya Grove, because the weather is conducive to long walks. The place is located away from the city center, here you can enjoy the silence among tall pine trees. The grove has good asphalt paths and forest paths, and free barbecue areas are equipped. For active recreation, everything is also thought out: sports grounds, football fields, a skate area with ramps, rental of bicycles and scooters are open.
How to get there
By plane: Moscow – Tyumen – from 10,500 rubles* round trip.
Where to stay
“Vostok” (10 out of 10) – from 3,800 rubles* per night for two.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tyumen (10 out of 10) – from 6,000 rubles* for a standard room.
“Best Western Plus Spasskaya” (10 out of 10) – from 8,200 rubles* per day.
Veliky Novgorod
Veliky Novgorod is a real treasury of the history of our country. Most often, tourists begin their walk around the city from the Kremlin territory. The first mention of it in chronicles dates back to 1044, but there is a version that it existed much earlier. You need to set aside several hours to get acquainted with the Kremlin. In addition to ancient buildings, there is still a lot of interesting things here: the Faceted Chamber contains artifacts made of pure gold, the Novgorod Historical Museum displays carved wooden crosses the size of a man, and the building of the Government Places houses the first Russian book written on wooden tablets, birch bark letters and household items. In May, the belfry of the St. Sophia Cathedral, 76 m high, opens in the Kremlin.
Next you can get acquainted with the architecture of Ancient Rus’: at the Museum of Wooden Architecture “Vitoslavlitsy” and St. George’s Monastery. And if you want to continue immersing yourself in history combined with a visit to nature, go outside the city – to the Museum of Bells, the Iversky Monastery on the shore of Lake Valdai.
For those who plan to bring souvenirs from Veliky Novgorod, we recommend purchasing traditional ones – products made of birch bark, whistles, Valdai bells, leather jewelry. And those who cannot leave without gastronomic experiences should try Ilmen pike perch fish soup, prepared according to a local recipe.
How to get there
By train:Moscow — Veliky Novgorod — from 4,100 rubles* round trip.
Where to stay
Greenfeel Novgorod (8.6 out of 10) – from 7,700 rubles* per day.
“Intourist” (9.0 out of 10) – from 16,900 rubles* per night for two.
“Hotel Sofia” (9.3 out of 10) – from 21,300 rubles* per room.
Voronezh
The capital of the Black Earth Region and the cradle of the Russian fleet is a stunning option for a trip in May. The museum ship “Goto Predestination” (a working copy of the battleship of the Peter the Great era), the oldest church in the city, the Assumption Temple, Victory Square, the Rotunda – a classic introduction to Voronezh. Check out these locations and move on to other options to experience its relaxed Southern vibe.
For example, the Voronezh reservoir is located within the city. Take a paddle to admire the city views from the water. They are especially wonderful during pre-sunset rafting. I want something more extreme? Go to the Central Market – a local gastronomic attraction. There is a stylish lounge area with ottomans, a lawn and a piano, where you can try various Voronezh delights: beautifully illuminated ripening cheese, coal-black marshmallows and other unusual products.
May is the time to visit the outskirts of Voronezh. There is an entire beaver town in the biosphere reserve. In the Divnogorye park you will walk through green meadows, observing impressive chalk landscapes, visit a cave temple, and get acquainted with archaeological monuments from the late Paleolithic era to the Middle Ages. And in the Yard of useful fun “Birulki” you can play this famous ancient game, make “candy” out of wood, pet rabbits and drink delicious tea with bagels.
How to get there
By train: Moscow – Voronezh – from 2,300 rubles* round trip.
Where to stay
“Amax Park Hotel” (9.1 out of 10) – from 3,900 rubles* per night for two.
“Marriott Voronezh” (10 out of 10) – from 6,900 rubles* per night.
“Negorod” – from 12,320 rubles* per villa.
Kazan
The capital of Tatarstan is always interesting, beautiful and tasty. May is no exception. Moreover, theatrical shows and other events are planned in the city on the 1st, 2nd and 7th.
If you come to Kazan for the first time, walk through the main tourist places. These are the Kazan Kremlin, the Kul-Sharif mosque, the leaning tower of Syuyumbike, the pedestrian Bauman street and the Palace of Farmers. In these locations you will get acquainted with the history of Kazan.
Then you can have fun – especially if you come with children. Visit the Kyrlay park with many attractions, go to the Ekiyat puppet theater and the Riviera water park.
Don’t forget that getting to know Tatar cuisine is a prerequisite for a full-fledged trip to Kazan. Echpochmaki, kystyby, gubadia – you should definitely try all this! And take the chak-chak home as an edible souvenir.
We walked around Kazan itself – we set off further to the surrounding area. In the ultra-modern city of Innopolis, you will have the feeling that you are in a science fiction film. On the island city of Sviyazhsk you can visit monasteries, churches and other ancient monuments, and ride a horse. And in the open-air museum “Tatar Avyly”, look at the life of village Tatars 100 years ago.
How to get there
By plane: Moscow – Kazan – from 6,200 rubles* round trip.
By train: Moscow – Kazan – from 4,300 rubles* round trip.
Where to stay
“New” (9.9 out of 10) – from 5,500 rubles* per night for two.
“Korston Tower Kazan” (9.7 out of 10) – from 11,000 rubles* per day.
Country Club Utrau Kazan by Russian Seasons – from 15,300 rubles* per cottage.
*Prices are current at the time of publication.
