New Year is a fairy tale, an expectation of a miracle and an emerging hope that life will definitely go along a white line. I dreamed about this in my childhood, I still dream about it, but with one difference - before all responsibility was assigned to Santa Claus, now it will come in handy to take the rap. So, maybe you shouldn't wait, but get into action and plan pleasant changes for the upcoming long weekend. Rather than ply between the refrigerator and the sofa, make yourself a real trip. The question of where to go for the New Year's holidays will not come up with an edge if you remember that in our vast Russia there are more than enough beauties and amazing places. Let the warm countries rest without you. After all, tourism is not a beach holiday at all, but new impressions, emotions and unexpected discoveries.
New Year's trip with children
If you have children who already or still believe in miracles, give them a fairy tale in reality. Boys will certainly want to visit Santa Claus, and girls will want to visit the fairy-tale princess Snegurochka, an independent granddaughter who lives separately from her grandfather. Where it is - now you will find out.
Veliky Ustyug
In Veliky Ustyug you will find the city residence of Father Frost and his country estate. The property is vast, and you can plunge into the New Year's atmosphere with your head. After walking along the avenue of fairy tales, go to the Post Office, where you can send congratulations to your loved ones or leave a letter with a personal request. But the most important wonders await in the apartment.
The house is not just a museum, it seems that it lives an ordinary life, and a new fairytale page opens in each room. The country palace is no less magnificent. The throne room, a workshop where you can learn folk crafts and buy a souvenir, an ice room - everything is simply impossible to list. The animation team will not let anyone get bored. They do their job so professionally that they seem to come to life from fairy tales.
Kostroma
The birthplace of the Snow Maiden is Kostroma, and the habitat is a carved wooden tower. In the courtyard there is a belfry where you can ring the bells, and in the house you will be greeted by magical inhabitants - the Cat Bayun, the Brownies family and, of course, the owner herself, the Snow Maiden. Guests will be offered to watch a puppet show, dine in the ice room. There are not only walls and furniture, but also cups and spoons are made of ice.
Visitors are welcomed and surprised with fabulous performances in the Snegurochka's mansion all year round, but during the New Year holidays there can be a large influx of tourists, so it is better to sign up for excursions and events in advance. In addition, it is interesting to go to Kostroma for the reason that this city is part of the Golden Ring of Russia.
St. Petersburg
The northern capital is another place to go with children. Of course, kids will not be interested there, but adolescents can and should be introduced to culture and eternal values. Winter weather will not allow you to take a boat trip along the rivers and canals, admire the fountains of Peterhof, but on the other hand, you can enjoy the museums, theaters, original architecture and the mysterious aura of this extraordinary city.
The world treasury Hermitage, the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, Palace Square, Nevsky Prospect, out-of-town excursions to Kronstadt and Tsarskoe Selo - one should not talk about this, but go and watch. Famous theaters, the Mariinsky, the youth theater on the Fontanka, the Bolshoi Puppet Theater, the Music Hall, will delight you with premieres and performances that have been going on for more than a hundred years. And having visited the shop of merchants Eliseevs, you simply find yourself at the very beginning of the last century.
Vacation without children
Of course, you can take the tomboys to these places, but in order for active rest to be full, it is better to leave them in the care of grandparents. For a reference point, consider one north and one south. And you yourself choose where to go or, by analogy, create your own route.
Lake Baikal
Will you say that it is far and cold? Dress warmly and do not be afraid of frost, and fly no longer than to Egypt, beloved by our tourists. Baikal in winter is something. The ice road allows you to get to the most inaccessible protected areas - the Barguzinsky Nature Reserve, Olkhon Island, the Zabaikalsky National Park.
Decide immediately which Baikal you like best. The eastern coast will allow you to enjoy the unity with nature, amaze with the majesty of the Barguzinsky ridge, thermal springs. There will be an opportunity to visit the Ivolginsky Datsan - the main center of Russian Buddhists, the village of Old Believers, to get acquainted with the Buryat way of life and traditions. If you want to get to a European-class ski resort, choose the west coast.
Sochi
If you prefer warmth, get together in Sochi. Here, too, you can go downhill skiing and at the same time cover yourself with a magnificent winter tan. Never got up on the track? Experienced instructors will solve this problem with ease. Mountain carousel, Krasnaya Polyana, the magnificent resort of Rosa Khutor will provide the most comfortable conditions, excellent food, spa services.
Don't be friends with skiing, choose fishing, hunting, paragliding or horseback riding. You will like to feel like a centaur or a swift Amazon, and off-road horse transport will take you to any place and allow you to admire the beauty of the Shakhe River valley, Baranovskiy and Boxwood waterfalls, visit the Witch's Gorge and the northernmost tea plantation.
Well, are we going to rest? the country is an amazing country, and just think how many interesting places you have not seen.
