Tourism, travel

Редакция

  • A walk through Vyborg’s Old Town on a rainy day

    A walk through Vyborg’s Old Town on a rainy day

    You cannot choose the times you live in. Nor could the timing of this trip be changed. It turned out I was heading to Vyborg. A rainy day is no obstacle; Vyborg’s Old Town is beautiful in any weather—with its medieval houses, cobblestone streets, the bay, and the magnificent Vyborg Castle.

    Market Square. Vendors sit idly in their stalls, and not all of them are even open. A crowd has gathered at one of the stalls—well, a crowd might be an overstatement; there are just a few people standing there. What are they buying? Souvenirs? No. Raincoats. Umbrellas would likely sell well on a rainy day, too.

    Vyborg

    There is a line on Krepostnaya Street. Visitors are waiting their turn to get into the Tavern. There is always a line here; even the rain couldn’t drive away the hungry tourists. What do they serve there? Something very cheap? Unlikely. Something very delicious? Possibly.

    A rainy day. A weekday. Yet, there are quite a few tourists in the Old Town. They follow their guide in a flock, carrying their colorful umbrellas. Are they listening? Or not? Do they believe what they hear? It hardly matters. What counts is the process—the journey itself.

    Tourists crowd the Old Town and Monrepos Park. Yet, if you step just a little off the beaten path, you’ll find very few of them. Few tourists make it to the Song Festival Field, Batareynaya Hill, the T-26 tank monument, or the Elk sculpture.

    I wonder, do tourists actually buy boat tours when it’s raining? There’s plenty of water around as it is! Of course they do. A tourist is the sort of person who’ll take whatever is offered. Or maybe not? Tourists these days have become budget-conscious.

    Oplus_1179680

    The Old Town, the bay, the rain—they’re there for everyone. A touch of romance?

  • How did news of Kanye West’s arrival affect hotel prices in St. Petersburg?

    Kanye West’s concerts were scheduled for October 10th and 11th in St. Petersburg. Some reports suggest this has increased hotel prices in St. Petersburg. For those unfamiliar with Kanye West, this may seem strange and uninteresting, but we (albeit belatedly) decided to check whether the news had any impact on prices and availability.

    In short: for these dates, 4- and 5-star hotels in the very center of St. Petersburg are indeed less available, and prices are higher. However, if you look beyond the “1 km from the center” factor, there are plenty of hotels, and prices are the same as for other dates.

    More details:

    October 3rd to 4th. 181 properties found, priced from 2900 rubles.

    October 10th to 11th, 2026. 128 properties found, priced from 2900 rubles.

    October 17th to 18th. 183 offers were found, starting from 2900 rubles.

    We looked at hotels on a popular booking website.

    This means that if we looked at hotels a short distance from Nevsky Prospekt, we didn’t notice any price increases for those dates. Some hotels near Palace Square did have more expensive rooms available than for the following weekend.

  • Antalya will be a year-round resort, perhaps

    The tourist season in Antalya actually lasts until November. In the future, Antalya could become a year-round resort. Impossible? Why not!

    Kaan Kavaloglu, head of the Mediterranean Association of Hoteliers and Tour Operators, believes that the tourist season in Antalya is not limited to July and August, and that September and October should be considered an extension of the summer season. This is also facilitated by the warming climate. (Although rains can spoil the fall and winter seasons.)

    Some argue that the image of Antalya as the capital of beach tourism in Turkey does not fully capture the tourist appeal of Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. Antalya’s “sea-beach-sun” concept could be expanded to include other types of tourism, such as sports, golf, conventions, wellness tourism, gastronomy, and cultural tourism. Event tourism (festivals and concerts) could also be developed.

    The tourist season in Antalya could be extended until November or even longer. Autumn is a crucial period in Antalya’s transformation into a year-round tourist destination.

    The challenge facing Antalya’s tourism industry is to maintain tourist flow during the peak season and strengthen demand in September, October, and subsequent months. To transform Antalya into a tourist destination with a longer season and, ultimately, a year-round destination.

    Ski resorts have made Sochi (Russia) a year-round resort. Antalya also has potential. The winter resort and ski center of Saklikent is located 45 kilometers from Antalya. The ski season there lasts from approximately mid-December to April.

    Turkish hoteliers would also like to compete (with other countries) not through low prices, but through high quality. Lower prices lead to lower profits. To attract more affluent tourists, high quality must be maintained.

  • Foreign tourists will have a more convenient time in China. Shanghai is installing information terminals that also support English.

    Foreign tourists will have a more convenient time in China. Shanghai is installing information kiosks that support ten languages, including English.

    China is a very interesting country for travelers, but traveling there is associated with certain challenges. These include the language barrier and potential difficulties with paying for goods and services. However, China is making efforts to simplify travel for foreign tourists.

    The first batch of 100 tourist information kiosks has been installed in Shanghai. Tourists can receive information in 10 languages, including Russian. This is very convenient.

    The new system reportedly combines Hu Xiaoyu’s artificial intelligence (AI) agent and MeetChina’s national-level payment kiosks for foreign cards.

    The MeetChina payment kiosks for foreign cards are reported to provide convenient payment services for foreign visitors, eliminating the need to download apps, register accounts, or link a bank card when making payments. Unfortunately, we don’t yet know how the payment system will work and can’t tell you how convenient and useful it will be.

    Shanghai is a very popular tourist destination in China. In the first half of 2026, the city received 5.31 million foreign tourists, a 27.8 percent increase from the previous year.

    Unfortunately, I haven’t been to China yet, but I hope to find the opportunity to travel soon.

  • Ploshchad Vosstaniya and Mayakovskaya metro stations in St. Petersburg

    The Ploshchad Vosstaniya and Mayakovskaya metro stations are located in the central part of St. Petersburg, on the eastern side of Nevsky Prospekt. Nearby attractions include Moskovsky Railway Station, the Galereya shopping center, and the Nevsky Center shopping center.
    The Ploshchad Vosstaniya and Mayakovskaya metro stations serve as a transfer hub between the Kirovsko-Vyborgskaya and Nevsko-Vasileostrovskaya metro lines.

    Ploshchad Vosstaniya Metro Station

    Ploshchad Vosstaniya metro station is located on the Kirovsko-Vyborgskaya Line of the St. Petersburg Metro (red line), between Vladimirskaya and Chernyshevskaya stations. The station opened on November 15, 1955. It is 58 meters underground. The underground station lobby features a unique design. The station is listed in the state register of cultural heritage sites of regional significance.

    The metro station is located at the intersection of Nevsky Prospekt, Ligovsky Prospekt, and Vosstaniya Street. The station is connected to both Moskovsky Rail Terminal and the above-ground lobby on Vosstaniya Square.

    The station’s above-ground pavilion is located in the northwestern part of Vosstaniya Square, opposite Moskovsky Rail Terminal, between Ligovsky Prospekt and Vosstaniya Street. The station also has access to Moskovsky Railway Station (the station’s ground-level concourse is located within Moskovsky Railway Station).

    The station serves as a transfer hub for trains on the Nevsko-Vasileostrovskaya Line. You can transfer to Mayakovskaya Station (Nevsko-Vasileostrovskaya Line) via the escalator (located in the center of the concourse) or through a tunnel.

    Mayakovskaya Metro Station

    Mayakovskaya Metro Station is located on the Nevsko-Vasileostrovskaya Line (Green Line), between the Gostiny Dvor and Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo stations. The station’s ground-level concourse is built into a building located at the intersection of Nevsky Prospekt and Marata Street (number 71, opposite Mayakovsky Street). The station also provides access to the Ploshchad Vosstaniya metro station and the Moskovsky Rail Terminal.

    The station opened on November 3, 1967. It is 51 meters deep. Its design features portraits and quotes from the poems of the famous poet Mayakovsky.

    Ploshchad Vosstaniya Station can be reached via a tunnel or an escalator at the end of the concourse.

    Near the Ploshchad Vosstaniya and Mayakovskaya metro stations are:

    • Moskovsky Rail Terminal. The main railway station of St. Petersburg. Trains to Moscow and many other Russian cities depart from the station.
    • Galereya Shopping Center. A large shopping center near Moskovsky Station. A popular shopping destination.
    • Nevsky Center Shopping Center. The shopping center houses many stores, including those of the Finnish company Stockmann.
    • Oktyabrskaya Hotel. The hotel has two buildings located near the station.
  • A new trend in tourism: leisurely travel

    A new trend in tourism: leisurely travel

    Travel behavior is changing. Previously, we sought to see as much as possible during a trip, visit as many interesting places, gain as many impressions as possible, and take as many photos as possible.

    Such travel can be overwhelming. Impressions become jumbled and overlap, preventing us from fully experiencing emotions. After such a “vacation,” we return home tired and can barely remember the places we visited.

    Travel habits are changing. More and more people are seeking a leisurely, relaxing vacation. We don’t want to rush off to a new destination. We’d like to experience the atmosphere of the place we’re currently in, simply relax and enjoy the unhurried pace of life.

    Slow tourism is becoming a new trend in the tourism industry. According to surveys, more than 50% of travelers are interested in slow tourism, which allows them to spend more time in one place without rushing.

    In fact, there’s nothing new about this phenomenon. Previously, tourists would come to one place and spend their entire vacation there. This is what true relaxation is all about!

    I’ve been down this path too. There was a time when I was in a hurry to see as many places as possible when arriving in a new city. In recent years, I prefer to take my time. My familiar lifestyle brings me more pleasure. I love to visit a favorite café again, have a coffee on my favorite terrace, take another stroll in the park or along the embankment. Visit a new place or event? Yes, as long as it doesn’t take much time and doesn’t require a lot of travel.

    How to travel leisurely (secrets of slow travel):
    No rush is an essential condition for a pleasant vacation.

    Don’t try to experience too many vivid emotions; try to enjoy the place you’re in.
    Try to get to know the local cuisine, the way of life of the locals, the local culture, and nature.
    Dare to disconnect from the internet and social media. Try to experience real life, not digital life.
    No rush. No need. Do only what you want!
    If you want to visit one (or two, or three) more places during your trip, discard that desire immediately. Spend as much time as possible in one city, on one beach.

    Examples of good planning!

    1. Trip to the Solovetsky Islands. Incorrect:
      First, we arrive by train in Kem, then rush to the pier (for a boat to the islands).
      Correct: We arrive by train in Kem, stay at a hotel, spend the day in Kem, and the next day leisurely drive to the pier.

    We wish you pleasant travels.

    1. Trip to Antalya.
      Incorrect: Fly to Antalya with a layover in Istanbul.
      Correct: Fly to Istanbul. Spend a few days in Istanbul, and then fly to Antalya.
    2. Trip to Karelia.
      Incorrect: We’re planning a route: the Ladoga Skerries, the Ladoga beaches, and Petrozavodsk.
      Correct. We’re only going to one place for vacation. We’re saving the others for next year.

    We wish you pleasant travels.

  • Pushkinskaya, Tverskaya, and Chekhovskaya metro stations in Moscow

    The Pushkinskaya, Tverskaya, and Chekhovskaya metro stations in Moscow are located northwest of the city center, approximately 1.5 kilometers from the Kremlin and Red Square. The stations have exits at the intersection of Tverskaya, Tverskoy Bulvar, and Strastnoy Bulvar Streets, as well as at Pushkinskaya Square. These stations form a major transfer hub for three Moscow Metro lines.

    Pushkinskaya Metro Station

    Pushkinskaya metro station is located on the Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya Line (Purple Line, Line 7) of the Moscow Metro, between Barrikadnaya and Kuznetsky Most stations. Here you can transfer to the Zamoskvoretskaya Line (Tverskaya station) and the Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya Line (Chekhovskaya station).
    The station opened on December 17, 1975. The station is 51 meters deep. The central station hall is 8.2 meters wide and 6.25 meters high.

    Pushkinskaya Metro Station has two underground vestibules.
    The western underground vestibule is shared by Pushkinskaya and Tverskaya stations. It has two underground halls connected by two passages (the ticket office is also located here). The vestibule has an exit onto Tverskaya Street and an underground passage.
    The eastern underground vestibule is shared by Pushkinskaya and Chekhovskaya stations. It has an exit to an underground passage under Strastnoy Boulevard.

    Tverskaya Metro Station

    Tverskaya Metro Station is located on the Zamoskvoretskaya Line of the Moscow Metro (Line 2, marked in green on the map), between Mayakovskaya and Teatralnaya stations. The station opened on July 20, 1979. Until November 5, 1990, the station was known as Gorkovskaya. The station has transfers to Pushkinskaya Station on the Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya Line and Chekhovskaya Station on the Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya Line.

    The station is entered through a shared underground vestibule (antechamber) with Pushkinskaya Station, located under Pushkinskaya Square. Exit from the vestibule to the city is through underground passages to the Izvestia Publishing House building, Tverskaya Street, and the Tverskoy Passage shopping center.
    The transfer to Pushkinskaya Station is located in the center of the hall.
    The transfer to Chekhovskaya Station is located at the southern end of the station’s boarding hall.

    Chekhovskaya Metro Station

    Chekhovskaya Metro Station is located on the Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya Line of the Moscow Metro (Line 9, shown in gray on maps), between Tsvetnoy Bulvar and Borovitskaya stations. The station opened on December 31, 1987. The station is 62 meters deep.

    Chekhovskaya Metro Station is located at the intersection of Strastnoy Bulvar, Malaya Dmitrovka, and Bolshaya Dmitrovka Streets, near Pushkinskaya Square.

    The transfer to Pushkinskaya Station on the Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya Line is located in the center of the station hall. The transfer to Tverskaya Station on the Zamoskvoretskaya Line is located at the western end of the station’s central hall.
    Exit to the city is via an underground passage and a ground-level vestibule located in the building on Pushkinskaya Square.

    👉 Look at the station location on the map.

    Near the Pushkinskaya, Tverskaya, and Chekhovskaya metro stations in Moscow, you’ll find, for example:

    • Lenkom Theater.
    • Stanislavsky and Nimirovich-Danchenko Musical Theater.
    • Young Spectator’s Theater (TYUZ).
    • Museum of the History of Modern Russia.
    • Several hotels.
    • Hermitage Garden.

  • A bear broke into a tent and killed a tourist.

    A bear killed a tourist on the night of August 19 in the Altai Republic (Russian Federation). The tourists had pitched a tent at the source of the Biya River on the shore of Lake Teletskoye. That night, a bear approached the tent, pulled the woman out, and disappeared into the forest with her. This reportedly happened in front of her fiancé, but we are unable to verify this.

    Other tourists attempted to scare off the bear, but were unable to save the victim. A gamekeeper and law enforcement officers reportedly arrived at the scene shortly afterward and attempted to scare off the animal by firing shots into the air, but this was unsuccessful.

    According to an eyewitness, the bear continued to hold the woman’s body. The bear then dragged the body across the river and buried it in the forest.

    The tourist who died in the bear attack was 29 years old. Following the incident, a high-alert regime was declared in the village. Until further notice, tourists are prohibited from pitching tents in the forest and along the riverbank. A curfew has also been declared. It will be in effect from 8:00 PM to 10:00 AM.

    This is the first bear attack on a person here. Be careful when outdoors. Not only bears pose a danger, but also snakes and ticks. Small animals (foxes, squirrels, mice) are also dangerous – they can carry infections.

    How can you protect yourself from a bear attack? They say aerosol cans with a predator-repellent gas are effective. The most reliable way is to stay home.

    Recommendations:

    • Bring deterrents with you. Suitable options include pepper spray (spray in front of the bear’s muzzle, aiming the stream at the eyes and mouth), smoke flares, or fire flares.
    • Make noise while in the forest. Bears try to avoid encounters with humans, but to do so, the bear must be able to hear you beforehand.
    • Do not approach bears. Female bears with cubs are especially dangerous.
    • Don’t go alone. The risk of aggression is significantly lower in a group.
    • Don’t turn your back on the bear.
    • Don’t try to run away; the bear runs faster than you.
    • Don’t stare. A bear perceives a direct gaze as a challenge or a threat.
    • Try to appear larger by raising a jacket or backpack above your head.
    • Back away slowly, without making any sudden movements.

    We don’t know how to reliably defend yourself against an attacking bear. It’s best to avoid the predator altogether.

  • What tourists shouldn’t do in Turkey!

    What tourists shouldn’t do in Turkey!

    Turkey is a relatively safe country for tourists, but even in Turkey, tourists sometimes get into trouble in unexpected places and in seemingly harmless situations. The consequences of careless behavior can be very serious. We’ve compiled some recommendations we found online.

    In Turkey, tourists are advised to carry their original passport with them at all times. A photocopy of their passport may not be sufficient. Violations carry a hefty fine. According to Turkish law, everyone (including citizens and tourists) is required to carry official photo identification at all times.

    In Turkey, tourists are prohibited by law from insulting the country, the president, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Turkish flag, or government institutions. We’d also like to add: you should never insult anyone, anywhere.

    Damaging or scratching Turkish banknotes or coins, or items depicting the Turkish flag or Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, is prohibited. Photographing people without their permission is prohibited. This especially applies to women and children. Strangers should not be included in the frame, even accidentally.

    Touching others is frowned upon. In particular, touching someone on the head is considered extremely improper. Touching is especially frowned upon with women and children.

    Photographing military installations, police stations, checkpoints, and certain strategic areas is prohibited. Unfortunately, we may not be aware that a military installation is in the frame when photographing landmarks or taking selfies.

    Collecting historical artifacts or stones without permission is prohibited. Removing or collecting ancient stones, coins, or historical objects from the country is prohibited. Stones found on the ground may be historical objects. Leave the stones where they are.

    Some natural objects, including coral, shells, beach stones, and individual specimens of flora and fauna, may be prohibited from being taken out of the country.

    In Turkey, wearing clean and appropriate clothing is mandatory in places of religious worship. Avoid loud conversations, put your mobile phone on silent mode, avoid getting too close to worshippers, and remove your shoes when entering places of worship.

    Smoking is prohibited in many places in Turkey. Violating this ban carries a fine.

    Bonuses, camping, and smoking may be prohibited on some beaches.

    Flying drones without permission is prohibited. Unauthorized use of drones: Flying drones without permission from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation or in prohibited areas is prohibited.

    Drinking alcohol on the street, in parks, or on the beach is highly frowned upon and may result in police intervention for “disturbing the peace.”

    Pedestrians are not allowed to occupy bicycle lanes.

    Are you afraid of traveling to Turkey? You shouldn’t be. We’ve been to Turkey many times and haven’t had any unpleasant experiences. Just show respect for the people and the country, as you would anywhere else in the world.

  • Coolcation is a new trend in tourism

    I saw mentions of a new travel trend – coolcation. I was curious – what is it?

    Coolcation vacations are reportedly becoming increasingly popular in Europe. This is due to the unusually hot summers in many southern countries. Therefore, many people want to beat the heat in a cool place and are looking for a cool destination – a coolcation.

    In fact, there’s nothing new about this. Many residents of northern regions don’t want to go on vacation “south” in July and August because it’s too hot. It’s best not to leave the hotel during the day. It’s better to choose another time for a summer vacation on the southern coast.

    Boats on the shore
    Boats on the shore

    Why would you want to go to the Mediterranean beaches in July or August? You don’t like suffering from the heat, do you?

    Just as residents of northern regions would like to spend their vacation on the shores of a warm sea, many residents of hot countries would like to spend the summer in a cooler and more comfortable environment. And such opportunities exist!

    Northern European countries offer a refreshing alternative. You can enjoy pleasant temperatures of around 20-25°C in the middle of the day. You can be surrounded by green landscapes instead of parched, sun-baked nature. You can explore new cities at any time of day. This is what coolcation is – a new trend in tourism.

    Just imagine the pleasure of renting a boat and sailing along the shore of a lake, enjoying the peace and quiet of nature. The bright, northern nights also offer new emotions. It’s a pure respite from the hustle and bustle of the heat.

    Where? For example, in Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Russia.

    Who might be interested? Not only residents of the Arabian Peninsula, but also residents of France, Germany, Spain, and other European countries.

    We invite you to the north on your next summer trip.

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