Winter Fun in Russia. Part I

There is the interesting (and sadly, shared by the most foreigners) misconception that traveling to Russia in winter is often complete waste of time due to pretty low temperatures and general lack of any activities during this season.

Is it really so?

OR your Russian trip can become the sort of adventure you'd remember for years?

Well, let me to be bold here and say that unless you're having a strong medical contra-indication to the cold (which is unlikely), there are lots and lots of opportunities to have fun in winter time too!

But before we'd talk about fun itself, I want to emphasize several reasons (or benefits) for choosing winter Russia as your travel destination.

A. Winter season is best time to buy air tickets to Russia at cheapest rates (unless of course, you book the last minute: then prices will get extremely high; as it always happens on the threshold of New Year, for example). The other good idea is to buy them directly from the leading Russian air carriers:

• Aeroflot (code SU, http://www.aeroflot.com/)
• Pulkovo ROSSIYA Airlines (code FV, http://www.pulkovo.ru/)
• Transaero (code UN, http://www.transaero.ru/)
• Kaliningrad Airlines (code K8, http://www.kdavia.ru/)
• Siberia Airlines (code S7, http://www.s7.ru/)

Their service is quite decent and on a personal note, I must say I always get sort of tickled at the tradition of everyone clapping when the plane lands ;-) They seem not doing it anywhere else apart from Russian airlines, don't they?

B. Winter season lets you catch the MOST fabulous (and very merry too!) national holiday: New Year. Basically, New Year for Russians is just like Catholic Christmas for westerners. Considering this comparison, can you guess how thrilling it promises to be?

C. Winter season is also the time when you can enjoy a very active cultural life. Just FYI, summer is dead season for most of Russian theaters: they either are closed or go on occasional tours. The season starts at least in the middle of October. So if you always dreamt to see a startling Russian ballet, enjoy classical opera or performance in Bolshoi Theater, certainly consider a winter (this is also when lots of premieres take place).

D. Finally, winter has its own number of specific attractions, that I'll try to briefly describe below.

First of all, it's of course ourdoor activities. Even it typically gets dark around 4-5 p.m. but it still leaves your with plenty of time to walk, ski, snowmobile or even visit ice exhibitions that are frequently arranged in many Russian cities.

Then (and I know it can sound somewhat weird...but I'll tell it anyway) crispy day with lots of snow and bright sun sometimes can enchant you much more than oppressive heat of summer! Yes, YES and don't smile, my friend. ;-) Just bear in mind that you won’t find such lovely days in big cities: snow is either removed or melts quickly there. Travel to meet with this rimy fairy-tale to small, sleepy town where the like romantic landscapes still can be found. Chances are, you’d discover ‘’true Russia’’ spirit, glorified by many famous Russian writers, artists and poets.

If you’re a city animal (and that's what I definitely AM), go to ice-skating rink and join a cheerful, lively crowd. You see, ice-skating rinks become more and more popular in Russia these days. They are usually decorated with lights, giant Christmas tree, which accompanied with a light music create a bit old-fashioned but utterly romantic atmosphere.

Actually, there always was the nice tradition of two sweethearts, skating together in Russia. I even asked my granny yesterday and she proves the fact!

So today as never before it's extremely cool to take your date to go skating instead of banal hanging out in the streets or chatting in coffee shop. However...you still can meet there lots of parents with little children and even some elderly couples! As they say, love is ageless ;-)

Well, I think it is enough for today and stay tuned for Part II…I’ve stored up some more wonderful winter ideas for you :)

P.S. Wait, and just in case you made up your mind to go after my little ''marketing campaign'' LOL , winter season in Russia usually starts from the middle of November and lasts till February. February in its turn is one of most chilly months, so don’t forget your fur hat : )