Romantic Places to Visit in Russia

Romantic Places to Visit in Russia

Russia is quickly becoming one of the most exciting destinations in the world. Since the fall of Communism, Russian traditions that were mysterious for decades have returned and are frantically making up for lost time. Though Russia, the most massive country in the world by physical scale, offers countless other options, most Western visitors to Russia start at Moscow and St. Petersburg. Here are four spellbinding places to visit in Russia.

Abramtsevo is an retreat north of Moscow. It was a retreat for artists and writers over 100 years ago. Originally owned by Sergei Aksakov, writers and artists like Nikolai Gogol honed their craft there as guests. They wanted to purge Russian art of European influences to create a more purely Russian ethos. In 1870 it was taken over by Savva Mamontov, and under his influence, Russian art developed there. Abramtsevo contains a charming church, winding paths through wooded areas, and a rather bizarre house straight out of a storybook. The main building may have been the starting point for Chekhov’s concept for The Cherry Orchard.

Gorky Park, Moscow is a thrilling place to visit in cold weather. The footpaths ice over turning much of the setting into a skating rink. Skating along with your love is one of the most romantic ways to experience Moscow. If you go when it’s warm, you can enjoy the dozens of rides, cafes, and vendors where you can shop for souvenirs. Originally opened in 1928, Gorky Park was formerly the gardens of a local palace. Whether you go in the winter or when it’s warm, you will find countless things to thrill you and your partner. Located along the Moskva River, it is an unforgettable setting you shouldn’t miss when visiting Moscow.

The Hermitage Winter Palace is the most famous place in St. Petersburg. With its innumerable architectural touches, this magnificent building has over 1, 000 rooms. Formerly the residence of Russia’s royalty, it also was the place where in 1917 Bolsheviks started their coup d’etat. While that single event of the Revolution was not as bloody as it was later reported, it did lead to civil war and the Bolshevik victory in 1921. Since then, the Winter Palace contains the Hermitage Museum, the biggest art gallery in Russia. Paintings by da Vinci, Andrey Cherny, and Michalangelo are just a fraction of the works in this enormous art collection.

The Grand Hotel Europe is a lavish delight, with delicious food in the many restaurants, and a long and fascinating history. Among the Grand Hotel Europe’s countless historic visitors was Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky From this center of luxury, visitors can easily get to St. Petersburg’s most unforgettable sites. As a setting for romance, Grand Hotel Europe cannot be surpassed. It is like retreating to an earlier era, with opulence and elegance complemented by 21st century conveniences.

While Russia is blessed with many charming sites, these four are great choices for first-time visitors. The spectacular architecture of Eastern Europe combines with a 20th century largely filled with happenings that are unfamiliar to Westerners make Russia a unique, but unforgettable setting for romance.