THE'GOLDEN RING'OF : CENTRAL RUS5ıA

in the The üoİden Rİng is tİıe route invoİvİng anrİent Russİan towns you wİİl v€ry Cefıtre af thİs amazing Cüuntry. lts tharm İs İn that on river cruise by shİp. Tİ-ıe poİnt İs that oll these tawns are sİtuated üüSt;, sü not onİy wİİİyau experİence İnfarmıtİve troveİling, but cruise aİong wİde Volgı and enjay İts wonderfuİ vİews as weİl' The folİawİng towns are İnduded in the Goİden Rİng: sERGıEV P0SAD Being a monastery complex with its oldest buildings built !n 1Sth century, Sergiev Posad fascinates with the white color of its walls. For similar reason, had once been called as the "white-stone city'i Some of temples, cathedrals and chapels are decorated with gold both inside and outside, whereas the icons of Sergiev Posad are believed to be among the most valuable rarities in world of art.

PERESLAVL-ZALESSKY This unique town accomrnodates six monasteries and nine churches. Saviour-Transfiguration cathedral built in 'l2th century is one of the oldest monuments of Russian religious architecture. Local churches are adorned with frescoes, very well preserved and in good condition even to-daY. -ON-DON Rostov-on-Don is a "five-seas-port'i important junction of motor and railwa y arteries in the South of Russia. lt ensures vent to the Black sea, Azov sea and Ca spian sea, inımediate connection with the whole European pa rt of the Commonwealth of I ndependent States, Transcaucasia, Middle Ea st and Mediterranean region. The city has the internaıional airport erısuring regular air communication wirh the Russian cities and many countries of the world.

YAROSLAVL Being the oldest töWn of the "Golden Ring" founded in early 1 1th century, stores the history of whole Russia in itseİf' lt is unique for being actually composed of four different settlements: the oldest I lth century part, settlement of Catherine epoch, and the medieval part. This unrepeatable rnixture of architecture styles fascinates everybody visiting Yaroslavl. The town is surrçunded by ensembles of mansions, monasteries, churches and forts.

KOSTROMA The town was founded by lpatevsky monastery in 13th century, duı'ing Mongols'capture. lt is famous for its panorarnas and... butterl Unbelievably fresh air and the untouched nature around the city make its ecological state perhaps the most beneficial in Russia. lvanovo, with its modern architecture, is the most unusual town of the "Golden Ring'i The avant-garde houses were built in 1930's when this style had been almost aİlowed in the USSR. Ship-like houses, horseshoe-like houses, governmental institution buildings... Besides, lvanovo is referred to as the "brides' town" due to many textıle manufacturers which have operated here since l9th century and hence employed mainly ladies. However, old Russian architecture is represented here as we|l, for İnstance, wooden Our Lady's Assumption church.

SUZDAL This ancient city was founded in 1Oth century hence being a peer of Kiev Russia - the first Russian state. Our Lady's Birth Cathedral built in early 13th century, Archpriest Chambers, wooden St. Nicolas' church... These above do not comprise even one-tenth of attractions of . Many monastery ensembles with ancient churches, frescoes, and icons can be seen here.

VLADıMıR At some period, this town had been the capital of

Russia. City gate built in early 1 3th century, white-stone cathedrals built in 12th, l3th, and 'l4th century, Our Lady's Assumption Church, St. Nicolas'Church are all examples of what one can see in Vladimir. Almost all of them are under the protection of UNESCO. Nearly 300 buildings in Vladimir are protected by government. The town is deservedly believed to be one of the most beautiful cities in Russia. SIBERIA: THE,SLEEPING LAND, Hunting fierce beasts knee-deep in snory fishing in full- flowing rivers where the fish form such dense herds that a spoon thrown to the water floats, drinking vodka frozen in a glacier... These all seem to be a breathtaking fairy tale. Yet, Siberia transforms legends into reality. You will see that here indeed even most amazing fantasies qet alive. Siberia is the most spacious region of Russia. Even now there are areas unexplored by humans yet. You can find the Old Believers'settlements in the out-of-the- way places in forests. People there are still obeying the ancestors' rules and denying the modern traditions. Snow-covered taiga, boundless rivers and lakes, secret labs, winter hunting and swimming in ice-holes, Russian bathhouse and ancient customs unchanged by the civilization, and of course, the famous Siberian hospitality - alİ these are here, all these are open to you!

LAKE BAIKAL: THE WORLD,S DEEPEST LAKE Being the deepest lake in world, Baikal is called sea by the locals. This fact can easily be explained for Baikal is bigger than any of the Great Lakes in America. lt is really enormous with its length exceeding 700 km, and its width of nearly 100 km. Baikal is a unique ecological reserve where various animal and plant species are abundant. The lake contains the water which is of higher quaİity and oxygenation than filtered one. Resting by Baikal implies your actual oxygen burst! At the same time, the views and panoramas of Baikal will fascinate anyone forever. ..

KARELIA: THE LAND OF LAKES Being a fantastic area of lakes, wooden villages and ancient legends, Karelia is a real pearl in the touristic crown of Russia. The panoramas of impossible beauty are simply stunning. Violent rivers, slow springs, the huge Ladoga lake with ıhe isle of Valaam covered with Medieval monasteries and churches, hot springs never frozen even in winter _ alİ these are Karelia!