What to expect when you try to relax in Russia

We are constantly urged to choose our homelands instead of Turkey, which includes all of us. But what will we encounter when trying to spend a vacation in a country in which there is really neither infrastructure nor roads?

When it finally comes to us that within its borders, on one sixth of the land, there are all conceivable and unthinkable miracles, then we’ll break into such trips. In the meantime, add a post to your bookmarks - for the bright future of the rest of the new format.

This is a route about Siberia. It’s “oh,” because in just a week you can understand a little how the heart of Russia lives now and find out what it was like to roam here at the time of Ermak.

The first day. How do Siberians of the 21st century live?

We start with Tyumen, one of the central Siberian cities. For a couple of years, he has been number one in terms of living standards in Russia. It is here that we see Russian, not metropolitan modernity: neat streets, a super-civilized embankment at level 4 (!!!), passers-by without a sign of fatigue on their faces.

You can, of course, just go for a walk in the center. But there is a more interesting way: immediately upon arrival to see Tyumen open spaces from the air. Paragliding will cheer you up, no matter how tiring the road you have. And the overall picture will tune to the desired wave.

Further, in order to get to know Tyumen in one day, we sit on bicycles. And again, we are not in a hurry to the center - it is too civilized and easily misleads the tourist. If you want to understand the rhythm of the city, see how people relax there, get to the parks. As an option - Gilevskaya grove. Firstly, here you can "catch" the Siberian mood: drive through the dark thicket of tall pines, break into the bright side of the birch forest, wooden walkways, river trips ... And secondly, in the grove a cheap bike rental.

Second day: the famous chair of Rasputin and the frantic Paramosha

Do you know where the first private museum appeared in Russia? Not in the capitals, but in the small village of Pokrovskoye. This is where we keep our path on the morning of the next day.

In the early 90's, the Smirnov couple decided to restore the house in which Grigory Rasputin was born and lived. All their lives they collected personal belongings of the most famous Russian peasant. However, the founders of the museum are not collectors, but historians. Therefore, a huge number of documents have been collected here that reveal Grishka’s life in a different way. And on the facts. For example, a record of the local police officer with characteristics of the villagers is stored here. This document states that the peasant Gregory prays a lot and leads a sober lifestyle. But by dates it is only a few years before the death of Rasputin. When did he, interestingly, manage to become a drunkard, whose image is cultivated among the masses?

There are many such materials in the museum, and Smirnova herself talks about them. Marina Yuryevna does not allow you to rent an excursion, but you can safely add it to the list of the most incendiary tour guides in the world. Having already written several books about Rasputin, this woman, even the most impatient men, keeps in mind all two hours of the story.

Mysticism is also enough. The most commonplace is the Rasputin chair. They say that after sitting on it, men are charged with power and luck. For example, the former governor of Tyumen, Sergei Sobyanin, a few months after testing the miracle chair went to rule the capital.

Then we dive deeper into Siberia. Swamps, midges and a unique natural corner - the largest lake in the Tyumen region. To get to Svetly and to plunge into the Russian hinterland figuratively, not literally, Paramosha is needed. That’s what they called the hefty swamp, which takes tourists to the base on the lake. Rather, it passes only part of the way, the last kilometers must be made independently. We go and go practically in a spacesuit. The mosquito suit protects not only the body, its hood with a net so that all flying creatures that are here for every taste, color and size do not climb into the face. A pedestrian road leads through swamps along a wooden deck. Vipers can bask on the boards, but do not be afraid - just tap the tree with your foot and the snake will get out of your way.

Day Three: Light and Dark. Digital detox on the lakes

Fourth day: from the slaves in the boyar. Abalak

After the life of the Siberian peasant, I want something better. But is there service and comfort in Russian tourism? Rarely, but it happens. One such place is Abalak. The complex can be called unique for several reasons. Firstly, it is located on the picturesque bank of the Irtysh. Secondly, there is a good kitchen. Thirdly, the stylization for Russia is really impressive. Everything is completely made of wood, even the toilet in the rooms is decorated like a throne, and it is impossible to forget the royal bathhouse from a cedar log.

Fifth day: in the wake of Yermak. Irtysh

At the beginning of our journey, it was announced that we would move by Yermak. The time has come, we board the ship and set off along the Irtysh. Somewhere here, near Tobolsk, the Cossack chieftain drowned, fleeing Khan Kuchum. The body of Yermak was caught by peasants about two kilometers downstream, where his grave is located is still unknown. Of course, it is one thing to read, and quite another to think about the history of the conquest of Siberia, looking at the whirlpools of the Irtysh. Reflections give way to surprise when, over the next shore, a view of the snow-white Tobolsk Kremlin suddenly opens.

Day Six: Siberian Middle Ages. Tobolsk

Tobolsk is one of the most ancient cities of the Urals and Siberia, ideal for the finish of this route. What to do here? Walking - the historical center is very small and easily lends itself to several hours of pleasant walks. In the evening, you must definitely come to the observation deck near the Kremlin (by the way, this is the only stone Kremlin in Siberia) and wait for the sunset.