The year of 2017 in Russia is rich in different anniversaries - 60 years of first sattelite/sputnic lauched into space, 100th anniversary of October Revolution, Moscow celebrating 870 years of foundation. Autumn brought great news of St Petersburg to be chosen as Euroe's leading destination for the year.

Sincerely,
Helen Isaeva

World Travel Awards 2017. Europe's Leading Destination: St. Petersburg, Russia

On September 30, the Gala Ceremony of the World Travel Awards 2017 took place in the Russian Moseum of Ethnography in St. Petersburg. More than 300 participants from 100 countries gathered for the ceremony. St. Petersburg won this award in competition with Rome and Vienna.

We are proud to announce that among the winners 2017 are "Aeroflot" Russian Airlines and several hotels in Russia.

The most exciting news is that Saint Petersburg was chosen for the award Europe's Leading City Destination. Which is already the third award for this nomination. World Travel Award is the most valuable prize in the the global travel industry.

President of the World Travel Awards, Graham Cooke said: "St. Petersburg - is one of the most fast-evolving tourist destinations, and the city possesses amazing potential for further development". According to his opinion, the important distinctive feature of St. Petersburg in comparison to its competitors is the combination of history and culture in the city. He added that its citizens are lucky just because they live in the city which is a dream destination to visit by milions of people in the world.

However, not only St. Petersburg and Aeroflot won the award. Several hotels and hospitality service companies in Russia won awards as well. The best hotel in the nomination Europe's Leading New Hotel 2017 was chosen Lotte Hotel St. Petersburg, and Mriya Resort & Spa won the prize in the nomination Europe's Leading MICE Resort 2017.

Winter Wonderland: The Golden Ring of Russia

The Golden Ring of Russia is one of the most popular destinations for tourists from all over the world. Ancient towns of the Golden Ring played significant roles in the medieval history of Russia. This area is located north-east of Moscow and south-east of St. Petersburg. It is recommended for visiting all year round. It is a perfect place to try Russian traditional food and enjoy nature and architecture like in Russian fairytales.

The official list of the Golden Ring towns includes: Ivanovo, Kostroma, Pereslavl Zalessky, Rostov Veliky, Sergiev Posad, Suzdal, Vladimir and Yaroslavl. There are smaller towns on the way, such as Alexandrov, Gus-Khrustalny, Murom, Rybinsk, Uglich, as well as numerous villages.

Visiting the Golden Ring in winter can be especially exciting. You will see true Russian winter in the authentic countryside: the views which people generally associate with Russia, like snowy forests, onion domes of churches covered with snow, quaint wooden houses with smoke coming out of the chimneys.

Mostly recommended for visits are:

• Suzdal - the whole city is often described as an open-air museum
• Vladimir - a mediaeval capital of Russia, rich in history and places to visit
• Sergiev Posad - home to one of the most revered monasteries in Russia - the UNESCO-protected Troitse-Sergeiva Lavra
• Rostov-Veliky - possesses the most beautiful Kremlin

We have a variety of Golden Ring programs with different town combinations and duration. Please contact Travel Russia for more details.

Moscow Hotels

• Peter I Hotel 5*
Peter I Hotel is located in the very heart of Moscow, on Neglinnaya Street, in one of the oldest districts of Moscow. It is a 10 minutes walk to the Kremlin and the Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral and many other attractions of the capital, only a 5 minutes walk to the Bolshoi Theatre. The hotel building was constructed in 1895 and completely renovated in 2006. The interior of the hotel is decorated with the elements of the Peter I epoch. The hotel offers 133 spacious rooms. Peter I Hotel provides a full range of facilities: fitness center with pool, beauty salon, restaurant, 24-hour lobby bar and concierge services. A generous buffet breakfast is served every morning in the restaurant. The Lobby bar of Peter I Hotel is open 24 hours and offers a wide selection of appetizers and salads, sandwiches, desserts and drinks. VIP lounge is on the top floor of the hotel offers tea, coffee, pastry, fruits, light drinks and snacks for a day. Free Wi-Fi is available 24-hours in all hotel areas.

New Year's Eve Party program and menu have already been announced. The price is very reasonable. So, if you do not know where to go for the holiday season - welcome to Russia!

• Pushkin Hotel 4*
Hotel Pushkin is located in the heritage center of Moscow, a 15 minutes walk from the Red Square and the Kremlin, in quiet surroundings. The building of the hotel is an antique mansion with its great history. The building was completely renovated and decorated in 2013. The hotel's interior is designed in classic style combining aesthetic beauty and functionality. This hotel is a high quality but lower price option to the expensive brand hotels of the 4* category.

New Year's Eve Party program and menu have already been announced. Please contact Travel Russia for more details.