LEISURE Newsletter, july 2017

Summer has arrived at last in Moscow and we enjoy sunny days after almost 40 days of rain! We are happy the season is very busy and lots of travellers are coming to Russia! In this issue please fidn the ifnormation about some palces to visit on the way from Moscow to St pet as weel as new hotels in Moscow.

Sincerely,
Helen Isaeva

Hidden Treasures: Tver

There is no doubt that Moscow and St. Petersburg are the most popular destinations in Russia. Although, there are many other interesting historical towns to see. The way from Moscow to St. Petersburg can be an exciting journey with stops in ancient Russian towns of Tver and Torzhok.

Tver is a town, located 180 km northwest of Moscow, at the confluence of the Volga and the Tvertsa Rivers. Formerly it was the capital of a powerful medieval state in the Russian Empire. The town changed its name once and was known as Kalinin during the Soviet era.

Nowadays it is a large industrial, scientific and cultural center, a major transport hub at the intersection of the railway line St. Petersburg - Moscow and the federal highway M-10 "Russia" Moscow - St. Petersburg.

Tver is one of the oldest Russian cities. In the first half of the XII century, there was a fortress at the mouth of the Tvertsa River. The town was first mentioned in written sources in 1135, which is now officially accepted as its foundation year. In 1209, Tver passed to Grand Prince of Vladimir. In 1246 the famous Russian ruler Alexander Nevskiy granted it to Yaroslav Yaroslavich, his younger brother, from whom a dynasty of local princes descended. In 1247, Tver became the capital of the Tver principality. The geographical position of Tver was an important trade route connecting Novgorod with the North-Eastern part of Russia, and the long distance from the Horde contributed to the influx of population to the region from the other Russian lands.

Formerly a land of woods and bogs, the Principality of Tver was quickly transformed into one of the richest and most populous Russian states. As the area was hardly accessible for Tatar raids, there was a great influx of population from the recently devastated south. By the end of the century, it was ready to compete with Moscow for supremacy in Russia. Both Tver and Moscow were young cities, so the outcome of their rivalry was far from being predictable.

Tver is definitely worth visiting. It possesses absolutely unique architectural masterpieces which have remained unchanged through the centuries.

Tver
Tver
Torzhok
Torzhok
Torzhok
Torzhok 
Ethnographic Open-Air Museum Vasilyevo
Ethnographic Open-Air Museum Vasilyevo
Hilton Garden Inn Moscow Krasnoselskaya
Hilton Garden Inn Moscow Krasnoselskaya
Holiday Inn Express Moscow Paveletskaya
Holiday Inn Express Moscow Paveletskaya

Hidden Treasures: Torzhok

Another amazing town in Tver region is Torzhok. It is also located on the Tvertsa River along the federal highway M10 and a branch of the Oktyabrskaya Railway division of the Russian Railways. The town is famous for its folk craft of goldwork embroidery. The town has architectural monuments of XVII-XIX centuries including cathedrals and monasteries.

Torzhok was first mentioned in a chronicle in 1139 as Novy Torg, but soon, in 1238, was burned by Mongols. Later was rebuilt and remained a border crossing and trading point on the way to the Novgorod Republic until mid XV century.

The town was incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Moscow with the rest of the Novgorod Republic in 1478. The Polish army frequently ravaged it during the Time of Troubles. During the imperial period, Torzhok was known as an important post station on the way from Moscow to St. Petersburg. One of the most famous Russian poents Alexander Pushkin used to pass through Torzhok on a number of occasions, so there is a museum dedicated to him in the town.

In the course of the administrative reform carried out in 1708 by Peter the Great, Torzhok was included into Saint Petersburg Governorate. Passing through many administrative changes over the years, in 1775 Torzhok was granted a status of town.

Architectural monuments of Torzhok include a number of parish churches, dating back to the late XVII or early XVIII centuries. Under Catherine the Great, the old monastery of St. Boris and Gleb was redesigned in Neoclassical style by a local landowner, Prince Lvov. The main city church is the Savior-Transfiguration Cathedral, founded in 1374. The current building was constructed in 1822. There is also Catherine the Great's travel palace.

Architectural and Ethnographic Open-Air Museum Vasilyevo
Another interesting spot is hidden in Vasilevo village of Torzhok area of Tver region.
Ethnographic museum was created in 1976. Masterpieces of wooden architecture were brought here from different areas of Tver region. The museum exhibition includes over 20 authentic pieces of folk architecture of the first half of XVIII - beginning of XIX centuries. Some items have expositions of housware inside. It is difficult to describe treasures of this museum. This place seems to possess the ancient Russian spirit and folk charm.

New Hotels in Moscow

• Hilton Garden Inn Moscow Krasnoselskaya 4* is a new stylish property in the central district of Moscow. It is located in Krasnoselskiy area, close to the business and historical parts of the city and only a 7 minutes' walk from Krasnoselskaya metro station. It is the biggest Hilton Garden Inn in Europe.
Signature attractions of Moscow such as The Kremlin, Sokolniki Park, Park Gorkogo, The Bolshoi Theatre and Christ The Saviour Cathedral are easy to reach from the hotel.

This new hotel offers 292 rooms of different categories. All rooms include a flat-screen TV, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Some rooms include a seating area. There is a 24-hour front desk and a gift shop at the property.

Main features:

  • 5 conference halls
  • Fitness Centre
  • Business Centre
  • Lobby Bar 24/7
  • Restaurant
  • Parking
• Holiday Inn Express Moscow Paveletskaya 3* - Opening in September, 2017 Located in the thriving business district, this new comfortable hotel is a short walk from Paveletskaya Railway Station and Aeroexpress train to Domodedovo Internarional Airport. All major attractions and easily reachable by metro or car. This property belongs to Generation 4 Holiday Inn Express and offers 243 rooms of different types:

Each room facilities is equiped with:
  • Free Coffee/tea in the rooms
  • Iron and Iron Board in all rooms
  • Flat screen with Smart TV and USB plug
  • Black out Curtains
  • Hair dryer
  • Safe box
  • Refreshing power showers
  • Pocket sprung mattresses
  • The choice of pillows
  • Mineral water upon arrival
  • Wi-Fi connection for Free
Windows open for ventilation and headboard with master lighting controls, USB port and power socket. New Brand Standard: All Day Dining concept - menu available from 10:30 to 06:00. with simple, healthy food and a well-stocked bar.