Veliky Novgorod is one of the most ancient cities in Russia, the large medieval center of trade and craft, the cradle of Russian democracy, the museum-city that serves as a bridge between two times, where you can feel the atmosphere of the native Russian land. It is here where the first Russian books were written and the first birchbark manuscripts were found, and they became a sensation in archeology.

The historical center of the city – the Novgorod Kremlin – is the most ancient fortification ever built in Rus’. At the heart of the Kremlin lies the first Russian stone cathedral – the St. Sophia’s Cathedral, as well as the unique collection of Russian icon paintings, frescoes of 11th-17th centuries, and the colossal monument to the Millennium of Russia which depicts the most important events in the history of Russian state.

70 unique landmarks of 11th-19th centuries are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Korostyn is an ancient Russian village on the high coast of Lake Ilmen. The uniqueness of this place lies in Ilmen Glint – a geological landmark of the Devonian period. The high coast has a spectacular vista of a long gravel beach.

The Travel Palace of Alexander I of Russia had been preserved in the village, as well as the Church of the Dormition, built in 1726 by order of Catherine I of Russia.

Staraya Russa – first mentioned in the chronicles of 1167. It owes its foundation to the salt making process – it was the primary occupation for the citizens for many centuries. Staraya Russa has been a popular resort-town in Europe ever since the 19th century. Many famous people of Russia, as well as members of the royal family, came here to rest. Among them was the famous Russian writer Dostoevsky. He came here for the first time in 1872, and in 1873 he lived here in a house which later became his Memorial House. During his stay here, Dostoevsky created a part of his novel “Demons”, a part of “The Raw Youth”, most of “The Brothers Karamazov”, as well as his famous speech dedicated to Pushkin’s Memorial unveiling in Moscow. Rakhmaninov, the worldwide renowned composer and pianist, was born in Semenovo Village of the Starorussky region.