If you're going to visit Russia for tourist, business, study, professional or other purposes it's rather possible that you'll spend a few days or even live in St. Petersburg, famous russian city standing on the Baltic coast.
St. Petersburg itself with all its suburbs and attractions of the region has got much to offer for those who'd like to get acquainted with Russia. But, staying in such a vast country finally makes it interesting to travel to different regions and to discover some remote places and itineraries.
Let's look on the map below to find out what parts of Russia you can more or less easily visit during a tour from St. Petersburg.
 |
| Travelling in Russia from St. Petersburg: Towns and Regions |
Right to the south from St. Petersburg we see Pskov region and Novgorod region with their capitals in Pskov town and in the town of Veliky Novgorod, respectively. Veliky Novgorod is also called, with translation from russian, Great Novgorod.
To the east from St. Petersburg you can see Vologda region and its capital town Vologda. And to the north the map shows us Karelia region which is also officially called Republic of Karelia with its capital in Petrozavodsk.
Farther to the north and to the north-east you can find Murmansk and Arkhangelsk regions and the Republic of Komi. These parts of Russia can be called rather remote ones already.
Farther to the south there are Tver region and other regions of central Russia with Moscow and lot of towns known as the Golden Ring.
The town of Veliky Novgorod (Great Novgorod) is situated close to St. Petersburg, just about 180 km (112 miles) from it. It will take you about 2-3 hours to get there by car. And simultaneously you'll travel in time.
Great Novgorod is known as the most ancient town in Russia, since it's history has begun about 12 centuries ago and the whole novgorodian land is the oldest part of Russia. Novgorod Kremlin (fortress), various temples and uncountable monasteries, everything breathes here with mysterious and beautiful history of Russia, from its earliest age.
 |
| Novgorod Kremlin (source: novportal.ru) |
 |
| One of the Ancient Churches of Great Novgorod (source: novportal.ru) |
 |
| Svyato-Yuriev Monastery and Lake Ilmen (source: novportal.ru) |
 |
| Novgorod Museum of Wooden Architecture "Vitoslavlitsy" (source: novportal.ru) |
The town of Pskov is situated farther from St. Petersburg, about 280 km (174 miles), and about 240 km / 150 miles (by car) from Veliky Novgorod. It's a good idea to visit both of these towns and their surroundings during one trip.
Pskov is almost as ancient as Veliky Novgorod but its uniqueness also originates from the fact that it has been always located very close to the western borders of Russia. During several centuries this town was the greatest fortress of Russia with multiple thick and very long walls, lots of towers and gates.
Though only a part of those fortifications exists nowadays they are enough to imagine the defensive power of Pskov during the past centuries.
 |
| Pskov Kremlin (Pskov Fortress). Cathedral of St. Trinity (source: www.tourism.pskov.ru) |
 |
| Pokrovskaya Tower of Pskov Fortress (source: www.tourism.pskov.ru) |
 | ||
| The Fifth Circle of Fortifications of Pskov Fortress. Buildings of the 15th Century (source: www.old-pskov.ru) |
Vologda region has got almost as long history as the regions of Pskov and Novgorod. Russian people lived here from the times of scandinavian vikings.
The town of Vologda is sometimes called "the lace capital of Russia". It has also got very nice kremlin, so usual for old towns in Russia, but the kremlin is not the only major sight of Vologda.
Being for several centuries one of the most remote parts of Russia the region of Vologda has probably preserved even brighter reminders of the past than Pskov and Novgorod.
 |
| One of Plenty Nice Historical Wooden Houses in Vologda Town (source: vologdatourinfo.ru) |
 |
| Frescoes of Dionisy in Ferapontov Monastery, 1502-1503 years (source: vologdatourinfo.ru) |
 |
| A Girl in Traditional Clothes (source: vologdatourinfo.ru) |
 |
| Mikhailo-Arkhangelsky Monastery. Town of Veliky Ustuyg (source: vologdatourinfo.ru) |
Karelia region (Republic of Karelia) is probably mostly known for its three great sights: Kizhi, Valaam and Solovetsky islands. Solovetsky islands are actually situated on the territory of Arkhangelsk region, not Karelia, though closer to the karelian shore of the White sea and near the border between these two regions.
Karelia is also known as a land of beautiful nature with over 61,000 lakes and 23,000 rivers, with nice rocks and waterfalls. During your trip to Karelia you can see two largest lakes of Europe: Ladoga and Onego (sometimes also called Onega).
It's also interesting to visit local villages and get acquainted with traditions, culture and life of people during a tour to this region of Russia.
The main city of the region, Petrozavodsk is situated not far from St. Petersburg, about 450 km (280 miles), though the whole region stretches far to the north.
 |
| Famous Kizhi Pogost. Kizhi Island (source: www.travel-to-russian-karelia.com) |
 |
| In the Monastery Bay of Valaam Islands |
 |
| One of Thousands Lakes of Karelia |
If you travel from St. Petersburg to Karelia or Vologda region and have enough time to extend your tour in Russia you can also visit Arkhangelsk region and/or Republic of Komi. As it has been said already, above, these two regions are rather remote ones. They are very vast ones, also.
The variety of cultural and natural heritage of Arkhangelsk region deserves a special separate description. And the Republic of Komi is interesting first of all for it's majestic natural sights, here you can visit the northern part of Ural Mountains, this beautiful and grandiose natural border between Europe and Asia.
If you would like to visit the very north of european Russia your itinerary will lead you to Murmansk region and to the city of Murmansk, situated in the northern polar zone of our planet. During such a tour you can see polar days (or nights), northern lights, the Barents sea of the Arctic Ocean and, of course, the unique nature of the region with its mountain views and other nice places.
