Top 10 niche leisure activities in Russia (PHOTOS)
Overnight stays in ‘izbas’ (traditional log cabins) with wood-burning stoves, walks through swamps and marshes and lots of stargazing: we reveal the true exotic side of a quiet retreat!
1. ‘Izba-ing’
A holiday in a traditional Russian village house, but with all modern conveniences! Imagine living in a log ‘izba’, heating a Russian stove, chopping firewood, drinking tea from a samovar, walking in nature with goats, yet not having to haul water from a well or worry about food.
The concept was first launched in Plyos and, today, such eco-hotels exist in Tula, Vologda, Kostroma and other regions.
2. Glamping
Another option for eco-hotels in nature is “glamorous camping” aka ‘glamping’! Tents, dome yurts and modular structures set right in the forest: as if you’re going on a hiking trip, but your sleeping arrangements have already been taken care of. Glamping offers style and elegance: comfortable beds, delicious breakfasts and bathroom facilities in a separate tent.
Read our review of interesting glamping sites here.
3. Visiting nomads
About 18,000–20,000 nomads live in Russia; as a rule, they are engaged in reindeer herding. While modern nomads have mobile phones and laptops, they still gather around the hearth with their entire families, just as they have done for centuries. You can get acquainted with their way of life and live in traditional ‘chums’ and ‘yarangs’ in the Yamal and Chukotka regions. Such tours are organized by local guides.
4. Astro-tourism
Chasing the Northern Lights, stargazing and searching for new galaxies: space is truly captivating! Many Russian cities feature scientific, public and private observatories. And a trip to the north to see the winter aurora with your own eyes will be remembered for a lifetime!
We reveal the best places to observe this astronomical phenomena.
5. Bog trekking
Guided tours through Russia’s wetlands are perfect for those who enjoy hikes and active outdoor excursions. Bog tours can last from several hours to several days. But, the group doesn’t just walk through marshy areas; it also observes plants, birds and animals, learns to move safely through quagmires and, generally, takes a break from contact with the outside world.
Bogging takes place in Moscow Region, Tula Region, Karelia and other picturesque locations.
6. ‘Sanatorium-ing’
During the Soviet era, sanatoriums and vacation homes mass-hosted workers, providing healthy meals on a schedule, wellness treatments and board games in the evenings. Now, young people are taking an interest in them, too! Instead of all-night parties, the focus is on herbal tea and morning exercise. An ideal place for sleepy tourism! Popular destinations for sanatorium stays include the Caucasian Mineral Waters, Krasnodar Krai, Moscow Region, Altai and Kaliningrad Region.
7. Ice floating
Ice floating is for those who want to feel weightlessness in icy water. You can swim in a drysuit in Murmansk Region, Karelia, the Far East and other regions. Remember, this is not winter swimming – in a drysuit, you are completely warm and dry and you can calmly drift among the ice floes under a guide’s supervision.
There is only one drawback – you can’t do this in summer!
8. ‘Banya’ tours
Another niche type of recreation in Russia is called ‘banya-ing’ in the media – steaming with a professional ‘banya’ attendant, visiting various types of plunge pools and learning and observing traditional ‘banya’ rituals. ‘Banya-ing’ pairs well with ‘izba-ing’ and ‘sanatorium-ing’.
You can find your ideal ‘banya’ in the city, too, with pretty much every major city boasting at least one public ‘banya’.
You can read more about unusual ‘banyas’ here: https://ru.gw2ru.com/read/4726-samye-neobychnye-bani
9. Rural tourism
Visiting apiaries, cheese-making workshops, farm picnics and haymaking tours: all these are for those looking to escape the city. Eco-farms and agricultural complexes welcome guests in Vladimir, Kostroma, Moscow Region, among others. You can ride horses, go fishing, try unusual and unique dishes and learn useful rural life skills. Who knows, one day, they might come in handy!
10. Slow tourism
‘Slow tourism’ is all about visiting quiet provincial towns free from crowds of tourists. It involves strolling around the local area, admiring the many picturesque and scenic landscapes and visiting local and regional history museums. It’s a great idea for a spontaneous getaway!
