Why choose Saratov and the Volga region?

Everybody knows about the major Russian cities, but there are many genuine undiscovered places like Saratov that sample the culture of friendly people who live there.

It’s a city of friendly and open-minded people caught up in living their lives. Be sure it’s absolutely safe and authentic place with easy reach from Europe (total 6hrs flight time with change in Moscow). Being not a small city (its population is compared to Birmingham and San Francisco) and having long-long history (it’s older than New York), it represents real Russian life and culture and provides a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities. Located alongshore the biggest river of Europe(imagine!!!) and surrounded with picturesque forests it’s a must have spot of your travelling experience.

Chances are this destination hasn’t been in your list of trips to Russia or Europe before, but it would surely be after checking out its fascinating highlights:

Culture and history

You’ll find here all attributes of culture to experience Russia and make your holidays thrilling: opera, ballet, concert hall, symphonic orchestra as well as modern music of various styles, local museums,galleries and stationary circus. It’s a spot where the first human in space Yuri Gagarin trained and landed. Not long ago the military machinery displayed in the “Victory park” would not let you in Saratov:), it was standing guard over the city during wars. Now it’s open to the visitors who may take pics and rest in “National village” with traditional buildings and cafes of 17 former Soviet republics, some of them serving national food.

Volga

Being the largest river in Europe, it has everything to offer for entertainment as well as quiet relaxation. Imagine, 3700 km of waterspace providing canoeing, yachting, wakeboarding, wakesurfing as well as the Volga river cruises and, of course, camping out and swimming anywhere you like. Moreover you will not urge for a shower after it, because it’s not salty 🙂

Food

Saratov and the Volga region are extremely multinational, that’s why alongside the global take-aways and fast-foods you’ll find traditional restaurants of former soviet republics, nations and ethnic groups living in Russia: Kazakh, Georgian, Uzbek, Tatar, Caucasian, Asian etc. Don’t worry if the words ‘borsch’, ‘pirozhki’ and ‘bliny’ are strange and unfamiliar for you. You’ll fall in love with them after you visit Russia.

Outdoor activities

Explore all “typical” outdoor activities from a different angle and at lower prices: kitesurfing, hang gliding, sport climbing, lasertag, Airsoft, paintball, archery, off roading, kayaking, carting, horse riding, ice skating (all year round), cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding and even ice swimming in freezing Russian winter that is not as cold as it may seem. Don’t believe it? Just come and check this out. Don’t be afraid to catch cold, Russian ‘banya’ won’t let you.

It’s our mission for you to have a good time and unforgettable experience, and it’s your choice how deeply interested and engaged in your journey you are going to be. Every trip is unique for us and organised according to traveler’s preferences, interests, physical abilities, finances and group sizes. Please, note that some outdoor activities would benefit from larger groups but we also offer private tours to Russia.

Although globalisation penetrated Saratov and the Volga region and there are no more bears walking on the streets:), it hasn’t completely obscured local culture and lifestyle yet. It’s just the time to visit!