Traveling abroad has become an unaffordable luxury for many Russians since the ruble went into a steep dive. For those who are not very attracted by the prospect of spending the beginning of May in front of the TV, Forbes and Travel.ru have compiled a list the most economical cities to travel for the May holidays.
The cost of the trip includes a visit to the city's most famous landmark, lunch at a cafe and one night stay in a two or three star hotel near the city center.
We have also selected great ideas, where to go for the May holidays in 2016... By car in Russia or by sea.
7. Kungur
Price of stay - 3 366 rubles.
The city, famous for its ice cave, opens the top 7 most inexpensive tours for traveling for the May holidays. It arose about 10-12 thousand years ago and stretches for 5700 km. During the sightseeing tour, tourists can walk only 1,500 km, although this path is quite enough to enjoy the amazing and majestic spectacle of rime lace, ice crystals, grottoes and clear water of underground lakes.
Gostiny Dvor, an architectural monument located in the city center, testifies to the former merchant glory of Kungur.
For those interested in art, we recommend visiting the Art Museum and seeing paintings by Russian artists of the 20th century.
6. Bulgarians
Price of stay - 3 355 rubles.
The city in Tatarstan remembers the times of the Volga Bulgaria and the Golden Horde. It contains the healing spring "Gabdrakhman's Well" (aka "Captain's Well"). According to legend, it was created by one of the followers of the Prophet Muhammad, touching the ground with a staff. The water from the well healed the daughter of Khan Aydarkhan, who then converted to Islam. And the name "captain's" source was given in honor of Captain Rychkov, who studied the region in the 18th century.
But Bolgar is famous for not only one healing source. There is also the source of the holy martyr Abraham - a whole complex of buildings in the architectural traditions of the Volga Bulgaria.
Famous museums are the Museum of Bread and the Museum of Crafts.
5. Sergiev Posad
Price of stay - 3 344 rubles.
The main attraction is the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, the largest of all the monasteries of the Russian Orthodox Church. It contains the remains of St. Sergius of Radonezh.
And young tourists with their parents can visit the Toy Museum, which contains collections from different parts of the world.
4. Yeniseisk
Price of stay - 3 333 rubles.
In this Siberian city you can admire the temple architecture (the Spassky and Epiphany cathedrals, the Trinity Church) and the local history museum. The museum has collected a unique material demonstrating the history of the exploration and development of Siberia and the culture of indigenous Siberian peoples.
3. Soligalich
Price of stay - 3 322 rubles.
The city is located on the bank of Kostroma. Soligalich owes its unusual name to salt springs and belonging to the Galich principality. But now you won't surprise anyone with salt, but the healing mineral waters and the city mud baths are very popular. In Soligalich you can see the Holy Cross and Transfiguration churches of the 19th century, as well as the Church of St. Nicholas on Navoloka of the 17th century.
2. Pereslavl-Zalessky
Price of stay - 3 300 rubles.
One of the cities of the Golden Ring of Russia.Recommended for visiting those who are interested in temple architecture, as there are many ancient churches, monasteries and cathedrals in the city. The most interesting is the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior of the 12th century, where Alexander Nevsky was baptized.
Not far from the Goritsky Monastery there is an Arboretum, which occupies 50 hectares. It contains over 600 names of shrubs, trees and lianas from different zones of Russia and foreign countries.
1. Zaraysk
Price of stay - 3 278 rubles.
Tops the rating of the most inexpensive Russian cities for tourists in 2016. It is worth visiting for the sake of the architectural complex - the Zaraisk Kremlin. This is the only fully preserved fortification of the Moscow region. On its territory there is a unique Paleolithic site and a museum with collections of Russian, Western European, Chinese and Japanese painting, sculpture and graphics.
The city has preserved the mansions of wealthy merchants of the 17-19 centuries. Now ordinary townspeople live in them.