Where to go in the velvet season. 9 interesting destinations for traveling in Russia

You will love autumn if you go on a beautiful trip during the velvet season. This is one of the most favorable periods for vacations. We have collected for you nine ideal destinations for traveling in Russia.

Karelia

owner of Che Tour travel agency

It’s better to plan your trip before mid-October, before the rains come and the speedboats to Kizhi and Valaam Islands stop running. You can visit Ruskeala Marble Canyon and Petrozavodsk. But for me the most beautiful thing in Karelia is the nature.

Read more about what you can do in Karelia here.

Altai

Already there is no strong heat and rain, tourists are not very many, and the prices are happy compared to summer prices. We recommend visiting the sacred island of Patmos. And for lovers of active rest – rafting on the Middle Katun river.

Sam Picard

Active traveler, traveled to 30 countries and 100 cities, singer and blogger.

Altai, or to be more precise Kucherlin Lakes, is a unique place in Siberia. I visited it for the first time a year ago. Emerald waters of glacial lakes and pure nature amazed me. But it is better to see the lakes in summer or warm fall. I was in December, when the wind penetrates the body through.

Moscow Region

Autumn estates will give a special magical atmosphere to your vacation. Arkhangelskoye, Abramtsevo, Muranovo, Shakhmatovo are just a few of them. Sounds perfect: stroll through the parks, admire the unique autumn colors, visit museums, taste the dishes of ancient Russian cuisine.

Siberia

Christina: Go on a cruise “Yenisei Expedition” on one of the most full-flowing rivers of Russia – the Yenisei – on the deck of the five-star ship “Maxim Gorky”, which underwent major modernization in 2020. The excursion program provides visits to unique, remote and original places, allowing each tourist to get a unique experience of participation in the expedition.

Permafrost Museum, Putorana Plateau, Krasnoyarsk, Yeniseysk, Dudinka – this is a small part of what the route captures. What do you think of the idea of crossing the Arctic Circle and being initiated into polar explorers?

Caucasus

In Adygea it is comfortable to rest in autumn due to the mild climate. September is warm and still in summer, ideal for excursions, horseback riding, rock climbing, jeeping, rafting, mountain trekking. Visit rope and extreme parks and, of course, the mountains of the Western Caucasus.

Sam: I think many people have heard of the mountainous terrain of our Caucasus, but not everyone knows how strong it is. I have walked thousands of kilometers, starting from Pyatigorsk and ending in Vladikavkaz. I recommend you to breathe in the mountain air at least once in your life and feel a sense of lightness. We often fly with friends to Kabardino-Balkaria, for example, and at the foot of Mount Elbrus we meditate and gain energy. It is especially useful before any responsible performance.

Rest in the mountains in the fall is something very special and unforgettable, so we advise you to visit Dombai. There is already snow on the peaks, and at the resorts the temperature can reach 20°C. It is worth to go to Tiberdinsky reserve, it is located in four climatic zones, the unique change of seasons will please your eyes.

St. Petersburg

In the fall it is fabulous and melancholic. It is different for everyone. But it is a real omission not to walk through the autumn Pavlovsky or Alexandrovsky parks or not to visit the closing of Peterhof fountains.

Definitely come here, even if you come only for a day. And in such a short period of time the city will be able to surprise you. How exactly, read here.

Plyos

The city on the Volga, where the famous Levitan’s landscapes were created. You can see them live only here. And only in the fall. Ideally in tandem with other cities. The Golden Ring of Russia in the fall is an excellent choice.

Baikal

In September-October it is the easiest place to get energized for many months ahead – no fuss, only breathtaking colors of nature, silence and tranquility.

Kaliningrad

Kristina: A beautiful city with centuries-old history. Perhaps, such a mix of styles cannot be found in any other Russian city – German villas, Gothic cathedrals and fortresses are next to Soviet Khrushchev buildings, and ancient seaports with modern shopping centers. The region is home to 90% of the world’s amber reserves, and on the beaches you can often find amber brought ashore by the sea waves.

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit these places before the severe cold weather. We assure you that you will not regret the trip.