Best towns of Russia

While almost every member of KTP is somewhere in faraway lands, I'll take a minute and speculate on the topic what are the most interesting towns in Russia. Of course, I understand that it's 100 per cent subjectively: first, I haven't attended lots of Russian towns, among which peculiar Pskov, Ufa, Habarovsk and Vladivostok (and many others). Second, everyone has his own criteria of town 'quality'. For me it is not even the places to see, but the best balance between places to see and opportunities to stay and even live. Russia lacks simple facilities, you know.

But, as far as I'm quite and experienced traveller and a journalist, I think, my list can live.

So here it is.

1) Khanty-Mansiysk

Very modern and hi-fi town on the junction of two great rivers. Lots of places to see ant thing do in Winter as well as in Summer. Probably, the most compelling town in 2006.

2) Yaroslavl

Ancient city far enough from Moscow not to depend too much from it and create it's own infrastructure. Great sights, Volga, churches and museums, nice restaraunts, sport teams and... a spirit!

3) Syktyvkar

A risky choice. The thing is that there are almost no sights in Syktyvkar, but for me, and not only for me, the town is the heart of Russian North. If you are able to feel the spirit of confidence and well-wishing, you should visit Syktyvkar.

4) Kazan

Kazan is undoubtedly the Capital, capital of a proud respublic with all the attributes of a capital. Mix of cultures, lots of sights, eye-catching subway, hotels, restaraunts, sports etc.

5) Pyatigorsk

If Pyatigorsk wasn't too close to the south with all it's drawbacks, it could have made top three. Caucasus, mountains and boulevards, interesting small towns and villages around, narrow-gauge trams and evening cafes. Unfortunately, you always risk to meet an angry cop or some other local bandit around.

6) Arkhangelsk

See Syktyvkar, but Arkhangelsk is famous for lots of interesting places around the town: Malye Korely wooden architecture museum, Pinega caves in Golubino, White sea beaches in Severodvinsk etc. Or just take a river trip on Severnaya Dvina.

7) Vidnoe

Also a paradox, but, if it's possible to say so, a well-prepared paradox. Administration of Vidnoe town 20 miles from Moscow proved that you can create a nice place to live even in Russia even when all of your citizens prefer to spend their time in Moscow. Lots of trees and parks, several cafes, motoball team adored by the whole town. Of course I don't think that you are going to live there but if you are in Moscow and have lot of free time, visit Vidnoe.

8) Veliky Novgorod

Probably a leader in the field of sights: HUGE number of churchs, monasteries, museums and other ancients things. The only drawback of Novgorod - it is too small, so a day is enough for it.

9) Rostov-on-Don

Situation in some aspects resembles Pyatigorsk and Vidnoe: great infrastructure, no problem with cafes, hotels, transport, sports, but not too much sights, and, again, south is near.

Here I should stop. There are many towns that can be rated quite close below: Chelyabinsk, Plyos, Kostroma, Kovrov, Velikiy Ustyug etc, but we won't make this list too long.

I leave out Moscow and St Petersburg, because you need to visit them anyway.