For those, who want to escape the busy life of big cities, there are many small towns around Moscow (Sergiev Posad, Kolomna, Tver, Tula, Rostov, Volokolamsk), which can give you the 'taste' of provincial life in Russia.

Each of these small towns gives a unique perspective on Russian provincial life - laid-back and full of unusual contrasts. The land where the ancient Russia has started, home to many beautiful churches and cathedrals you won't see elsewhere.