Eastern Russia – Vladivostok, Khabarovsk and Magadan

With an incredibly large land mass, Russia is really many countries in one. In this article, we take a look at travel destinations in the Far East.

Vladivostok

A naval port city on the Pacific Ocean, Vladivostok has a passing resemblance to a run down San Francisco. Home to the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Navy, the city has lost a little of its luster as spending on the military has dried up. Like San Francisco, the city is built on the hills surrounding a harbor with the center of the city sporting a nice collection of architecture from the pre-communist era. The city is dotted with parks and scenic points overlooking both the harbor and Sea of Japan. Although the center of the city is very clean the surrounding suburbs have unbelievable industrial pollution problems. As the saying goes, “A nice place to visit, but you wouldn’t want to live there.”

Khabarovsk

The largest city in Eastern Russia, Khabarovsk is the headquarters of the Far Eastern Russian Military Command. The city is built on merge of two large rivers, the Amur and Ussuri. Vying with Vladivostok, the city is a major tourist hub for Asians flying into Russia and has a corresponding open atmosphere. Although Khabarovsk is primarily a military and industrial city, it is a good launching place to pursue inland activities such as fishing, exploring and hiking. The city is also an excellent location to pick up the Trans-Siberian Railway for the trek to the west.

Magadan

The town of Magadan is located in the far north of Russia on the Pacific Ocean. The town is very remote and can be classified as the stereotypical frozen Russian town in the middle of nowhere. So, why would anyone visit Magadan? The town has played a major role in the suppression of Russians throughout history.

Under Stalin’s rule, Magadan and the surrounding area was the final stop for many exiles. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of political prisoners and “undesirables” were sent to Magadan to be dispersed to labor camps mining for gold. Indeed, the only road to the town is known as the “road of bones” for the prisoners who died building it.

Today, a large memorial stands in Magadan in memory of the dead. Trips can also be arranged to visit the decrepit gulags and labor camps used so mercilessly by Stalin during the Red Terror. Ironically, the town has also gained a reputation with hunters and anglers as a launching point as game is plentiful in the area. Much like Auschwitz, a visit to Magadan serves to remind visitors of the evil man will visit upon his fellow man.

The cities and towns of Eastern Russia are nothing like those found in the west. Having lived in Russia for a year, however, I believe they are a better representation of the conditions in Russia as well as the soul of the country.

Ibiza and its night life

Ibiza is famous around the world due to its amazing night life, although it offers several other things as well. This island is one of the most visited ones in the group of the Balearic Islands in Spain, and maybe the one which attracts the highest amount of young people as well. From June to endings of October, Ibiza's night life, as well as the rest of the attractions in the island, is at its best moment due to the fact that it is when the highest among of tourists arrive. This way, if you wish to meet the island when all pubs, discos, cafes, bars, restaurants, and all other spots are open, you should chose a date between those months.

Before planning a trip to Ibiza, it is important to consider the fact that during August, this island receives a great amount of tourists due to what prices tend to rise and it might be very difficult to find a hotel room available. This way, it is very recommendable to make sure of counting on a hotel room before arriving or trying to visit the island once it becomes less crowded. There are several methods of transportation available for tourists in Ibiza.
This island counts on an important amount of taxis as well as buses in such a way that going from one point to another should not be a problem. There also are several car rentals for those visitors who wish to rent a car, and in such case it is recommendable to make sure there will be one available at the time of visiting the town, especially if it will be during August. Besides its night life, Ibiza also offers many other activities suitable for visitors of all ages and preferences. One of the main activities which attract visitors to this spot is going to its beaches. This island's beaches are extremely beautiful and allow tourists to relax, sun bath, swim, dive, and surf among many others. Besides this, those visitors who enjoy sports would be able to choose from a wide range as well since Ibiza allows them to practice biking, tennis, golf, and karts among others.

I Love Touring Italy - Springtime In The Trentino-Alto Adige Region

The Trentino-Alto Adige region of northern Italy sits on the border of Switzerland and Austria. It is largely mountainous territory and you won't be feeling the spring in early March. But there's a lot to do and see in any season and before very long the weather will be warming up. Its food and the wine are often high quality. There's another interesting factor that you may not be aware of. This region, in particular the Alto-Adige subregion, is quite Germanic. In a sense you'll tour two countries for the price of one. Since we mentioned the word price, be forewarned; touring the Trentino-Alto Adige region does not come cheap.

You might start your spring tour at Bressanone, called Brixen in German, a city of approximately 20 thousand about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Bolzano. Enjoy its Gastronomic Week, which despite its name runs for more than two weeks starting in early March. For more than 30 years the local restaurants in Bressanone and the neighboring Valle Isarco/Eisacktal have run this festival to showcase Tyrol food specialties. Enjoy them with a local wine. Castelrotto (Kastelruth in German), population about 6 thousand of which 80% is German speaking, is located about 12 miles (20 kilometers) northeast of Bolzano. Starting on March's second Sunday it hosts A Week of Nostalgia, a competition of skiers from all over Italy and many areas of Europe. What is so very special about this event? The skiers' equipment and clothing are about one hundred years old.

The town of Egna (Neumarkt in German), population about 4500, situated about 15 miles (25 kilometers) south of Bolzano plays host to the Alto-Adige Marathon on the second Sunday of April. This course is really beautiful, passing through the local mountain towns. At the end of the month Alto-Adige's capital Bolzano (Bozen in German), population about 100 thousand, located some 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of the Trentino capital Trento presents the Festa dei Fiori, a century-old celebration of spring. This Festa is held in the automobile-free Piazza Walther (Waltherplatz) named for Twelfth Century German wandering minstrel Walther von der Vogelweide who lampooned the papacy and supported the Holy Roman Emperor. His statue was removed during the days of Mussolini but returned to the Piazza after World War II.

Head to Trento, population over 100 thousand, for the Trento Film Festival whose watchwords are Mountain, Exploration, and Adventure for about ten days starting at the end of April. Bolzano presents a great wine exhibition in the Mareccio (Maretsch) Castle not far from the city center for a few days in mid-May. If you're in the neighborhood at the end of May make sure to visit the Speck Festival, celebrating this local specialty, cured and seasoned raw bacon. There are lots of other local foods and wines as well as costumed musicians.