Suzdal

Suzdal is arguably the most popular city in the Gold Ring, although for a long time I had no idea why. Every description of the town seemed to be similar to any of the other towns I had been to in the region, and I wondered what could make this city any more spectacular than Vladimir, Pereslavl Zelsky. Just more churches and wooden houses right?

Well, in a way yes. But then again, when we arrived, I realized rather quickly why people told me that you need more than just a day to visit Suzdal. What I thought would be a charming little town ended up being a sort of Disneyland for adults who really love churches, countryside, and wooden houses. I was so overwhelmed by the sheer mass of things to see, that I seriously regretted the fact that we had only slept 4 hours the night before.

Despite the sheer mass of things to see, Suzdal still holds the "little country town" charm, with delightful streams full of luscious lily pads and plenty of tiny wood bridges. Everywhere you walked there were horse drawn carriages and musicians, and of course the expected hoards of tourists who came to celebrate mid-summer. I could imagine that Suzdal is lovely in the winter, but I think in the end everyone in our group declared that summer was by far its most beautiful season. The flowers were even more in bloom here, and the grass was growing as if there was no tomorrow. We laughed as a group of swimmers attempted over and over again to retrieve the rope swing from over the river.

The breeze was almost as sweet as the mead we drank, "myedovoukha," which was hommade and tased just like the honey had been harvested that day. Suzdal is an absolute must see, because no matter what age you are, you can feel the magic, as you are transported back in time to some ancient, simpler, happier way of life.